AN HERBARIUM OF FAIRY FLORA

Welcome to the Herbarium, your guide to the many trees, flowers, and herbs that have some significance to fairies—whether it’s to draw them near or drive them away. The information presented here is particularly helpful when you’re out in the woods and hoping to have a magical encounter (or avoid one) or considering building a fairy garden to invite them into your life. (See suggestions at the back of the book for more on fairy gardens.)

To Attract

COWSLIPS: Called fairy cups, they curl up inside

DAYLILIES: Fairy kings carry these as magic wands

FOXGLOVES: Used as fairy hats and dresses

GROUNDSEL: Also grows in the fairy realm

HAWTHORN TREES: Also grow in the fairy realm

OAK TREES: Full of things for garden fairies to eat

ROSEMARY: Strengthens fairy magic

SUNFLOWERS: A favorite snack of many fairies

THYME: Fairies love the scent

WILLOW TREES: Whisper to the fairies and give them shelter

To Repel

DILL WEED: Upsets fairy stomachs, inedible

FRESH NETTLES: Sting fairies’ hands, preventing theft

MILKWORT AND MUGWORT: Drives away those with bad attitudes

MISTLETOE: Gives fairies hives

NIGHTSHADE: Poisonous to fairies

PRIMROSES: Over windowsills and doorways denies them entry

ROWAN SPRIGS: Protect against bad intentions

SAINT-JOHN’S-WORT: Guards people and livestock

VERVAIN: Stops fairies in their tracks

YARROW: Prevents any fairy entering a yard