USEFUL PLANTS

PLANTS YOU CAN PLANT IN YOUR GARDEN

The Red Links will take you to pages explaining the uses and preparation of each plant.

Ashwagandha Withania somnifera

Herbaceous perennial in the tropics, annual in temperate zones. Start indoors and transplant as you would tomatoes. Does not tolerate cold conditions well. Ginseng-like Ayurvedic tonic mainly for physical and mental exhaustion.Easy to grow, unusual and useful, also increasingly popular herb for selling. Dried root is a Ginseng-like tonic of the Ayurvedics.

Astragalus Astragalus membranaceous

Herbaceous perennial. Direct seed in early spring, good cold soil germinator. Prefers full sun, average soil and good drainage. Chinese tonic herb, with immune enhancing qualities. Herb improves function of liver, lungs, and spleen.

Basil, Holy Ocimum sanctum

Sow directly or in greenhouse in Spring or Summer. Prefers full sun, rich soil, and plenty of water This variety is purple stemmed and highly aromatic.Adaptogenic, antifungal, antibacterial, immune enhancing, and of the Ayurvedic tradition.

Blueberries Vaccinium formosum

Three types of blueberries, all do well in their particular zones. Small bushes, they do well in gardens or containers. Requiring a low pH soil, yellow berries means the soil needs a treatment of an acidic mulch. Once mature, a blueberry bush will produce fruit for at least a decade, up to 8 or more pounds per bush.

Borage Borago officinalis

Annual, direct seed in mid-spring. Very easy to grow, and will self sow. Delightful blue/purple flowers for salads, teas and desserts. Put them in ice cube trays for winter surprises. Gladdens the heart.

Burdock Arctium lappa

Perennial or self seeding annuals. Direct seed in late spring, prefers slight shade with good drainage and sandy soil. Plant closely for best yield and proliferation. Harvest root during dormant period after the first year to make oil. Leaves make a lovely poultice for skin damage. It will grow in almost any soil, but the roots are formed best in a light well-drained soil. The seeds germinate readily and may be sown directly in the field, either in autumn or early spring, in drills 18 inches to 3 feet apart, sowing 1 inch deep in autumn, but less in spring. The young plants when well up are thinned out to 6 inches apart in the row.

Calendula Calendula officinalis

Annual and self seeding. Direct seed in warm soil and full sun. Will proliferate fast and easily. Harvest bright orange flowers throughout year. Premier healing agent in salves, tinctures or masticated and applied to external injuries. Seeds sown in April, in any soil, in sunny, or half-sunny places germinate freely. They require no other cultivation but to keep them clean from weeds and to thin out where too close, leaving them 9 to 10 inches apart, so that their branches may have room to spread. The plants will begin to flower in June, and continue flowering until the frost kills them. They will increase from year to year, if allowed to seed themselves. The seeds ripen in August and September, and if permitted to scatter will furnish a supply of young plants in the spring.

Catnip Nepeta cataria

Herbaceous perennial. Highly aromatic plant in the mint family. Direct seed or start in flats in mid-spring. Prefers warm soil and full/partial sun.Gentle sedative, aromatic and calming. Catmint is easily grown in any garden soil, and does not require moisture in the same way as the other Mints. It may be increased by dividing the plants in spring, or by sowing seeds at the same period. Sow in rows, about 20 inches apart, thinning out the seedlings to about the same distance apart as the plants attain a considerable size. Attracts bees….and of course cats!

Cayenne Capsicum

Annual. Start inside six to eight weeks before last frost, or sow directly after all danger of frost is past. Prefers full sun, and most types of soil. To avoid damaging the blooms, it’s best to use a drip watering system or a soaker hose. Mildly analgesic, anti-inflammatory and a metabolism stimulant.

Chamomile,

Annual. Self seeding and extremely vigorous. Sow directly in Fall or mid-Winter. Prefers full sun, and most types of soil. This is the delightfully aromatic Chamomile of tea fame. Perfect for gentle bedtime sedation or for treating stomachache.

Chickweed Stelleria media

Annual spreading ground cover. Direct seed in rich soil in early spring or late summer. Spreading ground cover, flowering no higher than 1 foot. Harvest fresh for a wholesome, succulent and tasty salad green. Used daily, the herb will assist in weight reduction programs. Dried, it makes a worthwhile addition to any healing salve.

