Celebrating the Amazing Dr Darwin

In the Herb Garden this week no.15 (5.9.2020)  Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) This member of the mint family grows in a cushion close to the ground, with bright green leaves, tiny mauve flowers and a strong pungent scent. The name ‘pulegium’ is derived from the Latin ‘pulex’ meaning flea, because both the fresh plant and the…

no 14 (29.8.2020)  Ipomoea is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 500 species, including both Morning Glory and, rather surprisingly, the vegetable Sweet Potato. The most usual Morning Glory in British gardens is the pretty ‘Heavenly Blue’ but we grow this one here because it looks more like the variety…

This week we have Exploding Rainbows

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus Benedictus/Carduus Benedictus/Centaurea benedicta)  This member of the thistle family struggles with its name in Latin and even in English as it is sometimes called Holy Thistle instead. However, it has been valued for many centuries as a remedy for a wide range of ailments and is recommended in numerous historic herbals. In…

This week we have fantastical creatures!