#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

1

aconite (monk’s hood)

Aconitum Napellus

P

m w

2–4 ft.

_ violet-blue

¶ dark green

M

Warning! All parts of this plant are toxic.

2

Angelica archangelica

B

w

4–6 ft. +

_ greenish- white

C/M

Parts used: leaves, seeds, stems and roots.

3

Pimpinella anisum

A

m

1–2 ft.

_ white

C/M

Seeds and leaves have a licorice flavor.

4

basil (sweet basil)

Ocimum basilicum

A

m

1–2 ft.

_ white (insignificant)

C/M

Pinch off flowers to prolong harvest.

5

bedstraw (lady’s bedstraw)

Galium verum

P

m w

1–3 ft.

_ bright yellow

C/H

Used for mattress stuffing, as a dye plant, and to curdle milk.

6a

bee balm (bergamot, Oswego tea)

Monarda didyma

P

m w

3–4 ft.

_ red

C/M/H

The American Indians introduced this herb to the early colonists.

6b

bee balm (wild bergamot)

Monarda fistulosa

P

m w

3–4 ft.

_ lavender- pink

C/M/H

Monarda is in the mint family and can be invasive.

7

betony (wood betony, bishopswort)

Stachys officinalis

P

m w

3 ft.

_ purple

M

Betony was considered a “cure-all” plant.

8

borage (bee bread)

Borago officinalis

A

m w

1–2 ft.

_ blue

¶ gray-green

C/M

Borage will reseed. The leaves have a mild cucumber taste.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

9

calendula (pot marigold)

Calendula officinalis

A

m

18 in.

_ orange or yellow

C/M/H

Single or double-flowered plants bloom until frost; will self-seed.

10

Carum carvi

B

m w

1–2 ft.

_ white

C/M

Caraway seed and leaves were used; the taproot was eaten as a vegetable.

11

catmint (catnep, catnip)

Nepeta cataria

P

m w

2–3 ft.

_ lavender

¶ gray-green

C/M/H

Long blooming plants are attractive to bees, cats, and people.

12

Chamaemelum nobile (see note’)

P

m w

4–6 in.

_ white with yellow centers

C/M/H

Note: The botanical name has been changed from Anthemis nobilis.

13

Vitex agnus-castus

P

m

3–12 ft.

_ lilac

¶ gray-green

M

A shrubby, deciduous tree with fragrant, late blooming flowers.

14

Anthriscus cerefolium

A

w

8–12 in.

_ white

¶ bright green

C/M

Chervil is sometimes confused with sweet cicely ( #59).

15

Allium schoenoprasum

P

m w

8–12 in.

_ lavender

C/M

A rose-colored vinegar was made from chive blossoms.

16

Salvia sclarea

B or P

m

2–5 ft.

_ pale blue- lavender

C/M

The common name clary comes from “clear eye.”

17

“clove pinks” (border carnations)

Dianthus Caryophyllus

P

m w

1–2 ft.

_ rose-pink

¶ blue-green

C/H

The color name pink comes from this plant. (Also called “gillyflowers.”)

18

comfrey (knitbone)

Symphytum officinale

P

m w

3 ft.

_ blue or pink

M

Comfrey was used for healing wounds and broken bones.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

19

Coriandrum sativum

A

m w

1–2 ft.

_ white

C/M

The leaves were once considered “unwholesome.” Coriandrum sativum leaves are known as “cilantro” today.

20

costmary (bibleleaf, alecost)

Tanacetum balsamita (see note’)

P

m w

1–3 ft.

_ yellow

¶ gray-green

C/M/H

Note: The botanical name has been changed from Chrysanthemum balsamita.

21

day lilies – yellow species

Hemerocallis flava

P

m w

30–36 in.

_ yellow

M/H

Late spring to mid-summer flowering.

22

Anethum graveolens

A

m

2–3 ft.

_ yellow

¶ blue-green

C/M

Parts used: the leaves (dill weed) & seeds.

23

Inula helenium

P

w l

4–6 ft.

_ yellow

M

An herbal tea was made from the roots; used for lung ailments.

24

fennel – bronze

Foeniculum vulgare var. bronze

(note’)

m

3–4 ft.

_ yellow

¶ bronze

C/M

Note: Fennel is generally grown as an annual; it will reseed.

25

fennel – green (sweet fennel)

Foeniculum vulgare

TP

m

4 ft. +

_ yellow

¶ blue-green

C/M

Fennel has a licorice flavor. Parts used: leaves, stems and seeds.

