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"Roger didn't need to read it; he knew well enough the thoughts that were going through the other's mind. The same thoughts he'd wrestled with, during those weeks between Beltane and Midsummer's Eve, during the search for Brianna across the ocean, during his captivity - and at the last, in the circle in the rhododendron hell, hearing the song of the standing stones." -- DRUMS OF AUTUMN , by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 71 Are you a fan of audiobooks? Listen to books in the Outlander series with Amazon's Audible service. Start your free trial here . Where I live, in Washington State, "rhododendron hell" is the experience of renovating giant specimens of this shrub, planted 50 0r 60 years ago, that now block the windows of the house. Rhododendron hybrids do very well in the Pacific Northwest and were popular landscape plants in Seattle in the 1940s and 50s. Today most of my landscape design clients tell me that they don't like rhodies - mostly because they have had it with the varieties planted back in the day. But there are many smaller species to choose from, many with interesting foliage or unusual flowers. So I suggest that clients either visit a nursery or The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden and take another look before crossing them off their list forever. On the other side of the US, in Georgia and North Carolina, "rhododendron hell" means something quite different . Something that Roger could definitely relate to. There, rhododendrons grow wild in the woods, forming large, dense, tangled masses. Their impenetrable canopies hide steep terrain and cause unwitting hikers to lose their footing, thus making their descent into "rhododendron hell." Botanical Information Family: Ericaceae Genus: Rhododendron Species: There are over 1,000 species of this plant, most of them hybrids People often ask, "What is the difference between rhododendrons and azaleas?" Azaleas are a type of rhododendron, with certain botanical differences, such as the number of stamens. You can read more about the differences on this page from the New York Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. Rhododendrons are found on every continent except Antarctica . The Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, Washington, in the US, and Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden in Tasmania, Australia feature plantings of rhododendrons collected from their natural habitats around the world. Rhododendrons and azaleas along Azalea Way at the Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle. Peak bloom is April - May. Cultivation Rhododendron varieties have adapted to a wide range of environments, from the extreme conditions of the Himalayas to the tropical forests of Borneo. In tropical jungles, they may be epiphytes, living in the tree canopy. In open areas, they are shrubs or small trees. They tend to like acidic soil and sharp drainage. Exbury azaleas are deciduous and their sherbet colored flowers are wonderfully fragrant. Food or Poison? In Nepal, where the rhododendron is the national flower, the flowers are eaten fresh, dried or pickled. However, no one should think that it is safe to eat any part of this plant . Rhododendrons are highly toxic to horses and other grazing animals. In humans, effects ranging from hallucinations to death have been reported. Wikipedia has this to say about eating honey from bees that consume nectar from rhododendrons and azaleas: " Xenophon described the odd behaviour of Greek soldiers after having consumed honey in a village surrounded by Rhododendron ponticum during the march of the Ten Thousand in 401 BC. Pompey 's soldiers reportedly suffered lethal casualties following the consumption of honey made from Rhododendron deliberately left behind by Pontic forces in 67 BC during the Third Mithridatic War . Later, it was recognized that honey resulting from these plants has a slightly hallucinogenic and laxative effect." And that is yet another version of what is called "rhododendron hell."

Clan MacKenzie symbols: The crest with the clan motto; a MacKenzie tartan in the background; and sprigs of variegated holly, the clan plant badge. "He could, of course, announce that he did not mean to swear his oath to Colum, and head back to his warm bed in the stables. If he wanted a serious beating or his throat cut, that is. He raised an eyebrow at me, shrugged, and submitted with a fair show of grace to Willie, who rushed up with a pile of snowy linen in his arms and a hairbrush in one hand. The pile was topped by a flat blue bonnet of velvet, adorned with a metal badge that held a sprig of holly. I picked up the bonnet to examine it, as Jamie fought his way into the clean shirt and brushed his hair with suppressed savagery. The badge was round and the engraving surprisingly fine. It showed five volcanos in the center, spouting most realistic flames. And on the border was a motto, Luceo non Uro. 'I shine, not burn,' I translated aloud. 'Aye, lassie: the MacKenzie motto,' said Willie, nodding approvingly at me.' " -- OUTLANDER , by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 10, " The Oath-Taking " Are you a fan of audiobooks? Listen to books in the Outlander series with Amazon's Audible service. Start your free trial here . According to lore, plants associated with individual Scottish clans are referred to as clan or plant badges. The European yew , for example, is the plant badge of Clan Fraser. It is said that clansmen wore sprigs of their badge attached to their caps. Women pinned plant badges to their tartan sashes at the shoulder. (If you have Scottish ancestry and are curious about what plant might be the badge for your clan go here to look it up.) The Clan MacKenzie has two plant badges: Deer's grass (also called heath club rush - sometimes confused with club moss ) and Variegated holly. I have not succeeded in tracking down the botanical name for deer's grass/heath club rush, so I am not sure what that plant