Queen Anne’s lace dots Southern roadsides this time of year. The scientific name is Daucus carota and yes, that means it is related to a wild carrot.
The small red petals in the center of the flower attract insects. If you pick the flower heads, press them between heavy book pages lined with tissue paper, by Christmastime, you will have beautiful Southern “snowflakes” to hang on your Christmas tree.
My Grandfather wanted to cut the Queen Anne’s lace with the lawnmower because most people consider it to be a weed. My Grandmother insisted he leave it until I came to visit, because she knew how much I loved to pick it. She would help me place some of the stems in water tinted with food coloring, and the next day, I would see blue, pink and orange Queen Anne’s lace.
It was such a happy memory, that when the florist asked what flowers I wanted to include in my wedding bouquet, I said, “Queen Anne’s  Lace.” He tried to convince me it was only a weed, but in the end, I had Queen Anne’s Lace mixed in with the roses. A  common roadside flower that I still love today.
Do you have a favorite roadside flower?
Linking this flower story with: Dwellings, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse