Wild Flowers

Wild Flowers and Wild Plants

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Common Name Index

Agrimony	Agrimonia eupatoria	D12	£ 1.50
The whole dried flowering plant for sore throats, catarrh and externally for wounds.Also a source of a yellow dye. Ht-50cm
Hemp Agrimony	Eupatorium cannabinum	T6	£ 3.00
Medicinal: emetic and expectorant.Prefers marshy soil. Ht-100cm Soil- Moist Pos- partial shade or sun
Wild Angelica	Angelica sylvestris	E1	£ 1.50
Ht-120cm Soil- Damp & rich Pos- boggy
Water Avens	Geum rivale	B44	£ 1.50
Medicinal. .called "cure all" in America.Attractive dusky pink flowers, nodding flowers. Ht-35cm Pos- damp
Wild Basil	Clinopodium vulgare	B18	£ 1.50
Has some medicinal use. Not culinary.Small oval to lanceolate leaves on upright stems. Small pink flowers in summer. Ht-25cm
Betony	Stachys officinalis	B92	£ 1.50
Is listed as a source of a dye.The dried leaves were once used as for snuff.Red, purple flowers. Ht-50cm Soil- light, well drained Pos- Partial shade
Bistort	Persicaria bistorta	B84	£ 1.50
Use leaves for Easter pudding Ht-100cm
Bog Bean	Menyanthes trifoliata	E52	£ 2.00
Pos- bog
Box	Buxus sempervirens sp	DA60	£ 2.50
This is a faster growing variety and should be pruned to promote a good bushy shape. Suitable for hedging in formal planting. 4" pot)
Burdock	Arctium lappa	A68	£ 1.00
Ht-150cm
Great Burnet	Sanguisorba officinalis	D242	£ 1.50
Cook leaves and shoots as a vegetable. An ingredient in herb beer (Greive)Medicinal: to staunch bleeding.Purple - red flower ball with crimson stamens. Ht-100cm Soil- damp
Caraway	Carum carvi	A115	£ 1.30
Seeds used in cooking cakes and bread. .and making Kummel liquer. The leaves give an aromatic taste to salads. Ht-60cm
Lesser Celandine	Ranunculus ficaria	D220	£ 1.50
A spreading tuberous plant with bright yellow flowers in spring. With a name like 'Pilewort' it must have a medicinal use! Ht-15cm Pos- damp, shady spot
Dyers Chamomile	Anthemis tinctoria	A64	£ 1.50
Gives a yellow dye.Green foliage and yellow daisy flowers. Ht-40cm Soil- Well drained Pos- Full sun
Flowering Chamomile	Chamaemelum nobile	A62	£ 1.50
Use for a tea.Use flowers for shampoo. Ht-40cm
Chives	Allium schoenoprasum	A46	£ 1.00
Ht-30cm Soil- moist rich Pos- half shade
Coltsfoot	Tussilago farfara	A428	£ 1.50
Fry the leaves in butter and add to an omelette. Add to soups, cook like spinach or use fresh leaves in a salad.Medicinally for coughs and colds.Restrict to a small area where it is not likely to take over. Ht-40cm Soil- soil Pos- sunny
Comfrey	Symphytum officinale	AA374	£ 1.50
For a tea/ tisane, in fritters or soup.As a poultice it helps bruises, sprains and broken bones hence: "Knitbone".Boil fresh leaves for a golden fabric dye.Propagated by root division. Ht-100cm Soil- damp
Russian (blue) Comfrey	Symphytum uplandicum	AA378	£ 1.50
Small quantities are eaten like spinach.Good for compost or making liquid fertilizers.Often confused with the larger waterside officinale. Ht-70cm Soil- almost any Pos- grows by the roadside
Cowslip	Primula veris	B86	£ 1.50
Crystallized flowers for a cake decoration.Likes a meadow environment. .good excuse not to mow the lawn. .but please do not pick from the wild. Ht-20cm
Deadly Nightshade	Atropa Belladonna	A101	£ 3.00
Medicinal, but only under the strictest of qualified supervision. Do not grow in a position accessible to children.Poisonous.Attractive black berries in Autumn Ht-100cm
Dropwort	Filipendula vulgaris	B40	£ 2.50
The tubers are said to edible.Medicinal herb with properties similar to meadowsweet. Ht-30cm Soil- chalky, moist
Dyers Greenweed	Genista tinctoria	A161	£ 1.70
The young buds can be picked for capers.Dye plant for a greenish-yellow colour.
