A Weed Is But An Unloved Flower

"A weed is but an unloved flower."

  -Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Dandelions as well as other "weeds" are actually beneficial both to humans and beneficial insects! There are many great ideas for cooking both the dandelion leaves and the flower heads on the internet. Simply search dandelion recipe! Oh, and you can make a great wine or mead from them as well!

Another "weed" which we go to great measures to kill is the thistle. While the thistle is the National Flower of Scotland, here in the US where I am from, we have no love for these thorny plants. As it turns out, the thistle is also a beneficial plant with medicinal qualities! Hummingbirds love them and I've seen a bee now and again feasting as well.

Thistles are also edible, but they take some special preparation of course to eat! Be kind to local flora, many times the weeds you are killing are a vital part of our ecosystem! As most of us are aware, bees around the world are struggling, with bee diseases and environmental toxins, they need all the healthy food sources they can find.

Please consider leaving your lawn with some edible "weeds" for bees and other pollinators. If you can't bear the thought of dandelions and thistles, there are some great perennial flowers and plants you can add to your landscape that bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love. A quick online search for bee friendly perennials will turn up a lot of affordable and beautiful options!