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Eastern Purple Coneflower or Echinacea

June 14th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Echinacea purpurea

Appearance
This perennial blooming plant is 1.2 m (3’6″) tall and .5 m (18″) broad at maturation. Identifiable through its purple cone-shaped flowers, it is indigenous to eastern North America and is known as the ‘purple coneflower’.

Depending on climate, it starts to bloom in late May to early July. Its flowers are hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female organs on each flower. It is pollinated through butterflies and bees.

Usage

Echinacea purpurea may possess antidepressant attributes
Echinacea is commonly believed to stimulate the immune system.
Echinacea has traditionally been utilized to deal with or prevent colds, flu, and other infections.
Less frequently, echinacea has been useful for wounds and skin problems, such as acne or boils.
Echinacea purpurea can be grown as a ornamental plant, and numerous cultivars have been developed for flower quality and plant form.
The above surface elements of the plant and roots of echinacea are used fresh or dried out to make teas, extracts, or preparations for exterior use.
When taken through the mouth, echinacea usually doesn’t result in unwanted side effects. However, some individuals encounter allergic reactions, including rashes and bronchial asthma. In medical trials, gastrointestinal side effects have been most common.

History
A genus of herbaceous flowering plants from the daisy group, Asteraceae. The 9 species it includes are commonly known as purple coneflowers.They are endemic to eastern and central North America, where they are found growing in damp to dry prairies and open wooded areas. They have big, showy heads of composite flowers, blooming from early to late summer. The generic name hails from the Greek term(echino), or “spiney,” due to the spiney middle disk. Several species are used in herbal medications while some are usually grown because of their showy flowers.

Propagation and Cultivation (Northern hemisphere)
Useful propogation methods include division, root cuttings, and basal cuttings. Cuttings produced from roots that are 7 to 10 mm thick will grow into plants when started at the end of autumn or early winter. Cuttings of basal shoots in the spring may be rooted after treating with powdered rooting hormones.

Seed germination occurs best with daily temperature variances and help to end the seeds dormancy. Clumps of Echinacea purpurea may be divided, or broken into smaller bunches, which is usually carried out in the spring or autumn.

Its normal habitats feature dry open woods, prairies and barrens. Although the plant prefers loamy or sandy, well-drained earth, it is little influenced through the soil’s pH. Needing the sunlight, Echinacea purpurea thrives in either moist or dry earth and can endure drought, once established.

For indoor sowing: Flowers from February to April (for Spring)
Put in containers of damp compost. Sow thinly and cover using a fine layer of compost. Firm lightly and keep moist. Cover using glass, polythene or a propagator lid. Keep at approx. 15-20°C (60-68°F). The seedlings will come in 14-28 days. Remove cover when seedlings appear. When big enough transplant 5cm (2in) apart in trays. Stand outdoors for several days late May in a frostfree period, after that transplant 40cm (16in) apart in desired situation.

For outdoor sowing: Flowers from May to July (for Autumn)
Place the seeds in a prepared seedling bed. Sow very finely in rows of 30cm (12in) apart. Cover up carefully with fine earth. Firm lightly and keep damp. When big enough thin to 10 cm (4in) rows. Then transplant 40cm (16in) apart in blooming position in September to October. Keep moist and eradicate weeds.

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Herbal Poultices Used In Country Remedies

June 1st, 2010 |

Author: peter

Note that these herbal poultices date from the 19th century – some were written down for perpetuity by my grandmother late in the 19th century when still widely used in many British colonies and the United States.

Colds and Cough, Hops or Catnip Poultice for. Hops or catnip put inside small bags and steamed until hot, then placed on lungs and throat. This is a great remedy, since the hot bags act as a poultice and draw the congestion from the unhealthy areas. It creates not only local, but general perspiration.

Croup, Pork and Onion Poultice for. Place pork and onions on the throat. Drink plenty of hot water. Bind the pork and onions on the throat, acting as a poultice. The virtue of this is often increased by cooking the onions and pork together. Onion syrup may be given internally to produce vomiting, even in very small babies.

