skip to main content

Name That Plant!

Identify weed with tiny pink flowers

6 years ago

I'm assuming this is a weed, because it has self-seeded all around our yard. But one place it has grown into a rather ornamental shrub so i'm wondering what it is. I thought it was a hydrangea based on the leaves but the flowers are definitely not. Thanks in advance!

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

6 years ago

I'm pretty sure it IS a hydrangea :-) But it appear to have undeveloped flowers for whatever reason (and there could be lots of reasons) - the flowers that you can see clearly in the center photo are open fertile flowers common to a hydrangea. It is just lacking any of the larger and showier sterile flowers.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

dinner_s
Original Author
6 years ago
Well hmph! Do you care to elaborate on reasons why that might happen? We just moved here in February so still learning the new yard and dirt. Do hydrangeas self-seed?
Related Discussions
Bushy plant with tiny pink/red flowers. Weed?
Q
Comments (2)
Porterweed? Here is a link that might be useful: Stachytarpheta spp.
...See More
Dahlia not blooming, just tiny pink flowers
Q
Comments (6)
No need to feel like a dork. Even the weed appreciates a little TLC once in a while! If you can grow a jasmine there is complete hope! Here is the foliage of what I think is your plant A little further away with blossom beginning middle left of center against the horrible backdrop of phlox,spent geranium, crocosmia, a lone foxglove, and sweet woodruff run amok. Not a good photo, sorry. The little pink blooms go on to produce fluffy white tufts of seeds that float away to other portions of the garden if left unpulled, as I recall. The weed is the one with maroonish stem beginning at the bottom of the photo. And another closer up of fresher foliage. Nice of me to include it inside the ribbed cage for the asters wasn't it? Even weeds need support:)
...See More
Help identify this weed with tiny white flowers
Q
Comments (3)
Thanks, floral_uk. That seems like a strong possibility, though none of the flowers I'm looking at seem to open as much as Cardamine's flowers. Maybe I need to give them a few days. The plants are about 9" tall which is about the same for Cardamine. I see this Cardamine is sometimes called "Sand bittercress" which would accord with these plants growing in virtual gravel. Here are several photos I just took (some of which are virtual duplicates but they look beautiful!) I'll get a good photo of the basal leaves later today.
...See More
Tiny pink flowers
Q
Comments (5)
Yup, that looks about right, either E. ciliatum or E. hirsutum. The confirmation was when I read that these are "common weeds of container- and field-grown nursery crops." It was growing right next to a Joe Pye Weed that I just planted last year; I'm sure that's how it got into my garden. Thanks much.
...See More
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Yes, they can seed around if the situation is suitable. And the under-developed flowerheads could be caused by excessive shade or cold damage, depending on species.
dinner_s thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
sweet_betsy No AL Z7
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
American beautyberry, isn't it?
dinner_s thanked sweet_betsy No AL Z7
Embothrium
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Flower head in second picture does not look like Hydrangea.
dinner_s thanked Embothrium
nel5397
6 years ago
That is a Beautyberry.
dinner_s thanked nel5397
dinner_s
Original Author
6 years ago
Beautyberry leaves do look right. But when will it make berries? Are they edible?
sweet_betsy No AL Z7
6 years ago
The berries will come after the flowers. I have never heard of eating them.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
6 years ago
People make them into jelly, apparently. But they are so attractive on the plant it doesn't seem worth the faff to me.
dinner_s
Original Author
6 years ago
All righty then, beautyberry it is! Thanks for your help! (And gardengal, I do have hydrangeas other places in the yard that aren't flowering either, so I will check into those. Thanks!)

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Zen Weeding: The Smart Way to Weed Your Garden

By Susan J Tweit

Be mindful about keeping weeds from taking hold in your yard by knowing when and how to get rid of each type

GARDENING GUIDES What’s in a Name? See 6 Wildflowers That Aren’t ‘Weeds’ at All

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Dispel the stereotypes of weeds and try these wildlife-supporting native wildflowers in your garden

PINK FLOWERS Great Design Plant: Pink Trumpet Vine Heralds Vibrant Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Announce your landscape beautification efforts with this flowering vine that perks up hot, dry gardens

GARDENING GUIDES Why Your Garden Might Be Full of Weeds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Tired of battling unwanted plants? These surprising reasons for weediness point the way to cures

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Ways to Naturally Win the Weed War

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Show irksome weeds no mercy with these tricks for combating them sans chemicals

FLOWERS 15 Native Flowers That Attract Butterflies

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

By picking plants from this list that are right for your location, you’ll get colorful blooms and support pretty pollinators

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

GARDENING GUIDES What Your Weeds May Be Trying to Tell You

By Curtis Adams

An invasion of weeds can reveal something about your soil. Here’s what is going on and what to do about it

MOST POPULAR 10 Reasons to Love a Tiny Garden

By Laura Gaskill

Small outdoor spaces can have a beauty all their own

GARDENING GUIDES 20 Favorite Flowers for Butterflies and Bouquets

By Marianne Lipanovich

Discover perennials and annuals that do double duty as butterfly magnets and versatile cut flowers

Sponsored

Emily Rudolph Interiors

27 Reviews

Hands-On & Collaborative Columbus Interior Designer

More Discussions

Lambsquarters (Chenopodium giganteum)?

11

Yellow ID please

3

A Weed? Or something else?

4

What mint species?

9

Polygonatum multiflorum or ??

2