Right now in the Arkansas Delta, the color purple is putting on a show. Fields are dressed and ready for an early spring, the color explosion proof that the soil is warming to the point of supporting blooms. This particular bloom, common henbit, looks anything but common when it blankets an entire field. It has a fancy name, Lamium Amplexicaul. Yes, henbit is a weed, but I’ve always been fond of it. And I’ve never really understood why we don’t consider it vase-worthy.
From the roadside, fields of henbit resemble Oregon lavender fields. Or a Monet painting hanging somewhere far from the Delta.
No doubt Monet’s Champ d’avoine is a stunning work of art, but Arkansas Delta in Purple is pretty breathtaking too.
Henbit d’Athelstan
Don’t you agree?
Purple Keiser Majesty
Lovely in Luxora
Lavender de la Carson Lake
Maybe someday I’ll see Monet’s Meadow in Giverny and wander the banks of the River Seine on a perfect spring day.
Monet Wiese in Giverny (Public Domain)
But for now, I’ll continue to admire the area surrounding the River Mississippi, so fetching in purple—the star of the show without being aware.
Without having a care.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]Right now in the #Delta, the fields are alive with the color purple. #henbit #NEArk #farmgirl [/tweetthis]
“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple
in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.” ~Alice Walker, The Color Purple
Musical Pairing:
Star of the Show, Thomas Rhett
It’s breath taking, I’ve been up to Dads a couple of times recently and have really enjoyed the beauty of the purple fields
It really is. Thanks, Renee!
I believe that little crystal vase with the henbit is setting on the propane tank? Right? Loved all your beautiful pictures of the color purple. Delta really dresses up!
Yes, that propane tank is my favorite photo prop. Found the wonderful crystal vase rummaging through the Bat Cave.
Very pretty!
Thank you!
I love simple. I love amazing. This blog is both, dear cousin. 🙂
Aww, thank you Cindy Lu.
What a gorgeous flower, Talya! How dare anyone call something so beautiful a weed? 🙂
Blessings!
I agree Martha. “A weed is but an unloved flower.” Someone said that but I forget who:)
Definitely Vase Worthy
Thanks, Terri! I think so too.
Oh, it is lovely, Talya, and I always love looking at it.
In someone else’s yard.
In mine, I spent two Springs on my hands and knees, filling a wheelbarrow with them. They are easy to pull roots and all, and I did not want to use herbicides because I had many other plants in the grass that I did like.
The reason I removed the henbit and deadnettle, though, is that they kill other plants. The roots give off a plant toxin that helps them compete for soil nutrients by eliminating the competition.
I know of no creature that like to eat them, either, so…
I get it, Katharine. I know it’s a problem for farmers too.
That little bouquet reminds me of some we gave our mother. We had that “flower” in our yard at home and I still see it in this one in my flowerbeds occasionally. I love the effect of it in the fields.
We always had it in our yard at home too, along with clover and dandelion and all sorts of fun, LOL.