Venus's Looking Glass

Legousia pentagonia

A popular flower way back in the 17th century, this beguiling small flower is now harder and harder to find. The legend goes that Venus lost a mirror that reflected only beauty. A shepherd found it and became enthralled, resisting Cupid's attempts to grasp it until it fell and shattered into shards, each piece becoming a flower. And so now Venus's looking glass reflects a starry flower of violet with a white center and a ring of blue, blooming abundantly in cooler summer areas.