Very hardy, self-seeding perennial to 5'. Full tap part sun, average soil, drought tolerant once established. Fern-like leaves are aromatic. Flat-topped clusters of tiny golden-yellow flowers. May need staking. Makes a great addition to wildflower gardens, dyers garden, and perennial borders

Companion: attracts butterflies.

Like most herbaceous perennials, after 2-3 years ,the center will die out. Cut out the center of the plant to renew, fill the hole with garden soil. Plant will fill back in swiftly.

t's perfect for cutting and drying. Yellow dye from flowers.

Origin: Europe

Perennial to 2.5 feet. Full sun and good, moist soil, pH 5-6. Transplant to 12 inches apart. Attractive & aromatic, deadhead to continue blooming. Begin dividing the third year.

Companion: helps nearby plants resist disease and deepens their fragrance. Speed compost by adding a few chopped leaves per wheelbarrow load of compost. Attracts bees & butterflies.

Harvest: leaves & flowers in late Summer.

Uses: finely chop fresh peppery leaves into salads & cheese dips, use as a garnish. Infuse leaf as a tea for digestive problems & cold symptoms. Chew leaf to aid a toothache.
Infuse fresh flowers as a facial steam & tonic lotion. Use dried flowers in potpourri.
Flowers have a traditional use in tea for colds, fever, indigestion, expectorant. However, flowers contain thujone, so use is not recommended.

Achillea Millefolium Rubra-- Red yarrow. Same cultivation & companion uses. NOT edible or used medicinally.

Anthemideae. Hardy perennial to 18 inches. Full sun - Pt. Sun Average soil &water needs.

Pure white 1/2 inch pompon above shiny green foliage. Blooms through summer into fall. Fast growing. Good cut flower! To 16" tall.

Perennial to 8". Hardy to zone 8- zone 5 in very mild winters. In flower August - September, The light brown oblong seeds ripen September -October. Prefers moist but well-drained, neutral to acid, loamy soils. Grows in semi-shade.

Companion: Two insect-molting hormones are found in the roots, so pests avoid this plant.

Harvest: Fresh Leaves and stems are harvested in the summer and crushed for juice or used in tinctures. Roots are harvested from 2 year old plants in the fall or winter, dried and ground into a powder or used in decoctions.

Uses: Seed, cooked, in bread-making. Leaves, cooked as a vegetable with, or as a substitute for spinach.
Medicinal Uses: China- roots, leaves and stems are widely used. Roots contain triterpenoid saponins, sitosterol and sigmasterol. They act on aching back, knees and lower limbs. Taken internally to treat hypertension, back pains, urine in the blood, menstrual pain, bleeding etc. Lowers blood cholesterol levels and used to treat arteriosclerosis.
Root juice used in Nepal to treat toothache, indigestion and asthma.
Stems are used as a toothbrush and to treat pyorrhea.

Can cause dilation of the cervix and so this herb should not be used when pregnant.

Widely cultivated in China, especially in Henan Province, as a medicinal plant and for food.

Labiatae. Hardy perennial groundcover. Full to partial sun, any well-drained soil.
Drought resistant. Low growing aromatic herb. Great for cultivated beds, rock gardens and groundcover.
2"-3" dark rose flower spikes in Summer-Fall. Long blooming period.
Divide in Spring
Companion: Attracts Butterflies
Harvest after flowering. Dry leaves for later use.
Uses: The leaves are used as a flavoring in cooked dishes and also as a tea substitute.
Origin: C. and S. Europe

Labiatae. Perennial to 3 feet. Full to partial sun, moderate water, soil rich with organic matter and well drained. Easy to grow. Triangular, dark gray green leaves. Flowers form a dense spike 2-6 inches in length. Flower colors vary from indigo-violet to blue. Self seeds and once established in your garden, seedlings may begin popping up in unexpected places. Harvest flowers before they fade to prevent self-seeding.
Companion: A great bee and butterfly plant.

Uses: The licorice flavored leaves make a great tea.
Tea can also be used as a sugar substitute in cooking. The Cheyenne Indians used brewed flowers & leaves as a remedy for coughs.
Use as a steam to clear nose & head.
Add a few leaves to green salad, fruit salad, black bean salad, pastries & cheesecake.

Origin: Great Plains of North America

Rosaceae. Perennial to 4 feet. Well drained soil with lots of organic material and regular waterings until well established. will tolerate shade, but does better in full sun. The plant seeds itself readily. Divide the roots early in the spring and set the segments 7 to 9 inches apart. Serrated leaves on hairy stems. In summer, tiny apricot-scented yellow blossoms form a spike along the top of the hairy stalk, followed by hooked seed pods in the fall.
Companion: attracts bees & butterflies.
Harvest leaves before flowers fade. Flowers yield the best yellow hue when gathered late in the growing season
Uses: leaves make a flavorful tea. Tea is used throughout Europe for a variety of ills: diarrhea, blood disorders, fever, gout, hepatitis, pimples, sore throat. Leftover tea used as a healing skin splash.
Plant contains tannins, flowering tops yield a yellow dye.
Origin: Europe

Rosaceae. Perennial growing to 1'. Hardy to zone 5. Easily grown in ordinary soil in sun or part shade. Prefers a well-drained neutral or basic soil. Grows well even in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in dry shade. yellow flower clusters June to September. A useful ground cover plant.

