Looks like a weed that grows in mine

Looks like bloodroot to me. Cute white flowers in early spring.

As to taking over, I have had only one plant for years. This year I noticed a second plant a couple feet away. They are holding their own against the hellebores too -- that's what's taking over my spaces.

Ben, you are correct. It is bloodroot. It may have cute flowers in spring, but it can be toxic to dogs, they don’t mention cats probably cause they’re too smart to eat it (haha, you can tell my pet persuasion) just kidding. It can also cause poison ivy like burn or skin irritation if you touch it without gloves. Thanks!

debra

My dogs ignored it over the last 20 years I’ve had it and I never had any irritation when moving it, which I do often to add that bright white pop to my spring garden.

tj

Well, what can I say? Ya, can’t believe everything ya read!

debra

I had one or two plants that would come up in the same places for years. Last year and this Spring? It is popping up everywhere. I can't believe how it has started to spread. I wonder what has changed?

Also, a contractor was here one time and told me the roots are worth a lot of money down South where he's originally from. I don't remember why. I'll have to Google.

Bloodroot is beautiful. Re-plant it! It should bounce back just fine, probably not with new foliage this year, but next year. My dogs have never bothered my bloodroot, and the one I've got now likes to dig if she picks up a scent.

I love it. I've seen it growing over in the woodlands at Dawes. Nothing here though.

One of the cherished spring ephemerals.

Bloodroot - a great native species (well at least for many of us in this forum). Interesting fact: ants are one of its primary pollinators.

There is a part on the seed that ants eat and then they carry the seed to new locations. I have a blood root growing in one of my hosta beds for 20 years that has multiplied into a big clump but last year I noticed seedlings popping up 7 to 10 feet away from the momma. I let them grow in their spot between stepping stones for the last year and have moved them into a permanent location in the last month.

I put a double flowering bloodroot in my front hosta bed last year and it had one leaf but no flowers this year. It is still alive (yay) so hopefully if will be happy and multiply.

Interesting about the ants......the spot where I found the plant has a large ant mound. The area near the air conditioner is always covered in ants when I pull the cover off.

debra

You are lucky. With enough (but not too much) water the foliage gets big beautiful and, I think, interesting. But it will die back.. Correct me if my memory is faulty but when the foliage starts to fade, it goes quickly. None of this lingering on being ugly unto death like daffodils and alliums.