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. Although the process is lengthy it is possible to extract molasses, and even sugar, at home from sugar beets grown in your garden.
Used for all respiratory problems including asthma, bronchitis, excess mucus, and cough. The whole plant has potent but underappreciated astringent, expectorant and diuretic properties.
Masses of flowers in spring are a mix of purple, pink and white. This is the flower of deceit, giving off its lovely perfume only in the evening. When in flower, it is used as a gland stimulant and an aphrodisiac.
Borage, Calendula, Heartsease, Nasturtium, Citrus Marigold. Herbs with edible flowers to add to salads, omelettes, desserts, and drinks. Feast for the eyes -- pleasing to the palate.
Start indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date for an early start. Easy to grow -- rather like tomatoes. A fixture in Mexican salsa verde, the mildly hot green sauce served with tacos and chile rellenos.
Ht. 100-125cm (40-50in). Impressive in fresh floral arrangements! Casablanca is also a fine garden flower for tall borders. (Honeyplant) Commercial variety for the cutflower market.
Prefers dry, well-drained sandy loam. (Chinese ephedra) Properties and uses are similar to those of but contains the additional anti-inflammatory compound, ephedroxane. Saponin content is somewhat lower than .
Purple flowers; grows up to 60cm/2 ft high. Also used as a diuretic and to reduce excessive sweating. Chinese medicinal herb noted for strengthening the spleen and building energy.
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...
Very hardy; prefers dry, well-drained location with full sun exposure. However, when used in its native, non-purified form, the dried herb is much safer and very popular in traditional Chinese medicine for dispersing conditions characterized by wind and...
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.
Recent research suggests it has powerful anti-viral properties. In South America, dried leaves are used to flavour soups, meats and vegetables. Tall (up to 2 metres) erect habit; rarely flowers in temperate zones.
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.
It is grown for smoking in some parts of Asia. It is frost tender, but will produce a crop in areas where the summers are warm and frost-free. (Aztec Tobacco) The wild tobacco used by North American Indians for thousands of years and still in use in native...
A cocktail of chemical constituents has been found to be medicinally active, including flavonoids, saponins and glycosides. One triterpenoid glycoside has been shown to have an antifungal effect against candida.
Ht 24-60in (60-180cm). Sow in a sunny spot, where it will get lots of moisture. Well known as a source for high quality yellow dye since ancient times; pigments used for oil paint as well as dyeing wool, cotton, and silk up until the Middle Ages.
One or two drops of fresh juice dropped into the eye are said to remove cataract. It is somewhat shade tolerant, but needs sun to bring out its best colour. It is easily grown from seed sown directly into the garden.
Purple-rose flowers in spring. Prefers wet locations. New research shows that it relieves the symptoms of hay fever and other seasonal allergies without the drowsiness that antihistamine drugs cause.
Difficult to germinate; may take two years. Prefers sandy soil. Interesting cactus, winter hardy in Ontario. Bears edible fruits (pears) having pleasant, sweet, somewhat acid taste.
