From the least-dangerous-but-most-annoying list is Johnson Grass or (Sorghum halepense). This rhizomatic grass spreads like crazy and grows to heights over 5 feet tall. To say that it grows fast is to say that lightning might sting a little. I've pulled it from every garden but where it is the most annoying is when it seeds itself underneath another plant like my Russian sages or among my hemlocks. It's easy to pull up but you have to get all the roots in order to completely be sure it won't be back and that is a challenge. Herbicides work but I try to avoid chemicals in the garden.
The next weed that vexes me and my garden is ragweed (Ambrosia artemissiifolia). I don't have any real allergy problems but this weed grows like, well, a weed! If a seed hits the ground a new plant will be found. Once ragweed starts to grow it begins to crowd out the grass and other plants that surround it and when it is removed it leaves a bare spot. Of course if you know ragweed it gets worse. It's the plant behind hay fever which is caused by ragweed pollen floating over the wind. It even points a finger at goldenrod (Solidago) who gets blamed for it all when it blooms in the fall. Poor solidago, such a beautiful plant maligned!
The last of my weedy triumvirate is horse nettle (Solanum carolinense)!
If you have ever tried to pull it without gloves on (or sometimes even with) you have no doubt noticed a dangerous surprise. All long its stem are sharp prickly thorns well suited to protect itself from the errant hand of the gardener. It self seeds everywhere but in the first couple days of growth it doesn't have any thorns and pops up easily when pulled. If you let it go or you don't notice it for a few days longer grab the nettle at the base of the plant where there are very few thorns and pull (make sure you are wearing gloves!)
Did I mention that it's toxic? It's also a native to the U.S., I guess we can't blame someone else for this weed!
Thanks for joining me on Worst Weed Wednesday! So what's your worst weed?