Companion: Plants not browsed by deer & rabbits. Bees & butterflies will visit if you allow blooms to open fully.

Harvest: The leaves and flowering stems are best harvested as the plant comes into flower and can then be dried for later use. The fresh root has similar and perhaps stronger properties to the leaves, but is less often used.

Uses: Young leaves have a dry, astringent flavor. Used commercially in blending tea. Lady's mantle has a long history of herbal use. Rich in tannin, an effective astringent & styptic, commonly used both internally and externally to treat wounds. Helps to stop vaginal discharge, used to treat diarrhea, excessive menstruation and to heal lesions after pregnancy. Root fresh or cooked. Freshly pressed juice is used to help heal acne and a weak decoction used to treat conjunctivitis.

Origin: Britain, Europe. Young leaves can be mixed with the leaves of Polygonum bistorta and Polygonum persicaria then used in making a bitter herb pudding called 'Easter ledger' which is eaten during Lent.

This is a great vegetable. Give Full Sun and average, garden soil. Blue-Green foliage with Violet/Lavender Blooms in the Summer.
Produces 10” long tasty leeks. Superior quality and flavor. Used in soups, stews, and salads. One of the favorite leek varieties grown by home gardeners.

Alliaceae. Hardy Bulb to 2 feet. Full sun, well-drained average soil. Flowering head of small onions or bulbs. Twisting flower stalks arch to the ground & plant themselves. Propagated by these bulbils or by dividing the main bulb that grows underground.

Companion: Pollinated by Bees & insects. Grow with roses, carrots, beets & chamomile. Bad companion for legumes & alfalfa, each negatively affecting the other. Deer proof. Repels insects & moles. (A spray on plants for diseases and parasites; made by pouring boiling water to cover chopped unpeeled onions.)

Harvest: in Summer, replant or store in cool dry, frost-free place & plant early spring. If leaves are harvested in large quantity, it will reduce the yield of bulbs.

Edible Uses: Bulbs & bulbetts eaten raw or cooked. Strong onion flavor, often used pickled or added to salads, as a vegetable, to flavor cooked foods. Leaves - raw or cooked in salads, on sandwiches, mixed into eggs, etc.
Medicinal Uses: Raw or cooked, when eaten on a regular basis, promotes the general health of the body. Helps prevent oral infection & tooth decay. Baked onions used as poultice to remove pus from sores. Fresh onion juice very useful first aid treatment for bee & wasp stings, bites, grazes or fungal skin complaints. Warmed, juice can be dropped into the ear for earache. Aids the formation of scar tissue on wounds, to speed up the healing process.
Juice used as a moth repellent, rubbed onto the skin to repel insects, used as a rust preventative on metals and as a polish for copper and glass. Yellow-brown dye is obtained from the skins of the bulbs.

Similar to scallions but with a stronger, slightly hotter flavor, he-shi-ko is ideal for sr-frying. If left to flower, the flower heads are sweet and tasty. Grows well in containers.

Companion: Pollinated by Bees & insects. Grow with roses, carrots, beets & chamomile. Bad companion for legumes & alfalfa, each negatively affecting the other. Deer proof. Repels insects & moles. (A spray on plants for diseases and parasites; made by pouring boiling water to cover chopped unpeeled onions.)

Harvest: in Summer, replant or store in cool dry, frost-free place & plant early spring. If leaves are harvested in large quantity, it will reduce the yield of bulbils.

Edible Uses: Bulbs & bulbett eaten raw or cooked. Strong onion flavor, often used pickled or added to salads. as a vegetable or to flavor cooked foods. Leaves - raw or cooked in salads, on sandwiches, mixed into eggs, etc. Medicinal Uses: Has a wide range of beneficial actions on the body when eaten (especially raw) on a regular basis, promotes the general health of the body, Helps prevent oral infection & tooth decay. Baked onions used as poultice to remove pus from sores. Fresh onion juice very useful first aid treatment for bee & wasp stings, bites, grazes or fungal skin complaints. Warmed, juice can be dropped into the ear for earache. Aids the formation of scar tissue on wounds, speeding up the healing process.

Other Uses: Juice used as a moth repellent, rubbed onto the skin to repel insects, used as a rust preventative on metals and as a polish for copper and glass.
Yellow-brown dye is obtained from the skins of the bulbs.

