Common beauty

In odd rough patches and uncultivated corners one plant seems to shine out at this time. This is the white dead nettle (Lamium album). It is very common but easily ignored. In fact, during much of the year I regularly weed it out from among the fruit bushes and elsewhere. It is not where I want it to be. It can be a little invasive, too, and has proved virtually impossible to eradicate from the strawberry bed once it took hold in unguarded moments.

However, if white dead nettles are allowed to grow where they present no conflicts they are actually very attractive plants when in full bloom. This is certainly the case now and their creamy-white flowers catch the eye, particularly on dull, overcast days.