One leaf at time
Don’t let the sting fool you! Common nettle, that plant your grandma warned you about, is surprisingly useful. Its leaves are edible when cooked, packed with nutrients and a popular herbal remedy. Nettle also feeds insects and provides shelter, making it vital to local ecosystems. Plus, did you know it can be used to make … Read more
Meet garden sorrel, a zesty green with lemony leaves! Often used in soups, salads, and sauces, it adds a tangy kick to your cooking. Beyond the kitchen, it supports pollinators and enriches soil. Uniquely, sorrel’s sourness comes from oxalic acid (found in many leafy greens), giving it a refreshing taste that stands out from typical … Read more
Meet the Oxeye daisy, a cheerful wildflower brightening meadows! These hardy plants are loved for their bright white petals and sunny yellow centers. Often used in informal bouquets and sometimes for traditional folk remedies, they’re vital for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Their seeds also provide food for birds, making them a beautiful and beneficial … Read more
Meet common chickweed, a tiny but mighty plant popping up in gardens everywhere! It’s edible (and tasty!), offering a mild, spinach-like flavor in salads or cooked dishes. Birds and insects adore it too, making it a vital part of the local ecosystem. This humble weed is surprisingly nutritious and even used traditionally for soothing skin. … Read more
Wild angelica, a tall and graceful plant, is a haven for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Its sweet-smelling leaves and seeds are used in herbal remedies and flavourings. Growing along streams and damp meadows, it plays a vital role in supporting diverse ecosystems. Unusually, it’s phototoxic – so don’t get its sap on your skin … Read more
Meet hairy sedge, a humble plant with surprising superpowers! Often overlooked, it’s a vital player in stabilizing soil and providing food for wildlife. This adaptable native helps prevent erosion and creates habitat. Look closely – its delicate, hair-like leaves give it a unique texture and charm, making it a great addition to naturalized gardens and … Read more
Bracken, a common fern found worldwide, is a resourceful plant! Historically, it’s been used for thatching, fertilizer, and even food (though with caution!). Ecologically, bracken provides shelter for various creatures. Uniquely, it can thrive in nutrient-poor soils and is known for its allelopathic properties, meaning it releases chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants … Read more
Meet slender false brome, a grass with a surprisingly strong personality! It might look delicate, but this plant plays a vital role in preventing soil erosion and providing habitat for critters. Plus, certain varieties are even used as forage for livestock! Look closely, and you’ll see how it gracefully sways in the breeze, adding beauty … Read more
Scented vernal grass brings a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance to meadows! This unassuming plant flavors traditional sweets and liquors. It’s also crucial for butterflies, providing early food. While beautiful, its unique coumarin compound can cause hay fever in some and, in large doses, could be toxic to livestock. Scented vernal grass is a mixed bag of … Read more
Meet the Purple Dead-nettle, a friendly spring weed with vibrant purplish leaves! While its name might sound scary, it’s actually harmless and useful. Bees adore its early nectar, making it ecologically vital. Traditionally, people have used it for herbal remedies and even as a cooked green. Look closely, and you’ll notice its unique square stems, … Read more