Scrophularia nodosa

Common figwort is an important medicinal herb dating back at least to medieval times.   It is native to Northern Europe and does very well here in Nova Scotia.

Description

Common Figwort is in upright perennial that can reach three to four feet in height in moist semi shaded areas.    Its tiny flowers form in pannicles and would be easy to miss until their brief blooming period in early summer.    Figwort spreads by rhizomes, making it a very good candidate for naturalizing in moist semi shaded spots.

Growing Information:

Zones 6- 8

Common Figwort is easily started from seed and will bloom the first year if started indoors eight weeks before the last frost date.    It prefers rich moist soil but once it is established will pop up in neighbouring fields and ditches.

Like many perennials, figwort will benefit from being divided every couple of years to prevent overcrowding.     Divisions are best done early in the spring when the plants are under a foot tall.

Notes  

Although Figwort is not native to Nova Scotia, it does very well in southwestern areas with more temperate winters.    It should be noted that Figwort can be grown in colder climates as an annual, provided it is started at least eight weeks before the last frost date.    When grown as an annual, the flowers should be harvested when they are in bloom in early summer and the rhizomes dug up and dried in the early fall before the hard frosts come.     Please note that if you live in an area where you can grow Figwort as a perennial, it is helpful not to harvest any of the plant in the first year so that it can become well established.

It should be noted that some of the traditional times for preserving Figwort in amulets simply are not sensible here in Nova Scotia because we have a different climate than Europe.

Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea is a widely respected medicinal herb that is native to Eastern North America.   So much so that several variietes have been cultivated with the intent of improving upon the original wildflower.

Description

Echinicea is a tall hardy perennial that is easily grown in Zones 3 – 10.   It was originally used to treat wounds.   In addition to its antiseptic properties, it is also used to boost immune systems.

Growing Information

Echinicea is so easy to start from seed that it can be direct seeded in the garden.    For early indoor starts,  it is best to wait until just a month before last frosts.  Transplant seedlings at least a foot apart.

Echinacea will grow almost anywhere … from full sun to part shade.    In poor soil it will reach at least two feet and in well nourished soil it can easily reach four feet.  For best results, do not harvest any part of new plants until the second or third year.

Varieties

In addition to the native echinacea purpurea, there are cultivated varieties.   thes are the ones that I know of:

• Magnus and
• White Swan – both of which are easy to start from seed
• Ruby Giant, which is not available in seed
• Narrowleaf, and
• Pale Purple – both of which are difficult to start from seed
• Yellow Echinacea which can be tricky to start from seed

Notes

This plant makes a splendid ornamental as it flowers almost all summer long.

For medicinal purposes, it is best to wait to harvest the roots until after the first hard frosts when the rest of the plant begins to die back..    Please note that although the crown can be replanted, the ‘new’ plant will be more ornamental than medicinal.

Although this is a hardy plant, it will benefit from a heavy mulch of the straw before winter.

Achillea Millefolium

It is not at all difficult to find Yarrow.    It’s persistence is very likely the reason that it has survived from ancient times until this day.    It survives regular mowing.   Yarrow thrives in ditches and fields.    Long before there was any scientific substance to back such claims, Yarrow was widely respected as an effective medicinal herb.

Description

There could be no mistaking Yarrow.   It is an upright perennial with delicate fern like foliage.   Yarrow is native to Europe and hitchhiked over with the early immigrants.   While it is not an invasive species, Yarrow has naturalized here in North America.   I find that wild Yarrow usually has white or sometimes pale yellow flowers, but there are a wide range of colours in the cultivated varieties.

 Growing Information

Zone 2 and up.  Yarrow will grow in any soil, but can reach three feet or more in a well nourished spot in full sun.   Yarrow starts easily from seed and will bloom the first year in good ground.

Varieties (that i know of) :

• Proa Yarrow -White Flowers
• Moonshine Yarrow – Yellow flowers –
• Mongolian Yarrow – Light Pink flowers
• Red Yarrow – Red flowers
• Sneezewort Yarrow – White or pinkish flowers
• Wooly Yarrow – Low growing with Yellow flowers
• Yellow Yarrow – Tall with yellow flowers

Notes

There is an undocumented belief that Yarrow is a great companion plant for any herb that will be harvested for its essential oils.

Yarrow does make an excellent living mulch in the garden and has been found to attract the very beneficial hover flies ( look like small bees and eat aphids 🙂    It is also thought to attract predatory wasps and lady bugs.

Yarrow should be encouraged because it is so useful, but can be invasive in a perennial bed.    In my yard, I find it best suited to being part of my little wildflower garden.