Alliaceae. Hardy Bulb. Full sun, well-drained average soil. White flowers, small onions or bulbils..

Companion: Pollinated by Bees & insects. Grow with roses, carrots, beets & chamomile. Bad companion for legumes & alfalfa, each negatively affecting the other. Deer proof. Repels insects & moles. (A spray on plants for diseases and parasites; made by pouring boiling water to cover chopped unpeeled onions.)

Harvest: in Summer, replant or store in cool dry, frost-free place & plant early spring. If leaves are harvested in large quantity, it will reduce the yield of bulbils.

Edible Uses: Bulbs & bulbett eaten raw or cooked. Strong onion flavor, often used pickled or added to salads. as a vegetable or to flavor cooked foods. Leaves - raw or cooked in salads, on sandwiches, mixed into eggs, etc. Medicinal Uses: Has a wide range of beneficial actions on the body when eaten (especially raw) on a regular basis, promotes the general health of the body, Helps prevent oral infection & tooth decay. Baked onions used as poultice to remove pus from sores. Fresh onion juice very useful first aid treatment for bee & wasp stings, bites, grazes or fungal skin complaints. Warmed, juice can be dropped into the ear for earache. Aids the formation of scar tissue on wounds, speeding up the healing process.

Other Uses: Juice used as a moth repellent, rubbed onto the skin to repel insects, used as a rust preventative on metals and as a polish for copper and glass.
Yellow-brown dye is obtained from the skins of the bulbs.

Liliaceae. Hardy perennial to 2’. Moist, fairly rich soil and full to partial sun.
Forms a dense cluster of grass-like foliage that has a mild onion flavor. Cut anytime.
Fertilize with nitrogen after repeated cuttings. Divide every 3 years.

Companion: Produces 1'-2' lavender flower heads in late spring or early summer that bees love. Companion for plants that need pollination. Plant in garden to repel aphids, mites and rabbits. Or, keep in pots to spot treat problem areas in garden. Infuse in water as a spray for aphids, apple scab and mildew. Spray potato blight with a freshly made infusion.

Harvest anytime, can be chopped and frozen or dried.

Uses: Chives contain iron and vitamins and are a mild antibiotic. Chop greens into salads, sandwiches and soups. Make flavored butter or cream cheese (allow 1 hour for flavor to infuse). Use flowers & stems to flavor wine vinegar. Use edible flower petals in salads, spreads and as garnish on tea sandwiches for mild onion flavor. Dry & powder for a salt substitute.

Origin: China- 3000 B.C. Spread throughout Asia & Europe, a monastery garden standard.

Liliaceae. Perennial to 2 feet. Needs moderate water and full to partial sun. pH 6-7.
Plants tend to grow into a rounded clump and are attractive in the landscape. Spreads by tuberous rootstock. Scented flowers. Dormant in winter.

Harvest anytime, can be chopped and frozen or dried. Flowers and flat leaves with a fine garlic flavor. Both leaves and flowers can be used in cooking and as garnish.
Used in Chinese medicine for kidneys, lower back and knees.
Flowers are great for floral arrangements inside- natural fly, gnat repellant..

Tender perennial. Part Sun and acidic soil. Moist but not wet, Attractive succulent from South Africa. Adapts well to home or greenhouse environment.
This plant is so strong that its survival is sustained through the strength of its own immune system. sap is a natural insect repellent.

Also, an ingredient of the 'Swedish Bitters'. The bitter aloe is famous for its medicinal qualities. The black resin, known as Cape aloes or aloe lump, used mainly for its laxative properties, arthritis, as a purgative, etc. The gel-like flesh from the inside of the leaves is used in cosmetic products and is reported to have wound healing properties.

Aloe bitter sap is not suited for: Pregnant Women or Nursing Mothers- it stimulates the uterus. & can pass through breast milk resulting in colicky babies. Avoid if you have intestinal irritation.

Aloe ferox is indigenous to Cape Province in South Africa.
"Aloe" - from the Greek word for the dried juice of aloe leaves.
Ferox -"fierce" or "war-like" referring to the spiny edged leaves.

Aloe Ferox is a traditional cleansing treatment for the following complaints:

Aloeaceae. An evergreen perennial growing to 2' at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 8. Requires a well-drained soil and a sunny position. Plants are tolerant of poor soils. This species is not very cold-hardy outdoors., it is best grown in a pot placed outdoors in the summer and taken inside for winter. Grows very well in a sunny windowsill.

Companion Use: Plants grown indoors to help remove toxins from the atmosphere, continues to release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide in the dark.

Harvest: The yellow sap at the base of the leaf: Cut at their base, the liquid that oozes from this cut is dried. It is called bitter aloes and contains anthraquinones which are a useful digestive stimulant and strong laxative. When plants are grown in pots the anthraquinone content is greatly reduced.
The leaves can be cut in half along their length and the inner pulp has an immediate soothing effect on all sorts of burns and other skin problems.

Uses: Leaves - cooked. Very bitter, An emergency/survival food. A gel in the leaves is sometimes used as an ingredient of commercial jellies. Medical Uses: The clear gel contained in the leaf treats wounds, burns and other skin disorders. Forms a protective seal on affected area, to speed healing and reduce the risk of infection. This action is due to the presence of aloectin B, which stimulates the immune system. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial activity.
Pulp/gel taken internally in the treatment of chronic constipation, poor appetite, digestive problems etc. Aloe is used to test if there is blood in the feces. Has a folk history of treatment in cases of cancer.
The leaf extracts are used in skin-care cosmetic products.
Aloe should not be given to pregnant women or people with hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome . The plant is strongly purgative so beware.

Origin: Europe - Mediterranean. Maritime sands and rocks. "Aloe" - from the Greek word for the dried juice of aloe leaves.

Verbenaceae. Tender perennial to 3 feet. Provide full sun and light, well drained, slightly alkaline soil. Poor soil produces stronger plants. Cover pruned plant with straw in fall for winter protection, or bring in. Prune drooping branches to encourage new growth.
Inside or outside for the winter, the leaves will drop. It's best chance for survival in harsh winters is against house's south wall. In the spring, irrigate with warm water for as few days, cover and it will come out of dormancy. Tiny white and pale purple flowers in loose clusters at top of stem in late summer.

Harvesting: Pick leaves anytime, best when flowers begin to bloom.

Uses: Leaves retain their strong lemon scent for 2-3 years. Infuse as a refreshing tea and to soothe bronchial and nasal congestion, indigestion and nausea. Add a leaf to a jar of apple jelly, add to fruit drinks, place pieces of leaf in ice cube trays for flavored ice. Use leftover tea as cold compress for puffy, tired eyes.
Use leaf to scent cupboards, linens, paper, potpourri, sachets, candles.
Origin: S. America. Used by Spaniards since circa 1600.

*Licorice Verbena (Lippia alba) Licorice verbena is a shrubby tender perennial to 4 feet tall.  Large, lime green, pointed leaves covered with stiff, scratchy hairs.  Has a sweet licorice scent and taste.  Bring inside for the winter.  Prune frequently to encourage dense growth. 

Hardy Perennial to 7 feet. Full sun and any average soil. Drought tolerant once established. This is the most reliable and beautiful of garden flowers. Dies down in winter, springs back up and has a long blooming period.

Bees and butterflies love this plant. Not browsed by deer or rabbits

Heirloom variety that Thomas Jefferson grew.

A fiber obtained from the stem is used for making cord.
Olive dye from the flowers. Cream, yellow and green dyes from leaves & seed heads. Great for bouquets.

Malvaceae. Perennial to 6 feet. Easy to grow. Full to partial sun, well-drained, moist, fertile location. A relative of the hollyhock, has pale pink to rose-colored flowers 1 to 1 1/2 inches across. Single flowers or in clusters from the axils of the upper leaves in late summer. Marsh mallow's maple-like leaves are a velvety, soft gray-green with serrated edges. Plant 18" apart. Provide winter protection 1st year. Divisions in the spring.

Companions: bees & butterfly. Not troubled by browsing deer.

Uses: Young leaves and flowers used in salads. Steam leaves and serve as vegetable. The original marshmallows were made of the powdered root, sugar and water. Use root in tea for a natural sweetener and crushed dried root as a sugar substitute.
Root is a mild laxative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory. It was also used in cough syrups. Leaves and root contain healing, gummy sap- Boil leaves and steep root- use for dry hands, sunburn, dry hair, facial steams, lotions, use as a compress around eyes.
Warning: Do Not use during pregnancy or if kidney problems are present.
Origin: Long history as a healing herb. Used by the Egyptians, Syrians Greeks and Romans. Spoken of in the writings of Plato, Pythagoras and Virgil.

Apiaceae. An erect, branching annual to 3 feet, easy from seed. An abundance of large, rounded, five to six inch flower heads made up of small snow-white buds, May-August. Does not seem to be temperamental about soil conditions, but does require full sun. Looks very similar to Queen Anne's lace and will produce blooms the first year. Perfect for cut flower gardens, roadsides, English Garden, Moonlight Garden, Bible bed

A staple in the cut-flower industry. Requires a minimal amount of moisture once established.

Native to North Africa and Eurasia

Umbelliferae. Self-seeding annual to 3 feet. Grows best in fertile, well drained soil kept evenly moist. Full sun, pH 5.5-6.5. Plant 9 to 12 inches apart.

Companion: cabbage. Do not plant near fennel (to avoid cross-pollination), or carrots.
Attracts beneficial insects, so if you see small, bumpy, alligator-like insects on this plant, don't kill them! These are ladybug babies! Coax them onto another plant before you harvest.