is. If you are familiar with it, please leave me a comment. The variegated holly, however, is quite easy to reference and find in the local landscape. In fact, here in the Northwest, we have two plants that go by the common name "variegated holly." One is an English holly with leaves that have cream-colored margins. The other is a member of the Osmanthus clan. Both have variegated foliage and prickly leaves. Botanical Information Variegated English holly Family: Aquifoliaceae Genus: Ilex Species: Ilex aquifolium 'Argenteo Marginata' This is an evergreen shrub that can eventually become a small tree, up to 10-15 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide. These plants are quite hardy and do best in the northern part of the US. They produce white flowers in spring, followed by red berries in fall. English holly berries contain high levels of certain alkaloids, along with caffeine and theobromine. They are regarded as poisonous to humans, although death by holly berry is rarely reported. In her book, A Druid's Herbal , Ellen Evert Hopman has this to say about the magical uses of English holly, especially at the time of Winter Solstice. "Holly, with it's warrior-like bristles, is known as an herb of protection. Cast it about to repel unwanted animals and spirits... Holly is one of the evergreens brought into the home by the Druids. It symbolizes a willingness to allow the nature spirits to share one's abode during the harsh, cold season." Variegated holly ( s hown in photo above ) Family: Oleaceae Genus: Osmanthus Species: Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Goshiki' Native to Eastern Asia and southern Japan, this shrub's striking foliage makes it a desirable addition to the garden. In Japanese, "goshiki" means 5-colored - look for shades of cream, yellow, pink, white and orange in its foliage. This variegated holly, sometimes called holly olive, is a slow growing, mound-shaped plant, eventually reaching 3-5 feet in height and width. Because of its compact, dense growth habit, it rarely needs pruning, which is a good thing, given the prickly foliage. This plant produces clusters of tiny, white, fragrant flowers in late summer and early fall. They are followed by oval-shaped, purple fruits that mature about 9 months later.

Photo by Jesse Taylor , taken at Evergreen State College Longhouse Ethnobotanical Garden "Poison for a rival," he said. "or at least she thinks so.""Oh?" I said. "And what is it really? Bitter cascara?"He looked at me in pleased surprise. "You're very good at this," he said. "A natural talent, or were you taught? Well, no matter." He waved a broad palm, dismissing the matter. "Yes, that's right, cascara. The rival will fall sick tomorrow, suffer visibly in order to satisfy the Vicomtesse's desire for revenge and convince her that her purchase was a good one, and then she will recover, with no permanent harm done, and the Vicomtesse will attribute the recovery to the intervention of the priest or a counter spell done by a sorcerer employed by the victim." -- From DRAGONFLY IN AMBER , by Diana Gabaldon Are you a fan of audiobooks? Listen to books in the Outlander series with Amazon's Audible service. Start your free trial here . You may remember this exchange between Master Raymond and Claire at his apothecary shop, in which he explains his clever solution for the problem of what to do when powerful people asked him for poison to use on their enemies. Rather than say "no," and risk the wrath of the Vicomtesse, he gave her cascara, a highly effective laxative. Depending on the dose, the intended victim probably wished she was dead once the drug took hold! In the TV series, this exchange between Master Raymond and Claire takes place in episode three. In episode four, " Le Dame Blanche ", Claire experiences first hand what "poisoning" with bitter cascara is like. She becomes violently ill during a dinner party and Jamie has to carry her upstairs to bed. She realizes that someone put cascara into her drink because she recalls the bitter taste. This is particularly troubling because she is pregnant and cathartics like cascara can induce labor or, in her case, miscarriage. Fortunately, she recovers and the baby is OK. But we are left to wonder who was trying to poison her - was it Le Comte St. Germain? When she tells Raymond about this later he says he sold only one dose and that was to a servant boy he didn't recognize. The plot thickens. Botanical Information Family: Rhamnaceae Genus: Rhamnus Species: Rhamnus purshiana Common names: Cascara sagrada (which means "sacred bark" in Spanish), bitter cascara, chittem or chitticum bark Cascara is a shrub or small tree native to the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada, from northern California into southern British Columbia, and east to the western slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Montana. It is often found growing in the forest understory, beneath big leaf maples and alongside alders and osier dogwoods. Medicinal Uses Cascara bark was used as a laxative for centuries by Native American tribes. The bark was collected in spring and put into the shade to dry. Green bark would cause vomiting and severe diarrhea, so the aging process, taking at least a year, was an important part of preparation. Cascara found its way to Europe by way of the Spanish conquistadores who explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1600s. They gave it the name Cascara Sagrada, or sacred bark, because of its efficacy. According to Wikipedia, " By 1877 the U.S. pharmaceutical company Parke-Davis was producing cascara preparations, and soon afterwards cascara products were being exported overseas to European markets. The explosion of the cascara industry caused great damage to native cascara populations during the 1900s, as a result of overharvesting. [15] " Cascara was the principal ingredient in over the counter laxatives in the US until May of 2002, when the FDA banned its use. Studies at the time appeared to show that cascara is carcinogenic.

