My second apprenticeship group gathered for the first time today and headed for the woods of Park Frankendael.

What a pleasure it was to meet these lovely women, even if on a rainy day!

We found several beautiful and useful plants on our walk. My hands seized-up with the cold, part way round so I couldn’t take many photos but here’s a list of our main seasonal herbal finds…

Primrose ( Primula vulgaris )
Not for picking, in any shape or form due to the scarcity but a valued remedy of old.

Pestites japonica (Fuki). In resplendant bloom!

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Nose bleed is an old name for this feminine, feathery wound herb with a fascinating ability to regulate blood flow.

Wild garlic (Allium ursinum), is everywhere at present. It is developing at different rates in different locations, even within the same woods.

Violet (Viola ….)
Heartsease, literally.

A pink/red flowering Pestasites, soon to be found sporting gigantic kidney shaped leaves.

Elder (Sambucus nigra). With snapable, soft pith-filled branches and almost year round leaves – if you look around carefully. The green parts contain a potent toxin which is metabolised to cyanide in the body. The ripe berries and flowers are great though! The leaves make a wonderful external remedy also.

Yellow archangel (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)

Hedgerow geranium (Geranium pyrenaicum)