Harvest: Gather leaves when young. Pick flowering tops just as fruits begin to form. Seeds are high in calcium.

Uses: Add dill to balsamic vinegar; use seed or leaf in soups, fish, fish sauces, cabbage, apple pies, dill butter, breads, and new potatoes. Add fresh leaves and one flower head per jar of pickles.
Chew seed or add seed to tea as a digestive aid after meals and to sweeten breath. Use in salt-free diet, as it is rich in mineral salts.

Origin: Ancient Greece. Used in Pre-Christian times as a tithe to the Pharisees.

Umbelliferae Biennial. Likes fairly moist, slightly acidic soil and a cool, partly shady position. Seed viability isn't strong, sow as soon as ripe in July or August, to keep crop generations going. Plant 3-4 ft. apart. To 4 - 5 feet, handsome plant with spreading, tropical-looking leaves and large, dome-shaped flower heads on tall stems. Decorative as an accent or background to other herbs or flowers. Flowers mid-June. Long flowering season. Top-most flower can measure 6 inches across. Cut flowers before fully open to prolong life of plant (can often be made a perennial by preventing the plant from seeding).

Harvest: Roots: wash and dry in the open air for a few days before storing. Leaves & stalks: harvest anytime after the first season. Seeds: August.

Uses: Stem: Steam or blanch with other vegetables' tastes like parsley. Leaves: Taste piney & pleasant when raw. The leaves & stalks can be eaten in salad, roasted, boiled, candied. Root: Was used medicinally as a tonic.
Make angelica water by infusing a tea with distilled water, strain and bottle. Angelica oil is used to flavor liqueurs, creams & custards. The oil distilled from root, leaves and seeds is an ingredient in perfumes.

Origin: Medieval times- Northern Europe and Russia.
Caution: Do not use during pregnancy.

Asteraceae. Flowering groundcover in the daisy family. Grows best in moist, cool areas such as mountain meadows and riverbanks. This is a small perennial herb with tiny gray, woolly leaves on erect stems, each holding an inflorescence of several flower heads June- Aug. Grows in mats by extending horizontal stolons.

Compositae. Hardy Perennial to 3'. Sun, well drained, average soil. Slightly alkaline (add lime to acid soil). Bright yellow/orange flowers in summer. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. Great topiary or hedge plant.

Harvest: Plants are apt to over flower and exhaust themselves. It is best to harvest the flowering stems as soon as they open fully and fertilize well (likely, another, smaller flush for cut flowers will follow), in order to stimulate the production of basal shoots for the following year.

Beneficial:Attracts bees.

Uses: Internally as a tea, which can be made either from the flowers or the whole plant[4]. Applied externally, it is used as a poultice on hemorrhoids and can also be applied to the bath water. The leaves are rubbed onto insect stings. A distinctive yellow dye is obtained from the flowers.
Flowering stems are great fresh cut or everlasting flower displays.

Compositae.
Evergreen ground cover grows in a ferny mat 3 inches high with flowers rising 6"-12". Full to mostly
sunny, and moist, well drained soil. Flowers similar to German chamomile.
For a chamomile lawn, plant 4"-6" apart. Also great plant to place between stepping stones. Ferny leaves smell like green apple.

Uses: collect and dry the flowers and infuse as a tea or add to tea for a general tonic and sedative. Any excess tea can be used to highlight fair hair and help eliminate dandruff when used as a rinse.
An excellent cleanser & toner of the digestive tract; aids in calming the nerves; expels worms & parasites; Improves the appetite.
Other uses: Apply a compress to treat wounds and eczema. Infuse as a facial steam or hand soak. Use in bath to relieve fatigue or windburn.

Origin: Ancient Egypt and Greece. Know as May then by the Anglo-Saxons, was one of the Nine Sacred Herbs in the ancient manuscript 'Lacunga'.

Gramineae. Perennial to 1 1/2'. Full to part sun, average soil. Division can be done at almost any time of the year. European grass with a sweet vanilla scent, similar to woodruff. The dried plant releases a strong and persistent fragrance with a refreshing pungent smell like newly-mown hay.

Pollinators: Wind

Uses: The whole plant, and especially the flowering stems, is anticoagulant, anti-spasmodic and stimulant. Normally only applied externally, where it is used in the treatment of rheumatic pain, chilblains, nervous insomnia etc. It is said that a tincture made from this grass with wine is an effective treatment for hay fever.  A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves.

Other Uses: Leaves and dried flowers used as a strewing herb, woven into baskets and used in potpourris. Some caution is advised, when used internally, especially from dried plants. The plant contains coumarin, used medicinally and also in rat poisons where it prevents the blood from coagulating

Portugal, Spain, Turkey

Ericaceae. Evergreen Groundcover. Requires a well-drained light or medium acid loam in sun or semi-shade, Clay & Shade tolerant, but plants produce less fruit. A good ground-cover for steep banks. Grows fairly fast & carpeting as it spreads. Pink flowers April-June. Valuable for soil and bank stabilization almost anywhere, including soggy. Often the first plant to colonize burnt-over areas, especially on poor soils. Sometimes cultivated for medicinal uses. Transplant carefully, they resent root disturbance so.

