#sedge

Plant of the Day

Tuesday 13 January 2026

The red stems of Cornus alba 'Sibirica' (Siberian dogwood) look great in this winter display border as they contrast with the groundcover of a golden leafed Carex (sedge) cultivar. This suckering deciduous shrub will produce a thicket of red stems, especially when growing in full sun. The new stems are most vibrant so once the plant is established the display benefits from the plants being cut back (coppiced) before ‘bud burst’ in spring.

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Düş yorgunu kirpiklerden akşam üstüne...

White-dressed girls or "bridesmaids" (Královničky) walked around the given area, scattering flower petals from baskets onto the ground. In addition to the prescribed devotion, the priest prayed for the harvest together with the faithful and gave everyone a blessing at the altar.

Corpus Christi altars were decorated with green birch branches, which people plucked and carried home after the mass. In folk tradition, it was truly a day of blessing flowers and spices.

Corpus Christi greenery was a remedy endowed with magical power. People attributed extraordinary protective and healing effects to consecrated wreaths made from selected plants. For example, wreaths were burned during summer storms to protect the house from lightning. They were also used to brew a medicinal potion against internal diseases. Altar decorations made from bulrush, sedge and especially young birches were subsequently used in folk medicine and to increase good harvests in the fields. Birch twigs were placed behind pictures at home, in the field as protection against hail, and in flax beds so that the flax would grow as tall as the twig.

The custom is believed to have pagan roots, welcoming spring, worshipping the sun, and celebrating the rejuvenation of nature and water.