Apart from the old wives tale that if you pick dandelions you will wet the bed, what is the worst old wives tale or piece of mis-information you have heard of about plants and gardens?
Ma used to worry when we brought lilac into the house - it grew wild around the farm so I'm afraid it didn't stop me picking it and bringing it in. I am so definitely notsuperstitious!!!
The worst piece of mis-information about plants I know of is that myth that if a rose has more than 5 leaflets it's a sucker - so many wonderful species of roses have more than 5 leaflets - I've known someone destroy a wonderful rosa glauca that had been tenderly nurtured after the death of the gardener of the family as it was 'a sucker and would never come to anything!!!'
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Was told never to grow lupins, due to them always getting lupin aphid...huge great greenfly, only seen them once in a neighbours garden, but haven't dared grow lupins. p.s not afraid of them just didn't want pests.
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Don't know wether its true, but my mum wouldn't cut Lilac and have it indoors....she said it was unlucky
I've heard that about May, never about lilac.
Ma used to worry when we brought lilac into the house - it grew wild around the farm so I'm afraid it didn't stop me picking it and bringing it in. I am so definitely not superstitious!!!
The worst piece of mis-information about plants I know of is that myth that if a rose has more than 5 leaflets it's a sucker - so many wonderful species of roses have more than 5 leaflets - I've known someone destroy a wonderful rosa glauca that had been tenderly nurtured after the death of the gardener of the family as it was 'a sucker and would never come to anything!!!'
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Don't know if it's true or not but I was told if you planted wallflowers you introduced club root into the soil.
If you grow broad beans blackfly will invade. I know the delicious tasting tips can have blackfly but do they attract it ?
I knew that one about roses Dove. Is it true that suckers don't have thorns? If not that's another.
Good thread Artjak
philippa - yes lilies are traditionally used for funerals. It's why some people don't like them as gifts.
Sitting on stone walls gives you piles... not strictly gardening but a favourite of my Mum's!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Interesting Edd, doubt you'll need a tin hat
If someone holds a buttercup under your chin and can see reflected colour you love butter, strange what pre-school kids did in my day
Fairy, yeah we were warned about piles lol.
Was told never to grow lupins, due to them always getting lupin aphid...huge great greenfly, only seen them once in a neighbours garden, but haven't dared grow lupins. p.s not afraid of them just didn't want pests.
Heard the one about May too. Also lillies at funerals but I love lillies.
My mum used to say the same about wet hair and damp grass gave you piles.
My nan used to cover mirrors in thunder storms because of the lightning......
My mum used to tell me that giving yellow roses as a gift was bad luck.