2010 Herbs

Roman Chamomile

Roman Chamomile is also called English Chamomile. Small, hardy, sour apple scented, feathery foliage and small, free-blooming daisies bloom July to September. Revered since ancient times by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for medicines, teas, cosmetics, they also bathed in it and walked on it. Grown between bricks or along paths, it releases its scent when brushed. Used as a lawn substitute, mow on a high setting. Studies show it has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Cilantro Santo

Santo Cilantro was cultivated before 1700 in America. The fresh leaves (cilantro), the seeds (coriander) and the edible flowers are an important ingredient in Mexican, Asian and other ethnic cuisines. The aromatic spicy sweet flavor is superb in salsas, stir-fries and curries, breads, pastries, perfumes and potpourris; and were found in Egyptian tombs. Santo grows slow and steady, allowing you to harvest leaves when others have bolted. Succession plant for harvest all season long.

Feverfew. Selma Star

Selma Star Feverfew is a Native American herb and granny's garden favorite, listed since 1833. This rare Feverfew variety has long-blooming, unusual, pincushion-daisy flowers and soft-looking foliage.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family. In ancient times it was steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds and treat venomous insect bites and stings. In the Middle Ages it was used to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort associated with digestion.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle leaves are heart-shaped, finely toothed, and tapered at the ends, with yellow or pink flowers. The entire plant is covered with tiny stiff hairs, mostly on the underside of the leaves and stem, that release stinging chemicals when touched. Used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia; as well as for urinary tract infections and hay fever.

Rock Thyme

Rock Thyme is both an herb and groundcover! Dense, cushiony mats of wide spreading, and deep evergreen foliage sport violet flowers with red and white markings that bloom June to Oct. Leaves are succulent in cooked dishes, also make a delicious tea. Beautiful, edible, hardy groundcover that's a seldom seen but easy-to-grow perennial that does well in poor soils.

White Sage

White Sage has beautiful white foliage that sets off the silver-blue spikes of flowers. The most highly valued and revered of all North American Sages, it is burned ceremonially for purification. This is a broad leaf sage which is prized for its strong aromatic properties.

Tansy

Tansy has finely divided compound leaves on stout, somewhat reddish smooth stems, with yellow, buttonlike flowers. Scent is camphor pungent with rosemary undertones. Listed by the United States Pharmacopeia as a treatment for fevers, feverish colds, and jaundice. Used by traditional dyers to produce a golden-yellow dye. The yellow flowers are dried for use in floral arrangements. Repels insects, particularly flies and mosquitoes.