One of the differences between Outlander - the Book and Outlander - the TV series is the time of year the story begins. In the book, Claire and Frank go to the Scottish Highlands for a second honeymoon in springtime. Their trip happens to coincide with the time of year that Beltane, one of the ancient Celtic fire festivals, is celebrated. The filming of the TV series, however, began last fall, the time of year that coincides with the festival of Samhain. The first episode of the show has Frank explaining what he knows about Samhain. This is followed by a magical scene in which local women perform an ancient Druid dance ritual just as the sun is rising at Craigh na Dun, with Claire and Frank hiding in the woods nearby to watch. As far as I am concerned, starting the story at Samhain doesn't make any difference to the story line. Readers and viewers alike will get that the Highlands, even in the 20th century, was a place where superstition and the "auld stories" were very much a part of the culture. The time of year has no bearing on that understanding. But from a botanical point of view, the time of year does matter. Beltane and Samhain are six months apart. Plants that are blooming on May 1 are likely nowhere to be found on November 1. In Episodes 1 and 3 of the TV show, plants play important roles in the story. But the plants that are featured are herbs and flowers of Beltane, not Samhain. I'm not saying that this ruins the story, necessarily. While it may be a fantasy to believe that you could find a healthy clutch of forget-me-nots blooming in a Highland wood in November, that's still what the show needs. There are readers who have created Claire-and-Outlander-themed gardens in their back yards and have tended them for years. They know these plants and have an attachment to them. They would be upset, I think, if the little blue flowers they expect to see at the standing stones were replaced with something more likely to bloom at the end of October. Which would be what? Mushrooms? Sorry, no. That scene needs forget-me-nots. I believe we can suspend disbelief in favor of good storytelling. Especially when we get to Episode 3. There, in scenes not from the book, we find the case of a young boy who has eaten lily of the valley leaves, mistaking them for wood garlic . Lily of the valley is highly toxic, and he presents with symptoms that include bradycardia (slow heart rate), constricted pupils, tremors and hallucinations. The tremors and hallucinations, in particular, have everyone believing that he is possessed by the devil. Everyone but Claire, of course. She believes the boy is sick and needs medical care, not an exorcism. Lily of the Valley ( Convallaria majalis ) foliage in late August. The leaves are beginning to dry out and turn brown. These herbaceous perennials die down in fall and reemerge in spring. Their fragrant, bell-shaped flowers bloom late April - May. The poisoning story is believable - people confuse the two plants often. But it usually happens in spring when they are foraging for wood garlic (called ramps in parts of the US and Canada). It isn't likely to happen in fall when both plants are either going dormant or are already there. That said, how many viewers would know that? When both lily of the valley and wood garlic are blooming in spring, it is easy to tell the difference. Lily of the valley has fragrant, drooping, bell-shaped flowers. Wood garlic has flowers held upright that look like a cluster of stars as you'll see in the video. It pays to know your Outlander Plants - be careful out there! Claire treats the boy with a decoction of belladonna (also known as deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna ), an extraordinarily risky move given the difficulty of getting the dosage right under the best of circumstances. She could have as easily killed him as cured him. The scene where we wait to see if her remedy is going to work is riveting. The whole story, scary Father Bain and all, powerfully illustrates the contrast between 18th century and 20th century world views. It makes for some great drama. Still, the plant geek in me wonders where she got the deadly nightshade . In May, I can take you out in my neighborhood and show you those plants. By November, the best way for me to identify one of them is to go back to a spot where I saw them in spring and hope the birds have left a stray berry or two on the stems as a clue. (The berries are not toxic to birds.) Depending on the weather, there may be a few leaves left - or not. Perhaps Claire found the decoction in Davie Beaton's stash? Does it matter? In terms of storytelling, I dinna think so. These little yellow Lily of the Valley berries, that you see above, have set by late August. They will ripen to a red-orange color in fall. These berries are highly toxic and are more likely to be the cause of poisoning in fall than someone eating the leaves by mistake. In a perfect world, filming of Outlander would have begun in early spring, and instead of growing plants in a green house, the crew could have found them in nature . But that isn't how it worked out. In all other ways except the seasons, the characteristics and uses of the plants are accurate in the TV version, in keeping with what readers have come to expect because of Diana Gabaldon's meticulous research. As filming of the show progresses, especially now that Starz has signed on for a second season, I think the Outlander TV team will be able to synch plants with their respective seasons. Given the attention to detail we've seen from them in all aspects of production, I expect nothing less. In the meantime, I am loving the series and hope you are, as well. Episode 3 was my favorite so far because as a long time reader it was nice to be surprised with a new storyline and because it gives Claire's plant knowledge an opportunity to shine.

