Celebrate the lowly dandelion! Remember that its functional taproot pulls up minerals deep from the soil below. The leaves are collected as a spring tonic and lightly steamed or sauteed like other greens. Dandelions are rich in Vitamins A, B, C and D, just what we need after winter. Native Americans and herbalists use the plant for medicinal purposes.
As for the flowers, consider celebrating your Botticelli-style lawn with these bright yellow blooms that accompany low blue ajuga or veronica in early spring. Remember, you can always mow them low before the flowers set seed and blow everywhere, although you’d probably ruin a child’s day with that action!
