Quaking Aspen / Spring / Summer / Edible Quaking Aspen (Populus Tremuloides)Â is a Poplar species that tolerates cold conditions. It is a smaller tree than most Poplars, that grows in cool regions across the whole of Europe and west Asia. (The American Aspen is a different species). It is…
Category: summer
Black Bulgar / Summer / Autumn / Inedible The Black Bulgar (Bulgaria inquinans), also known as Black Jelly Drops, is a distinctive woodland fungus that grows on dead or dying hardwood, particularly oak. Its dark, gelatinous, disc-like fruiting bodies often appear in clusters, giving fallen branches a glossy, almost tar-like…
Ergot / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fascinating yet highly toxic fungus that grows on the seeds of grasses and cereal crops, particularly rye. Recognised by its dark, horn-like growths protruding from grain heads, Ergot has a long and notorious history—once responsible for mass poisonings…
Trailing Bellflower / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter / Edible Common Names Trailing bellflower, Serbian Bellflower. Botanical Name Campanula Poscharskyana Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Campanulales Family – Campanulaceae Physical Characteristics of Trailing Bellflower It is a low-growing, evergreen perennial plant, spreading freely by prostrate stems…
This is a tea-based kombucha recipe, to which you can add lovely seasonal, garden-inspired twists (see below). It’s important to create a strong, vibrant flavour before adding your scoby, as kombucha is a tangy drink and delicate flavours can be overwhelmed. By Rachel Dethample Our Wild Kombucha Recipe Makes 1…
My heart still skips a beat when I think about the magical world of medicinal plants growing wild around us. Just imagine – countless generations before us have tapped into this natural pharmacy, gathering remedies from trees and meadows for thousands of years! Let me share something wonderful with you…
Evening Primrose / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is a striking wildflower that graces meadows, roadsides, and coastal areas across the UK with its bright yellow, fragrant blooms. True to its name, its flowers open in the evening, attracting night-flying pollinators like moths. Beyond…
Dewberry/ Spring / Summer / Autumn / Edible The Dewberry is an interesting perennial relative of Blackberries and Raspberries. Dewberry is common across the Northern Europe and Eurasia. Similar species are found in North America although they typically prefer coastal locations. Common Names Dewberry Botanical Name Rubus caesius   Scientific Classification…
Columbine / Spring / Summer / Edible Columbine is a common and distinctive garden plant, and is often seen escaping from gardens and springing up in long grass and verges nearby. Its tall, elegantly curved stems grow up to a metre tall, supporting multi-coloured flowers and later rattling seed pods.…
Daffodil / Spring / Summer / Toxic The Daffodil (Narcissus species) is one of the most recognisable and beloved flowers in the UK, signalling the arrival of spring with its bright yellow and white blooms. Often found in gardens, parks, and even wild landscapes, these cheerful flowers are a symbol…