The War Over Fairydom

On some of the islands off the coast of Maine, a war is raging. And it has been going on for quite some time. Decades in fact.

It is a clash between the Fairies or rather Fairy Sympathizers and the 'real world' Witches. For you see, the Witches believe that the Fairy Sympathizers are destroying the fragile eco-system of the islands to create little homes, little worlds for the Fairies. Bark and small branches may be stripped from a tree or moss may be moved to create the Worlds the Fairy Sympathizers envision in their minds.

Should enough of this occur, then the disaster of which the Witches foretell would come to pass. But the building of these Fairy Gardens, these Fairy Worlds, is kept to a minimum (and local building codes obeyed) and pose no real threat to the local forests.

In fact the moss which is so often used to create these little Fairy Worlds thrives on traffic - animal, human or other-worldly - to spread it. It can take hold anywhere there is a bald spot beneath the pine canopy. This particular kind of moss is Leucobryum glaucum or more commonly known as Pincushion Moss.

Pincushion Moss, on close examination, appears to have tiny little stems and even tinier leaves. It can commonly be found in pine forests and will give the appearance of being dead if conditions become too dry. But will quickly become green with the addition of moisture.

The magick Moss holds over Humans is universal and seems to have no age boundaries. So take heed on your next trip into the Woods! You may fall under a spell and find yourself wanting to create a small realm for the Fae Folk.

* to read more about this subject, click here. *

Glorious Moonflowers

Moonflowers

Moonflowers are one of my favorites for the "Haunted Garden".

Blooming during the night, its large white blooms seem to illuminate the garden... beckoning you to come closer. They are splendid for enjoying evening relaxation. Planted near a deck or porch, its heavenly fragrance
permeates the air, adding to its appealing beauty. Relatively easy to grow depending on location. I plant mine in the ground growing on a trellis,
below the deck we have that is about 10 feet off the ground and in pots.
To get them started on the deck I attach strings to the railing to the ground below and they begin their climb to the top. They grow about 15' feet. For the best effect plant multiple seeds about 2" apart in a row in the location you want them to grow. By October ours are usually wrapped around the railing and we add orange lights right before they begin traveling across the railing for a splendid display by Halloween!

We begin by soaking our seeds over night in a damp paper towel to help with the germination. The seeds are best planted in warm soil so depending on where you live they are ready to plant from April to May. I've already started mine as we live in Zone 9 in the Ozarks so spring has arrived. If we have another frost I will keep them covered to protect the new seedlings. We accent our Moonflowers with orange Marigolds and Impatients.

Winter Aconite

Eranthis(Winter Aconite) is a member of the buttercup family. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Mine just showed up I didn't plant them. They are the first blooms I have here. I welcome them and the deer leave them alone! According to Greek myth Winter Aconite was thought of as the saliva of Cerberus. Cerberus is the three-headed dog that guards the underworld. He made a trip upstairs and where his saliva hit the ground up sprang Winter Aconite.

American Mandrake

What self-respecting HAUNTED GARDEN wouldn't have MANDRAKE in it??

Here in the WildWoods, there are huge patches of American Mandrake. It is also known by the names Mayapple, Devil's Apple, or Indian Apple. It is a perennial native herb which grows in the moist, rich soils of woods, thickets, and pastures in Eastern North America - southern Maine to Florida and as far west as Texas and Minnesota. American Mandrake prefers deep shade and spreads by a creeping rhizome. It can be cultivated by sowing seeds in Autumn or transplanting seedlings in the Spring. 

The May Apple grows to a height of 18 inches with a stem that resembles an umbrella. The large, white blooms grow right in between the leaves and will appear in April to May. The fruit ripens in early summer and will be crab-apple size. 

American Mandrake is also known as the Witch's Umbrella and was thought to be employed by them as a poison. Which is not far from the truth as the roots of this plant are quite toxic!! I have not 'yanked' any of these plants from the ground to see if their screams are ear piercing or would render a person insane - like it's English Cousin.

Sources For Boots & Sunglasses

I've gotten several inquiries as to where I found the skeleton & roses rainboots, and the coffin sunglasses.

I originally found the boots in another catalog, but now both items are available from The Pyramid Collection catalog.

I haven't received any sort of compensation or benefits from mentioning this company (although it would be nice! lol)

How Eye-Catching!

A couple of weeks ago, I posted some boots that are perfect for Haunting Gardeners to wear while interacting with the botanical friends.

In the continued effort to keep all Haunting Gardeners looking their absolutely fetchingly best, I have once again found something that is a must for not only protecting those precious eyes while in the gardens, under the hot sun, but is superlatively perfect for touring poison gardens, or even to wear while having their picture taken in front of the poison garden gate.

Just think of how your beautiful eyes would look behind these transparent coffin shaped glasses,complete with embellishment!

Not to mention how beautiful the world will look through those rose colored lenses!

Enjoy your day!

Let's Go On Some Field Trips!

Does everyone have their passports up to date? It is time for a field trip! And where do Haunting Gardeners go to learn more about the plants that are perfect for spooky gardens?


Why to England, and more specifically, the Alnwick Poison Garden, in Northumberland. Click on the link to see their site, and watch a short video!

This garden, which has been described as Gothic and Frightful, grows plants, as their guides will tell up upon entering for the tour, don't ingest, touch, or even smell them. They even have Mandrakes growing! (I wonder if Hogwarts supplied them with their specimens)


What a wonderful garden this would be to explore!


Too far to travel right now?  Well, how about Urbana, Illinois, at the University of Illinois?

They have over 90 species of toxic natives, landscaping and house plant species growing for your learning pleasure.


You live in the East? Then how about a visit to the Cornell Plantations Poison Plant Garden?  They have nearly 100 species that are in some way toxic to humans and animals.


All of these places would be fun and fascinating to visit, and to learn. And while we may embrace the spooky here, we also want everyone to be responsible gardeners. If you have children, or even neighorhood children that could easily get into your garden, or pets, you need to be a safe and savvy gardener.


We will be delving into herbals periodically, both those that were used safely, and, ahem, those that were not.  We are not endorsing that anyone plant these, but are sharing what we know to broaden everyone's knowledge of the plant world.  As as we learn more, we will find out just how powerful the plant world is!

And in the meantime, if anyone has a question about a plant, you can leave it in the comments, and one of us will either already know the answer, or will find it for you!


I'm off to pack my bags for dear old England! (In my dreams)