Croup, Coal Oil, Turpentine and Snuff, a Canadian Remedy for. A little coal oil and some drops of turpentine soaked up by snuff, and applied as plaster. Helps make the child sneeze after a short while. The poultice loosens the phlegm plus the sneezing throws it off.

Bronchitis, Lard Poultice for. Take a bit of cotton batting large enough to cover chest and fit up near to the neck; wring out of melted lard as hot as the patient can stand it, and administer. Change as frequently as it gets cool. Additionally provide measure of castor oil.

Carbuncles, Poppy Leaves to Draw and Ripen. A poultice of poppy leaves is very suitable to draw or ripen a carbuncle. A poultice made from these leaves is very quieting and soothing, and simultaneously will cause the carbuncle to ripen.

Carbuncle, Bread and Milk Poultice for. Keep warm bread and milk poultice on until the core discharges out, after that place on salve or vaselin and keep covered until healed.

Eczema, Potato and Camphor for. Create a poultice of a cold potato with a small amount of camphor. This is excellent and eliminates the trouble quickly.

Abscess, Beech Bark Poultice for. Poultice made of red beech bark and wheat bran, A poultice made of the bark will result in a drawing sensation, and the wheat bran will maintain the heat. The proportions to make the poultice should be about half of each..

Abscess, Milk and Salt Poultice for. Make a poultice of one cup of hot milk and table salt 3 teaspoonfuls; salt added in steadily so it won’t curdle. Cook until even and creamy, then add sufficient flour so that it will spread but not be dry. Divide this into four poultices and apply in succession each and every half hour. This will eliminate the soreness and it should be kept oiled till cured.

Indolent Ulcers and Boils, Chickweed and Wood Sage Poultice for. Equal parts of chickweed and wood sage pounded together make a good poultice for all kinds of indolent ulcers and boils.

Ulcers, Proud Flesh, Venereal Sores and all Fungus Protuberances, Blood Root and Sweet Nitre for. Two ounces pulverized blood root; one pint of sweet nitre; macerate for ten days, shake a few times a day.

Ulcers and Sores, Carrots will heal. Boil carrots until soft and mash them to a pulp, add lard or sweet oil enough to keep it from getting hard. Spread and apply; outstanding for offensive sores. Onion poultice made exactly the same will work for slow boils and indolent sores. This makes a very comforting poultice and it has great therapeutic qualities.

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Basic Harvesting, Processing and Preparation Of Medicinal Herbs

May 31st, 2010 |

Author: peter

Drying and Preserving Roots, Herbs, Barks.
General – collect herbs when the weather is good and when there is no dew on them. Dry them in the shade, after which they ought to be protected from exposure to the air by wrapping up inside paper or perhaps keeping in paper pouches, tied up and hung up in a dry spot.

Roots ought to be dug in the spring when the sap is rising if you wish to make extract; or they may be collected in autumn when they have ceased to vegetate. In order to dry for winter use they should be sliced up, dried out and put in a draught-free position.

Barks ought to be stripped when the tree is in full leaf and dried in the shade. The bark from the roots should be gathered in the fall, once the sap has descended.

Flowers and Seeds.
Flowers should be gathered when in full bloom and totally free of the dew and should be kept from exposure to the air. Make sure that seeds have completely matured; dry them in a shady position and store ready for use.

Preparation of Herbs for Medicine. There are various ways of preparing herbs intended for medicine. The best known are:

Infusion
Decoction
Fomentation
Ointment
Plaster
Poultice
Powder
Essence
Tincture

Five of these, Plaster, Poultice, Fomentations, Decoction and Infusion (Referred to as a tea.) are the most popular methods.

Plasters – Bruise the leaves, root, or other part of the plant and position between two sections of cloth, basically as you would a mustard plaster, and apply to the area you want to cover up.

Poultices – Poultices are used to apply warmth (moist heat), to soothe or to draw. Generally a soft substance is used, such as soap and sugar, bread and milk, mustard, etc. Some cause a counter-irritation, a few draw the blood from a congested part and thus alleviate soreness.

Fomentations – Dip linen or heavy towels in the infusion or decoction, wring out and apply locally to the part that you wish to cover.

