Botanical aid

I complained this spring about an invasive vine threatening my raspberries. I spent a significant amount of time this summer removing the vine from most of my brambles. I was curious about exactly what it was, and took a flowering sample to my local botanical center.

It took several months, but the diligent research of the master gardener paid off: the vine is an American Hog Peanut. Turns out, it's technically a native plant, not an invasive one.

Native plants support significantly more wildlife than imported species. The wildlife in my yard is one of the things I enjoy most about it. So now I don't feel as negatively toward the vine as I did this spring.

I feel lucky to have access to a botanical center with such a helpful master gardener.