The Chelsea Physic Garden is like a secret garden hidden behind a tall brick wall in London. We met Michael Holland in a room with several round tables littered with leaves and branches. Anytime we walk in somewhere that isn't roped off or doesn't have items secured to the table, I am immediately much more relaxed. Most of the other places we've been were filled with priceless things that could never be replaced!

I have unofficially become the team's photographer when I am not speaking to someone on film. Fortunately for us, the rain held off for a bit while we worked outside. I must admit, we have had extremely good luck with the weather which made me wonder why everyone always talks about how rainy London is.

The Chelsea Physic Garden was not set up as a pleasure garden with beautiful smelling flowers, it was founded to serve a very specific purpose during the 1600s and it is still important today. The Garden was originally used for training apothecaries working in a nearby hospital, and is set up in different sections, each with its own purpose. The pharmaceutical section had small plants used as herbal remedies to treat different things from intestinal problems to psychological problems. People have been using plants and flowers for thousands of years to cure almost every illness you can imagine. They even had carnivorous plants that eat insects, which Michael told us are a favorite among visitors.

We also learned about conservation and renewal. After hearing about the long history of plants and flowers in medicine, it is clear how important their role is in our lives and how protecting them is important to our own well being.

Wondering how this all ties into Shakespeare? Michael told us about different plants and potions that have been used in Shakespeare's plays. We wanted to check out the accuracy of his plays. For example, we learned that the potion used in Romeo and Juliet isn't just a fantastic story. There are actually plants that can make someone appear dead, but they are incredibly dangerous, of course. Remember the mandrakes that screamed when plucked from the ground in Harry Potter? Yep, they have those here too; Michael explained that the myth of this screaming plant has been around for a long time. I resisted all temptation to pull one out of the ground though.

In good health,

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