Purple Dead Nettle

Another early spring wildflower, resembling plants in the mint family but not related in any way to mint or to nettles, though someone thought so at some point in history and named it a “dead” nettle because it didn’t sting as real nettles do.

That’s fine with me concerning this low-growing very early plant that nearly covers some areas of open soil in my garden already, but a small violet  flower that appears to have its mouth fully open as if singing to the sunshine with all its heart, and with a purple cast of fine hairs all over its smaller leaves and around the edges of its older leaves; to see it from human height is perhaps to see a nuisance, but to come down to the level of purple dead nettle and see its details is to see a spring wonder.

Once I start to plant, heaps of them will fill the compost bin, but for now, in bright sun and mild temperatures I find its colorful glory welcome.

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