Wingstem Spurry: A Small Non-Native Annual Worth Knowing About
Meet wingstem spurry (Spergula pentandra), a petite annual that you might stumble across in your garden whether you invited it or not. This unassuming little plant belongs to the carnation family and has quietly made itself at home in parts of the eastern United States, despite its European origins.
What Is Wingstem Spurry?
Wingstem spurry is a non-native forb – essentially a soft-stemmed herbaceous plant that lacks woody tissue. As an annual, it completes its entire life cycle in just one growing season, sprouting from seed, blooming, setting seed, and dying all within a single year. Don’t expect any dramatic garden presence from this one; it’s more of a background player in the plant world.
Where Does It Grow?
Originally from Europe, wingstem spurry has established populations in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Virginia. It’s what botanists call an introduced species – one that arrived from elsewhere but now reproduces on its own in the wild without any help from humans.
Should You Grow Wingstem Spurry?
Here’s the honest truth: most gardeners probably won’t be rushing to add wingstem spurry to their wish lists. This plant is more likely to show up uninvited than to be purposefully planted. Its small, white flowers and narrow leaves don’t exactly scream showstopper, and it’s generally considered more of a weedy species than an ornamental one.
That said, if you’re someone who appreciates subtle beauty and enjoys observing the lesser-known players in the plant kingdom, you might find some charm in its delicate appearance. Just keep in mind that as a non-native species, it won’t provide the same ecological benefits as our homegrown plants.
Native Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for small, delicate annuals that offer more bang for your buck (and better support for local wildlife), consider these native options instead:
- Small-flowered forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa)
- Whitlow grass species (Draba species)
- Annual bluegrass alternatives like native sedges
Growing Conditions
Should wingstem spurry decide to grace your garden with its presence, you’ll likely find it in areas with:
- Full sun exposure
- Poor to average soil conditions
- Sandy or well-draining soil
- Minimal competition from larger plants
This isn’t a plant that demands pampering – it’s more of a survive and thrive in tough spots type of character.
Garden Role and Landscape Use
If you do encounter wingstem spurry in your space, it might serve as:
- Temporary ground cover in disturbed soil areas
- A curiosity for plant enthusiasts interested in non-native flora
- A reminder to consider more impactful native alternatives
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While wingstem spurry’s tiny flowers might attract some small insects, don’t expect it to be a pollinator magnet. Native plants almost always provide superior resources for local wildlife, including specialized relationships that have evolved over thousands of years.
The Bottom Line
Wingstem spurry falls into that category of plants that are interesting to know about but not necessarily exciting to grow. If it appears in your garden naturally, you can appreciate it for what it is – a small piece of botanical history that traveled far from home. But if you’re planning your garden with intention, there are plenty of native alternatives that will give you more beauty, more wildlife support, and more connection to your local ecosystem.
Sometimes the most valuable thing about a plant like wingstem spurry is how it reminds us to seek out and celebrate the amazing native species that truly belong in our gardens.
