Look out for the 100% Native Guarantee

Wildflowers in British Folklore

Ever smiled at seeing snowdrops because they were a sign that spring was on the way? Or have you ever tried telling the time with a dandelion clock?

Little things like these are among the simplest forms of folklore: passing down tales and traditions through the generations with widespread word-of-mouth. Flowers can often be found in the forefront of folklore, and for good reason: tales such as these are a good way to remember the helpful and harmful properties flowers- either that, or they just look cool!

Perhaps the prime example of both is the humble bluebell: named after their shape, it’s easy to imagine why these were thought to be used by fairies to call a gathering. However, many tales of the bluebell are surprisingly macabre- any human hearing a bluebell ‘ring’ would soon die, and children who picked bluebells in the woods would disappear.

Is there any truth to these spooky stories? Well, yes and no- bluebells are ordinary flowers for the most part, but their bulbs are quite poisonous; perhaps a story meant to ward careless children away from poisonous plants blended with their name and appearance to create stories of a more magical threat.

In a similar vein, medicinal flowers have a history with being labelled ‘holy’ or ‘magical’. St. John’s-wort is probably the most famous example: named after John the Apostle, its earliest uses are dated as far back as the 6th century, and it’s still seeing widespread use today as a mild anti-depressant. Other examples include birds-eye speedwell which is good for coughs, and herb Robert, which boosts the immune system.

Lady’s bedstraw is another plant with biblical ties- not for healing properties, but for a much more mundane utility. As its name suggests, this fluffy-looking flower was once used as mattress stuffing to provide a pleasant scent. It’s even been suggested that this plant was what lined the manger in a certain stable in Bethlehem!

Meanwhile, some myths are more about where certain flowers came from and why they are the way they are. For example, the devil’s-bit scabious is named for its surprisingly short roots, which stop abruptly as if cut; supposedly the devil was jealous of the flower’s beauty and bit its roots short in rage.

What a haul of historical and mythological insight from just a few flowers! And that’s far from everything: research will show there’s a fable for almost every flower you could want, including enough fairy folklore to keep the critters a common topic of fiction for decades. I’d encourage anyone interested to look up the folklore behind the flowers in your own garden; even skeptics should find some fascinating stories- and as it’s been shown, not necessarily all of it’s fiction…

Buy With Confidence

About Landlife Wildflowers
About Us

Landlife Wildflowers grow and supply high-quality, native wildflower products, restoring wildflowers right across the UK. Working in conjunction with wildlife charity, Buglife, we’re bringing back Britain’s treasured wildflowers! Find out more about why we’ve been trusted by the general public, Natural England and The Wildlife Trusts for over twenty years.

Quality wildflower seed
Quality

We’re proud to supply only the highest-quality, native wildflower products - tried, tested and refined by us for two decades to ensure each and every customer is delighted with their purchase. Find out more about our commitment to the supply of native, provenance-assured wildflower products to restore Britain’s natural wildflower habitats for bees, butterflies, birds and wildlife.

Contact Landlife Wildflowers
Get in Touch

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, our team of wildflower experts are on hand to guide you every step of the way. We love talking about wildflowers and the quality of our products, and are pleased to help with any enquiry, including how to establish wildflowers, product recommendations and even creating custom mixtures for specific projects.