difference between

[derbi]

Hell, since finding this site ive been slowly learning what things are but i still cant get my head around something. A few years ago i used to help in grandparents garden they showed me what weeds looked like.
Now im older ive realised that half of them were wild flowers not weeds.
So my question is What seperates weeds from flowers?
thanks

[slimrbp]

I think generally a weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place i.e. doesn't conform to what the gardener had in mind to grow.

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by slimrbp

I think generally a weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place.

That's the description I've always used

[Jason Green]

I agree. I think quite a few 'weeds' are pretty. They usually have flowers of sorts, and so to me are wild flowers... then demoted to weeds when people don't like them!

[smartie]

Pretty much what I would have said too, though there are some things like bindweed, ground elder and horses tails that it's difficult to imagine anyone wanting to grow at all

[derbi]

Thankyou, ive got wild flowers which ive grown from seed, and had ones pop up after i flooded the garden last year, but ive never considered them as weeds just flowers. Apart the chickweed that seems to be trying to over take my garden at anygiven oppertunity.
Im amased that some people get rid of them, and replace them for foriegn species.
I assuming its illegal to pick wild flowers to take home and cultivate, is there anywhere good to buy native british pl;ants from?

[metalfish]

Originally Posted by derbi

Thankyou, ive got wild flowers which ive grown from seed, and had ones pop up after i flooded the garden last year, but ive never considered them as weeds just flowers. Apart the chickweed that seems to be trying to over take my garden at anygiven oppertunity.
Im amased that some people get rid of them, and replace them for foriegn species.
I assuming its illegal to pick wild flowers to take home and cultivate, is there anywhere good to buy native british pl;ants from?

Hello Derbi , yes you're right, we do have some amazingly beautiful wildflowers in the country- and wes you're right it is illegal to pick'm or take the seed.
A good nursery to get native stuff from is Naturescape Wildflower Farm
www.naturescape.co.uk they sell plants and seeds of over 200 British species- they all come from UK stock too.
If you live near Nottingham/ Grantham then they are well worth a visit, if not they sell everything by mail order too. If you need any advise just give them a ring and someone will answer your questions
They have a good catalogue and a very usable website too (and yes I did used to work there hense the advert !)

On the 'what is a weed' question then I'd agree with Slim- it's any plant in the wrong place- even an oak tree in a wheat field can be considered a weed.

[derbi]

thankyou metalfish, i live in lincoln so not far from either place will definatly have look at the site.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by metalfish

On the 'what is a weed' question then I'd agree with Slim- it's any plant in the wrong place- even an oak tree in a wheat field can be considered a weed.

Under current policies, it is not, thankfully. Cross-compliance to get finance does give them protection.

[metalfish]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Under current policies, it is not, thankfully. Cross-compliance to get finance does give them protection.

I only meant this as an extreme example, certainly not as an opinion.