Volunteer Plants In Gardens: The Unexpected But Welcome Guests

Gardening is a therapeutic activity that brings joy to many people. It provides an opportunity to connect with nature, to grow your own food, and to create a beautiful outdoor space. However, even the most carefully planned garden can surprise you with unexpected guests - volunteer plants.

What Are Volunteer Plants?

Volunteer plants are also called self-seeders or self-sowers. They are plants that grow from seeds that were not intentionally planted. These seeds may have been dropped by birds, carried by the wind, or hidden in the soil. Volunteer plants can be either annual or perennial, and they can be a variety of different species.

The Benefits Of Volunteer Plants

While some gardeners may view volunteer plants as a nuisance, there are actually many benefits to having them in your garden. One of the biggest benefits is that they are free! You don't have to spend any money on seeds or seedlings, and you don't have to put in any extra effort to plant them.

Volunteer plants can also add a touch of spontaneity and surprise to your garden. You never know what might pop up, and that can be exciting. Additionally, volunteer plants can help fill in gaps in your garden, providing additional color and texture.

Popular Volunteer Plants

There are many types of plants that are known for their tendency to self-seed. Some popular examples include:

• Nigella (Love-In-A-Mist)
• Poppies
• Snapdragons
• Cosmos
• Zinnias

Nigella (Love-In-A-Mist)

How To Manage Volunteer Plants

While volunteer plants can be a welcome addition to your garden, they can also become invasive if left unchecked. Here are some tips for managing volunteer plants:

• Identify the plant - Before you decide whether to keep a volunteer plant or remove it, you need to know what it is. Some self-seeders may be weeds that can take over your garden if left alone.
• Manage the location - If a volunteer plant is growing in a spot where it doesn't belong, you can transplant it to a more appropriate location.
• Control the spread - To prevent volunteer plants from taking over your garden, you can deadhead the flowers before they go to seed, or you can pull up the plants before they have a chance to reseed.
• Use them to your advantage - If you like the look of a particular volunteer plant, you can encourage its growth by saving the seeds and scattering them in other areas of your garden.

Poppies

Volunteer plants may not have been part of your garden plan, but they can still be a wonderful addition. They can add beauty, spontaneity, and a sense of surprise to your outdoor space. With a little bit of management, you can enjoy the benefits of these unexpected but welcome guests.

Self-seeders, Free Plants, Spontaneous Beauty, Garden Surprises, Gardening Tips, Volunteer Plant Management