What comes to mind when you think of the hawthorn? Maybe it’s a positive memory of one in your garden sharing its beauty all year round - or maybe it’s the sharp sting of a thorn!

In this episode, we explore why the many varieties of hawthorn have captured human imagination for centuries, and why it continues to offer protection and wonder to those who know where to look for it.

Hawthorn is a small but mighty tree, packed with meaning across cultures, particularly in America and Western Europe. From its edible fruits (haws) to its ferocious thorns that grow to up to two inches or more - it’s a plant worth covering.

Let’s dive into these rich stories, cultural traditions, and practical uses of the hawthorn, and why this humble tree might be the most magical plant in your landscape.

Covered in this episode:

• Why our first encounter with hawthorn can shape how we see it.
• How Native American tribes used hawthorn for food, medicine, and tools.
• The folklore linking hawthorn to fairies, protection, and wishes.
• Why cultures have avoided cutting hawthorns down - even when making way for roads.
• How you can grow hawthorn in your own garden and the varieties to know.
• And more…

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to Plant Connection on your favourite podcast platform so you don’t miss the next one.

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Some plants quietly impact the world around us - the natural world and the people living in it, offering food, meaning, and connection - without demanding much attention…

The serviceberry is one of them.

In this episode, I explore the deep-rooted beauty of this humble plant and what it has to offer.

The serviceberry, also known as juneberry (amongst a few other names), is a lesser-known member of the rose family. Its delicate blooms arrive just as spring settles in, and its sweet berries feed both wildlife and humans.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the serviceberry is sometimes called ‘nature’s timekeeper’.
• The origin stories behind the name ‘serviceberry’ (and its many other aliases!).
• How the serviceberry can protect your garden while supporting wildlife.
• What the serviceberry symbolizes across cultures.
• And more…

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to Plant Connection on your favourite podcast platform so you don’t miss the next one.

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Root Stem Leaf - https://www.rootstemleaf.com/

The Serviceberry:

Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, by Robin Wall Kimmerer - https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Serviceberry/uVD2EAAAQBAJ

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Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-connection/id1801774758

For centuries, people have turned to nature for healing, reflection, and renewal. And the dogwood tree is one of those plants that have offered this sense of healing.

This week, I explore the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) - a tree that marks the arrival of spring with its delicate white blooms.

From its role in the Charlottesville Dogwood Vietnam Memorial to its surprising historical uses, the dogwood has long been an anchor for resilience and remembrance.

Covered in this episode:

• Why the dogwood tree has become a symbol of healing and remembrance.
• How the dogwood became an anchor for spring’s arrival.
• Legends and myths surrounding the tree’s connection to the cross.
• The surprising ways dogwood is used today.
• Tips for growing and caring for dogwood in your own space.
• And more…

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to Plant Connection on your favourite podcast platform so you don’t miss the next one.

LEARN MORE

Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootstemleafblog/

Root Stem Leaf - https://www.rootstemleaf.com/

LISTEN

Plant Connection - https://plant-connection.captivate.fm

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZDb9ovKXRTomKYnyqF8Rv

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-connection/id1801774758