- June 10, 2015
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Bowood House Garden Festival by Ruth Ridley

Emphasis on Herbs at Bowood Last weekend was Bowood House garden festival in Wiltshire. It is one of two garden festivals organised by Herb Society President Toby Buckland, the other one being Powderham in Devon. Bowood is a grade I listed Georgian country house with interiors by Robert Adam and gardens designed by Capability Brown. ...
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- May 24, 2015
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Verdant Hong Kong by Ruth Ridley

Plant spotting in Hong Kong It was my first visit to Hong Kong this Spring and for some reason I was expecting nothing but tower blocks - I was pleasantly surprised how green it was! Sightseeing many green spaces and parks The Big Buddha ...
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- April 22, 2015
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Wanaka lavender farm by Ruth Ridley

Visiting a lavender farm in New Zealand It was great to be able to visit one of the most Southerly lavender farms in the World on my holidays! Lavender growing conditions Wanaka lavender farm is on South Island New Zealand, about an hour from Queenstown, in an alpine area known for its cold winters and hot dry ...
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- March 27, 2015
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Are Hobbits Herbalists? by Ruth Ridley

Hobbiton is a wonderful place to visit I haven't read Tolkein's The Hobbit for a few years, but greatly enjoyed the films, so couldn't resist the opportunity to visit the Hobbiton film set when I was in New Zealand a few weeks ago. Herbs everywhere The film set was built to ...
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- February 11, 2015
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The Herb Garden at Ryton Organic by Ruth Ridley

A few weeks ago, Garden Organic at Ryton was kind enough to host our latest Herb Society committee meeting. I was pleased to get the chance to meet the new trustees, as well as Lynne and Karen from our office. It was a really cold January day, but the sun did come out briefly for ...
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- January 24, 2015
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The Herb Society year 2014 by Ruth Ridley

A good year for the Herb Society! Early in 2014, the Herb Society committee met up for a strategic review to consider the best way forward in terms of aims, membership and communication. This has led to increased visibility on the web this year, a new logo and many other benefits. New Herb Society logo This year ...
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- November 28, 2014
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A very pretty herb – Passionflower by Ruth Ridley

This herb grows like a weed in my garden The common passionflower - or Passiflora caerulea grows very happily in my garden. In fact the Passiflora plant I use to shade the outside of my greenhouse is growing out of a crack in my patio (right hand side of picture). Treat this beautiful herb with respect The ...
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- October 17, 2014
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Soapwort in the garden by Ruth Ridley

Saponaria is a traditional wash day herb Soapwort, Saponaria officinalis, is a ubiquitous herb where I live in the South East. I have never grown this plant for its herbal qualities, and wasn't even aware of them until recently, although the name is a bit of a clue to its uses! Pale pink flowers I first came ...
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