(Catgut) Showy native herb with pink and yellow pea-like flowers. The roots are tonic, diuretic and diaphoretic. Grows throughout eastern and central North America but is endangered in Ontario due to habitat loss.
Ease of Germination: Difficult/Special Treatment Required
(Miner's lettuce) During the California gold rush miners ate this wild green to avoid getting scurvy. The succulent heart-shaped leaves have a fresh water chestnut-like taste and can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like spinach.
Use when green or ripened to scarlet. Thick flesh; clean biting heat. Small: 2cm/1” long, 1cm/0.5” across. Salsas, pickled, or roasted for sauces. Heat: 10,000-23,000 Scoville units.
(Aoshiso) Decorative green foliage reminiscent of coleus. Cinnamon-scented leaves are popular in Japan for flavouring raw fish, bean curd, pickles and tempura. Before sowing, chill sees at 5°C (40°F) for 3 days in moist sand.
This fast growing, compact variety will bloom from June well into the Autumn months. A fine selection for flower beds, borders and containers. Plant is drought tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping; Deer resistant.
Keep away from the eyes! This herb has been used traditionally in America, Jamaica and Indonesia as a remedy for snakebites, dysentery, pneumonia and several other conditions. Sow from seed, or split roots in spring.
(Jue-ming-zi) Excellent laxative: safe and effective for chronic constipation. Ht. 30-90 cm/1-3 ft.X5385 Promotes clear vision, and relieves swelling, soreness and redness of the eyes caused by liver inflammation.
(Lablab) Most of this legume vine from India is edible: the pods, leaves, flowers, dried seeds, sprouted seeds and roots are all commonly eaten in India. Tall twining vine matures in about 75 days.
Beautiful hallucinogenic plants from South America where they have a history of shamanic ritual use for divination, prophecy and sorcery. Angels trumpets are popular in containers for the patio, balcony or deck.
One of the four ingredients of the Essiac anti-cancer remedy. Traditionally used for fevers, inflammation, diarrhea, excessive menstruation and cancer. Although leaves are small and time-consuming to gather, they are delicious to eat.
It is effective against yeast infections caused by candida and kills the parasite that causes leishmaniasis or "black fever." It is also an anti-inflammatory, almost as effective as modern steroid drugs.
(Coastal wormwood; San Juan mugwort) Beautiful silvery-green mugwort with a pleasant sage scent. Ht. 45-90cm/18-36". Grows in coastal areas from northern California to southern B.C. Excellent for moxa, and as such it is decidedly less harsh than the common...
Compact and uniform variety with deep purple-blue flowers. Ht. 25cm (10in). The branching habit is very tight, close to the base and produces a rich flush of attractive flower spikes.
The mass of colour is so striking Bergamo was awarded the Fleuroselect Gold Medal for 2008. Mildew resistant. Ht. 45-60cm (18-24in). The flowers start earlier than other bergamots and last through August.
Recent German studies indicate that seed extracts regulate menstrual bleeding or too frequent menstruation, and may do this by stimulating progesterone and regulating estrogen. Hardy to zone 6.
When to Sow: Spring
Duration: Perennial
Ease of Germination: Moderate/Special Treatment Required
(Low sagebrush) A low gray-green sagebrush, no higher than 40cm/16". Found throughout the American West, from Washington to California and Colorado, growing on rocky or thin soil, or in very dry sites.
Ease of Germination: Moderate/Special Treatment Required
Easy to use: chopped roots are soaked in water and stirred to a lather. Roots contain 2% saponin, a soapy substance valuable in shampoos; leaves a fine sheen to hair. Spectacular towering spikes of creamy white flowers.
(Isphaghula; Blond psyllium) Important remedy for constipation and problems of the bowel, including irritable bowel syndrome. Low growing annual with soft, grass-like hairy leaves.
Feast for the eyes -- pleasing to the palate. Borage, Calendula, Heartsease, Nasturtium, Citrus Marigold. Herbs with edible flowers to add to salads, omelettes, desserts, and drinks.
The infusion made from the pink flowers or leaves is used externally to moisturize and tone the skin and internally to soothe mucous membranes irritated and inflamed by coughs, stomach upsets and other intestinal problems.
Indians made a wash for skin problems including skin cancer and venereal sores. (Red root) Used as a tea substitute during the American Revolution. A good gargle for mouth and throat sores.
Keep plants covered with row cover, spray with neem oil or pyrethrin. Fusarium, powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial leaf spot. May be slow and erratic to germinate. Flowers range from white to shades of pink and purple and begin to appear from late...
