Moraceae. A deciduous tree growing to 30'. It is hardy to zone 5 and is frost tender. It is in flower from May to June. Prefers a well-drained soil in full sun. Succeeds in poor soils & in dry ones. Plants are fairly tolerant of maritime exposure. They dislike waterlogged soils. Dormant mature plants are hardy to about 0° though the young growth in spring can be cut back by late frosts and young plants can be damaged in cold winters. Plants require hot summers to fully ripen their wood if they are to thrive in areas with cold winters.
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus.
Uses: A tea made from the roots has been used as a wash for sore eyes. The inedible fruits contain antioxidant and fungicidal compounds. An aqueous infusion and an extract diluted, have cardiovascular potentialities. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark of the root and the wood. Green and orange can also be obtained from it. The sap of the fruit is used as an insect repellent. It is said to be effective against cockroaches. The bark is a source of tannin. The plant is often grown as a hedge in N. America and Europe, it is very tolerant of severe pruning, makes an effective stock-proof barrier and succeeds in maritime exposure.

Wood - coarse-grained, exceedingly hard, heavy, flexible, very strong, very durable, silky, lustrous. It weighs 48lb per cubic foot. It is seldom used commercially, but is used locally for fence posts, bows etc and makes an excellent fuel.
The milky sap can cause dermatitis in some people. An extract and the juice of the fruit is toxic.
Origin: Southern N. America - Arkansas to Texas.

Berberidaceae. Hardy Evergreen groundcover. Easily grown, it thrives in any good garden soil, preferring one on the dryish side. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in the light shade of trees. Scented flowers in Spring. Suckers freely, becomes a dense ground cover. To Multiply: Division of suckers in spring . They can be placed in permanent positions or pot up and overwinter in a cold-frame. Leaf cuttings in the Fall.

Companion: Useful for preventing soil erosion on slopes. Resistant to honey fungus.

Harvest: Root and root bark in Fall & dried for later use.

Uses: Fruit: An acid flavor, nice raw. Add to granola or oatmeal. Use in jams. jellies, a lemonade-like beverage. Add sugar for a grape-like juice. Poultice of the fresh berries applied to boils. Dark green, violet and dark blue-purple dyes from the fruit.
Root and root bark: improves digestion & absorption, treats coughs, fevers, psoriasis, syphilis, hemorrages, stomach complaints, kidney problems, dysentery, blood conditions. Externally as antiseptic, healing wash, poultice on wounds and rheumatic joints.
Rhizomes contain Berberine- has antibacterial effects & used as a tonic. Don’t use with Glyccyrriza (Licorice). Has shown anti-tumor activity. A yellow dye from inner bark of stem and roots.
Green dye from the leaves.

Origin: Western N. America.

Malvaceae. Very ornamental, self-seeding Perennial to 3'. Easily grown in a well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny location. In flower July to August, seeds ripen in September. The plant is self-fertile.
The crushed leaves have a musk-like smell.

Companion: Scented flowers are pollinated by bees. Immune to browsing rabbits & deer.

Harvest: A good plant for the summer meadow. Pruned back to the main branches as it comes into flower, for a new flush of leaves in late summer for salads.

Uses: Leaves have a pleasant flavor, raw or cooked. Substitute for lettuce in a salad, for fresh leaves into the Fall. Make tea from the leaves, flowers or roots. Traditionally used as a laxative for young children.
Leaves and flowers valuable as a poultice for bruise, inflammations, insect bites, etc,
Flowers are great in salads.
Fresh Seed has a nutty flavor.
Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.
A fiber from the stems is used for string, textiles and paper making.

Origin: Britain

Melia azadarach
Chinaberry "bead tree"

The chinaberry is a beautiful, very fast-growing, deciduous tree that creates dense shade. To 20 feet tall in 10 years, 35 to 50 feet at maturity, if allowed to. Tolerates heat, drought and poor soil. Needs full sun in average, well-drained soil that's deep enough to for its long taproot. Branches are very brittle, so plant in a sheltered location.
The chinaberry has dense, fernlike dark green leaves up to 3 feet long and 1 foot wide with many 1- to 3-inch leaflets. In spring it bears 5- to 8-inch clusters of fragrant lilac flowers at the ends of its branches followed by dense clusters of yellow berries containing hard seeds. Prune in Fall.

