Charlie Breitrose A monarch butterfly
The following information was provided by Watertown Community Gardens:
Do you have Black Swallow Wort (BSW) on your property? Are you interested in removing and learning more about BSW? Come join us on June 22, 2025, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.!
One of the many actions as part of the 2025 Mayors’ Monarch Pledge is to continue invasive species removal efforts that will support the re-establishment of native habitat for Monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The invasive plant of interest is the Black Swallow-Wort (BSW), which is poisoning Monarch caterpillars across Watertown.
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, join members of Watertown Community Gardens (WCG) and volunteers who will gather to remove BSW from the front of houses/next to sidewalks in a selected Watertown neighborhood.
- If you would like our group to consider removing BSW from in front of your home/next to a sidewalk, click here to sign up.
- If you would like to help us remove BSW on June 22, 2025 (Watertown location to be decided), please register here.
For more information on BSW and how to remove it, click here
For any questions, please contact either Katie Swan at kswan@watertown-ma.gov or WatertownCommunity Gardens at info@watertowngardens.org.
Thanks for this information.
I have been trying to remove this from my yard for years.
It’s a stubborn plant with a nasty attitude.
On this we agree. Due in part to my limited efforts and more to the plant dying back, I have rid my yard of the worst infestations. But the seeds blow on the wind and germinate anywhere. I still have to pull out dozens of new shoots every spring and summer, but if the roots aren’t well established, they give in without too much effort.