Stunning in flower beds! Flowers the first season if started early (Jan-Feb). Lovely variety with large purple wing-like bracts resting upon a sea of dark purple flowerheads. Ht. 35-40cm/14-16.
Cool weather crop; roots attain maximum sugar content in the fall. A traditional source of molasses and sugar. Although the process is lengthy it is possible to extract molasses, and even sugar, at home from sugar beets grown in your garden.
Flowers reach 30cm/12in. Used for all respiratory problems including asthma, bronchitis, excess mucus, and cough. European native with neat rosettes of hairy leaves and lemon-yellow flowers.
Leaves picked before the flowers appear are nutritious salad greens. Masses of flowers in spring are a mix of purple, pink and white. When in flower, it is used as a gland stimulant and an aphrodisiac.
Borage, Calendula, Heartsease, Nasturtium, Citrus Marigold. Feast for the eyes -- pleasing to the palate. Herbs with edible flowers to add to salads, omelettes, desserts, and drinks.
Tomatillos will keep well through the winter if stored loose in a cool place. Easy to grow -- rather like tomatoes. Resembles green tomatoes and ground cherries, but neither is a substitute for the tomatillo.
Flowers look like white umbrellas mounted on strong, straight stems. Impressive in fresh floral arrangements! Casablanca is also a fine garden flower for tall borders. It is earlier to flower and more uniform than the standard form.
Native of dry grasslands of Central Asia, Tibet, China and Mongolia. Prefers dry, well-drained sandy loam. Saponin content is somewhat lower than . (Chinese ephedra) Properties and uses are similar to those of but contains the additional anti-inflammatory...
Animal studies suggest it strengthens endurance. Also used as a diuretic and to reduce excessive sweating. Rhizomes are used to treat diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite and vomiting related to deficiencies of spleen or stomach.
Seeds can be ground and used with near abandon like black pepper. (Fennel flower; Russian caraway; Black caraway) Commonly featured in Indian dhals and equally at home in Russian rye bread! Aromatic black seeds resemble fennel in aroma and taste something...
Ma huang is a powerful stimulant herb containing the alkaloid ephedrine, the main inspiration for today's popular over-the-counter antihistamine drugs. Very hardy; prefers dry, well-drained location with full sun exposure.
Large tropical-looking foliage. Oil extracted from seeds is a commonly used laxative for temporary constipation and acute diarrhea. Caution: although the oil is safe, raw seeds are poisonous.
Besides its nematodicidal and insecticidal properies, it destroys noxious weeds, including ground elder, bindweed, couch grass and ground ivy. Recent research suggests it has powerful anti-viral properties.
Wonderful for bath and shower as it invigorates the skin without harsh abrasion. (Loofah) Known as the ‘dishcloth gourd' because the dried over-ripe fruits can be used to scrub dishes.
Requires full sun and light, sandy soil, but it will grow successfully in heavier soils if the drainage is good. It is an annual growing to 1.5 meters (5 ft.) tall, flowering from July to September.
Grow in good soil in full sun. An infusion of the flowering tops is used, often in conjunction with echinacea for urinary problems, and for upper respiratory infections, mucus congestion and postnasal drip.
Deep taproot discourages relocation. Sow in a sunny spot, where it will get lots of moisture. The yellow pigment is found primarily in the seeds, although can also be extracted from the leaves.
Dusty miller not only makes all the other plants in your garden look better, it is a boon to those facing tough gardening conditions and a beautiful plant in its own right, lighting up any garden space where it grows.
New research shows that it relieves the symptoms of hay fever and other seasonal allergies without the drowsiness that antihistamine drugs cause. Purple-rose flowers in spring. Clinical studies show that it significantly reduces the risk of migraine attack,...
May be eaten raw or dried, first discarding thick skins and seeds. Prefers sandy soil. Bears edible fruits (pears) having pleasant, sweet, somewhat acid taste. Difficult to germinate; may take two years.
