I am a weed puller. The plants in my garden are the ones I put there, and I don’t particularly like to see native gardens or prairies overrun with invasive species either. But sometimes you just have to appreciate the fact that even weedy plants can create a beautiful landscape.
Hairy vetch, hoary alyssum, birdsfoot trefoil, and smooth bromegrass make a weed bouquet.
These introduced species (mostly from Europe) tend to grow well in disturbed areas and their dense clumps leave little room for other native species. The weak stems of hairy vetch (purple) trail on top of the other vegetation smothering it. Birdsfoot trefoil (yellow) forms a dense mat closer to the ground.
The fact that weedy species establish themselves quickly means that they may be used to re-vegetate an area following road construction. For example, the Department of Transportation in some states planted smooth bromegrass, hairy vetch, and birdsfoot trefoil along with alfalfa, rye, and wheat grasses along newly constructed roadways to quickly stabilize the disrupted soil.
At least these species are quite pretty to look at and lack the painful stickers of knapweed and yellow star thistle (the truly noxious weeds).
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