03/28/2025
What if that “w**d” you’re pulling… is actually the hero your ecosystem needs?
We’ve been trained to think “w**d = bad,” but in many cases, that label gets slapped on any plant that dares to grow outside a mulch bed or lawn border. The truth? A lot of our native plants—essential to pollinators, birds, and soil health—are misunderstood and mislabeled as w**ds.
Here’s what you might actually be pulling up:
Solidago spp. (Goldenrod) – Supports over 100 species of butterflies and moths as a larval host (USDA NRCS).
Eutrochium spp. (Joe-Pye W**d) – A late-season nectar source that keeps pollinators going when little else blooms.
Verbena hastata (Blue Vervain) – A magnet for native bees and wasps—essential pollinators.
Asclepias tuberosa (Butterflyw**d) – One of the only food sources for monarch caterpillars.
But what happens? They pop up and folks reach for the w**d killer.
Here’s the shift we need: Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this?”, let’s ask:
Is this plant native?
Is it serving wildlife?
Is it growing where it causes harm—or just somewhere unexpected?
A “w**d” is just a plant out of place. But if that place is your yard—and the plant is helping your ecosystem—you might just have a native superstar on your hands.
Let nature surprise you. The best things in your yard might be growing wild.
Want help identifying native volunteers or planning your garden around them?
DM me your plant pics—I’d love to help!
**ds **d
