While holly, ivy and mistletoe might be the most obvious Yuletide plants, there is one more that bears a festive name – the Christmas Rose. Only it’s not a rose at all. It’s a hellebore. A black hellebore, to be precise. Black hellebore is actually named for the colour of its roots, not its petals […]
folklore of flowers
The Folklore of Flowers: Belladonna, Foxgloves & Angel’s Trumpet
The folklore of flowers proves an expansive subject, both terrifying and interesting in equal measure. Much like the world of trees and plants at the best of times. They follow their own cycles, often independent of human intervention. They’ll often grow in seemingly inhospitable environments. They’re living creatures, but they’re rooted to the spot. They […]
How To Make A Fairy Friendly Garden
The notion of fairies at the bottom of the garden is nothing new. It’s partly inspired by the now infamous Cottingley fairies, created by a pair of bored sisters using a camera and fairy illustrations. The notorious fake photos of the Cottingley fairies sold for £20,000 in October 2018. But the lure of fairies in […]
Spring Has Sprung: Origin Myths And Crocus Folklore
One of the best things about spring is seeing the crocus pop up in random patches. My next door neighbour enjoys a ‘runway’ of crocuses across the lawn. I’ve also seen them in weird-shaped gatherings beside the motorway. So what better way to round off the fabulous folklore of February flowers than with this seasonal […]
Violets Are Blue: The Folklore Of February’s Birth Flower
As we’re still in the latter half of February, it seemed only right to look at the folklore of violets! This pretty little purple plant is the birth flower for February. And it’s been forever linked with the month through the common ‘Roses are red, violets are blue’ Valentine’s phrase. Also known as wild pansy, […]
Say It With Roses: Folklore Of The Queen Of All Flowers
From Poison’s Every Rose Has A Thorn to Cadbury’s Roses, these beautiful flowers enjoy a strong link with love and romance. Well, they do now. It hasn’t always been like that. As it’s Valentine’s Day, I figured now was as good a time as any to explore the folklore and legends of roses! You can read my other flower […]
