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Jardin du Fort
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Posts: 243
Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:59 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Weed? or.....

This one is growing in full sun just outside a tulip bed. I have no idea what it is. Any ideas? Is it a weed, or something worth cultivating?

Image

Image

Thanks! :)

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!potatoes!
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Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:13 pm
Location: wnc - zones 6/7 line

looks like dead-nettles.

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MarcP
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Posts: 239
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2012 12:17 am
Location: S.E. Michigan

I have that too. I think potatoes is right about it being deadnettle (purple)
Here are some photos on the U of M site.
https://www.michiganflora.net/images.aspx?id=1555

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applestar
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Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)

Two good things about dead nettles --

(1) when there's nothing else blooming, they attract bees, wasps, and other nectaring insects. Earliest bumble bees will go for these.

(2) if I uproot them, I almost inevitably find earthworms congregating in the roots. There must be something about these weed root zones that they like. (root exudate? >> microbial activity?)

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Jardin du Fort
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Posts: 243
Joined: Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:59 pm
Location: Fort Wayne, IN

Dead nettles it is. Thanks. I think I'll consider it a weed, but will mow it and not root it up..... :D



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