Elecampane	Inula helenium	A172	£ 1.50
Culinary use as a flavour for sweets.Strong anti-bacterial. Used for coughs and catarrh and also skin disorders.Large plant with yellow flower heads. Ht-150cm Soil- Rich Pos- Sunny
English mace	Achillea decolorans	A18	£ 1.50
Flavouring for soups. The leaves have a hot spicy flavour and should be used sparingly.Pick in late summer for drying. Ht-50cm
Evening primrose	Oenethera biennis	AA272	£ 1.50
All parts are said to be edible. The young roots may be boiled or pickled.Many medicinal applications. Ht-125cm Soil- dry Pos- sunny
Garden Fennel	Foeniculum vulgare	A156	£ 1.50
Add young stems to salads. Make fennel sauce for fish dishes. Leaves for garnishing, soups and stews. Can be dried. Has a strong aniseed flavour.Should not be confused with the shorter Florence fennel. . vegetable. Ht-100cm Soil- Rich Pos- Sunny
Feverfew	Tanacetum parthenium	AA410	£ 1.50
Small amounts used in food to "cut" grease.Medicinal for migraine.Single flowered green leafed. Ht-50cm Soil- moist Pos- full sun
Flag	Iris pseudacorus	A180	£ 2.50
The seeds may be roasted as a substitute for coffee.The rhizome is a violent emetic. Ht-80cm Soil- Moist Pos- Water margin
Mexican Fleabane	Erigeron karvinskianus	D78	£ 1.20
Small daisy like with a mixture of pink and white flowers. For the rockery or growing on stone walls. Soil- dry Pos- warm and sunny
Goats rue	Galega officinalis	E30	£ 1.50
Ht-120cm
Good King Henry	Chenopodium bonus-henricus	AA122	£ 1.50
In the spring the young shoots can be cooked like asparagus. In the summer the shoots can be cooked like kale. Ht-60cm Pos- Sunny
Gromwell	Lithospermum officinale	B74	£ 1.50
Externally used for nappy rash, burns, abscesses and eczema. It is added to skin care creams.An unusual plant with small creamy flowers. Ht-40cm Soil- well drained Pos- full sun
Gypsywort	Lycopus europaeus	A208	£ 1.50
Medicinal for its sedative properties and a dye plant (black).Was once used by Gypsies to colour their skin. .Appearance like a mint but no aroma. Ht-50cm Soil- moist
Herb Bennet	Geum urbanum	D89	£ 1.20
Has an interesting seed head. Soil- moist Pos- semi shade
Hop	Humulus lupulus	A166	£ 1.50
Female plants have the hops for beer.Can be used to make a soporific pillow.Can be boiled to produce a brown dye.Suitable for a screen. A rampant climber, will race from ground to rooftop in a season. Ht-450cm Soil- Plenty of humus as a mulch. Pos- Sunny
White Horehound	Marrubium vulgaris	A218	£ 1.50
Used for making sweets.Chop a few small leaves, mix with 1 tbsp honey and eat slowly to ease sore throats and cough.Silver felted leaves. Ht-60cm Soil- Well drained
Ground Ivy	Glechoma hederacea	B46	£ 1.00
It is used in conjunction with other herbs to improve their properties. With yarrow and chamomile for skin diseases.Prolific creeping plant. Soil- moist
Jacob's Ladder	Polemonium caeruleum	A300	£ 1.50
An old medicinal once used for purifying the blood.Has showy blue flowers. Ht-50cm Soil- rich with some lime
Lady's mantle	Alchemilla vulgaris	B4	£ 1.50
Culinary - young leaves for a salad.Medicinal - taken to relieve discomfort of excessive menstruation.Boil leaf for a green wool dye. Ht-20cm Soil- moist
Alpine Lady's mantle	Alchemilla alpina	D20	£ 1.50
Palmate leaf shape (like a hand), dark green with a silver edging. Ht-15cm Soil- well drained Pos- sunny
Lemon balm	Melissa officinalis	A222	£ 1.50
Is commercially used in perfumery. Ht-80cm Soil- rich,moist & warm Pos- Sunny, sheltered.
