Two weeds we struggle with in spring are purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) and chickweed (Stellaria media)- pictured to the right.

They have similar characteristics. They are considered winter annuals, they grow fast, starting in the fall and continuing through winter, and they spread many seeds. Most gardeners are anxious to get rid of them as quickly as possible. But, remarkably enough, these weeds can sometimes provide a service in the garden.

Purple deadnettle is a common weed in the mint family, sporting its characteristic square stems. It tends to grow in areas where the soil has been disturbed, such as fields, gardens and areas along buildings. When this winter annual begins its life cycle in the fall, it forms a small rosette of leaves that overwinters and develops flowers and seeds the following spring. The two-lipped flowers enable small bees to use the lips as a platform to enter the flower and get to the nectar and also brush against the pollen to carry to another flower, thereby ensuring the plant's existence. As its name states, deadnettle leaves are tinted purple and fade to green as they mature. If you view a large field infested with deadnettle, it looks purple (and beautiful) in the spring. It dies back in late spring and early summer after setting seed.

The flowers of purple deadnettle are utilized as a food source by pollinators. The nectar of purple deadnettle is attractive to bumble bees, honey bees and digger bees, a group of large bees that nest in the ground. It is also attractive to a bee mimic called the giant bee fly (Bombylius major). The adults of bee flies are pollinators. Bee flies are known to produce parasitic larvae in the nests of a number of ground dwelling insects including solitary bees, tiger wasps and cutworms. Some are very host-specific and others will parasitize a variety of hosts.

Another major bothersome weed in the spring is Chickweed. It quickly invades thin turf areas especially where there is good soil moisture. Shade may also encourage growth. It has a prostrate growth habit and is not affected by mowing. A dense, vigorous turf is the best way to reduce the encroachment of this annual winter weed. Select the appropriate turf grass cultivars for your area and then properly fertilize, mow, and water to encourage dense growth.

Once you have seen chickweed, it’s hard to miss it growing in your lawn or garden. It is a low-growing, branched-stem plant with 1/4" long leaves set opposite. The leaves are broad and slightly heart shaped with pointed tips. Flower petals are small and white with deeply cut petals that close up before rain storms. With a magnifying glass you can see a fine line of ‘hairs’ down the stem (think if a horse's mane). Chickweed, another winter annual that thrives in cool weather, is often introduced to the landscape in container-grown ornamentals so be sure to inspect any container plants you bring home.

Songbirds and game birds also depend on chickweed as an important early food source. The tender leaves are eaten by ground-feeding birds such as doves and quail.

Getting rid of any of these weeds should start in the fall when the small plants emerge as the regular garden season ends. An herbicide may be used at that time to prevent new seeds from germinating. In the spring pulling the weeds may be the best option--purple deadnettle is usually easy to pull out. Be sure to shake off the loose soil so you don't have to add more soil to your garden. Chickweed can be easy to pull. Try to gather all the loose stems in a handful and get most of the roots. Unfortunately, this method may also be shaking off some weed seeds. However, if you quickly plant and mulch the area with leaves, straw, or compost, it may prevent many weeds from germinating.