The Un-Regal Herb Show (UHS not the RHS)

Please be careful with all plants.

Miss Clara Hewitt, newly fledged witch and daughter to witch Hickory Hewitt, titled Herbalist of the North, has won her first senior prize in the best poison garden at the UHS.

This is her first showing in the adult category, but she was first two years running in the junior league. This year she came in second to her mother a long running contestant and five times winner at the show in various categories.

Miss Hewitt’s plot at the show in the small poison garden section was a modern marvel.

Surrounded by tall, neatly cut Yew, height was created at the back with two wooden gallows, one in each of the rear corners, a garrotte strung between them, hung with gobbets of meat for the crows.

Imported poison ivy twined up their posts, interspersed with hanging baskets of winter cherry (flowering out of season)

Just behind the centre of the plot and beautifully backdropped by the yew hedge was a flowering Laburnum, surrounded by Giant Hogweed. For safety, zombies were used to plant the Hogweed and a dangerous, arched walkway, was created around the laburnum by careful pruning. Around the outside and in-between the Hogweed were splashes of deep pink and purple Foxgloves.

To the right of the entrance soon an Elder tree surrounded by purple Monkshood to continue the purple theme. To the left of the entrance was a pond, the path to it edged with feathery Rue. The heated pond was populated with poison frogs from the Amazon and Hemlock planted in a drift around the edges.

A gazebo was tucked away in a darkened corner, the path to it edged with Bluebells on the run up to the entrance. The gazebo was made up of different rotting woods and artfully surrounded with old stumps. The inside of the gazebo and the stumps were home to a mixed collection of toadstools and mushrooms.

The Bright red Fly Agaric glowed bright in the reduced light, next to the red and faded pink of The Sickener. Green mushrooms were placed to complement the purple theme in the rest of the garden and to contrast with the red of the fungi section. Slim Stink Caps were present to add scent to the planting scheme and Slimy Jacks gleamed in wide plates of brown amongst the litter.

Hidden away was a pet’s corner, containing an Adder.

When asked what she thought of coming in second to her mother, Miss Hewitt said, “I consider it a compliment, and a sign that I still have more to learn. I look forward to the day I win.”

On asking her mother for a comment, witch Hickory stated, “I’m proud of my daughter. I’m glad that the gardening talent has been kept in the family, but it looks as though I’ll have to keep my wits about me for the future.”

Third prize went to Witch Poo.

First prize for the best large poison garden went to Green and Red Venom, twin warlocks.

The prize for the best hanging garden went to Fatal Noose

By Quothe, the raven.