Heather blooming in August at Kubota Garden in Seattle, Washington "I swung down the road that afternoon toward the village, to fetch Frank from the vicarage. I happily breathed in that heady Highland mix of heather, sage, and broom, spiced here and there with chimney smoke and the tang of fried herring, as I passed the scattered cottages." - from OUTLANDER , by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 2 Next to the thistle, heather is probably the plant most associated with Scotland. Much of the color in the moorland landscape is from the flowers and multi-hued foliage of heather. The greens, greys, bronzes and purples blend in ways that are reminiscent of an Impressionist painting, especially in summer. Heather is also an integral part of Scottish culture. It is the subject of folklore, such as the legend of Heather Ale (see below). The Druids considered it a sacred plant. White heather flowers, which are rare, are regarded as a good luck charm and a protection from harm. From a practical standpoint, heather has been used to thatch roofs and stuff mattresses. Ancient Scots used it as medicine for a whole host of complaints including digestive issues, anxiety, arthritis and what is today known as tuberculosis. Heather is used to make beer. Bees love the heather flowers and make a distinctive honey from the nectar. Heather is a food source for sheep and deer. Like the Scottish people, heather is rugged and resilient. Botanical Information There are two plants that are commonly called heather. They belong to the same family, look very similar and have the same cultural requirements. But they are in two different genera. Heather: Family: Ericaceae Genus: Calluna Species: Calluna vulgaris Common name: Scotch heather, heather, ling Heath: Family: Ericaceae Genus: Erica Species: There are many. Erica carnea and E. x darleyensis are two of the most common. Common name: People usually call these plants "heather," but technically they are heaths. What is the difference between a heath and a heather? If you look closely at the foliage, you will see that heaths have needle-like leaves and heather has scale-leaves. Another difference is bloom time. Heath flowers in winter and spring. Heather blooms in summer and autumn. Like most members of the Ericaceae family, heathers and heaths require acidic soil . The moorlands of the British Isles are one of their native habitats. Heather also does well west of the Cascade Mountains, in the Pacific Northwest, where the soil pH is generally between 5.5 and 6.5. Heather does not require much care. It thrives in poor soil and needs little or no fertilizer. It likes sun to light shade and evenly moist soil. Shear plants right after blooming to keep them from getting too leggy. It is possible to have continuous bloom and color year around by combining heathers and heaths in the garden. In winter and spring, heath has white, pink and rose flowers. In summer and fall, heather has pink, red, white, lavender and purple flowers, and foliage in a striking array of colors: bronze, gold, chartreuse, apricot, grey-green, yellow and, of course, various shades of green. Many of these plants are ground covers, but some can get as tall as 2 feet . There is a tree heath ( E. aborea ) native to southern Europe and north Africa that can grow as tall as 20 feet. Medicinal Uses Ellen Evert Hopman describes how heather is used as medicine in A DRUID'S HERBAL . "The flowering shoots of heather are used for insomnia, stomach pains, coughs, and skin problems. Heather, used fresh or dry, strengthens the heart and slightly raises the blood pressure. Heather is slightly diuretic." Heather Ale - a brew with a 4,000 year history Fraoch Heather Ale from Scotland with sprigs of 'Red Fred' Scotch heather from my garden. On the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides Islands of Scotland , archaeologists have discovered traces of a drink made from heather on pot shards dating back to 2000 BC. Stories and folklore from medieval times tell of the making and drinking of beverages made from heather flowers. Legend has it that the secret to the art of brewing heather ale died with the last Pictish king. Robert Louis Stevenson's poem, Heather Ale: A Galloway Legend , tells the tale. You can read it here on The Poetry Lovers' Page . Or listen to the words set to music in the video below. In spite of what legend tells us, however, that wasn't the end of the practice of brewing heather ale. This ancient tradition continued for centuries until it was all but wiped out, for real, after the Act of Union in 1707. On the Rampant Scotland website there is this explanation: " 1707 AD, The Act of Union: After centuries of war Scotland became part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Despite many wars of independence and Highland uprisings, Scotland had lost its freedom. Many atrocities were passed through Parliament during the 18th century, outlawed was the wearing of tartan, playing bagpipes and Highland gatherings. Lands were stolen from crofters, Gaelic was forbidden and clans were persecuted - a whole culture and way of life was virtually destroyed. An Act was passed which prevented brewers using any ingredients other than hops and malt. Hops cannot grow in Scotland (indeed there is no Gaelic word for hops) and heather ale was all but reduced to legend. " (And this was before Culloden. It is no wonder that those bloody Sassenachs were verra unwelcome in the Highlands by the time Claire arrived. However, in spite of the "laws," Highlanders continued their customs including wearing tartans and speaking Gaelic until after the Battle of Culloden.) Acts of Parliament notwithstanding, this still was not the end of the heather ale story. In 1988, Scottish microbrewers Bruce and Scott Williams began making an ale inspired by a 17th century Gaelic recipe for leann fraoich (heather ale). You can read how they happened to acquire the recipe, handed down for generations, on the Williams Bros. Brewing Co. website . It is quite a good story. Their Fraoch Heather Ale (pictured above) has been so well received that they have added four more ales based on ancient recipes to their repertoire. They are: 'Alba - Scots Pine Ale' - a Viking recipe introduced to Scotland 'Grozet - Gooseberry Wheat Ale' - a 16th century monk recipe 'Kelpie - Seaweed Ale' - an early west coast brew 'Ebulum - Elderberry Black Ale' - a recipe introduced to Scottish Highlanders by Welsh druids. If you are in the Seattle area and would like to try their Fraoch Heather Ale, you can find it at The Beer Junction in West Seattle. Slainte mhath!

