U-Z

Valerian – Valeriana officinalis
Perennial height 1.5m. An attractive plant in the cottage garden, with large umbels of white and pink sweetly scented flowers. Dormant in winter, forms a clump of attractive ferny foliage. Medicinally it’s roots are used as a strong sedative, not recommended.

Valerian

Valerian

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Wood Betony – Stachys officinalis
Perennial height up to 60cm. A common wild flower in England, growing in woods and along hedge banks. Prefers moist rich soils. In the summer it has numerous tall stems with small crimson flowers. A well behaved plant. Used as a healing herb, a tea from the leaves has a pleasant delicate flavour and is taken to ease headaches and back pain. It is also used to treat digestive and rheumatic congestions. Do not use the roots.

Wood Betony

Wood Betony

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Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
Perennial height 60cm. A familiar wild plant with delicate ferny leaves and tough stalks with white flower heads. Easy to grow, has a tendency to spread but not too voraciously, happy in most soils and in sun or semi-shade. It has many medicinal uses, we take it in a tea for sore throats and colds, and it can also be used to stop bleeding.

Yarrow

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