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fandomhigh2017-08-16 04:53 am
glacial_queen) wrote in fandomhigh2017-08-16 04:53 am
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The Magic of Plants, Wednesday, Per 3
Rather than a trip to the Danger Shop today, Karla's class was traveling via portal to Alnwick Poison Gardens, located in Alnwick, Northumberland, England. Off in the distance was a castle, likely familiar to any fans of the Barry Plodder movie franchise. Several hundred feet to their left was a giant treehouse, built into a stand of sweet-smelling lime trees. And directly in front of them stood a walled garden, a pair of forbidding gates barring their entrance. Even without the handy "The Poison Garden" sign above them, it would be easy to guess this was where they were going, with the skull-and-crossbones motif and the warning on either door: These Plants Can Kill. For all that the Alnwick Gardens tried to suggest a old, pastoral feel, state-of-the-art surveillance equipment watched over the poison garden; where people were free to wander about and examine the plants elsewhere, entrance here was strictly monitored and guarded. Inside the walls, many of the plants were kept behind bars, out of reach of onlookers, and yet more warning signs abounded. The Poison Gardens were beautiful, a profusion of color, and that much more dangerous for it.
"Many plants have medicinal value," Karla said as she led her students through the gates. "However, like most medicines, using too much or the wrong sections of the plant can turn your revitalizing medicine into a virulent poison. We're going to spend some time looking at the medicinal section of the gardens today, and then enjoy lunch up in that treehouse." Karla had been here several times. To, err, taste test. really. "There are over a hundred different kinds of poisonous and toxic plants in this garden, including several species of narcotics which require special dispensation from the British government to grow. Every plant in this garden can kill you, most in horrible and excruciating ways, and the staff don't want to worry about someone being stupid enough to pick a flower as a souvenir and end up dead. So keep your hands to yourself as we wander through. You'll notice how the sign says not to smell the plants? They're not kidding. Every year, a decent percentage of tourists end up passing out because they've inhaled too many toxic fumes while exploring the garden. Should you find yourself growing lightheaded or developing a headache, step back from whatever plant you're examining, come back to the gate or head to the vine tunnel at the exit, and breathe cleaner air."
"Many plants have medicinal value," Karla said as she led her students through the gates. "However, like most medicines, using too much or the wrong sections of the plant can turn your revitalizing medicine into a virulent poison. We're going to spend some time looking at the medicinal section of the gardens today, and then enjoy lunch up in that treehouse." Karla had been here several times. To, err, taste test. really. "There are over a hundred different kinds of poisonous and toxic plants in this garden, including several species of narcotics which require special dispensation from the British government to grow. Every plant in this garden can kill you, most in horrible and excruciating ways, and the staff don't want to worry about someone being stupid enough to pick a flower as a souvenir and end up dead. So keep your hands to yourself as we wander through. You'll notice how the sign says not to smell the plants? They're not kidding. Every year, a decent percentage of tourists end up passing out because they've inhaled too many toxic fumes while exploring the garden. Should you find yourself growing lightheaded or developing a headache, step back from whatever plant you're examining, come back to the gate or head to the vine tunnel at the exit, and breathe cleaner air."
Re: Explore the Gardens