The Poison Garden #Alnwick Castle Gardens #Photography

I was intrigued to visit The Poison Garden, a walled and gated part of Alnwick Castle gardens. The public are not allowed in unless on a guided tour, and are forbidden to touch or smell the plants, which surprisingly look like plants you could find in any cottage type garden.

All the ninety plus plants in the garden are deadly, some obvious ones such as belladonna or deadly nightshade. The name belladonna originated when used by Venetian ladies, because of the plant’s ability to beautify by making the pupils dilate.

And mandrake, with roots that can resemble human figures. Many things have been written about the plant and the folklore attached to it. Not least the thought it was supposed to scream when pulled from the ground and kill those who hear it.

There were many more plants that most people know including the foxglove, hemlock, poinsettia, mistletoe and oleander.

Many more not quite so obvious, to me anyway, such as fritillary

and hellebore

Some I was really surprised to learn are poisonous, such as snowdrop, lily of the valley and rosemary! Although apparently it would be impossible to eat enough rosemary to cause harm, misuse of the oil could cause problems during pregnancy. And daffodil bulbs which have sometimes be mistaken for onions with dire results, according to the guide.

Just outside the garden is the apothecary’s (or is it witches) hovel 😉 A very interesting, and quite scary, tour.

 

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34 thoughts on “The Poison Garden #Alnwick Castle Gardens #Photography”

  4. Love this, really want to go visit the castle & gardens now. We stayed not far from here a few days are ago when we were on holiday but never found the time to visit, will have to make sure I go next time

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    1. That’s what I get for reading blog posts on the ferry with super sloooooow wifi! The last picture (and answer to my question) loaded just after I sent it. Wow. Very creepy.

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      1. That’s true. It’s interesting, though, and we need to be careful. I use a lot of essential oils but tucked my rosemary oil away while I was pregnant. Knowledge is power. 🙂 I just love the idea of this garden, though. Like a secret, deadly garden. I know. I’m odd.

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  10. A very interesting place to visit Cathy and wonderful photographs! I did not realise snowdrops and lily of the valley were poisonous either. I hope the weather has changed for the better and much love to you and Finn ☺💖 xxx

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      1. Thank you Cathy 💖 It was dry and sunny here and we were out all day to make the most of it before the rains return tomorrow 😉 Hope it brightens up where you are soon!🌞💜 xxx

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  11. What an interesting and intriguing garden! Had no idea that rosemary was poisonous, but I do know that it deters those pesky flies & other bugs 😊

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  14. What an amazing place, Cathy. Your photos are fabulous as always. I knew many of the plants you mentioned were poisonous but had never heard of mandrake – an interesting plant for sure. The structure definitely looks more like a witch’s hovel than an apothecary.

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