Cappuccino Sedge (Carex tenuiculmis 'Cappuccino') "He sat on the stool in his shirt, closing his eyes in momentary relaxation as I unbraided his hair. He'd worn it clubbed in a tight queue for riding, bound up for the last three days; I ran my hands up into the warm fiery mass as it unraveled from its plait, and the loosened waves of it spilled cinnamon and gold and silver in the firelight as I rubbed the pads of my fingers gently into his scalp." -- from A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES , by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 7 One of the common names for the plant shown above is "New Zealand hair grass." I thought of that as I was watering my garden the other morning. Seeing this grass glowing in the sun - all those beautiful strands of red and gold - reminded me of Jamie Fraser's hair. (That's the thing about being an OUTLANDER fan - pretty soon everything in your life seems to relate to a plot line or character from one of the books.) My next thought was, of course, to wonder: what plant would best represent the notorious "Claire hair?" Now before I go too far with this, I have to explain that although we often refer to these hair-like plants as grasses, they really aren't. To be botanically correct, I have to tell you that they are sedges. To tell the difference, grasp a leaf and run your fingers along it. Sedges have edges, meaning that their leaves are triangular, have micro-serrations along the margins, and feel rough to the touch. Grasses have joints and the stems are hollow. Ornamental grasses typically have showy flowers. Sedges produce small, insignificant, burr-like "fruits." These ripen into seedpods that cling to clothes and animal fur and, like another OUTLANDER plant, Forget-me-nots , "hitchhike" to new locations. OK, back to Claire's "disreputable" locks. The first plant that came to mind for her was another in the Carex clan, called 'Frosted Curls.' But I quickly ruled that one out because it is pale-colored. A bit too blonde, I thought. Red Hook Sedge ( Uncinia unciniata) Then I found this one. I love this plant because of its rich color palette, combining red and mahogany and light green. It is utterly unruly with tendrils that go every which way. It may not be the ultimate in Claire Hair - I'm going to keep looking - but for now she's a verra fine choice. So now we have Jamie hair and Claire hair. What about Frank? The image I have in mind is that Frank has black, straight hair. The sedges I am familiar with have a wide range of colors including pale greens, green with white or yellow variegations, and bronzes, but I have never seen one that has black foliage. Still, there are over 2,000 plants in the Carex clan, so some research was in order. Lo and behold, I found one that fits. It not only has black-ish foliage, its name is Carex buchananii 'Frank's Hair !' Unfortunately, I couldn't find a source for this plant in the US, but you can see a photo of it here . Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see it on the left side. Even though 'Frank's Hair' sedge isn't widely available, there is another good plant choice for Frank . If you want to create an OUTLANDER Hair Garden, consider honoring him with black mondo grass (which isn't a " true " grass, either, being more of a distant relative of Lily of the Valley). The green blades you see above are new growth; as they age, they will turn black. Can you think of other OUTLANDER characters whose tresses remind you of a particular plant? If so, please share your ideas in the comments. Thank you.

Updated 11/23/22 "'I want to be up in time to see them.' 'Who?' 'The witches.' 'Witches? Who told you there are witches?' 'The vicar,' Frank answered, clearly enjoying the joke. 'His housekeeper is one of them.' I thought of the dignified Mrs. Graham and snorted derisively. 'Don't be ridiculous!' 'Well, not witches actually. There have been witches all over Scotland for hundreds of years - they burnt them 'til well into the eighteenth century - but this lot is really meant to be Druids, or something of the sort. ...the vicar said there was a local group that still observes rituals on the old sun-feast days... He didn't know where the ceremonies took place, but if there's a stone circle nearby, that must be it.'" - from OUTLANDER , by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 2 Were you as enchanted by the Druids dancing at dawn as Frank was? That scene in the first episode of the Outlander TV series was magical. I have always been curious about the Druids. Much of what is "known" about them is mere speculation because their most sacred rituals and practices were never put into writing. To protect their secrets, this knowledge was passed down by word of mouth. What is known is that Druids were prominent people in Celtic society during the Iron Age (from 1200 BC - 100 AD in Western Europe). Most are believed to have been philosophers and spiritual leaders, but some were poets, doctors, and mediators or arbitrators. The earliest writings describing the Druids are from the Romans who conquered the Celts as they expanded their empire westward to include Britain and Ireland. The Romans describe the Druids as savages who performed human sacrifices and even practiced cannibalism. Of course, throughout history, conquerors have made up stories about their victims, describing them as ruthless barbarians, no doubt to justify their OWN savagery and barbarism toward those hapless people. In the 20th century, new techniques in archaeology and scholarship began to shed a bit more light on the lives of the ancient Druids . Today there are many individuals and organizations associated with modern day Druidry , and their numbers appear to be growing. People are attracted to this movement because of its focus on respect for the Earth and all living things. One of those people is Ellen Evert Hopman. She is an herbalist, psychotherapist and modern day Druid priestess.She has spent decades studying the Iron Age, folklore and and the stories behind Celtic traditions. Her book, A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year gives us a well informed introduction to Druid practices. This includes: • An overview of Druidic history, separating fact from fiction. • Sections on each of the major Celtic festivals and the herbs associated with them: Samhain, Winter