Distilling Plants with the Radical Plant Folk (the logo is attached and some images) and their website is www.radicalplantfolk.com

Recently, I joined Miriam Hicklin and the Radical Plant Folk in Totnes to learn about the traditional art of plant distillation. Using a copper still, we explored how plants can be gently transformed into hydrosols and essential oils — processes that capture not only their fragrance but also their character and benefits.

One of the plants we worked with was Artemisia (Mugwort), a herb with a long history of use. Distilled into a hydrosol, Mugwort carries a soft, herbaceous aroma and is thought to have calming and clarifying qualities. Traditionally, it has been associated with easing tension, supporting digestion, and even encouraging vivid dreams. In the garden, Mugwort offers striking silvery foliage and a natural resilience — bridging ornamental value with purposeful use.

This experience reinforced for me that knowledge like this isn’t only relevant to herbalists or “alternative” practice. It has a natural place within garden design, where plants can be celebrated not just for their form and texture, but also for the stories and uses they carry. By drawing on these layers, gardens can become richer and more meaningful spaces — whether expansive or modest in scale.

I’m still at the beginning of this journey, building my knowledge piece by piece, and Umbel Life is where I’ll share that learning openly.

🌱 Plant Spotlight: Artemisia (Mugwort)
Botanical name: Artemisia vulgaris
Common name: Mugwort

Design qualities

• Striking silvery-green foliage that adds contrast in planting schemes
• Tall, airy form works well in naturalistic or textural planting palettes
• Hardy and resilient, thrives in a range of conditions

Traditional uses

• Distilled into a hydrosol with calming, clarifying qualities
• Historically used to ease tension, support digestion, and encourage vivid dreams
• Leaves have been used in herbal teas and rituals across cultures

Bridging design & purpose

Mugwort shows how a plant can bring aesthetic value and practical heritage into the garden. Its ornamental qualities sit comfortably in high-end contemporary planting, while its uses remind us of the deeper relationships we can cultivate with plants.