The top ten most under-appreciated spring lawn “weeds”
According to the wide diversity of butterflies who nectar on these in our yard:
- Common Blue Violet
- Common Dandelion
- Ground Ivy (Creeping Charlie)
- Carpet Bugle
- Slender Yellow Woodsorrel
- Roundleaf Ragwort
- Philadelphia Fleabane
- Mouse-Ear Chickweed
- Small-Flower Buttercup
- Bittercresses
They fill a time gap when few other plants are flowering. And, they thrive in heavily disturbed environments, including mowed lawns.
Comments
Surprised to see blue violet at number one--I feel like I hardly ever see any insects visit them!
@danlego Yeah, I find it very interesting. This is the butterfly list. I’ve been closely monitoring butterfly nectaring activity in our yard, because I’m curious as to whether nectar availability during the spring might be a population limiting factor. Nectar supply is no problem during the summer, but the spring picture seems murkier.
The long tongue bee list probably would be similar to the butterfly list. But, for small bees, I agree that Blue Violet wouldn’t be anywhere near the top. Roundleaf Ragwort would probably be #1.
I’ve observed at least six butterfly species nectaring on Blue Violet flowers in our lawn so far this spring, and across a pretty long period of time: West Virginia White, Henry’s Elfin, Falcate Orangetip, Sleepy Duskywing, American Lady, Orange Sulphur. All relatively small butterflies, none of the Swallowtails. They seem to prefer Ground Ivy and Carpet Bugle.
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