Solstice, Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Beltane, Summer Solstice, Lugnasad, and Fall Equinox. Each section has descriptions of the medicinal and magical uses of the herbs. • How to make herbal preparations such as tinctures, salves, poultices, fomentations (strong teas), and syrups. • There are also chapters that describe how to use herbs in ceremonies to mark births, at funerals, for a house blessing, baby blessings and handfasting ceremonies. I enjoy using this book for research because it offers a different perspective from my other references. Hopman is an herbalist - she knows her botany. But she also has extensive knowledge of the stories and traditions that surround the use of plants for medicine, for magic and as sacred symbols. She reminds us of a time when people had a deeper, more complex relationship with plant life. Take apples, for example. Then as now, apples were a food. They were also used as a medicine, useful for relieving constipation and for cleansing the liver. Beyond these practical applications, apples were revered as symbols of life and immortality, and they were buried during the festival of Samhain as food for those waiting to be reborn. A Druid's Herbal gives us a way to imagine living in connection with the Earth. Not separate from it. Not trying to fix it. But instead, living consciously and appreciating the meanings to be found in the natural world. Whether you believe in magick or not, it is worthwhile to spend some time exploring this point of view.

"I had no idea how much time had passed since I had entered the standing stones, or how long I had lain unconscious on the hillside below the circle. Quite a while, judging from the sogginess of my clothing; I was soaked through to the skin, and small chilly rivulets ran down my sides under my gown. One numbed cheek was beginning to tingle; putting a hand to it, I could feel a pattern of incised bumps. I looked down and saw a layer of fallen rowan berries, gleaming red and black among the grass. Very appropriate, I thought, vaguely amused. I had fallen down under a rowan - the Highland protection against witchcraft and enchantment." from VOYAGER , by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 24 Rowan, or "Luis" in Gaelic, is both a tree and the name of the second character in the Celtic Ogham Tree Alphabet . Examples of writing with this alphabet can be found in manuscripts dating from the 6th to 9th centuries and inscriptions on standing stones in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, dating as far back as 400 AD. Ogham was used to write Primitive Irish, Welsh, Pictish and Latin. The origin of this alphabet is a mystery: Was it invented before the time of Jesus by Druids that inhabited northern Italy? Was it a secret code used by Celtic people to communicate in a way that couldn't be deciphered by those who spoke only Latin? Was it a way to combine Latin and Celtic languages as intermarriage brought the two cultures together? Historians and scholars have come up with different theories, but no one has the answer. Ellen Evert Hopman, an herbalist, researcher and modern day Druid priestess , offers her understanding of the Ogham Tree Alphabet in her book, A Druid's Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine . "The 'Tree Alphabet' is a vital bit of tree lore that has been handed down through the centuries. The ancient Scots, Irish and other Celtic peoples did not use the alphabet that we use today (A, B, C, and so forth). They had their own script, called Ogham, which was both a type of sign language and a written alphabet... Ogham was not used to write books, it was used on commemorative stones such as burial markers. It was used for magic: an Ogham spell could be written on a scrap of tree bark and placed in the way of an advancing army, which would stop them in their tracks." There are 20 characters in this alphabet, one for each of the trees sacred to the Celts. It makes sense that the letters were named for trees because of the close relationship people had with the natural world. Trees were a source of food, medicine, and material for shelter and tools. For ancient people, trees also had religious, spiritual and magical significance. The significance of the Rowan tree was that it provided protection from witchcraft and evil spirits. It was called "the Druid's tree." According to Hopman, it was an important wood in the celebration of Beltane: "A rowan fire in the hearth brought luck on May Day morning." In autumn, garlands of red rowan berries were worn by women in the Highlands to keep them safe. The Scots made tiny Xs of rowan wood, bound with red thread, and sewed them into clothing to protect against witchcraft. Implements, cradles and coffins were made of rowan wood as protection from evil. As ye may remember, Dougal MacKenzie told Claire how Geillis Duncan met her end: "Sent to the devil in a pillar of flame, under the branches of a rowan tree." Botanical Information Family: Rosaceae Genus: Sorbus Species: Sorbus aucuparia (red berries) and Sorbus americana (orange berries) Common names: rowan, witch tree, mountain ash Note: in spite of its common name, rowan is not really an ash - true ash trees are in the Oleaceae family, genus Fraxinus . Sorbus aucuparia , European mountain ash, is native to Europe, western Asia and Siberia. Sorbus americana is native to eastern North America. Rowans are striking trees in the landscape with deep green foliage and abundant clusters of white flowers in spring. The flowers give way to large displays of red or orange berries in fall. Because these trees are in the rose family, they are susceptible to the same fungal diseases. To deter black spot and scab, use members of the Allium genus as companion plants . Alliums include: garlic, chives, onions and shallots. Culinary Uses Rowan berries are very bitter if eaten raw, but are palatable when used in jams, jellies, compotes, syrups, wine and liqueur. Medicinal Uses Rowan berries are a good source of Vitamin C, used to treat or prevent scurvy. The berries have been used in traditional Austrian medicine to make tea, syrup, jelly and liqueur for the treatment of respiratory problems, fevers, infections, and gout. Hopman says that Scottish Highlanders simmered rowan berries, apples and honey to make a syrup to treat colds, coughs, fevers and sore throats.

