#2 looks like prunus serotina, #3 I vote mugwort.

Thanks! Wow...you're good! :-)

I just googled the plants you mentioned, and yeah, they do look like those. Prunus Serotina ...I guess that's black cherry? If that IS in fact what I have, I wonder how it landed into one of my pots? Does that self-sow? If I keep it in a pot, will it grow into a bush or something? Is it considered attractive/good for birds?

On the mugwort, is that considered a wildflower? Attractive? Good for birds/butterflies? I must say...the leaves themselves aren't very attractive... :-)

Tx!

Seed dispersal for black cherry or choke cherry is likely bird droppings. It's a tree, I like 'em, many native birds like 'em, they are a host plant for many leps including some of the saturniid moths. You can prune it into a shrub.

Mugwort? Chrysanthemum weed, I don't like 'em, I pull 'em constantly. Seed dispersal is prolly windbourne? They mostly reproduce vegetatively through rhizomes... horrible to get rid of once established.

Thanks kwoods. So am I to infer from your reply that you too think that photo # 2 IS some type of a cherry tree? I'd be thrilled if it were, as I know those trees are very hospitable to a variety of wildlife!

I'm not sure what it is, but it does look to me to possibly be a wild cherry. While wild cherries are nice for the wildlife, you will likely not want it near the house, drive, or outside area you use for sitting. The cherries when they drop are a real mess on lawn furniture, or vehicles, etc. Ask me how I know...lol.

Sue...chemocurl

I have several Prunus serotina, including one large tree that is approx. 50 years old. The big tree makes zillions of seedlings in my back gardens so it a likely culprit for mkaing your seedling. It is a wonderful tree for wildlife but grows fairly large with a somewhat rangey habit. The bark becomes dark and scraggy looking in old age. I would plant in a naturalized area.

#4 looks like my Aster cordifolius (aka Symphyotrichum cordifolium). I've got lots of it - also a prolific self-sower. What a gorgeous haze of tiny lavender flowers in early fall, esp in mass.

{{gwi:1056789}}