Decoction – Make the same as for infusion and boil for some time, simply as a person would make coffee.

Infusion or Tea – Usually about one ounce of the herb to a pint of water is used for an infusion. Occasionally cold water is poured over the herb, but the most typical method is to pour boiling water over the herb and let to stand for a brief time, just as a person might make typical tea for the family table. Occasionally a little sugar might end up being included to make the tea more palatable. An infusion or tea ought to be used whilst fresh.

Ointments or Salve – An easy technique to make a salve or ointment is to use about eight portions of vaseline or lard or any like substance and add two parts of the remedy you want to employ. Thus, in the event that you were to make a sulphur salve you would use eight oz . of vaseline and two ounces of sulphur; stir and combine well while hot and when cool you would have a typical sulphur salve or ointment.

Essence – Take about an oz of the essential oil of the herb and dissolve in a pint of alcohol.

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The Power Of Chinese Herbs

May 28th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Until the early 20th century, the Chinese people, along with their traditions, were virtually unknown to the vast majority of the Western world.

This ancient and scholarly culture has used herbs to cure human ailments and imbalances for millennia. In accordance with Chinese medicine, our body, mind and soul are inter- connected. If one organ of the body is inadequate, it will ultimately effect on the other bodily organs too. So the Chinese herbology works on the concept that herbs are classified into 3 distinct branches.

1. The Four Natures
The Four Natures – Yin and Yang. The four natures make reference to the yin and yang. Yin means extremely cold whereas yang symbolizes extremely hot. Depending on the symptoms detected by diagnosing a patient, herbs are used and implemented. If an individual is suffering from intense cold then yang can be used to stablize the body system and combat the imbalance observed.

2. The Five Tastes
The five tastes possess special and unique characteristics and include tastes such as bitter, sweet, sour, salty and pungent. Bitter taste is hot in nature and is used to dry the dampness in skin and purge the bowels. In order to tone the body and harmonize it, the sweet tasting nature herbs are utilized. The pungent herbs are used to stabilize the flow of energy in the body and produce perspiration. Sour taste is an astringent whereas the salty taste smoothes the skins and softens hard areas.

3. The Meridians.
The meridians are different in their effectiveness from natural tastes because they have an effect on the organs directly. For example:

Menthol is effective for both lungs and liver.
Ginseng is a very popular herb and is efficient in treating dry coughs, constipation and fevers.
The wolfberry herb can be used for longevity of and vitalizing the human body.
Dong Quai is also an powerful herb which is used to cure heart, spleen, kidney and menopausal problems.
An extremely well-known herb that is often used in our food as well is cinnamon. It assists in curing allergies and refreshes the blood circulation of the body.

Many other Chinese herbs help in healing numerous dangerous illnesses. The vastness of the country and the lack of swift transport in ancient times brought about a culture of alternate medicine and local cures for common ailments. The collation and broadcasting of these remedies in light of recently improved communications – both within China and worldwide – has been an eye-opener for bringing the scope and reach of Chinese herbal decoctions to the rest of the world.

The subject is well worth pursuing and very interesting to boot. But as always, proceed with extreme caution. Many herbal remedies in the hands of incompetents may prove harmful or even fatal.

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Wormwood – The Herb Garden Enigma

May 25th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Artemisia absinthium (Compositae)

Herb Garden Plant Appearance
The light green deeply slashed leaves (which are silvery when young) provide a highly attractive feature in the herb garden. lt is a touch woody and appears to glimmer during the rain. Circular shrubs achieve 90-120 cms (3-4 ft) in height and produce tiny greenish-yellow flowers in summer time.

Include new grown leaves in poutpourri and herbal sachets, and spread dehydrated sprigs inside drawers as well as cupboards to maintain fresh air. The essential oil of wormwood is manufactured from this plant in both France and America. Although aromatic, wormwood has a very bitter taste.

In large herb gardens a striking impact can be attained by grouping a number of plants together.

