The Church calendar and Mother Nature are in synch this year. Both Easter and Spring are early, with forsythia and daffodils in full bloom here in Tennessee.
I admire flowers, but I don’t like gardening. The only plants I purchase are perennials because I want to plant only once. I dig a hole, stick the plant in the ground, add water and pronounce: “Good luck. Live or die, you’re on your own – bona fortuna.” You could describe my landscaping as “Darwinian” because it’s the survival of the fittest in my yard.
Have you noticed flowers need more tending, but dandelions are hearty…like weeds? Weeds bloom wherever their seeds wander or wherever they fall from birds’ claws. I applaud their heartiness. They’re low maintenance, like I hope to be. And that explains the case I make for the lowly dandelion.
If you didn’t know the dandelion was considered a weed, you would admire its cluster of bright yellow spikes that burst from its center. And given half a chance, these hearty blossoms will spread a golden carpet over lush green grass from one end of your yard to another.
If that doesn’t convince you the dandelion rates an upgrade to flower, consider that the University of Rochester —a leader in science, medicine and fine arts —adopted the dandelion as its official flower. Yes indeed! The University even celebrates “Dandelion Days.”
But that’s not all! Just ask Brother Malachi from The Divine Meddler’s Trinity Monastery about them. “Weed indeed!” he would snap. “We add dandelion greens to our salads, and I use them to make the wine Abbot Anselm is so fond of!”
Now really, what more evidence do you need to protect these hearty flowers from becoming an endangered species? Why attack them like Enemy #1? I warn you, you’ll have the spirit of Brother Malachi to contend with if you do.
After listening patiently to my philosophy, my neighbor invited me to help myself to all his dandelions. (Hmmmmmm. I wonder if that conversation went in the direction I planned.)
I asked my friend, who is a master gardener, why some plants are considered weeds and others are called flowers when both are lovely. She said it’s because weeds drain the soil from nutrients and flowers don’t.
Picky, Picky. I still like dandelions. Is there one of you who agrees with me?
I find I appreciate both: weeds and expensive plants! Especially since my granddaughters have been compared to either kind. Here’s the story:
My sweet granddaughter Emily was three years old when she was diagnosed with “auditory processing disorder”, which is actually on the autism spectrum. It became evident when Emily would look at me with a puzzled frown when I’d ask her things, like what they bought at the store that day. She was bright in so many ways, was able to read early on and has continued, now in her seventeenth year, to be an honor student. Back in those toddler days, however, my daughter Jenn and her husband Kevin were both becoming very concerned.
Jenn and family, including little sister McKenna, traveled to Burlington, VT where they consulted a specialist, who tested Emily extensively and sat down with her anxious parents and frisky little McKenna. His pronouncement began with “Emily is an orchid! Prune her, feed her appropriately and guide her…she will blossom and bloom into a spectacular flower”! Obviously this soothed her parents to no end!
The irony was what he said next; he turned to regard our KennaBear, who was entertaining herself with her favorite doll, and pronounced, “Now McKenna here is a dandelion! Plant her anywhere and she’ll thrive!”
Now that Em and Kenna have evolved into lovely, kind and hardworking teens, I think back on this story and chuckle. Indeed, both girls have thrived so well, but I’d have to give Emily the edge when considering her resilience while trying to overcome her processing disorder.
Em has learned to prepare herself for times when she may not be able to comprehend directions, using visual aids to assist her. Her work ethic is amazing! Over the last two summers she has worked as a lifeguard, saving enough money to purchase her first car last fall.
Sometimes when you have to fight for your needs and desires, you appreciate your wins that much more. Nurturing an orchid, either the plant or our Emily, results in the satisfaction that there is beauty because of what you did to promote it!
Oh Cathy, what a beautiful story about your granddaughters! Thank you for sharing it. It’s a gem!
Oh Sue you started my day with a smile as an avid gardener I can’t agree !!!!I do love your writing though 😘😘
Of course you wouldn’t agree! And you’re right…..but I still like the little buggers.
Dandelions are a miracle plant, a true gift from God! The leaves, flowers and roots can all be eaten and are chock full of vitamins and minerals. Years ago when I lived next door to two Italian sisters, every Spring, they would ask if they could come into my yard and harvest the tender leaves of the dandelions growing there! After washing them, they cooked them in olive oil for a delicious treat. The leaves also can be used to make the aforementioned wine or dried and used to make tea. The leaves are a diuretic often used in herbal medicine to treat bladder infections, edema and kidney issues. The roots can be roasted and used to also make tea, and they are especially cleansing for the liver, blood and even aid in digestion! With their sunny yellow flowers, what’s not to love about dandelions?
Thank you, Deb! I’m in awe of your extensive knowledge about plants and herbs. If people only knew how God’s plants can be used, we’d need far less medications. Thank you for sharing…and keep your comments coming!