My husband mowed last weekend. It had to be done. The result is a fairly even swath of topped weeds, broken here and there by dandelions.
The mower’s blade shaved off an entire generation of henbit and purple dead-nettle. Taking advantage of their new access to sunlight, a shy crop of ground-hugging weeds have bloomed in unison.
I’m frustrated by the yard’s new blooms, but not because they are weeds. I’m frustrated because they are unknown weeds. Few things bother me more than not knowing.
While I’m reasonably certain that the white petals above belong to chickweed, my wildflower guide and online research have failed to provide a name for the pale purple flower below. I suspect it may be a type of speedwell, based on those four striped petals. But the hairy leaves? They don’t seem to fit.
What am I missing? Any ideas?
Rae Spencer 
I believe all cultivated flowers originated from ‘weeds’…both actually and metaphorically.
I was thinking Speedwell too. But, like you, the spiky leaves don’t seem to match. As you land is kind of marshy it could be some wetland variation.
We’re a long way from mowing in my neck of the woods!
they are gifts, they show us so much to all the good we are open to, thank you
I usually avoid weeds because of allergies but these are so pretty I’d be tempted to bring them inside and put them in a vase. Sorry can’t help with the names…
One man’s weed is another man’s flower….beautiful shots. I can’t wait for our area to be out of the winter duldrums and into spring!
Yes they are all beautiful. 🙂
From anything I could find, they’re a little early for Speedwell (May to September) but, this is an unusual year, and they aren’t growing in a marshy place. The flowers don’t look as if they grow in long sprays, but I couldn’t find anything else close, either, and the flowers look just like the different Speedwells.
See? Frustrating, isn’t it!? grr
(And I have to admit that my back yard is a kind of “marshy place”, especially after a rainy day like yesterday. It doesn’t drain well…)
I know this will sound crazy for many people, but I find lots of weeds beautiful!
Doesn’t sound crazy to me!