26

feverfew – single flowered

Tanacetum parthenium (see note’)

B or P

m w

2–3 ft.

_ white with yellow centers

¶ yellow-green

M/H

Note: The botanical name has been changed from Chrysanthemum parthenium.

27

Digitalis purpurea

B

m w

3–4 ft.

_ lavender with white

M/H

Warning! This is a poisonous plant. Source of the heart stimulant digitalis. Foxglove will reseed.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

28

herb robert (bloodwort)

Geranium robertianum

A or B

w l

12 in.

_ pink

¶ red tinged

M

“Bloodwort” was used to staunch bleeding.

29

hollyhock – single flowered

Alcea rosea

B or P

m

_ pink, red, or white

M/H

Hollyhocks are generally grown as a biennial; attractive to bees.

30

house leeks (“hens & chickens”)

Sempervivum tectorum

P

m

3–4 in.

_ pinkish

¶ light green

M/H

“Hens and chickens” were planted on rooftops for “protection” against lightning.

31

Hyssopus officinalis

P

m w

1–2 ft.

_ blue

C/M/H

A popular “strewing herb.” (Fragrant herbs were scattered and strewn about to freshen the air).

32

Iris – Florentine (orris)

Iris germanica var. Florentina alba

P

m

2 ft.

_ white with yellow

H

The dried root (called “orris root”) smells like sweet violets; a “fixative.”

33

also known as L. officinalis

P

m

1–2 ft.

_ lavender

¶ gray-green

M/H

Lavender was grown primarily for its scent. Most herbs were grown for multiple purpose & use.

34

Melissa officinalis

P

m w

2–3 ft.

_ white

¶ yellow-green

C/M/H

The leaves have a lemony scent and taste; attractive to bees.

35

Levisticum officinale

P

m w

3–5 ft. +

_ yellow

¶ dark green

C/M/H

The stems and leaves taste like celery; lovage resembles a giant-sized celery.

36

Pulmonaria officinalis

P

w l

8–12 in.

_ pinkish blue ¶ green with silver/white

M

The spotted leaves were thought to resemble a lung; used for pulmonary ailments.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

37

Rubia tinctorum

P

m

2–4 ft. (prostrate habit)

_ greenish white

H

A dye plant (the roots produce a red dye). The botanical name reflects this.

38

Mentha x piperita

P

m w

2–3 ft.

¶ purplish stems

Mint tea was a common remedy for nausea.

39

Mentha spicata

P

m w

1–2 ft.

_ lavender

¶ dark green

C/M/H

Note: All mints should be given boundaries; rampant growth habit.

40

nasturtium (Indian Cress)

Tropaeolum majus

A

m

1 ft.

_ orange, red or yellow

C/H

The peppery tasting leaves were added to salads more than a century ago.

41

parsley – flat leaf (Italian Parsley)

Petroselinum crispum Var. latifolium

(note’)

m w

1 ft.

_ greenish- yellow

C/M

Note: generally grown as an annual. Flat leaf parsley has more flavor.

42

Hedeoma pulegioides

A

m w

1 ft.

_ lilac-blue

M/H

The American Indians introduced American pennyroyal to the colonists. Caution: Avoid if pregnant.

43

Mentha Pulegium

P

m w

6–12 in.

_ lilac

M/H

Both pennyroyals should be given boundaries; used as insect repellents. Warning! Do not take internally; toxic.

44

rose campion (mullein pink)

Lychnis coronaria

P

m

3 ft.

_ magenta

¶ silver-gray

M

Used to treat kidney stones; a diuretic.

45

Rosmarinus officinalis

TP

m w

_ pale blue

C/M/H

Rosemary was an important herb in the colonial garden. Grown in pots, rosemary can be wintered indoors.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

46

Rose, Damask – York & Lancaster

Rosa damascena versicolor

P

m

5 ft.

_ white & pink on same bush

C/M/H

Historians have documented the significance of this rose (named for the factions involved in the War of the Roses).

47

Rose, Gallica – the Apothecary’s Rose

Rosa gallica officinalis

P

m w

3 ft.

_ deep pink

C/M/H

A dooryard garden would generally include the Apothecary’s Rose; considered an important medicinal plant.

48

Rose, Gallica – ‘Rosa Mundi’

Rosa gallica versicolor

P

m w

4–5 ft.