Companion: Bees

Harvest: These leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, & then dried in gentle heat.

Uses: Fruit, raw or cooked. Insipid, dry & mealy, it becomes sweeter when cooked. Added to stews, a good source of carbohydrates. The fruit can also be used to make a cooling drink or used for preserves etc. It can be dried & stored for later use. A tea made from the dried leaves is much used for kidney & bladder complaints & inflammations of the urinary tract such as acute & chronic cystitis & urethritis, but it should be used with caution & only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Externally, a poultice of the infused leaves with oil has been used as a salve to treat rashes, skin sores , & as a wash for a baby's head, as an eyewash, a mouthwash for cankers & sore gums & as a poultice for back pains, rheumatism, burns etc. The dried leaves have been used for smoking as an alternative to tobacco.

The mashed berries can be rubbed on the insides of coiled cedar root baskets in order to waterproof them. Bearberry was commonly used by many native North American Indian tribes to treat a wide range of complaints & has also been used in conventional herbal medicine for hundreds of years, it is one of the best natural urinary antiseptics. The leaves contain hydroquinones & are strongly antibacterial, especially against certain organisms associated with urinary infections. The plant should be used with caution, however, because hydroquinones are also toxic. The herb should not be prescribed to children, pregnant women or patients with kidney disease.

A yellowish-brown dye is obtained from the leaves, it does not require a mordant. A grey-brown dye is obtained from the fruit. The dried fruits are used in rattles & as beads on necklaces etc. The leaves are a good source of tannin.

Perennial to 2’. Hardy to zone 5. In flower May to June. Self-fertile.
A very easily grown plant, horseradish prefers a deep, moist, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Once established, tolerant of neglect.

Companions: Plant with potatoes to deter potato eelworm & Colorado beetle: one plant at each corner of the potato patch. Grow under apple trees to prevent brown rot, powdery mildew and other fungal diseases.

Harvest: Will produce fresh young leaves for the salad, year-round. Young shoots are blanched for white, tender, sweet leaves. side roots can be harvested as needed.
Division is very easy and can be carried out at almost any time of the year, but best in spring. Divide every three years or the crop will deteriorate. Small sections of root will re grow if left in the soil.

Uses: The grated root has a hot, mustard-like flavor. The sauce is best used uncooked or gently warmed, heating it will destroy the glycoside sinigrin - the volatile oils that produce its mustard - hot pungency. Roots are sliced and cooked like parsnips. Young leaves - raw or cooked. A very strong flavor when added sparingly to salads. Steam young leaves like spinach, young stems & shoots like asparagus. Seeds - sprouted and eaten in salads.

Medicinal Uses :The root is a rich in sulphur. Horseradish is a stimulant herb that controls bacterial infections and can be used internally and externally. It should not be used internally by anyone with stomach ulcers or thyroid problems.
The roots should be used in their fresh state. A tea is used in the treatment of colds, fevers, flu, respiratory and urinary tract infections. A sandwich of the freshly grated root is a traditional remedy for hay fever. A root tea is weakly diuretic, antiseptic and expectorant. Antibiotic against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and also pathogenic fungi. It is being researched as anti tumor.
Externally, a poultice made from the roots is used to treat pleurisy, arthritis and infected wounds, relieve the pain of chilblains. Caution! it can cause blistering!

Other Uses: Fungicide; Repellent. Horseradish tea is effective against brown rot of apples and other fungicidal diseases.
Spain; Sweden; Turkey; Us

Compositae. Hardy perennial to 2 feet. Needs moderate to full sun, acidic soil that is well drained and rich in organic matter. Oval, hairy leaves form rosettes. right yellow, daisy-like scented flowers bloom around July and blooms all summer. Grown mainly for its ornamental value.

Companion: attracts bees.

Uses: Part Used: Flowers. In Germany, more than 100 drug preparations contain arnica. The active components in arnica are sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Other active principals are thymol (an essential oil), flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids and tannins. Arnica works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells that perform much of the digestion of congested blood, and by dispersing trapped fluids from bruised tissue, joints and muscles. Important homeopathic herb.
To make a liniment, heat 1 ounce of flowers & one ounce of oil for several hours. Strain and let cool.
Add to foot bath or soaking tub. Tincture of flowers used for sprains, wounds, rheumatism & bruises . Flowers and root used in salves for sprains & bruises. (Warning: do not apply if skin is broken).

Origin: Central Europe.

Caution: Toxic if taken internally. Can cause allergic dermatitis with prolonged use. Do not use on broken skin. It can cause vomiting, weakness, increased heart rate and nervous disorders.

