Scorpionweed a reliable bloomer for bees

Q: I have lots of this weird weed popping up in my rock beds out front and wonder what they’ll grow up to be. The leaves are a cool green color – like you would define it – and have the most precise scalloped edge. Amazing actually! They started in a rosette pattern, flush with the ground, but are now starting to elongate in height. I don’t see any flowers or buds yet. Another oddity, they seem to be sticky. Any idea as to what’s aiming to grow in my landscaping? — M.C., Albuquerque

A: This creature sounds like a “weed” that I have show up in my world too. I think your rock beds are hosting a plant called scorpionweed — Phacelia integrifolia (if my poking about on the internet is anywhere near accurate).

Now, I have always hunted this “weed,” but having learned a bit more about it, I’m now hesitant. I found the most information about the scorpionweed on a native plant site and a native wildflower site. Seems the scorpionweed is a reliable bloomer to feed bees and other pollinators, so now I’m torn as to its removal. The more I think about how bees need help, I just might leave the plants until the blooms are done and then quickly eradicate the plants before they set seed.

The reason for the name of the scorpionweed, and if you leave it you’ll see, is the shape of the bloom. It shows up as a curled tail of a scorpion. As the flowers open, which are a lovey purple color, the “tail” relaxes a bit followed by plump seed pods.

You are correct that the scorpionweed feels sticky. If you look really close at the stems and leaves, you’ll see they are actually hairy. That hair exudes a substance that makes the plant feel and act sticky. Do be cautious when working with or around the scorpionweed as it is known to sometimes cause severe allergic reactions to the skin. This plant is definitely one that gloving up is paramount when dealing with it.

If you’ve never seen a scorpionweed bloom and have marveled at the shape of the “tail,” then you might be in for a treat choosing to leave it since it does assist bees and other critters. If you’re wanting it gone, do the weeding soonest, especially before the bloom is finishes and the plant wants to throw seed. Just remember to wear gloves.

Q: I planted a fortune in pansies last year, in late November, and they have done horribly. At least a third of what I planted failed. What’s up? I usually get flowers through all of February into March. — L.P., Albuquerque

A: The time frame you listed for having your pansies grow for you seems right. Except, nothing was right about this past winter. Although cold, not consistently cold, and certainly we didn’t have much precipitation. I feel that the usual won’t ever be usual again.

An acquaintance/reader had asked me the same question, and I know from my pots that my pansies were a bust. Walter even asked if anyone had asked about the fall planting of garlic not behaving as usual. Also, he had daffodils blooming in mid-January.

Again, I think the pansy crop failure this past season is due to the weather. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what we get to deal with as the seasons go on.

Q: I’m seeing trees all over Albuquerque that are wearing brilliant white flowers now. Some of the trees seem to be round-headed and some look more pointy in their shape. Are they related and do you know which trees are exploding their white bloom now all over town? — J.L., Albuquerque

A: I’m confident that the trees you are noticing, and you’re correct that they are blooming in force now, are ornamental pear trees. Some might be actual fruiting pear trees, but the majority are the ornamentals. Meaning that they bloom just like a tree that would usually bear fruit but through hybridization they only bloom. Also, you are correct that you’re noticing some trees that look more round and some that have more of a vase shape, as there are several different varieties available.

The ornamental pears are pretty easy to grow in these parts if you’re looking for a tree that will be awash with white flowers in the early spring. Another nifty thing about the ornamental pears is the autumn foliage color. Variety depending, you can get vivid yellow-orange to dark red-purples happening.

Now, with the environment changing, I wouldn’t plant where the trees where it would receive a lot of radiant heat from a wall. They’ll grow healthier with good air circulation. Don’t consider them xeric either. You will want to offer consistent water to keep an ornamental healthy.

All in all ornamental pear trees do make a great show, more than once a year and are, in my opinion, easy to grow.

Happy Diggin’ In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nursery man. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.