Labiatae. Hardy Perennial to 2'. Full sun, moderate water. Thrives in poor, light soil. Can be increased by division. Plant 1 foot apart. Downy leaves and neat growth habit, white mint-like flowers June - September. Trim plant to 6"-10" after flowering. A great edging plant for a gray garden, moonlight garden or to add texture to a foliage garden.

Companion: Attracts bees. Infuse as a spray for cankerworm in trees.

Harvest: leaves & tops as needed, best harvested just before flowering.

Uses: Young leaves and flowers used sparingly in cakes, cookies, sauces, stews and teas.
Contains marrubiin oil, a mild expectorant. Use crushed leaf as a poultice on cuts. Horehound beer was once a popular beverage in Norfolk, England.

Horehound tea and candy relieves coughs and soothes sore throats.
Horehound candy recipe: Make a very strong tea with 3 cups of horehound leaves and stems,steam- reduce water to 2 cups. Strain, then add 3 cups of sugar. Boil again and add 1/2 cup of butter. Continue to boil until syrup has reached the "hard ball" stage when dropped into a saucer of cold water. Pour into a buttered, shallow pan. Press-mark it into squares then break apart after it hardens, wrap individually in waxed paper.

Origin: Antiquity. Ancient Egypt, Greece & Rome. Genus name from the Hebrew marrob, meaning bitter juice. Common name from Old English 'har hune', meaning downy plant. Native to Southern Europe.

Labiatae. Hardy perennial to 3'. Full to partial sun. Very easy to grow. Moderate soil & water needs. Small white flowers in summer. Divide when it becomes too big, or plant out where it can get as big as it likes.

Harvest: leaves & tops in the morning. Dry in the shade to retain flavor and color.

Uses: Pleasant, lemon scented leaves makes a tea that is calming for children and helpful for upset stomach. Use tea for relief of fevers, colds, headaches and stress.
Chop fresh leaves into salads, white sauces for fish, mayonnaise, sauerkraut, poultry and pork. Add to fruit salads, jellies, fruit drinks and teas, hot or cold.
Add to blended vinegars (tarragon or basil are great).
Add leaves to bathwater, potpourri, sachets.
Rub fresh leaves onto insect bites or apply as a poultice. A tea from the leaves is an antibiotic, antiviral splash.

Origin: Antiquity. Mentioned by Jeremiah in the Old Testament, History of use by Arab nations, Greece and the Orient. Native to Southern Europe and Middle East.

Labiatae. Full to part sun, moist, well-drained soil. Very easy to grow, can be invasive.
Remove flowering stems to avoid cross-pollination between varieties. Flowers in Summer.

Companion: Grow near roses to deter aphids (spearmint & peppermint), or keep in pots to spot-treat problem areas in the garden. Scatter mint boughs in pantry, closets, etc. to discourage mice & flies.

Harvest: leaves anytime, main harvest in the fall.

Uses: Individual or blended mints as a refreshing tea, hot or cold. Use for mint sauce, vinegar, jelly, and with chocolate in desserts. Add fresh leaves to new potatoes, peas and summer salads.
Peppermint Tea is antispasmodic, calms the stomach & intestinal tract, relieves stress, nausea, can soothe the symptoms of colds, irritable bowel & herpes simplex. Chewed leaf or tea can also help recover from over heating. Add to bathwater for energy & to invigorate.

Origin: Antiquity, Greece, Hindustan. An ancient tithe herb.

Warning: Mentha oil is not to be taken internally.

Labiatae. Prostrate growing mint with fibrous, creeping roots & violet flowers in summer. Full to part sun, average soil & water needs. Drought tolerant once established. Mow to control as ground cover. Use as erosion control, between stones, or to fill waste areas.

Companion: Fresh leaves are an insect repellent. Scatter them in pet areas, closets and bed areas to deter ants, fleas and flies. Dried herb once used to purify water on long voyages.

Has history of use as a flavoring, but can be poisonous if consumed in larger quantities. Not recommended for consumption. WARNING! Don't go near this plant during pregnancy.

