There are few flowers quite as recognisable as the lily. Yet despite its beauty, the lily (Lilium) is a toxic plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous, which is why it’s recommended not to grow them if you have pet cats. It’s probably helpful then that the orange variety represents hatred and revenge, as […]
plant lore
From Medicine to Murder: How the Apothecary Garden Found Its Dark Side
There’s something about the concept of a poison garden that either titillates or terrifies, depending on your preferences. The UK’s most famous poison garden is at the Alnwick Garden. Its influence is so far-reaching that if you Google “poison garden”, it dominates the first several pages of results. So much so that I assumed the […]
Magical Plant Folklore: Larkspur, Periwinkle and Wormwood
Magical plants often have a long association with particular qualities, such as protection or help in romantic affairs. People often planted rowan as protection against witchcraft. The use of roses in love magic persists in the link between roses and romance. We’ve looked before at the folklore of super toxic plants, as well as common […]
