Welcome to the 2015 Kickoff. I have been a bit late in getting this up and running and the plants are coming out in full force! I thought I would start this year with an old classic and very well known plant, the dandelion. This Asteraceae is native to Europe but at this point is widespread around the world.
One thing I love about this plant is that it evokes strong feelings in most people. Rarely does one feel neutral about dandelions. Many homeowners see the yellow flowers as an affront to their perfect lawns. However, I recall one older lady took me aside and spoke to me as though she were letting me in on a secret. In her opinion the dandelion was the most beautiful flower because it was the most difficult to paint. Another woman once told me that she loved the dandelions because they were a great addition to her salad. So there you have it, one person's enemy is another's muse and another's food. I personally find the yellow flowers joyful but I don't eat them. I have a dog.
I was once told that there are 100s of species of dandelions and we all get them confused. This is an urban legend. While there are many Asters that have yellow flowers similar to dandelions, they are different enough that what most people see and recognize as dandelions are just that.
One thing I love about this plant is that it evokes strong feelings in most people. Rarely does one feel neutral about dandelions. Many homeowners see the yellow flowers as an affront to their perfect lawns. However, I recall one older lady took me aside and spoke to me as though she were letting me in on a secret. In her opinion the dandelion was the most beautiful flower because it was the most difficult to paint. Another woman once told me that she loved the dandelions because they were a great addition to her salad. So there you have it, one person's enemy is another's muse and another's food. I personally find the yellow flowers joyful but I don't eat them. I have a dog.
I was once told that there are 100s of species of dandelions and we all get them confused. This is an urban legend. While there are many Asters that have yellow flowers similar to dandelions, they are different enough that what most people see and recognize as dandelions are just that.