| I can’t say what it is about weeds that l have always loved? Perhaps it is quite simply because they are misunderstood like some animal species. Whatever your opinion or view is on weeds, they are everywhere, and they are here to stay. Twenty-five years ago, l used to forage for weeds to feed the enormous number of rabbits l had in my commercial breeding operation. Knowing about them made everything easier because it meant that l wouldn’t accidentally kill an animal by feeding the wrong weed. Most weeds are harmless, not all. Of course, some are and can be deadly. The fact is that people don’t like weeds because they don’t belong where they usually appear or are out of place. Many a time, gardeners especially don’t want them because weeds tend to grow quicker and easier than many ornamental flowers. Weeds have a way of surviving. They are ONLY considered weeds on the domestic level because, let’s be honest, when we are out walking in the countryside, how many people are bothered by the presence of weeds then? There are advantages and disadvantages to having weeds in your gardens and yards. They do have a lot of benefits that many people tend to ignore, and this series will highlight that. |
| The Beauty of Weeds Companion Plantings Shelter Encouraging wildlife Fertilising and enriching the soils Providing and active Mulch/Soil protection Attracting pollinators and good insects Repelling pests Food source for animals and humans Serves as decoy crops Great for wildlifing the garden Soil conditioning |
| [Common] Mallow Malva sylvestris |
“Love is like wildflowers; It’s often found in the most unlikely places.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
| I have had Mallow growing in my garden before, although my current garden has none. It surrounds us here in the countryside, a beautiful flower, yet still a weed, a countryside weed or a woodland wildflower pending personal interpretation. They are, in fact, a lovely addition to many wildlife gardens. Mallow is superb for pollinators and can be quickly grown in your gardens too. Bumblebees, honey bees, solitary bees, and many other pollinators love Mallow. It is easy to plant and easy to manage – however, as said, some can see it as very invasive, so be mindful. In some countries, Mallow is seen as an aggressive and invasive weed. It can attain heights of between three and a half to eight feet tall and with a width of around 30 inches. Mallow has very long taproots. In ancient times, this was grown as a herb, and in truth, you can still buy this from specialist seed sellers. The plant is edible – flowers and leaves alike, with the latter being great as a lettuce type leaf. You can even chew on the root to aid dental hygiene! It has medicinal properties, you can dry the leaves, and yes, you can also make it into a Tea. It can be used in the beauty side of life as well. It has a lot of uses, combined with the fact that the flower is pretty. In French, the word mallow translates to Mauve. |
| I hope you enjoyed M is for Mallow [Common], and I’ll see you again soon. The Autistic Composter |
| Earthly Comfort Designs available on my Redbubble Store. Collections – Earthen Wurmin, Inspired By Nature and The Autistic Composter Please Pop Along and Check Them Out. |
Earthly Comforts 
Interesting! Yes, I think it is a pretty flower, too. Thank you for sharing, Rory. 😊
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You are most welcome Betty – hope you and the clan are all well 🙂
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Yes, all are well here, thank you. Hope you and Suze have recovered from your last bout of hard labor and are feeling well and perky. 😊 Wishing you a Merry Christmas! Are you going to do anything special over the holidays?
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Hey Betty, thank you 🙂 Always backatcha too 🙂
Special, not really.
Suze is working tomorrow norning, then we are going to do some of the gardening job in the butchery garden. Sunday Suze is with her cousin and l will be home.
Monday providing the weather stays dry, we will be down at the allotment adding soil depth to the raised beds.
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😊 Merry Christmas, Rory! Sunday will be restful for you then?
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Happy Christmas to you also Betty, yes and no, but mostly yes, very chilled a day of reflection and decision too 🙂
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It has been really cold here. Saturday the low was 07 degrees F and Sunday, 17 degrees F. I hovered over the heater all day. 😊 But, thank goodness, it was a beautiful, sunny day.
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Wow that is seriously cold Betty. Glad you are both okay.
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Thank you, Rory. 😊
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I had no idea about Mallow. I thought it was just a wildflower. Thank you for the education, Rory!
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You are very welcome eugenia, thanks for reading 🙂
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My pleasure, Rory.
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As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
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Very true Sarah 🙂
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