_ rose pink & white striped

C/M/H

An offspring of the Apothecary’s Rose; named for “Fair Rosamund,” mistress of King Henry II.

49

rue (herb of grace)

Ruta graveolens

P

m w

1–3 ft.

_ yellow

¶ blue-green

C/M/H

Warning! Exposure to rue may cause severe skin irritation.

50

sage – common

Salvia officinalis

P

m w

2 ft.

_ blue-purple

¶ gray-green

C/M/H

Sage was reputed to improve the memory and aid digestion.

51

santolina – gray (lavender cotton)

Santolina chamaecyparissus

P

m

1–2 ft.

_ yellow

¶ gray-green

H

The button-shaped flowers were dried for winter bouquets; a dye plant. (Santolina needs a winter mulch.)

52

Satureja hortensis

A

m

12–18 in.

_ white or pale pink

C/M

The leaves added a peppery flavor to soups, stews & stuffings; savory is sometimes called the “bean herb.”

53

Satureja montana

P

m

6–12 in.

_ see above

¶ shiny green

C/M

The savories were used medicinally as diuretics & antiflatulents.

54

senna (wild senna)

Cassia marilandica

P

m w

3–6 ft.

_ yellow

H/M

The leaves were used as a purgative (laxative). Also a dye plant.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

55

Sium Sisarum

P

m

3 ft.

_ white

C/M

Skirret was eaten as a root vegetable; also used as an appetite stimulant.

56

soapwort (bouncing bet)

Saponaria officinalis

P

m w

1–2 ft.

_ pinkish- white

H

A sudsy substance was obtained by boiling the roots & leaves; used to wash clothing.

57

sorrel (garden sorrel)

Rumex acetosa

P

m

1–2 ft.

_ greenish yellow

C

The bitter (& slightly sour) tasting leaves were added to salads & soups.

58

southernwood (“old man”)

Artemisia abrotanum

P

m

4 + ft.

_ yellow

¶ gray–green

M/H

Very fragrant and ornamental. Used as an aphrodisiac (sprigs were placed under the pillow); also a moth repellent.

59

sweet cicely (sweet chervil)

Myrrhis odorata

P

w

2–3 ft.

_ white

M/H

Licorice flavored leaves, seeds & roots. Delicate leaf form is similar to chervil.

60

Galium odoratum

P

w

8–12 in.

_ white

C/M/H

Dried leaves were placed among linens as a pleasant smelling moth repellent.

61

Tanacetum vulgare

P

m w

3–4 ft.

_ yellow

C/M/H

Used for embalming; also a round-worm treatment & insect repellent.

62

tarragon (French tarragon)

Artemisia Dracunculus Var. sativa

P

m w

2 ft.

¶ bluish- green

C

Culinary use similar to present day – added to meat, fish, poultry and egg dishes; also a vinegar flavoring.

63

teasel – Fuller’s (wild teasel)

Dipsacus fullonum

B

m w

5–6 ft.

_ lavender

H

The spiny seed heads were used for “fulling” (raising the nap of) cloth.

#

NAME, Common & Botanical

CLASS

LIGHT

HEIGHT

COLOR

COLONIAL USE & Additional Comments

64

thyme – “mother of thyme”

Thymus serpyllum

P

m

1–3 in.

_ lavender

C/M/H

Was thought to be an effective remedy for headaches, stomachaches and nightmares (especially after imbibing).

65

valerian (garden heliotrope)

Valeriana officinalis

P

m w

3–5 ft.

_ pale pink

M/H

Valerian was used for its tranquilizing effects. Attractive to cats.

66

violets, viola sp. (sweet violets)

Viola odorata

P

w

6–8 in.

_ purple, also white, pink

Sweet smelling violets were used in perfumes & sachets. Violets can become invasive (give boundaries).

67

Johnny-jump-ups (“heart’s ease”)

Viola tri-color

A or B

m w

4–6 in.

_ purple, yellow & white

Flowers freely reseed; plants will re-bloom if cut back.

68

woad (dyer's woad)

Isatis tinctoria

B

m

4–5 ft.

_ yellow

¶ blue-green

H

An important dye plant; the leaves were used as a blue dye source before indigo became available.

69

yarrow – yellow

Achillea millefolium

P

m

2–3 ft.

_ yellow

¶ gray-green

M/H

The leaves were used medicinally in “tisanes” or herbal teas. The flowers provided “delight” freshly cut or dried.