Author: Laura P
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Herb in a Vase – September: Rosehips
Are you an autumn person? I never used to be, I was always a summer fairy who thrived on long, barefoot sunny days and felt only disappointment when the ‘back to school’ time of year came around. But as I’ve mellowed with age, like the seasons themselves you could say, I’ve learned to love the…
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Mint
While there are well over 100 species of mint across all the cultivars and hybrids we may have in gardens and nurseries, they fall into three main categories: Spearmint, Peppermint and Watermint. Spearmint Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is also known as common mint or garden mint. It’s the one you’re most likely to find in a…
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August Herb Walk
Eastington Church and Community Orchard In true holiday fashion, our August herb walk was an away day and a rather special event. Reaching beyond our normal Cam and Dursley stomping ground, we headed a short way North to Eastington. Here we were welcomed by the local organisers and joined by many from the local community…
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Herb in a Vase – August
Feverfew As a lifelong migraine sufferer, I have a special place in my heart for feverfew, which I’ve found to be helpful in managing the condition. But even if I’d never had a migraine in my life, I’d still be head over heels in love with this pretty little herb! Feverfew, Tansy, Cow bitter, Golden…
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Canalside Herb Walk
Stroud Valleys Project, working with Heritage Lottery funded Cotswold Canals Connected, are providing a series of events, workshops and happenings to encourage enjoyment of the canals and their surrounding natural heritage. As part of this, Cotswold Herb Centre were invited to lead herb walks along the canal with a specific aim to enable women to…
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Evening Primrose
Herb of the Month for July: Evening Primrose, Oenothera biennis The herbal year starts with primrose (‘the first flower’) but as we progress through summer, those little ground-huggers are long gone and instead we find the tall spikes of evening primrose. The common name and yellow colour is all these two plants share. A family…
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July Herb Walk
July found us in the colourful surroundings of the Chantry Centre Garden, the hidden green space behind the Chantry Centre on Long Street. Do visit if you can, it’s open on Wednesday and Saturday mornings when the volunteer run café has a wonderful selection of home baked cakes and a warm welcome for all. While…
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Lady’s Mantle
Alchemilla vulgaris In medieval times, Alchemilla was reputed to preserve youth. Her name means ‘little magical one’, referencing the drops that form on her leaves. This is not dew, but a secretion from the plant herself – an ingredient treasured by alchemists, collected each morning, a drop at a time. Her rounded leaves are pleated,…
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Herb in a vase – July
Mint If you’ve bought flowers from me at any time from April to September, your bouquet will probably have contained mint. It’s one of my favourite foliages! Why do I love mint so much? I think it’s because I can’t get enough of the scent. Whether pepper, lemon or spear, a lovely whiff of mentha…
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June Herb Walk
June’s Herb Walk was part of Dursley’s new OffBeat event, happening alongside a Bee Walk and an Historic Rope Walk. Participants could join either at the Market Place or at the walk location, St Mark’s Churchyard on Woodmancote. The churchyard is a green oasis a stone’s throw from the centre of town, largely unseen from…