Folklore Garden
DandelionDandelions respond dynamically to light and humidity levels. They were once believed to predict the weather. (1)
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WillowherbOnce known as 'bomb weed' because it sprung up in places where buildings had been destroyed in the Second World War. (2)
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Wild GarlicSacred to Hecate.
Protection against jealousy and envy. (3) |
Dill'The vervain and the dill, That hindreth witches of their will'. (4)
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St John's Wort'Put some of the herb in the sole of your shoe so that you do not tire when going by foot'. (5)
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Ivy-Leaved ToadflaxThe flowers were thought to resemble 'bunnies' and squeezing the flowers would make their mouths move. (11)
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Water Feature"At Huntingtower there was a well, the water of which was believed to have sanative qualities when used under certain circumstances. In May, 1618, two women of humble rank were before the kirk-session of Perth, ‘who, being asked if they were at the well in the bank of Huntingtower the last Sabbath, if they drank thereof, and what they left at it, answered, that they drank thereof, and that each of them left a prin (pin) thereat, which was found to be a point of idolatrie in putting the well in God’s room.’ They were each fined six shillings, and compelled to make public avowal of their repentance.”(6)
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MagpieOne for sorrow,
Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret never to be told. |
Fox'In Scotland there is a folk saying: "When the Fest of Brighid (Imbolc) is past, the fox won't trust his tail to the ice."'(10)
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Goldfinch‘The gold-finch is a bird of which it is related that, when it is carried into the presence of a sick person, if the sick man is going to die, the bird turns away its head and never looks at him; but if the sick man is to be saved the bird never loses sight of him but is the cause of curing him of all his sickness.’ (12)
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FernWhen ferns unfurl, spring is on its way. 15-20 May. (7)
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Oak"...shaping the knob on the cord of a window-blind into an acorn keeps lightning away." (9)
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FuchsiaMaking a ‘lady’ from fuchsia flowers – you remove some of the petals to make a skirt then some of the stamens so that you are left with two legs. (8)
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References:
1) Gooley, Tristan. The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues & Signs. Sceptre, 2014. p156
2) Chapman, Kiera et al. Nature's Calendar: The British Year in 72 Seasons. Granta Books, 2023. p189
3) Oakley Harrington, Christina. The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic. Treadwell's Books, 2020. p62
4) Ibid. p52
5) Ibid. p119
6) MacKinlay, James M. Folklore Of Scottish Lochs And Springs. 1893. p271
7) Nature's Calendar. p127
8) Plant-lore.com/fuchsia
9) Plant-lore.com/oak
10) Carr-Gomm, Philip & Stephanie, The Druid Animal Oracle
11) Plant-lore.com/ivy-leaved-toadflax
12) https://nelliecole.com/2020/07/10/folkdays-goldfinches/ Quote attributed to Leonardo di Vinci.
Skinner, Charles. M., Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees and Fruit
Harford, Robin. https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/plants Accessed 14/7/2026
Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Anethum_graveolens_clean.jpg Accessed 14/7/2026
Magpie illustration from Svenska Fåglar (Swedish Birds) by the von Wright brothers from rawpixel's original edition of the publication
Jasmine illustration from S. laxum (as S. jasminoides) from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, t. 33 (1787).
Rosemary illustration from Pritzel (2nd) 1976
Illustration of Fuchsia denticulata (Orig. Fuchsia serratifolia), William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)
Toadflax illustration from Step, Edward, Wayside and woodland blossoms (Pl. 33)
Image from page 311 of "Dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes a monograph of the Canidae. With woodcuts, and 45 coloured plates drawn from nature by J.G. Keulemans and hand-coloured" (1890)
1) Gooley, Tristan. The Walker's Guide to Outdoor Clues & Signs. Sceptre, 2014. p156
2) Chapman, Kiera et al. Nature's Calendar: The British Year in 72 Seasons. Granta Books, 2023. p189
3) Oakley Harrington, Christina. The Treadwell's Book of Plant Magic. Treadwell's Books, 2020. p62
4) Ibid. p52
5) Ibid. p119
6) MacKinlay, James M. Folklore Of Scottish Lochs And Springs. 1893. p271
7) Nature's Calendar. p127
8) Plant-lore.com/fuchsia
9) Plant-lore.com/oak
10) Carr-Gomm, Philip & Stephanie, The Druid Animal Oracle
11) Plant-lore.com/ivy-leaved-toadflax
12) https://nelliecole.com/2020/07/10/folkdays-goldfinches/ Quote attributed to Leonardo di Vinci.
Skinner, Charles. M., Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees and Fruit
Harford, Robin. https://www.eatweeds.co.uk/plants Accessed 14/7/2026
Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Anethum_graveolens_clean.jpg Accessed 14/7/2026
Magpie illustration from Svenska Fåglar (Swedish Birds) by the von Wright brothers from rawpixel's original edition of the publication
Jasmine illustration from S. laxum (as S. jasminoides) from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, t. 33 (1787).
Rosemary illustration from Pritzel (2nd) 1976
Illustration of Fuchsia denticulata (Orig. Fuchsia serratifolia), William Jackson Hooker (1785-1865)
Toadflax illustration from Step, Edward, Wayside and woodland blossoms (Pl. 33)
Image from page 311 of "Dogs, jackals, wolves, and foxes a monograph of the Canidae. With woodcuts, and 45 coloured plates drawn from nature by J.G. Keulemans and hand-coloured" (1890)