Counting the Days

Best wishes to you for a weekend filled with the promise of Spring ... In case you're wondering, these aren't recent pictures. Spring hasn't made an appearance in Vicksburg yet, but it will be here soon — and I'm counting the days.

Spring Green

There's a color crayon called Spring Green, and we're seeing a lot of that color here in Mississippi these days. Spring is literally "bursting out all over," and yesterday I captured a little of it in our own back yard. This tiny little Mexican Petunia sprout was peeking through the pine straw ... In a few weeks, it will be covered with bright purple blooms ... My little "Mint Garden" is alive and well, already threatening to take over the path leading to the back yard. It will become a real problem this summer, but, for now, it's a welcome sign of Spring GREEN. I was pleased to see my Amaryllis coming back. I hope it blooms again this year. My favorite plants in our back yard are the Lady Banks Roses growing along the fence. This picture was taken last April, when they were in full bloom. They are literally loaded with buds and tiny clusters of blooms right now, on the verge of bursting into a blaze of color. I love to photograph my Lady Banks when they are in full bloom, so I'm sure you will see more pictures of them soon. Our Hollies and Ligustrums are sporting new leaves and flowers, too ... And the Climbing Rose on my arbor has bright shiny leaves and sharp little red thorns ... I have several Asparagus Ferns scattered around the yard, and I noticed that they have new green fronds reaching for the Spring sunshine. Our courtyard is awakening too, with Spring Green leaves popping out everywhere, some of them seemingly almost overnight. Japanese Maple Tree In a couple of weeks, it will look like this ... Remember the Lilac Chaste Tree I featured in a post a while ago? Well, it has baby leaves popping out on it now, too ... Our pond and waterfall plants were cut back in February, to make room for new growth, and they have looked rather depressing. I was so glad to see a few new green leaves peeking out in and amongst the brown ... Umbrella Plant I can't wait for them to look like this again! I can't remember what this water plant is called, but it has delicate little pink flowers that bloom during the Summer into early Fall. Isn't it amazing that those little leaves turn into this! This is a Corkscrew Plant. I love the rich green color of its twisted "spikes." Even the weeds coming up between the stones on our path are a pretty spring green color! I hope you are seeing lots of Spring Green where you live. If not, then perhaps you just need to take a closer look.

Dandelions: Friend or Foe?

Simple and fresh and fair from winter's close emerging, Forth from its sunny nook of shelter'd grass — Innocent, golden, calm as the dawn, The spring's first dandelion shows its trustful face. — Walt Whitman

It won't be long before dandelions start poking their heads through the leaves, announcing the arrival of Spring.

I almost stepped on this one last Spring as I was on my way to photograph something else, but I happened to look down just in time.

As I knelt down to get a closer look through my camera lens, I was so glad I took the time to stop and capture the flower nestled in the grass and leaves.

I know dandelions are considered a weed and a nuisance by most gardeners, but, upon researching them, I found that they have redeeming qualities, and are actually a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses.

A dandelion's ability to break up hard earth with its deep tap root, bringing up nutrients from below the reach of other plants, makes it a good companion for weaker or shallower-rooted crops. It is also known to attract bees, offering an important source of nectar early in the season.

Dandelion roots, leaves, and buds contain abundant amounts of vitamins and minerals and have been used for centuries in traditional medicine and medicinal teas. The USDA ranks dandelions among the top four green vegetables for their nutritive value. They are the third highest food source for Vitamin A, and contain twice as much Calcium as spinach.

They have been used to treat weight loss, cirrhosis of the liver, congestive heart failure, intestinal problems, liver spots, acne, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.

So, the next time you pull up dandelions, remember that they aren't all bad. You might also keep in mind that the taproot runs deep (up to 10' long), and is twisted, and brittle. If you break off more pieces than you unearth, the pieces that remain in the ground will regenerate a new little patch of dandelions.

I hope this has inspired you to think of dandelions in a new light. I prefer to think of them as "messengers of Spring" ... and after the unusually harsh winter we've had here in Mississippi, we will welcome any sign that Spring is on the way.