Snow Meadow Botanicals

03/16/2025

Yessssss✨🌿

02/21/2025

A Mom & Jo day today!

02/07/2025

04/24/2024

Trillium, also called birthwort as it's roots were used in birthing and to treat wounds, is found in many forests across the US and Canada.
Although the trillium is a perennial plant, as a spring ephemeral it’s very fragile. The trillium blooms for a few weeks in the early spring, before the trees grow leaves, so it can get more sunlight. During this time, it collects all the nutrients in needs to survive until the following year. If you pick the bloom, the plant won’t be able to collect sunlight and nutrients and it may take years to recover — or it may never recover. While it's not illegal, just keep in mind: It takes a trillium plant up to 10 years to produce its first flower. They also have a symbiotic relationship with ants who carry off a nutrient rich part of the plant that is filled with seeds to their underground home.
Take Nothing But Pictures.
Leave Nothing But Footprints.
Kill Nothing but Time.

04/11/2024

Hi, I'm Dandelion 🌼

A lot of people call me a weed, but I'm a good friend and I'm here to help you.

When you see me, remember that I am the only one who wants and can grow in that particular place.

This is because:

Either the soil is too compact / hard / trampled and I want to loosen it with my roots.

Or there is too little calcium in the soil. Don't worry - I'll fill this in with the death of my leaves.

Or the soil is too acidic. But I will improve this for you if you give me a chance.

Or a mix of all of the above.

I'm here because your soil needs my help, so you better let me grow without bothering me! When everything is fixed, I'll disappear again - I promise!

Are you trying to unroot me prematurely? No matter how meticulous you are, I will come back twice as strong! Only until your soil is improved.

You can even tell by my growth what stage my help is at. If my leaves are flat on the ground, then I'm far from done with my work, but if they all stand up, then I'm almost done.

They are one of the first flowers in spring, so I will announce spring / summer for you.

During the day when it's hot, I open my flowers, but in the evening, when it gets cold, I quickly close them again. In fact, if it's not warm enough during the day, I won't open them at all!

My flowers are the first food for insects after hibernation, and unlike most other plants, I have pollen AND nectar. And I'm generous with them for the bees.

By the way, my flowers are really delicious for you, did you know? I used to be called the Honey (or Gold) of the poor, because my flowers are so sweet. The internet is full of recipes - check them out.

But wait until the end of May or later before you start cutting me, and even then - don't cut the whole dandelion. Biodiversity and bees will be very grateful!

And finally, when you see me and instead of yellow petals, I have a dandelion ball with fluff, blow hard and make a wish ..... I'll try to make it come true!

Sincerely,
Your good friend, the Dandelion .

( ✍️ Paula Kok - De Boer )

Translated by Anna Lindsay & Nigel Webber

04/09/2024

Send a message to learn more

04/04/2024

My sweetest little Herbalist-in-the-making helping me today! 🌿✨
Did you know?
Purple dead-nettle has high nutritional value. Vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, iron, and fiber are just some of the nutritional benefits this superfood plant brings to the table.

Antioxidant properties. Purple dead nettle contains polyphenols, compounds with antioxidant properties that help support gut and cardiovascular health.

Supports healthy immune function. Quercetin flavonoids found in deadnettle reduce the inflammatory reactivity of the immune system and counteract oxidation.

Relieves allergy symptoms and reactivity. Quercetin also encourages histamine release to help reduce allergy symptoms. This paired with the anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties of the plant make it an especially powerful herb for those suffering from topical and respiratory seasonal allergies (source).

Fights free radicals. Other flavonoids found in purple dead nettle have been shown to have even more powerful antioxidant effects than ascorbic acid.
Reduces pain and inflammation. Deadnettle has been shown to inhibit the release of prostaglandins, which play a primary role in pain and inflammation, especially with regard to allergies and chronic inflammatory conditions (source).

Antibacterial properties. This weed also contains phytochemicals known to have antibacterial properties and may be useful in fighting topical infections like staph and internal infections like E. coli.
Antifungal properties. Dead nettle can also be used to fight candida infections both externally and internally.

Supports healthy kidney function. Deadnettle is a diuretic and has been shown to help break up kidney stones and support renal function.

Supports detoxification. It has diaphoretic properties and induces sweating to help clear toxins out of the body.