Herbs for Wildlife

Despite the unfortunate name, this is actually a pretty native wildflower and is a medicinal herb garden superstar. It’s local, so will be happy in most conditions and soil types, although it does do better in a fertile, moist spot. St John’s Wort has long been used as a mood enhancer and is known as a herbal antidepressant. It needs a bit of space and develops into a small, hardy perennial shrub. Suitable for large pots or unfancied parts of your garden, in partial shade.  St John’s wort will be happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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Toadflax is a delightful, cheerful wildflower herb which spreads freely and can get a bit out of hand. It’s hard to complain at its profligacy because Toadflax flowers are a designed for bees and look simply gorgeous. Often called ‘wild snapdragons’ due to their resemblance to Antirrhinums, they’re actually second cousins or something and are certainly more useful! Unfortunately, Toadflax doesn't play well with cats and dogs - it can be toxic if eaten.  Historically, Toadflax was used as a natural dye for producing yellow hues. It was considered a “herb of the people,” appreciated for its medicinal properties and its association with purity and resilience.

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Valerian is a pretty, native wildflower which attracts an abundance of friendlies to your garden, including cats (friendly or not) and has a rich medicinal history. It has many common names including ‘all-heal’ and ‘phu’ (pooh) which is appropriate as the dried root smells of sweaty socks! Cats love its ripe scent; it stimulates them in a similar way to catnip. It loves a rich, moist position and will grow in most aspects and soil types.    Valerian is very vigorous but will be ok in our pot on a sunny windowsill to begin with, although it really needs planting out asap. 

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