This was Frankendael park, Amsterdam as I set off for the UK this morning…

This is Butterbur, growing in a hedgerow opposite my parent’s Welsh home this afternoon…

This flower smells intoxicatingly of vanilla or almonds. I love the smell, it reminds me of home and the exciting arrival of spring. The leaves of the plant are said to have been used to wrap up butter in times gone by. It is a sure sign for me that the seasons in this part of Wales are a little ahead of Amsterdam. Butterbur (Pestites vulgaris) has several historical uses, including being a diuretic, helping alleviate migraines and as a useful treatment for wheezing.