Spring “weeds” are for the bees!

Pictured above: Cutleaf eveningprimrose (Oenothera laciniata) by Emily Bell

Springtime in Florida’s forests and flatwoods is bright with blooms from native plum and cherry trees (Prunus spp.), Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.), Pawpaws (Asimina spp.), Lupines (Lupinus spp.) and so much more! As these natural areas come to life in late February and March, so to do our urban landscapes, often to the dismay of those curating a manicured green lawn – cue the dreaded “weeds”! Blossoming plant volunteers can also create confusion for native plant gardeners unsure of what to keep and what to pull.

Early spring wildflowers are a critical food resource for hungry pollinators as they begin hatching, pupating or just waking up from a winter slumber, but these resources can be hard to come by in the urban environment. The national No Mow May initiative was created to encourage people to let early wildflowers bloom across their landscapes before beginning seasonal mowing. Here in Florida, however, where spring comes early, No Mow March is more appropriate. So before you get to work mowing or weeding, let’s take a look at some of the most common lawn “weeds” (both native and non-native) and learn a little more about them!

Common native spring wildflowers in urban areas

Learn more about spring’s beneficial native wildflowers in urban environments here.

Common NON-NATIVE spring wildflowers in urban areas

We encourage the removal of these non-native plants to make room for the native wildflowers that are best suited to supporting our native pollinators.