Deadnettle Lawn

The sloping front yard of a local business has been neglected this spring. The deadnettles claimed it. Their purply top leaves and tiny flowers were backlit in the late morning light. The longer I stared, the harder it was to hold on to my sense of scale. It was as if there were acres of them instead of a few square yards. Deadnettles are members of the mint family. They were used as poultices for wounds and brewed into tea. The next time it invades your garden, save a few and toss the top leaves and flowers into your salad. Your great, great grandma would approve.