Comfrey Symphytum officinale

Comfrey grows well in almost any soil, with a strong tap root useful for breaking up clay. It’s easiest to propigate it from a root, although it can be started from seeds if you’re willing to wait two years for the plant to appear. It it no uncommon for it to grow up to five feet tall, and it often used as an ornamental plant.

Coriander Coriandrun sativum

Coriander (the seeds), also known as Cilantro (for the fresh leaves) likes well-drained soil. Directly seed, and cover to with a thin layer of soil. Avoid overwatering. Any shock, lack of water or sudden cold will cause it to bolt. As the leaves mature, harvest them to encourage the plant to continue to growing.

Dandelion Taraxacum offinalis

Herbaceous perennial. Native to and distributed throughout all temperate zones. Sow seed in flats in the spring,and transplant to rows in the garden. Space plants 1 foot apart, and keep well watered. Dandelion is a gentle liver tonic and diuretic.

Echinacea

Echinacea angustifolia

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seed outdoors in very early spring or fall. Prefers full sun, with well drained, limey soil and regular watering. Beloved medicinal that is used for its immune enhancing properties. Do not over-water during growth cycle (roots can rot). This threatened species is being over-harvested in the wild.

Elecampane Inula helenium

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seed in greenhouse in early spring or sow directly in garden in mid-spring. Light-dependent germinator. Grows in full sun or partial shade. It grows well in moist, shady positions, in ordinary garden soil, though it flourishes best in a good, loamy soil, the ground being damp, but fairly well-drained. Cough and lung remedy, bitter and antiseptic. Elecampane has a strong activity against bronchial infection, pneumonia and debilitating, chronic cough.

Evening Primrose Oenethera biennis

Self-seeding biennial. Scatter seed on surface of disturbed soil in fall or early spring, or start on surface of flat and transplant. Seed requires exposure to light in order to germinate. Drought tolerant. Some women report alleviation of PMS by eating the plant and the seeds. The flowers especially make a tasty addition to salads.

Eyebright Herb Euphrasia officinalis

A semi-parasitic plant, it is difficult to grow from seed. The easiest way to plant it to plant a seedling, usually obtained from speciality herb growers. It likes grassy, non-tilled soil. Don’t plant in wet or boggy ground, but once planted, water when needed for the first few months, after that only if drought conditions exist.

Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium

Herbacious perennial, native to temperate zones of the world. Self-seeding and vigorous. Prefers full sun or partial shade. Fresh leaves are tonic to prevent migraines. Planting may be done in autumn, but the best time is about the end of April. Any ordinary good soil is suitable, but better results are obtained when well-drained, and of a stiff, loamy character, enriched with good manure.

Garlic Allium sativum

Garlic grows from the cloves, which are planted in a sunny location with well-drained soil, an inch deep and each clove four inches apart. They do well with other vegetables and herbs, especially cabbage, lettuce and beets. But don’t plant garlic near near beans or other legumes.

Hops Humulus lupulus

A perennial plant, hops is a seedless vine with female or male vines. While hardy and low maintenance, it is important to use an organic mulch of either tree bark or straw to keep invasive weeds down, while hold in moisture. It is important to train the hops to grow up a sturdy vine, but don’t wait to long to get it started, because hops can grow up to two feet a week.

Horehound Marrubium Vulgare

Sow the seeds, before they are three years old, in poor, dry soil, preferrably facing south. If you don’t want to be overrun by the plants, cut before seeds from they form and drop; otherwise it becomes a noxious invador and can take over pasture.

Hyssop Hyssopus officinalisWoody perennial.

Seed is easy to germinate. Prefers full sun. This mildly anti-viral and expectorant herb makes an excellent tea to treat the common cold. May be propagated by seeds, sown in early spring, or by dividing the plants in spring and autumn, or by cuttings, made in spring and planted in a shady spot. Plants raised from seeds or cuttings, should, when large enough, be planted out about 1 foot apart each way, and kept watered till established. The plants require cutting in, occasionally, but do not need much further attention.

Ivy

English Ivy is just one of the varieties of ivy that grows almost with no work. However, it does prefer some to full sunlight, and while it will grow in clay soil, it does better in well-drained ground. It is an invasive plant and will grow up any thing, including a trellis.

Lavender Lavandula angustifolia

Woody perennial. Sow in flats and keep in partial shade, or sow dry seed in the fall or early spring in outdoor nursery beds. Transplant to pots or out to the garden after the slow-growing seedlings produce 4 or 5 leaves. Lavender prefers a moderate supply of nutrients, lime and a well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Established plants make nice borders and hedges.

Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis

Herbaceous perennial, self seeding. Sow seed outdoors in Fall or very early Spring. Prefers full sun to partial shade.Thrives in normal garden soil and minimal water. Established plants can easily be divided and replanted. Plant 1.5 feet apart. Favorite tea herb for its aromatic & sedative uses. Mildly anti-viral.

Lemon Verbena Aloysia triphylla

Unless you live in a temperate climate, it is best to grow Lemon Verbena as an indoor plant, usually starting from a cutting or starter plant. It like heat and sunlight, but don’t let it dry out. If you grow it outside, cut it back and repot to bring inside for the winter.

Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice is most easily grown from a root cutting, although it is possible to grow it from seeds. If growing from seeds let them soak in water for 24 hours before putting them into a pot with a good potting soil. Don’t over water or the seedling root will rot, although once the plant is established, after a year or two, it can better tolerate drought conditions.

Lobelia Lobelia inflata

Annual. Press tiny seed into surface of flat and water lightly. Water or mist, light dependent germinator. Prefers full sun to partial shade and lots of water. Useful anti-spasmotic & expectorant when combined with more soothing herbs. Use caution; one of its common names is puke weed.

Marshmallow Althaea officinalis

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seed in greenhouse in early spring, or direct seed to fertile garden bed. Transplant out to moist, sunny location when seedlings reach 2 inches. Prefers regular watering and makes a lot of biomass, both above the ground and below. The entire plant contains high-grade mucilage which stimulates phagocytosis, thereby enhancing immune function. The leaves and flowers, when dried, make a healing tea, very acceptable to those who are having difficulty swallowing liquids. It is soothing to throat and urinary tract.

Meadowsweet Spirea ulmaria

Herbaceous perennial. Press seed into surface of flat in spring. Bottom water or mist gently. Waist high bushes with sweet golden inflorescence’s (2nd year) that taste like nectar. Wonderful plant, and the leaves in particular are anti-inflammatory and pain relieving. Does best in rich, moist soil with partial shade.

Milk Thistle Silybum Marianum

Overwintering annual. Direct seed in late Summer or early Spring. This vigorous plant cultivates easily. It thrives in any ordinary soil. Allow 2 feet each way when thinning out the seedlings.Choose site carefully and keep it under control. Giant shiny leaves with white veins and purple thistles. Seed coat is rich in silymarin; unique hepato-protective agent useful for the liver.

Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca

Herbaceous perennial. Start in flats, transplant out in spring or late summer. Harvest in early flower, at leat twice a season. Very useful heart tonic, calming nervine, emmenagogue and aperient. Handsome flower spikes, leaves deeply toothed.

Mullein Verbascum thapsus

Biennial. Sow seed on surface of disturbed soil or on surface of flat. Compact down hard. Tolerates poor, gravelly soil and fierce sun. Used medicinally as tea or tincture for moistening mucous membranes and are therefore a great soothing agent for the throat, bronchi and lungs.

Nettle Urtica dioica

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seed indoors late Winter early Spring, transplant in Spring after the last frost. Prefers either sun or shade and moist soil.Harvest in evening or early morning for high estessential oil content. A popular tea for its nutritional value. Be aware entire plant covered in stinging hairs which inject formic acid causing painful welts. Sauteed or steamed fresh spring herb, dried leaf have nutritive & medicinal uses.

Passionflower Passiflora incarnata

Herbaceous or woody vine. Sow the seeds about 1/2 inch deep in good, moist potting soil in a wooden flat. Transplant in late Fall or early Spring. Plant 2 feet apart and trellis on the sunny side of a building or on a fence. Useful in treating insomnia and nervousness.

Peppermint Mentha piperita

Perennial. Seed is easy to germinate, and will grow prolifically. Prefers full sun to part shade. Thrives best in a fairly warm, preferably moist climate, and in deep soils rich in humus. Mature plants can be easily divided and transplanted to 1 1/2 ft. apart. Folklore has it that planting mint near your front door bring protection and prosperity. Mint is excellent for making a stimulating and digestive tea, and it tastes great!

