I’m not sure but last year I was curious about something that was growing next to my house and left it. It turned out to be an 8 foot sunflower that was beautifuL! I kept seeds from it and They are all growing in my garden this year! Not saying that’s what you have here but sometimes “weeds” Are not weeds. I’ve left things in the past and sometimes been pleasantly surprised. With that said...it could be a nasty weed also. It’s okay to let it be for a little bit to see what you get. That sunflower took a couple of months. :)

there are multiple definitions of what a weed is ... like something that grows where you dont want it ... something that reseeds too aggressively ... whether or not it has a value to the gardener .....etc.. etc .. so its not as simple as just declaring it a weed ...

and one mans weed.. can be her valued plant.. due to how she wants to use it ... a garden thug in a small garden.. might e a savior on a hillside.. whre nothing else can grab hold ... e.g. ...

the usual key to it all ... is figuring out if its a weed or not.. BEFORE it goes to seed ... one might be interesting for a season ... but might be a big problem.. if you end up with hundreds the next year ...

btw emily ... random sunflower below where birds perch.. usually indicates a bird feeder somewhere around ... or of course.. someone growing sunflower.. that the birds can actually get to ripe seeds because the squirrels dont steal the whole head first ... lol .. if thats the case.. you usually find a dozen or two sprouting all in one spot from the hoarders stashing them away ...

sandy.. we might have to wait ans see the flowers.. to verify perens suggestion .. though i dont think ive seen her wrong.. ever ...

ken

Well said, Ken. :)

I'm afraid this is not going to turn out to be something desirable. It's Artemisia vulgaris. A tenaciously spreading plant which is very hard to get rid of. The flowers are nothing to look at and the pollen is a fairly severe allergenic for some. In a garden setting it's a weed in most people's books.

https://www.wnyprism.org/invasive_species/mugwort/

Thanks for responding everyone! Ken, you’re pretty much preaching to the choir - I do believe that a plant some consider a weed might merely be a plant in the wrong place (and that “place” could be the corner of one’s yard, or an entire region) but there are so many compelling factors, it just depends. I’ll keep on eye on it for a while just it case it’s mugwort (or something wonderful)!

Mugwort is a prohibited species in New York State – for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

I just photographed one species of ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, . Ragweed has opposite leaves while the mugwort ( Artemisia )has alternate.

The two growing together taken today on a North Carolina roadside.

"

perennial or an annual that reseeds enthusiastically that was originally planted by my Dad.

===>>>.

the point i was struggling to get to... was either dad had some use for it ... which we all doubt ... or maybe dad just missed a weed.. and now you are giving it ..or trying to give it .. exalted status ...

i agree with everyone.. get rid of it ... and forget the dad variable.. on this one ...

i swear to God.. my dad.. GRHS... brought me every problem plant that he could get his hands on ... every time i got a new house ... some how or another.. they all got hit by round up... sooner or later ... but i never said no.. nor told him to stop bringing things ...in this case.. the memory alone.. is the gift ... not those plants... lol

ken

ps: i dont know where he got them all ... but boy could he spot them ... lol ..

" I’ll keep on eye on it for a while just it case it’s mugwort (or something wonderful)!"

No "just in case" - no question that it is mugwort. And not something I'd leave untouched for any length of time. By the time you get back to it, it could be taking up 3-4 times the real estate it now consumes. Or more. That sucker can spread!!

It's Mugwort. I'm not sure what all the havering is about.

Just wishful thinking I guess. Virtually everything I’ve inquired about has turned out to be a nightmare requiring, in an ideal world, immediate action. I live several hours drive (in opposite directions) from the two places I garden so it would be nice to be able to let some things be. The problem isn’t that plant in that particular location. It’s that there are boat loads more of it everywhere else. Someone, gardengal48, I think, identified mugwort based on photos I posted earlier of more mature plants, noting its invasive nature and I commented that I have to prioritize. That said, what I meant by my last response was that if it was mugwort I‘d pull it, if it was something wonderful I keep it. Consensus is mugwort, so it’s gone!

Ken, my dad and yours must have been buds, because I’m certain many of the problematic plants that are overwhelming my parent’s yard/garden were planted intentionally. I wasn’t giving the plant exalted status, I was just describing it as my mom described it to me. Trust me, when it comes to dealing with problem plants, sentimentality has no influence on me (or mom).

Carol23, thanks for the link & photo. The mugwort is in CT, not in NYS, I should have given a location.

Thanks all!