Having discovered Mr Arthur Osborn's tie to the magical community (see Gentiana x macaulayi), I thought I would take a stroll down Diagon Alley and look at a few plants that secretly have a little more to them than meets the eye.
(Deciduous tree or shrub.)
Surely the most characterful plant in the Harry Potter novels, the Whomping Willow can wave its branches and does so violently. I've chosen Salix alba to be its counterpart species, as a few I've seen have borne a strong resemblance.
Planting: Autumn.
Flowering: Spring.
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade.
Hardiness: Very hardy.
(Flowering perennial.)
Shaped like a human and hallucinogenic, for centuries the root of the poisonous mandrake was considered a dangerous and supernatural entity. I rather prefer Rowling's interpretation, which breathes a little humour into it all.
Planting: Autumn or spring.
Flowering: March to April (hermaphrodite).
Aspect: Full sun or dappled shade, sheltered.
Hardiness: Very hardy (though initial protection is required in its first year at least).
(Perennial subshrub.)
Like all men - magical or not, ahem - Harry and Ron are particularly talented at causing and acquiring injuries. Dittany, which genuinely is known for its healing properties, makes more than one appearance in the books.
Planting: Spring. Well-drained soil.
Flowering: July to August (hermaphrodite).
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Fully hardy.
Another medicinal plant, valerian is used in all sorts of impressively named potions, including the Draught of Living Death and the Draught of Peace.
On an unrelated note, cats apparently adore valerian and may destroy it by rolling over it.
Planting: Spring. Moist soil.
Flowering: June to August.
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Fully hardy.
Speaking of potions...
A classic tirade from the enthralling Professor Snape~
"For your information, Potter, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from the stomach of a goat and it will save you from most poisons. As for monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant, which also goes by the name of aconite. Well? Why aren't you all copying that down?"
Asphodelus ramosus, "Branched Asphodel" or "King's Spear".(Flowering perennial.)
Planting: March to April. Well drained.
Flowering: June to August.
Aspect: Full sun.
Hardiness: Hardy.
Artemisia vulgaris, "Common Wormwood".
(Flowering perennial.)
Planting: Early spring to early summer.
Flowering: July to September (hermaphrodite).
Aspect: Full sun or partial shade.
Hardiness: Fully hardy (often found on wasteland).
Aconitum napellus, "Monkshood".
(Herbaceous perennials.)
Planting: Early autumn to late spring.
Flowering: Summer.
Aspect: Partial shade. sheltered.
Hardiness: Very, very hardy.
(Picture: Wolfsbane left, monkshood right.)
Note: Like the Mandragora officinarum above, these two plants are highly poisonous. Look but never touch.
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