06.20.07 KINGS CANDLES

Monumental mulleins, Verbascum thapsus, are climbing tall and breaking into bloom. I first learned of this plant as a child in Germany where it is called "konigskerze." It is not hard to imagine dipping the dried flower stalks into tallow and using them as torches or "candles." This plant immigrated to America with the Europeans and had already become a common weed by the early nineteenth century when this watercolor of Monticello's west lawn was painted.

06.18.07 FRIEND AND FOE

More color appears in the pastures and along the roadsides as the thistles, Cirsium genus, begin to bloom bright purple. A very attractive flower in shape and color, it is a noxious weed to farmers. It survives cutting and must be dug out by the root. We all know it as the national symbol of Scotland, Wikipedia reports that it achieved this status because of the favor it gave the Scottish people. A soldier in an invading army purportedly stepped on one, howled, and alerted the Scots who successfully repelled the interlopers.

05.30.07 HOE DOWN

The Mennonite's corn across the road is about two weeks ahead of mine. And so are their weeds! Yesterday morning a group of the young people were out chopping the weeds the old-fashioned way, by hand with a hoe. These gardeners still find a way to invest in community while accomplishing what some might find an onerous chore.