August has arrived. The days are bright and hot, and nature is flourishing with magical sights to behold. In this post, we’ll explore some seasonal plants that can be found during this month, with a sprinkling of related myths and legends.
1. Bilberries
In the heath, the wild bilberries are ripe and ready to be picked*. Stumbling upon these bushes feels like discovering a tiny faerie haven jewelled with sapphires.
Bilberry bushes grow low to the ground, providing a cool cover for the earth and all the creatures who dwell beneath its leaves. Their sweet, blueberry-like fruits can be used to make jams, jellies, and spreads.
According to legend, a plentiful harvest of bilberries in early August is a sign that other crops will be abundant later in the year. It’s also believed that they can bring good luck when enjoyed with milk.
They’re in limited supply in my area, so I decided to leave them to the wildlife this season. The blackberries are growing in abundance however, so I’ll be doing something with those later this month!
(*Some plants can be very poisonous and look like other edible plants – please never eat or touch anything you can’t reliably identify!).
2. Heather
The heather plant is just starting to bloom at this time of year, lighting up rocky hillsides and moorland with beautiful pink, purple and white flowers.
Budding at the end of summer, their flowers usually last right into late autumn/ winter. To me, this is a marker of the coming change in seasons.
According to Scottish legend, white heather grows only on land that has seen no bloodshed, while the deep purple flowers are said to mark what once was a blood-stained battlefield. For this reason, white heather is often kept or gifted to others as a token of good fortune and protection.
3. Harebells
Another flower that can be found growing across hilltops at this time of year is the harebell. Although it is more delicate in appearance than the hardy heather, it is a mighty little plant that can withstand both strong wind and the summer heat.
Harebells take their name after the animal, the hare, and are often found in fields and moors where these creatures live.
Hares have a reputation for being mystical, elusive beings with a deep connection to the moon and unseen world. In some folktales, its said that shape-shifters would take the form of hares and hide among the harebells to disguise themselves from human eyes.
