Author: Laura P
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December Herb Walk
On our December herb walk we were particularly looking out for the winter plants that have become a natural part of our festivities at this time of the year. Having met at the tall pine trees outside the police station on Dursley Road, we didn’t need to move far to find copious examples of fantastically…
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Festive Calm
December is the time of year when our activities can seem most out-of-kilter with the natural world around us. While much of nature beds down, tucks in and takes respite to gather energy for the sprouting and blooming months ahead, we throw ourselves into parties and activities, gatherings and feasting. Of course there’s good social…
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Holly
At this time of the year, our woods are full of sleeping giants. The dark, muscular trunks of beech stand in slumber, their leaves coating the ground with a russet uniform. The green that gives us hope of life ongoing is holly, present on every corner, at every turn – evergreen. Despite her glossy spikiness…
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November Herb Walk
The first Saturday of November this year was right the beginning of the month, 1st November, traditionally celebrated as All Saint’s Day and preceded by All Hallow’s Eve, more commonly known as Halloween. Stepping between worlds Responding to the liminal spirit of this time, when the veil between worlds lowers and spirits abound – a…
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Mother of Herbs
Mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris When running a herb stall at the market, I’m often asked for mugwort, she is a much sought after herb. Though I’m never sure which use she is intended for. There are many applications, let’s look at a few. Who is mugwort? But first of all, getting clear on identifying the plant…
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Wintering on the windowsill
Our green fingered herby gardener, Angela, has some great advice for keeping fresh herbs to hand through the winter. She says: ‘You need not miss out on fresh herbs in the cold days ahead.’ I’m going to try dividing off some lemon thyme, which I haven’t tried before. I’ll let you know how I get…
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October Herb Walk
I’m often asked ‘do you do the herb walks all year round?’. The answer is ‘yes’. There are plants around us all year, we’ll simply see different things as the seasons progress. Those who’ve attended our spring and summertime walks will know there can be more around than we’re able to talk about, we have…
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September Herb Walk
The start of September 2025 brought our Anniversary Herb Walk. The first Cotswold Herb Centre herb walk took place on the first Saturday in September, 2024. Twelve months, and twelve herb walks on, we are able to see how things have changed through this past year. We now have official confirmation that 2025 was the…
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Yarrow
Gardens, fields and hedgerows always look a little straggly by late summer. Conditioned from an early age to start anew in September, we seek out freshness, bright sparks, inspiration. Among the yellowed grass and withered stalks, one summer plant still shines with its white frothy tops and feathery leaves, yarrow. With luck, she’ll be flowering…
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Wort of the Week
Anyone who’s been on a herb walk with us will know how excited we get about worts! A ‘wort’ is simply an old term for a plant, typically a purposeful plant. At Cotswold Herb Centre we define herbs as ‘purposeful plants’ so its worts and all for us! In particular, though, we love the plants…