Knowledgebase

Are these weeds? #757390

Asked June 21, 2021, 9:27 AM EDT

I just purchased a home on the eastern shore with gorgeous gardens. But I cannot tell what plants were intended and what are weeds. I would hate to pull out the wrong things.

Talbot County Maryland

Expert Response

The plant in your first photo resembles a Catalpa tree. There are two species in Maryland, with the Northern Catalpa being more common. https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/viewChecklist.php?genus=Catalpa

Paulownia has similar leaves and opposite leaf arrangement, but your plant appears to have more whorled leaves, so I am leaning toward Catalpa. Other characteristics (flowers, seed pods, buds) would help to differentiate the two.

The plant in your second photo looks like a native passionflower (Passiflora) vine. https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/2171

Christa
 

Thank you! Very helpful.



The Question Asker Replied June 23, 2021, 10:16 AM EDT
Christa,

Do you think that the Passiflora vine was planted intentionally, or do they commonly show up in flower beds on their own?
Beth


The Question Asker Replied June 23, 2021, 10:21 AM EDT

Hello Beth,

It's possible the Passiflora arrived via seed as wildlife (squirrels?) can consume the fruits, but they are also known to sucker profusely. If the parent plant originated in a neighbor's yard, for example, roots can spread and re-sprout new stems as they go. It's a nice, long-blooming vine that attracts bumble bees, other pollinators, and hosts caterpillars of the Variegated Fritillary butterfly, but they can be aggressive in the garden. Suckers are easy to remove, though, if you find them where you don't want them; just be aware that plucking them out may be an annual occurrence.

Passiflora is sometimes known as Maypop due to its habit of only starting new growth in late spring (they "pop up" in May). Stems die-down to the ground each winter and emerge from winter dormancy very late, though their summer growth rate makes up for this quite easily.

Miri

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