When is a Weed not a Weed?

When it is something you want in your garden, lawn or in a vase.

Consider the common dandelion. To many, it's a pesky weed that pops up everywhere. But to a child, it is a beautiful yellow flower, easy to pick from the ground and give to someone they love. To the bees, it's a pollen rich flower they can enjoy to when the weather warms.

The dictionary definition of a weed is: "a plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted, as in a garden."

Queen Anne's Lace is another plant considered among many social circles to be a weed. But look at it! The flower is actually quite beautiful and truly resembles a bit of lace. Many people actually cultivate this plant, growing it from seed and using it in cottage style gardens or using the flowers in bouquets. The wispy foliage, tall slender stems and white flower heads that sway in the breeze are charming in the right place. But left on it's own, it can invade prairies, abandoned fields and roadsides.

Another common weed is Chicory with its blue flowers on slender stems. You can normally find this along the roadside, in parking lots or any deserted area.

It has a beautiful blue flower and looks quite pretty! Chicory leaves are also edible and used in many countries as food. Look at this chicory "garden" growing next to the driveway as if it were an ornamental plant:

Thistle is another "weed." But it's also Scotland's national flower and beautiful in it's own right. Though prickly and scary looking, it is also somehow handsome and striking with the purple-pink flower head and spiky green foliage.

When I took this photo of the pink thistle flower, the owner of the garden was watering it and looked at me sheepishly. "I know this is a weed," he said, "but just look at it! It is so magnificent!" Indeed it is.

A weed is something you don't want.

A weed is something that makes you cringe. 

A weed is annoying.

But if it makes you smile, well then, it's just another flower in your garden!

What's a plant that's considered a weed but you love? Leave a comment below!