Elixir of life

The dew droplets that collect on the leaves of Alchemilla mollis were collected by medieval alchemists as “the purest form of water” and a recipe ingredient for transmutation and the elixir of life - quite a tall order for a little plant. It has a long history of medicinal use and you can make tea from the flowers, I haven't tried it yet. The drops last all day. To my mind it's one of the most beautiful plants; most people have it in their gardens and why not? It's just gorgeous.  


The new garden is coming along nicely, I had a massive digging session today and finally managed to prise out an ancient cast iron fence post that had been stuck solid in the ground, and in the way of a white Spirea I want to plant, hence the extra. The post measures 2ft 6 and was buried more than half of that. Backache time tomorrow!