Compositae. Hardy Perennial to 3 feet. Full sun, average water & soil needs. A well shaped and very fragrant plant for a formal border, knot garden, moonlight garden. Keep trimmed to prevent woodiness. Trim one-third of growth in fall. Insignificant white to yellow flowers. Plant can be divided after the third year.
Companion: Lay boughs in pantry or closet to deter moths and ants or make crushed sachets to hang; a strong infusion in water for effective pesticide.

Uses: Infusion of leaves used as wash to clear skin; use also as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Use in aromatic baths and poultices.
Tie & burn dried boughs as smudge to eliminate household or cooking odors.

Compositae. Perennial. Full to partial sun, almost any soil. Silvery gray foliage, flowers inconspicuous. Plants die down in Winter but return in Spring.
Great in rock garden, border or moonlight garden. Inhibits the growth of other plants, so plant on its own or in rock gardens and borders to keep weed growth down.

Companion: used to repel slugs, snails, cabbage moth and flea beetle. Don't plant near fennel, sage caraway or anise as it inhibits the growth of these plants. Grow near henhouse to protect against lice, in the garden to deter cabbage butterfly and fruit tree moth.

Uses: Infuse leaves & flowers as an insecticide.
Silver branches are an attractive addition to cut flower arrangements, fresh or dried.

Contains thujone- toxic if consumed.

Compositae. Hardy annual to 6 feet. Full to partial sun and average, well drained soil. Sweet scented and bushy, leaves fernlike. Tiny yellow-green flower in clusters July through October.

Companion: Bees & butterflies.

Harvest: Gather leaves before flowering - Allow seeds to ripen on plant.

Uses: Leaves- tea used for colds, fevers, dysentery, flu, diarrhea. Leaves used externally as poultice on abscesses and boils. Plant compounds successfully tested in China on resistant malarias.
Seeds- Used for night sweats, indigestion and flatulence.
Caution: May cause contact dermatitis or allergic reaction.
Dried flowers used in arrangements.

Compositae. Perennial to 4'. Easily grown in a sunny position, in well-drained soil. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. Wind pollinated.
Beneficial: Not troubled by browsing deer.

Harvest: The leaves are harvested in the summer, before the plant comes into flower and dried for later use. Uses: Young leaves - cooked in the spring. Qing Ho, better known in the West as sweet wormwood, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. An aromatic anti-bacterial plant. Research has shown that it destroys malarial parasites, lowers fevers and checks bleeding. Used in the Tropics as an anti-malarial. Externally, the leaves are poulticed onto nose bleeds, boils and abscesses.The seeds are used in the treatment of flatulence, indigestion and night sweats.
The plant is burnt to repel insects.

Origin: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Manchuria

Compositae. Perennial to 3' . Hardy to zone 5. Easily grown in a well-drained neutral or slightly alkaline soil, preferring a sunny position. Does well in a sandy soil. Established plants are very drought tolerant. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. A very ornamental plant, spreading by stolons to form loose patches.

Beneficial: Not troubled by browsing deer.

Uses: Leaves and flowering heads are used as a flavoring or garnish for sauces, gravies etc. An herb tea is made from the leaves and flowering heads. Used to make smudge sticks for purification.
The leaves are astringent. Commonly used by the N. American Indians to induce sweating, treat pain and diarrhea. A weak tea was used in the treatment of stomach ache and menstrual disorders. Externally, a wash of the leaves was applied to itching, rashes, swellings, boils, sores, etc. The wash was also applied to eczema and as an underarm deodorant. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to spider bites, blisters and burst boils. A snuff of crushed leaves has been used to treat headaches, the sinuses and nosebleeds.
The leaves can be placed in the shoes as a foot deodorant. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an underarm deodorant and the soft leaves used as a toilet paper. The plant can be burnt to repel mosquitoes. The foliage is excellent for wreath making.
Origin: US

Hardy deciduous shrub to 2'. White & yellow flowers August -September. Prefers a sunny position.
Plants are longer lived, more hardy & more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. Dislikes shade. Established plants are very drought tolerant. Tolerates maritime exposure. The whole plant has a sweet aromatic smell. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite & are pollinated by Wind. Beneficial Use: The growing shoots are said to repel insects and mice. A strewing herb. An infusion is said to discourage slugs and insects. Resistant to honey fungus, rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. Harvest: The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use. Use:Sea wormwood is not much used in herbal medicine, domestically. Its medicinal virtues are similar to wormwood, A. absinthum, though milder in their action. It is used mainly as a tonic to the digestive system, in treating intermittent fevers and as a vermifuge. The leaves and flowering shoots are antiseptic, antispasmodic, stimulant, stomachic, tonic.
The unexpanded floral heads contain the vermicide 'santonin'.