Occasionally, I am surprised by how well some of my old posts have aged. This one, written over a decade ago, seems as timely today, as we are coming out of the pandemic, as it did then. Originally published 5/22/2010 Despite what the politicians and pundits say, I don't think we are in the midst of an economic "recovery." The word recovery implies going back to a previous condition. When you recover from a cold, you go back to the condition of health you were in before you caught the virus. After you've recovered, you continue on with your life as you did before you got sick. But what is happening with the economy right now is much more profound than a recovery. We are not going to go back to the same life we had before. When you get past the headlines about bank bailouts, mortgage defaults and unemployment figures, you can sense that there is something deeper and more personal going on. I would describe it as a process of economic rethinking. And the more that time goes by and the more uncertain the future seems to be, the more it is dawning on people that we are heading into a new version of what we call "the economy." What this New Economy will look like, I can't tell you. All I can see is that there are some big questions we have to ask ourselves as we move in that direction. We have to have the courage to challenge our beliefs about money and work before we can move ahead. Here are some of those questions: Is there really any value in "hard" work? Do you believe that work should involve some amount of suffering or sacrifice? Recognizing that what one person considers hard work is another person's dream job, I'm not talking about the perceived difficulty of a job. I'm talking about defining hard work as being something one resents doing because it feels like struggle or hardship or bondage; doing something one has to do, not something one wants to do. How often have you seen that pay off - I mean, literally? Isn't the stress of going against one's own good greater than the stress of the actual work? Do you believe that without hard work you cannot (or should not) get ahead? Do you resent people like Bill Gates, who dropped out of college to do the kind of work he loved doing, and went on to become a billionaire? Or do you see that pursuing what you love guides you onto the path of wealth? Are there alternatives to the typical life path of going to school, getting an education in order to get a good job, working for 30+ years, then retiring? What might those alternatives look like? What kind of work-life balance suits you? Some people thrive on being busy and 40+ hours a week on the job is no problem for them. Others are burned out by a 20 hour work week. If no one made a moral judgment about your choice, what would your preference be? Speaking of moral judgment, do you believe that work is "good" and leisure is "bad?" If so, why? If it develops that a college degree is not necessarily a ticket to a good income, would you go to (or would you have gone to) college? Or encourage/expect your children to go? If you saw a college education as preparation for life, but not necessarily for a job, what difference would that have made in what you chose to study? What do you wish you had known about work and money before you graduated from high school? If you are approaching retirement age, what is your opinion of the 401K system? Is it providing you with what feels like a secure financial basis for retirement? Do you understand the plan your broker/advisor has laid out for you? Do you feel like your retirement has been hijacked by Wall Street? Do you ever wonder if there might not be a better way to secure your retirement? If so, what might that be? Over the past few years, I have asked myself these questions. I don't think I've been alone, as more people have found themselves unemployed or underemployed. One of the advantages of having more time available, is that there's more time for reflection. I don't think there are right or wrong answers to these questions. There are only our answers. We each get to choose for ourselves. The choices we make will shape the future of this New Economy. Regardless of what the government, banks and Wall Street do, we will decide what comes next. What kind of future do you want? Now is the time to dream it.

Ceanothus, also known as California wild lilac, is starting to bloom now in Seattle. Its striking, purple-blue flowers are shaped like tiny bottle brushes, thus inspiring the common name. There are many varieties of Ceanothus, but few are hardy enough for our climate. Most are native to California where, after a wet winter like this past one, the coastal hills are covered in a blue haze of bloom in the spring. The most common variety of Ceanothus grown in Seattle is the one shown above, Ceanothus impressus or Santa Barbara Ceanothus. If you add one to your garden, be sure to give it plenty of room - it can easily get 10 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. Flower color among the varieties can range from white (which is rare), through pale blue, to deep purple-blue. When choosing one for your garden, as always, buy plants in bloom to be sure of what you are getting. Ceanothus plants are generally drought tolerant, needing a bit of supplemental watering the first couple of seasons while they get established. There are a couple of Ceanothus ground covers that are grown in our area. Point Reyes (C. gloriosus) has glossy, dark green, holly-like leaves, with light blue flowers, and can get as tall as 18", with a spread (if it is happy) of 12 to 16 feet. The most striking Ceanothus ground cover is 'Diamond Heights,' (C. griseus horizontalis 'Diamond Heights') shown at right. It does not look anything like its relatives until small, pale blue flowers appear in late spring. But flowers are not the reason to plant this beauty. You'll want this in your garden because of the foliage - those yellow-green leaves with splashes of dark green in the center are a joy to behold. Unfortunately, we've had some very cold weather the past three or four winters and this ground cover has not fared well. My once-thriving 'Diamond Heights' specimens have all been killed by the cold. However, that doesn't mean you should give up on this plant. Just treat it as an annual, tuck it into containers and let it spill over the edges.

