Ht. 35-40cm/14-16. Lovely variety with large purple wing-like bracts resting upon a sea of dark purple flowerheads. Stunning in flower beds! Flowers the first season if started early (Jan-Feb).
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.
Also against flu, inflamed kidneys, and diarrhea. While leaves form ground-hugging mats. The whole plant has potent but underappreciated astringent, expectorant and diuretic properties.
This is the flower of deceit, giving off its lovely perfume only in the evening. Leaves picked before the flowers appear are nutritious salad greens. 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. A fixture in Mexican salsa verde, the mildly hot green sauce served with tacos and chile rellenos. Tomatillos will keep well through the winter if stored loose in a cool place.
Ht. 100-125cm (40-50in). (Honeyplant) Commercial variety for the cutflower market. Flowers look like white umbrellas mounted on strong, straight stems. It is earlier to flower and more uniform than the standard form.
(Chinese ephedra) Properties and uses are similar to those of but contains the additional anti-inflammatory compound, ephedroxane. Native of dry grasslands of Central Asia, Tibet, China and Mongolia.
Purple flowers; grows up to 60cm/2 ft high. Chinese medicinal herb noted for strengthening the spleen and building energy. Animal studies suggest it strengthens endurance. Rhizomes are used to treat diarrhea, fatigue, lack of appetite and vomiting related...
Its legendary healing powers are summed up in the Arab proverb, “In the black seed is the medicine for every disease except death.” (Fennel flower; Russian caraway; Black caraway) Commonly featured in Indian dhals and equally at home in Russian rye...
Purified ephedrine is very potent, and a common North American practice of adding it to diet formulas is potentially dangerous because ephedrine can raise blood pressure if used over a long period, and can even cause cardiac arrythmias.
Caution: although the oil is safe, raw seeds are poisonous. Oil extracted from seeds is a commonly used laxative for temporary constipation and acute diarrhea. Large tropical-looking foliage.
Tall (up to 2 metres) erect habit; rarely flowers in temperate zones. AIso effective mosquito control. In South America, dried leaves are used to flavour soups, meats and vegetables.
Used in Chinese cuisine as a vegetable and in medicine for rheumatic pains. (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.
The European species is officially recognized in the German Pharmacopoeia for the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders and for its excellent diuretic and antiphlogistic activities.
Ht 24-60in (60-180cm). 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. Dusty miller is planted for its elegant lacy silver foliage, often used to create contrast and pattern in formal knot gardens and container plantings.
Traditionally used since the Middle Ages for whooping cough and as a mucus-reducing cough remedy. Prefers wet locations. Purple-rose flowers in spring. Clinical studies show that it significantly reduces the risk of migraine attack, and relieves asthma...
Difficult to germinate; may take two years. Interesting cactus, winter hardy in Ontario. May be eaten raw or dried, first discarding thick skins and seeds. Bears edible fruits (pears) having pleasant, sweet, somewhat acid taste.
