The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society has cancelled their June meeting, always a wonderful time because of the food and fellowship! But let’s hope that things continue to settle down over the summer, and maybe by fall we will start getting back to normal again. We’re also sorry to announce that our Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Show in August has been cancelled. Once again, we’ll hope for next year!
There was a very good article on The Weather Channel about the dangers of giant hog weed. I did a bit of homework to tell you about it, so sit down with me for a few minutes and let’s explore the dark and dangerous side of plants that can burn us.
Yes, that’s right. Certain plants contain chemicals that cause a dangerous reaction with our skin. Giant hogweed, with the five-dollar name “Heracleum mantegazzianum,” is such a plant.
The plant is a perennial that belongs to the wild carrot family and grows in the wild. It is a statuesque beauty: five or six feet tall or more, with large leaves that look like enlarged carrot leaves. The stalk is very thick like rhubarb, and has purple mottling.
When it blooms, the flower heads are very architectural and attractive, like giant dill, only larger. Very pretty, from a distance!
I read that the plant can be found across Canada, except on the prairies. We are lucky, and hopefully it will stay that way. The plant travelled the world, from its home in Eurasia to the beautiful gardens of England, where gardeners enjoyed it for its unique appearance. Then it travelled across the sea to gardeners in North America. In places where it is now established in the wild, it is considered invasive.
But more than that, it is dangerous. It is phototoxic , which means that the sap has chemicals that cause severe skin irritation when light is present. The resulting blisters are painful, and result in a sensitivity to sun that can last for a very long time.
Similar to this is the gas plant, a plant that gardeners seem to either love or hate. The gas plant, “Dictamnus”, is also a dangerously pretty plant. It has spikes of blushing pink flowers on stems above a leafy base. We have heard gardeners say that it has a pleasing smell. What makes it unique is that the oils in the plant could actually catch fire; how’s that for a conversation starter when you take guests on a tour of your garden! But beware! Contact with the gas plant leaves can also bring the painful phototoxic rash. We saw this rash on the hands and arms of a dear friend of ours, and oh my gosh, it was painful just to see those blisters! And yet, intrepid gardener that he is, our friend still maintains that the plant is a unique and interesting specimen when handled with proper care and attention.
Guess what else? I learned that some common garden plants like carrots, dill, parsley, and rue can be phototoxic to a mild degree! As Sweet Pea always used to quote my Great-Grammie, you never stop learning!
Wasn’t that rain last week a blessing from Heaven? The garden has really perked up since then. I hope that your garden is doing well so far. Every day when I go on my garden tour, there is something new and wonderful to see! No wonder gardening is so inspiring and uplifting, especially at times like these!
Thank you to our friends at Yorkton This Week for their amazing work! Let’s pray for health for all, and have a great week. Be sure to wear a hat!