Horsetail and henbit and shot weed, oh my! Nettles that sting, geraniums gone wild, and "dandy" lions - these are a few of the plants referred to as "weeds" in the Northwest. Can you identify them in your yard? Here's a quick tutorial. This is horsetail (Equisetum hymale), one of the oldest plants on earth. If you have ever tried to get rid of it, you understand how it has survived since prehistoric times. This is one tough plant. Chemicals won't kill it. Pulling it out like a regular weed stimulates the plant to send up even more new shoots. The most effective way to get rid of it is to starve it out by cutting stems to the ground so leaves cannot photosynthesize. Covering the area with layers of newspaper topped with bark and leaving it alone for several months may finish the job. Horsetail has been used for centuries to treat various health problems, including gout, urinary tract infections, osteoporosis, and more. This is red deadnettle (Lamium purpureum), a cousin of henbit. This plant is not invasive and can easily be pulled out if it is not to your liking. You'll note that it has square stems as do all members of the mint family. The stem tips and flowers are edible but not particularly flavorful. This is the only weed I know of that has its own Facebook page. Shotweed (Cardimine hirstuta) is hard to photograph because its stems and flowers are so delicate that they all but disappear. You can easily recognize the tight rosette of leaves at the base, however, and once those little white flowers fade, you can't miss the explosive burst of seed that comes your way when you touch the plant. The seed explosion is, of course, how it gets its name, shot weed. It also explains how it manages to be so invasive - seed goes everywhere. It is edible as a bitter herb. Stinging nettles (Urtica dioecia) can certainly get your attention. Tiny hairs on the stems and leaves act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine, acetylcholine and serotonin, among other chemicals, into the skin which produces a profound stinging sensation. In spite of that, this plant has a long history of medicinal uses including pain relief, easing arthritis symptoms, hay fever and skin problems. Stinging nettles are edible - the chemicals responsible for the sting go away when the plant is immersed in water and/or cooked. The flavor is said to be similar to spinach and it is used in soups, spanakopita, and even cheese making. Wild geranium (Geranium robertianum) is also known as Robert's herb or "stinky Bob" because of the strong odor emitted when you pull it up or brush against it. In late spring, this lacy plant blooms with small, star-shaped, 5-petaled pink flowers. It is shallow rooted and probably the easiest plant to pull out of the ground there is. It isn't a particular problem in urban gardens, but in the forest it will quickly overtake native ground cover. Of course, everyone knows this one, the dandelion (Taraxicum officinale). Much loved by children for their sunny, yellow flowers and big, puffy, seed heads, these plants get a bad rap just because they are prolific. They are not noxious weeds and do not present any harm to ecosystems or animal life. They only present a problem for gardeners who want a "weed free" landscape but let their populations get out of control. However, a soil knife or dandelion weeder will easily pop them out. All you need is time and patience. Please DO NOT use weed killers on these plants. Bees and other pollinators visit these plants for nectar. And weed killers, including household vinegar, are fatal to these beneficial insects. If you have a particularly large crop, rather than ripping it out, you might consider exploring this plant's various culinary and medicinal properties. Dandelions are nutritious, providing a good source of vitamins and minerals. Dandelion greens have long been used as a spring tonic. And the flowers are used to make wine.

Two types of camellias grow well in the Seattle area: Camellia japonica and its smaller, daintier cousin, Camellia sasanqua. The larger of the two, C. japonica, is blooming right now in Seattle and will continue into May. There are many varieties of this shrub, the Sunset Western Garden Book lists an entire page of them, but the most familiar form is the one shown below with deep, rose pink flowers. Camellias want some protection from hot sun, although you see plenty of them doing just fine in western exposures here in the mild summer climate of western Washington. Once established, they are quite drought tolerant. They do well in the acid soils of the Seattle area. Fertilize with an acid plant food shortly after blooming to assist in setting healthy flower buds for the coming year. Prune these shrubs just after they bloom. Large specimens can be limbed up to make them into small trees. Note that flower buds for the coming year start to form within weeks of the last blooms. If you wait too long in the season to do your pruning, you risk losing next year's flowers. Camellia sasanqua is much smaller and finer textured than C. japonica. Many varieties have single flowers, as you see at right, and bloom time is December through January. Sasanquas offer a greater variety of flower colors and variegations than C. japonica. Shop for them when they are in bloom to be sure of what you are getting. Sasanquas make excellent subjects for espallier.