Cicely Mary Barker's Mountain Ash Flower Fairy

They thought me, once, a magic tree
Of wondrous lucky charm,
And at the door they planted me
To keep the house from harm.

They have no fear of witchcraft now,
Yet here am I today;
I've hung my berries from the bough,
And merrily I say:

"Come, all you blackbirds, bring your wives,
Your sons and daughters too;
The finest banquet of your lives
Is here prepared for you."

Mountain Ash is the most commonly grown tree in the sorbus species (which includes over 100 different trees and shrubs). It grows to heights of over 50 feet and is native to European and Asian forests. White spring flowers are followed by scarlet berries with leaves that turn a rich gold in autumn. 

In the Scottish Highlands, the mountain ash was believed to be a reliable antidote to witchcraft. It was planted near their houses and cow herders believed that using an ash switch to drive their cattle would protect them from evil.