There are moments in life that shape us more deeply than we can ever imagine at the time. For me, one of those defining moments began when I was just 15 years old. Most teenagers were chasing trends and trying to fit in. Meanwhile, I walked among fragrant gardens and hidden herb patches. I was guided by none other than the legendary South African herbalist, Margaret Roberts.
Margaret Roberts wasn’t just a teacher. She guarded ancient plant wisdom. She pioneered botanical magic. She was a visionary who saw the potential in everyone she met. She encouraged me to study aromatherapy. She planted the seed that would one day blossom into Green Fairy Products. I remember walking through her Lavender grove. The scent of calm hung thick in the air. I felt as though I had entered another world. It was there that my passion for the magical essences of the plant kingdom truly took root.
Margaret gifted the world many incredible things. One was the creation of a new Lavender hybrid: Lavandula x intermedia. It is now fondly known as Margaret Roberts Lavender or African Lavender. This botanical is a resilient cross between Lavandula angustifolia (true Lavender) and a Portuguese Lavender variant. Proudly South African, it has since become the gold standard for Lavandin essential oil. It mirrors something I deeply believe. We too, as Africans, are resilient hybrids. We add value to the world. We are deeply rooted in Ubuntu, even when we don’t always recognize our own magic.
Every corner of Margaret’s herb farm was filled with wonder. There was her magical Fairy Garden, where whimsy met wisdom. The tiny chapel tucked away like a secret waiting to be found. A gorgeous labyrinth that, unknowingly, taught me how to meditate long before I understood what meditation was. And then there was the shop. Oh, the shop! A sensory haven bursting with herbal teas, tinctures, natural cosmetics, healing salves, and Margaret’s own beautifully written books. For a teenage girl who didn’t like reading much, her A-Z of Herbs became my Bible. The format was so easy to use, so practical and delightful, that I read it cover to cover. It inspired me to start my own book. It is a botanical guide on African plants and will soon be released as an eBook. Like hers, it’s written to be easy to reference, and hopefully the first of many books to come.
The restaurant on site was equally unforgettable. Everything served was grown in the gardens. The offerings ranged from herbal-infused teas that warmed the soul to Lavender ice cream and syrup that delighted the senses. The herbal salad dressing, with its sweet-sour-herbal tang, remains one of the most vivid taste memories of my life. And it was all lovingly made by her daughter, who now carries on Margaret’s legacy.
My mother noticed the light in my eyes whenever I spoke about healing plants and herbs. She was the one who first brought me to Margaret Roberts’ Herbal Centre. Each year, we made the pilgrimage together to attend one of Margaret’s famous workshops. It became our sacred ritual, a time of bonding and wonder. I stood out as the youngest in the room among a sea of older women. I always sat right in front, eagerly soaking in every word and asking far too many questions.
Years later, I now find myself living the dream that was sparked during those unforgettable visits. Green Fairy Products is my ode to those magical beginnings. Our African Botanical Bar Collection pays homage to the powerful plant allies that shape our land and our stories. One of the signature offerings is the African Lavender Cleansing Bar. It is infused with the spirit of African Lavender. It is calming, grounding, and beautifully resilient, just like the hybrid itself.
Margaret passed away in 2017. Though my heart ached, I find comfort in knowing her spirit lives on. It lives in her family, in her gardens, in her books, and in every person she inspired. You can still visit her world at www.margaretroberts.co.za and experience her legacy firsthand.
As I continue my own journey, I carry her wisdom in every formulation, every blend, every bar of soap. I hope to one day leave behind a legacy as rich and healing as hers. I want this for my children. I also desire it for the generations to come. I dream not only of creating beautiful products. I also dream of returning to the soil and working closely with the land. I want to honor the African botanical heritage that flows through my veins.
To Margaret Roberts, thank you for seeing the spark in a young girl. For showing me that the magic of plants is real. And for teaching me that even the smallest leaf can hold the greatest power.
With love,
Veronica Charles
Founder, Green Fairy Products