Color me this

The ripening colors of Poke Weed

The breathtaking colors of Poke Weed. As it begins to ripen, its rich hue and vitality draws in the birds and the bees.

Poke Weed has a fascinating survival tactic, boasting berries that, while poisonous to humans, are safe for birds; though it owes its common name, inkberry, to its deep purple berries. They've been used for dyeing clothes and for ink for centuries.

It's a thrill, every year, to watch the way it emerges from the ground into these towering fruit bearing delights; more so this year after all the demolition gives them a place to stand out and proudly offer its fruits to the bees, the birds, and the hummingbifds that flitter in and out like buzzing lightballs.