Origin: Europe and parts of Asia.

Labiatae-Perennial Groundcover. Succeeds in most soils, grows well in heavy clay soils. A sunny position is best for production of essential oils, but prefers a shady position. Not drought tolerant. Not hardy in all areas. Self-sows. Flowering time: July-Aug.

Companion Use: A good bee and butterfly plant. A good companion plant for cabbages and tomatoes. Rarely browsed by deer. Rat and mice deterrent (the smell of mint), used in homes as a strewing herb and to keep rodents out of granaries.

Harvest leaves as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use
Uses: Leaves, raw or cooked, a very strong peppermint aroma, used as a flavoring in salads, cooked foods and liqueurs. A tea made from the leaves of most mints traditionally used in the treatment of fevers, headaches, digestive disorders and other ailments. The essential oil from the leaves is antiseptic, though toxic in large doses.
A strong, peppermint-scented essential oil from the whole plant.
Do not use if pregnant

Origin: Europe - Mediterranean in Corsica, Sardinia and Italy.

Labiatae. Full to part sun, moist, well-drained soil. Can be invasive.
Remove flowering stems to avoid cross-pollination between varieties. Flowers in Summer.

Companion: Grow near roses to deter aphids (spearmint & peppermint), or keep in pots to spot-treat problem areas in the garden. Scatter mint boughs in pantry, closets, etc. to discourage mice & flies.

Harvest: leaves anytime, main harvest in the fall.

Uses: Individual or blended mints as a refreshing tea, hot or cold. Use for mint sauce, vinegar, jelly, and with chocolate in desserts. Add fresh leaves to new potatoes, peas and summer salads.
Has a milder taste in tea than peppermint. Leaf tea can relieve gas, diarrhea, headache and fever. Add to bathwater for an invigorating bath.
Rub new hives with spearmint to attract bees, spearmint oil has been effective in controlling bee mites.

Origin: Antiquity, Greece, or more likely, Hindustan. An ancient tithe herb.

Warning: Mentha oil is not to be taken internally.

Labiatae. Perennial to 3 feet. Full sun, rich, well-drained soil. Drought tolerant once established. Transplant to 18" apart. Divide every 3-4 years.
A lovely plant with large, very fragrant leaves & flowers. Flowers are shaped like fireworks explosions. Some varieties can be invasive.
Flower Colors:
M. citriodora 'lemon Bee Balm' Lilac blooms
M.didyma 'Cambridge"- scarlet;
M.didyma 'Oswego Tea'- ranges of red, pink, scarlet, crimson;
M.didyma 'Lavender Bergamot'- range of purple to magenta;
M.fistulosa- 'Wild Bergamot'- rosy/grayish lavender;
M.punctata 'Dotted mint'- yellow spotted with purple.

Companion: A great bee & hummingbird plant.

Harvest: leaves anytime, flowers when they open.
Uses: Leaves have a citrus oregano taste, sharp & peppery.
One of the highest known plant sources of thymol, an immune stimulant, germicide, digestive and diuretic. Traditional uses include treatment of upset stomach.

Perennial to 2', has 1" white flowers. Mint-scented foliage. Part shade to shade where the summers are hot, full sun in areas of 85-90 degree Summers. Good in rock gardens or perennial beds. Not tolerant of soggy soils. Divisions in the Spring, cuttings in the Fall.

Companions: Flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). Pollinated by Insects.

Uses: Leaves make a minty tea. Strong tea from stems and flower heads used to treat flatulence, digestive upsets, colds and fevers; and as an eye wash for sore or inflamed eyes.

Hardy, self-seeding Perennial to 3'. Dies down in the Winter. Prefers a sunny site, average soil & water needs. Sweet, anise scented leaves

Companions:Bees

Harvest: Fresh leaves anytime. Can be dried for later use. Keep the plant from flowering for for culinary use, they lose their flavor once the plant flowers.