Origin: Spain, Turkey- santonica, feminine of Santonicus, of the Santoni, Gallic people of Aquitania

Compositae. Perennial to 4' Easily grown in a well-drained neutral, slightly loamy soil, preferring a warm sunny dry position. Established plants are drought tolerant. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil. Division in spring or autumn. This species spreads rapidly by means of underground stolons and can become invasive. Plant in larger pot, then plant in the ground, to limit spread.

Wind pollinated. Not troubled by browsing deer

Uses: Leaves and young seedlings - raw or cooked. Used in salads and soups after the bitterness has been removed. Lightly boiled young leaves are pounded into glutinous-rice dumplings (known as 'mochi'). They have a delightful aroma & flavor.

Origin: E. Asia - Japan.

Asteraceae. Perennial 3'-5'. Pacific NW Native.
Full to part sun, drought resistant. Thrives in native soil or well-drained garden soil. Coarsely cut gray/green leaves with flowers forming russet colored spikes.

Dried flowers & foliage hold appearance in the winter garden. Great for cut arrangements fresh or dried.
Has a rosemary-sagebrush aroma.
Ornamental plant, rarely troubled be browsing rabbits or deer.

Compositae. Perennial 3-5' tall, showy plant with pale green leaves and unique 6-9" leaf stalks that are reddish-purple. Sweet-scented, pale yellow to white flowers.

Uses: In Japan, leaves are boiled and eaten or used to give flavor and color to festival rice cakes, dango and mochi.
Leaf tea has a traditional use in China for treating stomach disorders, insomnia, bronchitis, colds and fever. Used as a diuretic, general tonic and appetite stimulant.
Pillows stuffed with the dried leaves are said to induce sleep.
Leaves are used as a smudge in acupuncture for relief of rheumatism.
Can be used in closets as a moth repellent.

Warning: Do Not use if pregnant or if kidney problems are present

Aristolochiaceae. Perennial groundcover. Prefers a rich moist neutral to acid soil in woodland or a shady position in the rock garden. Hardy to zone 7. Mulch in fall. In flower late spring. Useful ground-cover plant for deep shade, spreading by its roots. Division in spring or autumn. The root has a pungent, aromatic smell like mild pepper and ginger mixed, but more strongly aromatic. Plants often self-sow when growing in a suitable position.

Companion: The burgundy scented flowers are pollinated by flies. Uses: The root can be used as a ginger substitute.

Harvest: It can be harvested all year round, but is best in the autumn. It can also be dried for later use.

Uses: Leaves are a tea substitute. The root is laxative, stomachic and tonic. A tea made from the root is for the treatment of colds, colic, indigestion and stomach pains. The whole plant is analgesic, anti rheumatic, appetizer and tonic. A tea is used externally to treat headaches, intestinal pain, knee pains & a wash on sores. A poultice made from the heated leaves is applied to boils, skin infections and toothaches.

Origin: Western N. America - British Columbia to California.

Compositae. Perennial growing to 1.5m by 1m . It is hardy to zone 2. Pink/violet flowers September to October. Succeeds in most good garden soils, preferring well-drained and moisture retentive in a sunny position, but it also succeeds in partial shade.
Plants need to be divided every few years, preferably in the spring, in order to keep the plant vigorous. Very easy, planted straight into their permanent positions.

Companion: Pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles and Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Not troubled by rabbits.

The root is analgesic, astringent, expectorant. A poultice has been used in the treatment of pain, fevers and diarrhea. The ooze of the roots has been sniffed in the treatment of catarrh (mucus blockage or discharge often caused by swelling of mucous membranes).
A decoction of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of fevers.

Origin: Eastern N. America

Rubiaceae. Perennial groundcover to 6”.
Prefers partial shade and damp soil, but can be drought tolerant. Plant forms a dense mat of star-shaped leaf-sets down the stems. Leaves smell of vanilla and sweet hay. Tiny white, star shaped, vanilla scented flowers in Spring. Great grass-substitute, fills in spaces under taller plants. The scent is strongest in the spring as flowers burst into profuse blooming. More fragrant dried than fresh.

Companion: attracts butterflies.

Harvest: clip in the spring as it blooms, dry in dark, cool spot.

Uses: Leaves are crushed to bring out heavier scent. Add fresh or dried crushed leaves in May wine or other drinks. Place in closets to scent clothes and linens. Scent lasts for a long time, use in potpourri & sachets. Historically used as a strewing herb in monasteries, churches, public houses.

Origin: Forests of Asia and S. Europe, Black Forest in Germany.

Brassicaceae. Perennial to 4” x 12", spreading purple or bright red flowers starting in April. Zone: 4 Drought Tolerant: Soil: well drained, moderately fertile, neutral to alkaline ph. Full sun-part shade.
Great for Alpine, Rock Garden, Ground Cover, Walls, Slopes
Cut back 1/3 after flowering to maintain compactness.