I love the way dandelions look in the spring. They are so cute and compact and joyful in a sidewalk crack or the middle of boring lawn. They are pretty admirable too–they can survive in damn near every hardiness zone (kind of like cows), grow in any kind of soil and with any level of moisture, bloom prolifically even when you chop and chop, the seed heads are silvery and whimsical and the stem a beautiful beet red. And talk about survival of the fittest–why I’d wager to say that one dandelion gone to seed creates a dozen others. Dandelions are used for detox, pagan rituals, and immune support of the liver, digestion, joints, skin conditions, and even cancer.
Sure I am frustrated when they creep into my edible garden or take over the underground niches so my intentionally planted plants struggle against claustrophobia, but I say we embrace the dandelion (within reason.) Just check out the above photo…this guy was just hanging out in my boulevard. Learn to love the bright yellow as the very first spring bloom and then pull it up by the roots mercilessly before it goes to seed. Because, while adorable, they are invasive. As are many things in my life.
You might also like
