Wild things
he elder tree () offers up a sumptuous richness of berries in late summer and early autumn. The nature writer Richard Mabey wrote about in : ‘It is hard to understand how this mangey, short-lived, opportunistic and foul-smelling shrub was once regarded as one of the most magically powerful of plants’. Debatable! The elder may not be a classic beauty, but looking closely one can sense many aspects of this herb to cherish. She shelters and protects her human children, is treasured by wildlife and has a key role to play in plant ecosystems. She is truly a mother to us all, and should be treated with respect,