Yellow Loosestrife	Lysimachia vulgaris	BG8	£ 1.50
Pos- bog
Lovage	Levisticum officinale	A204	£ 1.50
Said to be the plant of the chinese flavour powder. Ht-300cm Soil- Rich and moist Pos- Damp
Scot's Lovage	Ligusticum scoticum	D130	£ 1.50
Culinary use as ordinary lovage but has a more mild flavour. Ht-90cm
Lungwort	Pulmonaria officinalis	D216	£ 2.50
May be cooked for a vegetable.Green leaves spotted with silver: hence its name from the "Doctrine of signatures" as the leaves looked like poorly lungs.Flowers. pink through to blue. Ht-30cm Soil- most soils Pos- partial shade
Marsh Marigold	Caltha palustris	B20	£ 1.50
Edible leaves, cook as spinach.Likes boggy, wet ground. Soil- water margin
Wild Marjoram	Origanum vulgare	A278	£ 1.50
Pungent leaves for soups or as a garnish on roasted meat. This has the strongest flavour of the marjorams. Excellent culinary use especially on pizzas.Usually has white flowers. Ht-25cm Soil- chalky Pos- dry, warm
Marshmallow	Althaea officinalis	A52	£ 1.50
Dried leaves for a herbal tea with honey. Toss flowers on salads. Steam and serve leaves as a vegetable, you can also boil the root to soften, then fry.Grey green leaves and delicate pink flowers. Ht-100cm Soil- rich Pos- damp
Meadowsweet	Filipendula ulmaria	A154	£ 1.50
Attractive creamy white flower plumes can be used in fruit dishes and drinks.Leaf can be dried for potpourri.Boil flowering top for a greenish-yellow dye, the leaf and stem for a blue dye and the roots for a black dye. Ht-100cm Soil- Most Pos- Damp
Apple Mint	Mentha rotundifolia	AA236	£ 1.50
Mint sauce, and added to boiling new potatoes.Contain the root. .it's invasive. Ht-60cm Soil- moist, rich Pos- partial shade
Buddleia Mint	Mentha longifolia	AA230	£ 1.50
Can be used for mint sauce but mostly grown for garden interestLarge flower head and silver/ green leaves. Ht-60cm Soil- rich, moist Pos- partial shade
Corsican Mint	Mentha requienii	E46	£ 1.20

Water Mint	Mentha aquatica	AA226	£ 1.50
Aromatic, pleasant to grow in the water or bog garden. If allowed to spread into the lawn will give off a strong perfume when you walk through it. Ht-30cm Soil- wet Pos- semi shade
Monkshood	Aconitum napellus	T2	£ 3.50
Medicinally used under supervision.Hooded, indigo-blue flowers. All parts are poisonous. Ht-100cm
Motherwort	Leonurus cardiaca	A202	£ 1.50
Sedative employed by homeopaths. May be prescribed for depression.Root division late Autumn. Should self seed. Ht-100cm Soil- well drained Pos- sunny
Mugwort	Artemisia vulgaris	B14	£ 1.50
Use with rich greasy foods such as goose and duck.A common plant included here because of its medicinal use. Aromatic leaves promote the appetite.Silver grey under leaves. .with red stems. Ht-100cm Pos- waste places
Chinese Mugwort	Artemisia verlotiorum	A96	£ 1.50
This is an unusual variety similar to A.vulgaris but the leaves are more indented and it is later flowering. Exceptionally prolific growth. Ht-100cm
Oxlip	Primula veris x vulgaris	D198	£ 1.50
May be used as cowslip.A native flower which is a cross between a primula vulgaris and a cowslip.
Pennyroyal	Mentha pulegium	A232	£ 1.00
Also called pudding grass as it was once used for the stuffing in "Hog's pudding". Can be used for tea.Apply leaves to insect stings.Upright form with a strong peppermint aroma.
Black Peppermint	Mentha x piperita	AA246	£ 1.50
Peppermint tea is infused from the leaves or blend with ordinary tea.Mauve flowers Ht-75cm Soil- moist, rich Pos- sunny
Periwinkle	Vinca minor	A440	£ 1.50
Astringent. .use as a gargle.Makes good ground cover in the garden.Green leaves, lilac flowers. Ht-10cm Pos- shade
Clove Pink	Dianthus caryophyllus	A143	£ 1.50
Culinary use as a flavouring, use fresh flowers to decorate sweets or salads.Use for potpourri. Ht-45cm Soil- well drained Pos- Full sun
Maiden Pink	Dianthus deltoides	A141	£ 1.50
Brilliant magenta flowers on mats of dark greeen foliage.A rockery plant. Soil- Well drained Pos- Full sun
Primrose	Primula vulgaris	B87	£ 1.50
Ht-20cm
Purple Loosestrife	Lythrum salicaria	BG12	£ 1.50
Pos- bog
Ragged Robin	Lychnis flos cuculi	D134	£ 1.50
Raggedy, pink campion type of flower. Ht-50cm Soil- boggy Pos- pond margin
Rupturewort	Hernaria glabra	B50	£ 1.50
Gives good ground cover. Ht-5cm Soil- damp
Sanicle	Sanicula europaea	E112	£ 1.50
Soil- moist soil Pos- any
Self heal	Prunella vulgaris	A306	£ 1.00
