Horenga Catclough: Witch & Botanist
Witches have their specialties. Some are bakers, some sell teapots or clocks and others, cauldrons. Horenga Catclough of Ratshole County however, sells plants. Not just any plants! The sign out front reads, ‘Horenga’s Hothouse – Botanical Rogues, Wicked Worts & Murderous Mosses’. These are not your garden variety of plants – oh, no. They range from the mildly cross to the downright murderous. As local witches say, “They are not to be believed until they are seen and they are not to be believed under any circumstances!” Why does she keep such nasty plants? Partly because she inherited the lot of them from her mentor years ago and partly because no one else will! They are not all of the scheming and deadly variety however: most are cross patch plants or, depending on the weather, just grouchy. So, if you are ever flying over Black Wart Hill in Ratshole County, look sharp for the whitish roof of Horenga’s Hothouse. It’s tucked right up against the hillside. Whatever you do, do not enter the hothouse unannounced! The sign out front states firmly, ‘Enter at Your Own Risk’ and this is not an understatement. Although Horenga sternly admonishes the plants to be on their best behavior, they have been known to nip and scratch and WORSE! A visit to forage amongst this rowdy crowd of plotting plants requires that you keep your digits safely tucked in your pockets. And you might just spot the plant of your dreams or possibly, your worst nightmare. Prices are negotiable!
The hothouse/terrarium was purchased from Home Goods. Horenga and the broom with a face are creations of Isabella Esser of Germany . The many plants are creations of Kimberley Milliard of Canada, Trollflings, Chreronda Spykers, Marie’s Magical Miniatures, Kabi Designs and Tiffany Redeker. Two resin plants were gifts of Linda Guthertz (poison ivy and snap dragons.) Jenny Kelm created the toadstool table and toadstool plant. Kimberley also made the bucket of garden tools, snake and stepping stone. The jack o’lantern by the door is by M.P. Bonafice and the ones on the shelf are by Marie’s Magical Miniatures. Wonderful miniaturists all!
-Eleanor Kilham
Read MoreThe hothouse/terrarium was purchased from Home Goods. Horenga and the broom with a face are creations of Isabella Esser of Germany . The many plants are creations of Kimberley Milliard of Canada, Trollflings, Chreronda Spykers, Marie’s Magical Miniatures, Kabi Designs and Tiffany Redeker. Two resin plants were gifts of Linda Guthertz (poison ivy and snap dragons.) Jenny Kelm created the toadstool table and toadstool plant. Kimberley also made the bucket of garden tools, snake and stepping stone. The jack o’lantern by the door is by M.P. Bonafice and the ones on the shelf are by Marie’s Magical Miniatures. Wonderful miniaturists all!
-Eleanor Kilham