Add stems to desserts, fruit salads, juices, salads, delicate soups etc.
Leaves, raw or cooked, are delicious in tea, used to flavoring vegetables, are an important ingredient of the herb mix 'bouquet garni'. Cooked with tart fruits to reduce their acidity. The leaves can be added to Potpourri. Rub leaves on wood, then buff the wood with a clean cloth, leaving an aromatic, glossy finish.
Root, raw or cooked. Same flavor as leaves. Mix with other vegetables, add to salads. The root is antiseptic, used to treat snake and dog bites. An ointment from the roots used to treat gout and soothe wounds.
Seed used as a flavoring, raw or dried. chewed to freshen the mouth.

The whole plant, including the seed, is used to treat coughs, flatulence, as a gentle stimulant for the stomach.

Origin: Britain, Europe

Hardy Evergreen shrub to 3’at a medium rate. Full sun, well-drained average soil. Prune in the spring. Flowers July to August. Tolerates maritime exposure.

The scented flowers are pollinated by Bees. Resistant to honey fungus.

Uses: Fruit, eaten fresh when ripe or can be dried then used as an aromatic food flavoring in Middle Eastern cooking. Can also be made into an acidic drink. Dried fruits & flower buds flavor sauces, syrups etc.The fruit is used in the treatment of dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, internal ulceration and rheumatism.
Leaves are used in savory dishes. Essential oil from leaves & twigs, mixed with other spices for a condiment. Strongly scented foliage used in wedding bouquets.
Flowers add a sweet flavor to fruit salads.

The plant that has an antibiotic action, is rapidly absorbed, gives a violet-like scent to the urine within 15 minutes. The plant is taken internally to treat urinary infections, digestive problems, vaginal discharge, bronchial congestion, sinusitis and dry coughs. Used in India to treat cerebral problems, especially epilepsy. Externally used to treat acne, wounds, gum infections & hemorrhoids.
Essential oil is antiseptic, containing myrtol. Used as a remedy for gingivitis. Used externally to treat rheumatism.
Essential oil from the bark, leaves and flowers is used in perfumes, soaps & skin-care products. A perfumed water, "eau d'ange" from the flowers.
Charcoal is made from the wood. Wood is hard, elastic and fine-grained. Used for walking sticks, tool handles, furniture etc. Commercially cultivated in the Mediterranean. Plant is a symbol of love & peace.

Labiatae. Perennial to 3'. Full sun to Partial shade, average soil. Moderate water needs, drought tolerant once established. Plant 12" apart. Pale lavender flowers from mid-summer - fall. Cut back in fall. If cat damage is a problem keep in hanging basket.

Companion: deters flea beetles. Great bee & butterfly plant. In winter, goldfinches eat the dry seed heads.

Harvest the leaves and tops in late summer and early fall. Dry the leaves, don't use the stems.

Uses: Rub leaves on meat, add to green salads for mint accent. Mix with olive oil & lemon. Relaxing herb in tea to calm upset stomachs, flatulence, stomach acid, stomach spasms, menstrual cramps. Treats insomnia, anemia, diarrhea and chronic bronchitis.  A weak tea for infant colic. Chew leaves for a toothache. Crushed leaves make a good astringent for minor cuts, scratches and abrasions.
For cats, is an aphrodisiac. Stimulates the appetite of older, sick or recovering cats.
Use in sachets or incense with other herbs, use in combination with lavender or rose petals.
Seeds add minty flavor to breads, pastry fillings & muffins.

Warning: This herb promotes menstruation, pregnant women should avoid it.

Origin: Medieval Period- Tuscany. Believed genus named for the Roman town of Nepeti, where it once was cultivated. Native to Europe & Asia.

Labiatae. Perennial, high groundcover to 12". Very easy to grow, full to partial sun, tolerates any soil, average water needs. Plant 12-18 inches apart. Soft grey-green mounds, blue flowers in summer. Shear fading bloom spikes to encourage new blooms. Entire plant is aromatic and attractive to cats, can stand successive rollings without damage. Makes a great border plant, or keep trimmed low for ground cover or grass substitute.

Companion: bees & butterflies

Harvest: gather in the morning after dew has gone but before hot sun can dry flavoring oils. Hang heads down or spread out on screens in shaded, airy place. When dry, store in air-tight container. Do not crush leaves until ready to use.

Uses; Use on meat to flavor. Add to tea. Use fresh leaves sparingly in salads.