Deadnettles & Earth Day

How pleased I was to find the purple deadnettles blooming unbidden in our hugelkultur. In magical circles, deadnettles are associated with happiness, as well as persistence and overcoming obstacles, as they grow practically everywhere, no matter how poor the soil. Indeed, they are considered invasive by those who don’t eat them, collect their pollen, or use them in spells or medicines. 

I have read that deadnettles got their name because they bear a resemblance to stinging nettles, but do not sting. However, the stinging nettles I know are scraggly, while the deadnettles are compact and low to the ground, thick with leaves that go from green to purple as they approach the top, where the lovely little purple hooded flowers reside. Maybe the resemblance is nutritional; both deadnettle and stinging nettle are early spring greens rich in vitamins and iron. I just tossed a handful in our soup and it was delicious.

Interested in tasting deadnettle yourself? Visit! Our next volunteer event is coming up soon. Earth Day/Planter Day will be on April 22 from 2-6. Please let me know if you’re coming–and if you can bring a shovel, gardening gloves, food for the potluck, etc. 

Speaking of dates, for those of you with a Shakespearian bent, we will be celebrating the beginning of summer with a reading of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on June 24.  Interested in a role? Contact me!