P. 12
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Burned at the threshold in November. Steeped with pepper when the throat first roughens.
Twelve plants we trust.
The rest is weather.
A QUIET CATALOG OF LEAVES, ROOTS & BLOOMS · OBSERVED, NOT GROWN.
№ XII
OBSERVED · 2026
PLATE 01
Salvia, before the rain.
II.
The Garden
six plants, three seasons, one promise.
P. 18
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Found along the dry path. The flower keeps colour into December if cut before the bees forget it.
P. 24
Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
Hung above the bed in late summer. The dream returns silver, the morning returns slow.
P. 30
Elder
Sambucus nigra
The hedge at the lane’s end. Flowers cordialled in June; berries simmered when the first frost lays.
P. 36
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Crushed between two fingers on a slow walk. Smells the way a kitchen does before guests arrive.
P. 42
Nettle
Urtica dioica
Cut with gloves before the flowering. Three leaves a week, our grandmother said, and meant it.
III.
Tisanes
four infusions for four hours of the day.
FOLIO · III
a slow brewer’s ledger
I.
Morning: Sage & Pepper
Tear four fresh sage leaves. Cover with water just off the boil. Crack two peppercorns over the cup — not into it. Cover.
INFUSE · 5 MIN
II.
Midday: Yarrow & Mint
A pinch of yarrow flower, six leaves of mint, a curl of lemon peel. Steep covered; the steam is part of the cure.
INFUSE · 6 MIN
III.
Evening: Linden & Honey
Linden blossom in a pre-warmed pot. Pour gently. When it cools to the lip’s temperature, stir in raw honey, never before.
INFUSE · 8 MIN
IV.
Night: Mugwort & Star Anise
Warm milk — not hot. Dried mugwort, one whole star, a thread of honey. Drink slowly. Leave the cup by the bed.
INFUSE · 10 MIN
— brewed in a kitchen facing west, where the kettle hums longer.
PLATE · 01 / 04
the kettle, between hours.
IV.
From the journal —
8 Sept
On the timing of nettles
Cut too late and they thicken; the leaves go to seed and the soup turns bitter. Cut in May, dry on the rack by the window.
22 Aug
A walk before the rain
The hedgerow turns inside-out an hour before; leaves show their pale undersides. Picked elder on the way back.
5 Sept
Three leaves a week
She kept the bunch tied with linen thread and only ever took three. A small ritual, but the jar lasted the winter.
TWELVE PLANTS · INDEX