Dandelions' eternal beauty outshines daffodils

I’ve never understood why dandelions’ bright sunny faces are not as beloved as daffodils. People are cutting lawns and weed-whacking dandelions everywhere. They’ve just bloomed!

Dandelions that bloom in early Spring are important pollen and nectar sources for bees and butterflies when other flowers aren’t yet blooming. The same bees that will be pollinating your favorite summer fruits and vegetables need nectar and pollen sources now, and dandelions provide that. 

Various bird species such as finches eat dandelion flowers, buds, and especially seeds. Hummingbirds make use of the seedy fluff to build their nests. Sulphur, Admiral, and Comma butterflies often frequent dandelion flowers for pollen and nectar. 

As the insect and pollinator populations crash, and birds that feed on them are also disappearing, it seems to me that we could change directions and put to rest this tradition. There’s a national movement afoot with the Xerces Society and NW Wild Ones! to not only leave these pollinator-friendly plants growing without being poisoned or destroyed but to also leave grass growing a little longer and not mow turf lawns until later in spring after beneficial insects finish emerging. The movement is called: “No Mow May.” Maybe we could try that as well? It will save fuel too.

JANE FRITZ

Sandpoint