While we were away Madison a new flower appeared in the front yard right outside our apartment door. These six-petaled blue beauties are actually non-native and very good at spreading and colonizing open space. So what's bad about vibrant blue flowers growing in many places? Well, the more it spreads the more other species' habitat is taken and therefore a high potential for decreasing species diversity. Same idea as buckthorn trees conquering the forest understory. Since taking this photo I've noticed siberian squill (
Scilla siberica) all over the city in yards and along bike paths, especially in edge habitats where there are openings next to woods. This little patch next to our building isn't likely to spread, but I am tempted to replace these with native harbell, hepatice, or blue phlox.
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