By Kate Harries, Return of the Native The fragrance that’s released from a patch of sweetgrass ( Hierochloë odorata ) comes from a compound called coumarin, which occurs naturally in many plants, including cinnamon, sweet clover and licorice root as well as fruit like strawberries, apricots and cherries. Until the mid-20 th  century, coumarin was widely used in cooking for its flavour until its toxic effect on the liver was discovered. As a result, coumarin is banned as a food additive – but...

Story and photos by Kate Harries Fall is the best time to plant a tree. My method is to dig a hole the size of the root, use a garden...