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Gardening is an inexact science and surrounded by centuries of tradition, folklore, myth and superstition. Hidden amongst it is some age old wisdom and also some age old cobblers.
Fields of bluebells are dangerously enchanted by fairies, who are called to their midnight dances and revels by the sound of bluebells ringing.
Apparently seen as a love omen in English country folklore. When I was a child smelling a dandelion flower was to be avoided as it meant that you would wet the bed. Dandelion clocks of the fluffy seed heads can be used to tell the time - count how many blows (o'clocks) to remove them all. Alternatively counting the number of seeds left after you have blown on it will indicate how many years you will have to wait until your wedding day.
The brackenseed of the plant is said to provide magical qualities if you place a few in the pocket - invisibility being the most notable (probably need to keep your fingers crossed at the same time). Be careful when you go seed collecting because it is believed that treading on a fern will cause the poor unfortunate traveler to become confused and lose his way. Stomach ache is supposed to be alleviated by taking some crushed brackenseed taken with water from a fern growing on a tree. (I wouldn't try this one, bracken is very poisonous, the alleviation of pain may be permanent!) Ferns
are also favored by pixies, who can sometimes be found near them.
Now in many herbal remedies.
Noted for its calming effect, valuable for nervous disorders such as insomnia,
depression and bedwetting. The oil has remarkable soothing and healing action
when rubbed into painful joints and strained muscles. Celtic tradition held that
the druids wore it in battle for invincibility - that'll be why we're all ruled
by druids then. Burn to exorcise negative
spirits. The plant was believed to be able to move around to avoid having the flowers picked it. If caught the flowers help ward off evil spirits by hanging over the door. Originally known as the "sun god's flower" the Christians dedicated Midsummer to St. John the Baptist and renamed the plant St. John's Wort.
Considered a sacred fairy plant on the Isle of Man, where it is believed pixies
will have revenge on you if you tread on it.
When the Spaniards who the first European explorers of California saw these
poppies emblazoning the hills, they called the land "The Golden West".
Not so much because of the wealth...that came later; but, because of the golden
poppies! The Spaniards named this poppy, "copa de oro" or cup of gold. Now starting to be available in pink varieties as well as the usual yellow and orange. California poppies may look fragile but are a very hardy variety of the Papaver family. If you plant them in your garden, you will be assured of adding beauty to the world. Sprinkle the seeds on the ground and rake in gently, and you get your reward back in layers of gold. They self-seed fairly reliably too.
It is a parasitic plant. When the host or main tree died off (lost its leaves) in the winter it was believed that the mistletoe held the life of the main plant within itself. For the most effective magic it's supposed to be harvested from an oak tree using a golden sickle on the sixth day of a full moon - seems like a good excuse to me - "It would have worked but I only had my ordinary sickle on me....."
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Supposed
to give Protection and convey love. Anti-lightning charm, place a branch
above the doorway to your house to protect it during thunderstorms. Supposedly extinguishes
fires (can't find any details how though). Hang Mistletoe and kiss the one you
want.