Cook as a vegetable in soups or stews. Ht-15cm
Silverweed	Potentilla aserina	A304	£ 1.00
Eaten like parsnips in the Hebrides.A creeping form. Ht-10cm
Sneezewort	Achillea ptarmica	D8	£ 1.50
Old medicinal uses - dried and ground for a sneezing powder. (Ptarmos is Greek for sneezing) Ht-50cm Soil- damp
Soapwort	Saponaria officinalis	A360	£ 1.50
A cleaning agent for fabrics can be made with the bruised leaves.Delicate pink flowers. Ht-60cm Soil- moist Pos- sunny
Sorrel	Rumex acetosa	AA330	£ 1.50
In soups and sauces, or eat raw in salads. Ht-40cm Pos- sunny
Sowbread	Cyclamen hederifolium	D74	£ 1.50
Old writers say that baked into cakes it is "a good amorous medicine" to make one fall violently in love. Pos- semi shade
St John's wort	Hypericum perforatum	A168	£ 1.50
Effective for irregular menstruation. Make an infusion in sunflower oil to treat burns.Propagate by division in Autumn. Ht-50cm Soil- Dry & chalky Pos- Open
Stinking iris	Iris foetidissima	E40	£ 2.50
Pos- boggy
Sweet cicely	Myrrhis odorata	A252	£ 1.50
Fresh leaves may be added to salads it has a slight aniseed flavour. A few leaves included with sour fruits while they are being cooked such as rhubarb, reduces the amount of sugar required. Ht-100cm Soil- rich,well drained Pos- sun
Sweet rocket	Hesperis matronalis	A164	£ 1.00
Grieve says "Use leaves like cress in salads. Perfumed bee plant. Ht-60cm
Sweet vernal grass	Anthoxanthum odoratum	A2	£ 1.50
Aromatic. .strong perfume of newly mown hay. Ht-50cm
Tansy	Tanacetum vulgare	AA408	£ 1.50
Tansy cakes contained a little of the dried leaves. They were also used to disguise the flavour of tainted food.The leaves are used for a yellow dye.Decorative ferny leaves. Ht-90cm Soil- sandy or loamy Pos- sunny
Teasel	Dipsacus fullonum	A142	£ 1.50
Some medicinal uses.In our local wool mill the heads are used for carding wool and making mohair. Decorative dried. Ht-250cm Soil- Rich and moist Pos- Sunny
Scotch Thistle	Onopordum acanthium	A274	£ 1.50
The whole plant may be boiled for a vegetable or just the flower head as a globe artichoke.An old medicinal herb.Can grow up to six feet tall! Ht-150cm
Thrift	Armeria maritima	D33	£ 1.50
Was once medicinal and prescribed for obesity.It was popular from the 16th century as a formal edging plant. Ht-15cm
Creeping Thyme	Thymus polytrichus	RA12	£ 1.50
Small green slightly hairy leaves, light magenta flowers.
Wild Thyme	Thymus pulegioides	AA396	£ 1.50
Large form.
Tormentil	Potentilla erecta	D190	£ 1.50
An astringent and antibiotic. Was once used for tanning leather. Ht-30cm Soil- acidic and damp
Valerian	Valeriana officinalis	A432	£ 1.50
The rhizomes are infused for a tea which is soothing, sleep promoting and has an unusually unpleaseant perfume. Ht-80cm Soil- damp Pos- partial shade
Red Valerian	Centranthus ruber	D66	£ 1.50
The leaves are used for a vegetable and the root for soups.Deep red flower sprays.
White Valerian	Centranthus albus	D65	£ 1.50
This is a white form of centranthus ruber and should not be confused with Valeriana officinalis.
Vervain	Verbena officinalis	A436	£ 1.50
Leaves pounded with the roses and hogs grease "doth cease the inflamation and grievous paines of wounds. Ht-70cm Soil- most Pos- open, sunny
Heartsease Violet	Viola tricolour	A446	£ 1.20
Attractive medicinal plant of ancient times for ague and the falling sickness. ("A pocket full of posies. . ") Ht-10cm Soil- moist Pos- sunny
Sweet Violet	Viola odorata	B114	£ 1.50
Crystallize flowers for cake decoration.This sweetly perfumed violet will grow well in the shade and is a welcome sight in early spring. Ht-12cm Soil- damp Pos- shady
Woad	Isatis tinctoria	AA184	£ 1.50
The dye that the ancient Britains used.Has yellow flowers. Ht-90cm Soil- Loam Pos- Sunny
Sweet Woodruff	Asperula odorata	A98	£ 1.50
Used to flavour liquers and punches.A strewing herb. .potpourri.Ground cover beneath trees. Ht-25cm Pos- shady
Wormwood	Artemisia absinthium	A86	£ 1.50
Good for drying and use in potpourri.Large, three times cut, green/silver leaves. Herbaceous. The plant that gives "Absinthe" its name. Ht-100cm
Common Yarrow	Achillea millefolium	A20	£ 1.00
Culinary - for yarrow soup. Finely chopped leaves can also be added to salads and soft cheese dips. It has a bitter, peppery flavour.Wide medicinal use. .for rheumatism and colds. Avoid large doses in pregnancy. Ht-35cm Soil- well drained Pos- sunny