I always hated flower photography. Then I saw the floral art of British artist Cate Davies. She turned my head around. We equate flower photography with guys in safari vests sporting huge zoom lenses, stalking the local gardens. Or the garden club member who just got a new macro lens for their … [Read more...] about The dark beauty of botanicals … haunting flora in fine art prints by Cate Davies
Witch's Garden
Celebrating the Cowslip on May Day morning in the witch’s garden
Cowslip is staple of British folklore, herbalism and literature ... And I serve the Fairy Queen To dew her orbs upon the green. The cowslips tall her pensioners be. In their gold coats spots you see; Those be rubies, fairy favours; In those freckles live their savours. I must go seek … [Read more...] about Celebrating the Cowslip on May Day morning in the witch’s garden
Dearest H: The witch’s gardener mucks into spring
It was a cold, cold winter, and it ended with the rains which are carrying on still. As I’m due to travel next week, I thought it time I got your witch's garden ready for the spring, so I can return to find things well on their way. I've decided to scale back the vegetable garden … [Read more...] about Dearest H: The witch’s gardener mucks into spring
Cleome Serrulata: A Native American addition to the witch’s garden and table, and a friend to bees and butterflies
You can't overestimate the importance of bees in a witch's garden, for our stinging friends help to pollinate. Just behind them in usefulness in this task are butterflies, and to attract both, plant a bit of Cleome in your herb garden. Additionally, many beekeepers love Cleome as it is an … [Read more...] about Cleome Serrulata: A Native American addition to the witch’s garden and table, and a friend to bees and butterflies
From the witch’s garden, Meadowsweet, a love potion as well as a balm for aching hearts
Top: Meadowsweet, right, growing along a path by the river Avon, Barton Country Farm, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. I have a soft spot for Meadowsweet. Standing in a field of it along the river Avon one July some years ago, trying to rekindle a dying love, I do believe it showed that there is more … [Read more...] about From the witch’s garden, Meadowsweet, a love potion as well as a balm for aching hearts
Laudanum from the Witch’s Garden: The opiate that drove the romantic poets to enlightenment and insanity
Top: Poppy Field by Cate Davies. Click here to view larger or purchase a print. I’m standing in the Tate Gallery, years ago, staring at the painting by Sir John Everett Millais of Ophelia. I know the story, and the story of the model, Elizabeth Siddal. It was the Pre-Raphelite movement in painting, … [Read more...] about Laudanum from the Witch’s Garden: The opiate that drove the romantic poets to enlightenment and insanity
A last look around the moon garden and the witch’s garden before the autumn’s chill does its work
Top: The last rose of the season Dear H., It’s time again, to start putting away the garden for winter. It’s been a couple of months since you left, and I thought you’d like to see how things turned out. The kid and I were in a shop and came upon Halloween decorations. There was a skull that … [Read more...] about A last look around the moon garden and the witch’s garden before the autumn’s chill does its work
Why a moon garden?
Dear H., We are creatures of the night, are we not? It’s like the song says, “the days are okay and the sun can be fun but I live, to see those rays, slip away.” A moon garden is a spot where we can watch as these spirits come to life in our own little corner of the world. Spring, summer, fall … [Read more...] about Why a moon garden?
Datura unfolding in the witch’s garden
This is my first year for growing Datura. Around here it's known as Jimson Weed, though I believe what they call that here is a different animal altogether. It's one of the staples of a witch's garden, used for poisoning as well as inducing delirious states in whoever takes it. Intentionally or … [Read more...] about Datura unfolding in the witch’s garden
The first of July, and a nocturnal visit to the witch’s garden
Wild Bergamot in the Witch's Garden, July 1, 2016 It's July 1 and the beginning of the heat. The first good crop of weeds are threatening to overtake the witch's garden. But in betwixt the weeds there are treasures to be found. The wild Bergamot is from a couple of years ago in an overgrown part … [Read more...] about The first of July, and a nocturnal visit to the witch’s garden
Why a moon garden #3: Brugmansia tree bursts into bloom and lights up the moon garden
I admit I had doubts it would do it. The USDA lists our plant hardiness zone as 6b, which isn't exactly this plant's natural habitat. But it did it. There was a single bloom which last four or five days, and as it was dying off the whole trees burst into bloom. The first bloom would wilt during … [Read more...] about Why a moon garden #3: Brugmansia tree bursts into bloom and lights up the moon garden
Mid June in the witch’s garden … the cottage garden bursts into color
Daylillies and Lavender, June 14, 2016 Lavender is of course a staple of cottage gardening, and makes for a lovely scent, particularly next to paths where the occasional brushing up against it will release its scent. Behind that the Daylillies began blooming, a lightly night scented flower which … [Read more...] about Mid June in the witch’s garden … the cottage garden bursts into color