Plantain Plantago major

Herbaceous perennial. Press into surface of soil and keep moist. Prefers cool soils for germ. Plants prefer sun or shade, a moist soil, are not particular about fertility, but given water and compost will attain very impressive size. Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. Particularly useful as a first-aid poultice and for dental infections

Red Clover Trifolium pratense

Broadcast sown for growth as a ground cover or pasture for animal feed, after roughening up the ground to ensure the seeds come in direct contact with the dirt. Sow the seeds and granular fertilizer at the same time, then gently rake over the soil to cover the seeds. Water twice daily until the seeds sprout, then only if drought conditions exist. Harvest twice, each time just before flowering.

Rhubarb Rheum palmatum

A hardy perennial, rhubarb is best grown from root crowns, rather than seeds. Plant in a well-fertilized, weed-free spot. There’s a saying “don’t drown the rhubarb”, but if you do and it looks like you’ve killed it off, let it dry out, only watering when the soil is bone dry. It may surprise you and spring back to life..

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

Herbaceous perennial. Rosemary loves the sun and heat. Best when started from a cutting, and although it can be grown outside for erosion control, as a hedge or cascading over a wall, in the yard where it will remain. It prefers crowded roots to being subjected to a move

Sage, White Ceremonial Salvia apiana

Herbaceous perennial. Sow seeds in very sandy soil and water once daily. Bring indoors for winter, unless you live in a warm/mild climate. Loves a dry, sunny exposure. Burned ceremonially to cleanse the spirit and welcome positive thoughts.

Schisandra Schisandra chinensis

Perennial woody vine. Soak berries overnight and remove seed from fruit before planting. Plant outdoors in fall or early spring. Likes a shady situation. Cold hardy. Used in Chinese medicine as an immune-enhancing herb.

Self Heal Prunella vulgaris

Creeping herbaceous perennial. Sow seed in very early spring in a flat outdoors or give a short, cold and moist conditioning treatment before sowing in a warm place. The dried flowers make a pain-relieving, astringent tea to treat canker sores.

Skullcap Scutellaria baicalensis

This is a very striking bedding plant, bearing beautiful flowers. There is on-going demand for the root, which attains harvestable size after only 2 years. Sow seed in early spring. Germinates in about 24 days. Prefers well-drained soil in the full sun. Cold hardy. Space plants 12 inches apart. Grows to around 12 inches tall. Established plants get wider and bushier.

Sheep Sorrel Rumex acetosella

Perennial grassland herb with rust colored flowers. Easy to cultivate and vigorous. Sow seeds in Spring. Prefers full sun and good garden soil. This is the species called for in the formula “Essiac”.

St John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum

Perennial. Light-dependent germinator in Spring Transplant out in summer. Use very sandy soil mix Prefers full sun. Drought tolerant. Good choice for borders and banks. Traditionally used for very mild depression and helps restore damaged nerve tissue.

Valerian Valeriana officinalis

Herbaceous perennial, creeping and self-seeding. Sow lightly on surface and keep moist; light dependent germination. Prefers full sun to part shade and lots of moisture. Harvest dormant root after 2nd year for its strong sedative action.

Vervain Verbena hastataHerbaceous perennial.

Seed requires cold conditioning before it will sprout. Sow in very early spring, or refrigerate in moist medium for 2 weeks before planting in the greenhouse. Bitter remedy for indigestion, colds and fevers.

Vitex (Chaste Tree) Vitex agnus-castus

Perennial, deciduous shrub to small tree. Sow in pots for first year and transplant outdoors. Prefers full sun, and dry soil. The leaves and flowers exude exotic aromas. Seeds are used to regulate hormones and support breast health.

Wild Yam Dioscorea villosa

Perennial. Sow the seeds in the Fall, midwinter or early Spring, directly in prepared woodland beds or in the greenhouse. If started in the greenhouse, grow out for a year (keep moist/shaded) in gallon pots before transplanting to the garden or naturalizing in the forest. Likes good, humus soil and partial sun. It is an antispasmodic helping to smooth muscles, which includes the gastro-intestinal tract and uterus.

Wood Betony Stachys officianalis

Herbaceous perennial, very easy to start from seed. Takes 2 years to flower, but well worth the wait. This moisture loving plant prefers part sun or shade and normal garden soil. Has beautiful red/purple flowering spikes that attract bees. Tea is made from dried leaf and is useful for headaches and mild nervine.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium

Perennial. Sow seeds directly in early Spring. Grows vigorously in any kind of soil and requires little water. Prefers full sun. Yarrow flowers are famous for their antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.