History
Known as Artemisia from Artemis, the Greek name for Diana. The Herbarium of Apuleius proclaims: “Of these worts that we name Artemisia, it is said that Diana did find them and delivered their powers and leechdom to Chiron the Centaur, who first from these Worts set forth a leechdom, and he named these worts from the name of Diana, Artemis, that is Artemisias.”

A native of Europe, wormwood is one of the truly magical shrubs from the herb garden. lt was long been introduced into America as a cultivated plant which has naturalized in some areas.

Herb Usage
Wormwood is primarily a flavorant designed for liqueurs and aperitifs – such as absinth and vermouth – since it has a unique fragrance. The leaves are sweetest in aroma when gathered early on in the summer. Absinthe, popular in the 19th century in Europe, caused several cases of brain damage and even death and was banned in many countries in the early 20th century. Their is some controversy about this today, as it is claimed that prohibitionists in America started the rumours of brain damage or death. At present, there is no definitive study to prove either theory.

It was previously regarded as a useful remedy for liver and gallbladder problems.

Wormwood oil is still used as a flavoring agent for foods, although in very much smaller quantities than were found in the original absinthe.

The plant’s typical scent can help make it helpful with regard to making a plant spray to combat unwanted insects. In the technique of companion plants, it puts an inhibiting influence on the growth of surrounding plants, therefore inhibiting weeds. It can always be helpful to reject insect larvae although it need only to be located on the border of the area of planting. It has also ended up being employed to repel indoor pests.

Cultivation In The Herb Garden
Propagate through summer season cuttings or from seed sown as soon as it’s ripe, and protect through

the winter season. Both dappled shade or full-blown sunshine are well suited for wormwood, but bushes do appreciate a little shelter from robust winds.

It may be grown within containers and where winter weather icy temperatures pose problems, taken into shelter during a severe spell.

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Sweet Red Rose Of The Apothecary

May 24th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Rosa gallica officinalis (Rosaceae)

Appearance
Rosa gallica officinalis is the apothecary’s rose, identified somewhat ambiguously in England as the damask rose because it was introduced to Europe by the crusaders from Damascus. Within America it’s known as the French rose, or rose of Provins

The plant is a bush generally 60 to 120 cms (2-4 ft) in height, typically thick and wide, frequently used on trellises and a great plant for a casual border around the herb garden. The leaves are a strong darkish green, made up of five leaflets, and the stiff bristly stems are virtually without thorns. The petals are bright red with a golden cluster of anthers at the open centre.

History
Numerous mythological as well as charming associations have followed the rose through the centuries and a belief in its potent capabilities resulted in its cultivation in herb gardens fof its uses in medicine and confections.

The apothecarys rose is sometimes referred to as the queen of aromatic herbs.

Herb Usage
Mainly because the dried out petals hold their fragrance it has been extensively employed in the production of numerous fragrances – particularly in the region of the town of Provins, south of Paris, during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Previously, rose honey, lozenges, rose perfumed snuff and rose scented tapers, rose scented wine, rose vinegar and rose sauces were almost all widely available. Fresh or dried out petals may be spread on salads and desserts or strewn in drinks: the hips can be lightly boiled until tender, strained, and the fluid used like a tisane.

ln perfumery, because the petals preserve so strong an aroma on drying out, they were very helpful for sweet waters and sweet smelling bags and they are the predominant ingredient of pot pourri.

Cultivation
Roses adore the sunlight and require a bit of moisture at the roots. Basic cultivation is actually the exact same for all roses, although the complex pruning regimen connected with modern roses will not have to be adopted for the apothecary’s rose. Just get rid of dead and ageing branches; in the event that too much pruning is undertaken the vitality of the plant will end up being directed into producing growth instead of producing blossoms.

In The United States the rose will flourish in all except the really northerly areas, and likes some winter season cold in order to get its winter break. Numerous gardeners regard its cultivation impractical, and it is definitely not for the southern and western seaboard states.

Choose good garden loam, and prepare the soil well before planting in the autumn (fall) or spring. It is actually a good idea for you to acquire smaller plants since propagation from cuttings can be a somewhat sluggish process. In regions where the winter temperature falls beneath minus l2°C (l0°F) shrubs planted in autumn (fall) should be protected during their initial winter with a shielding mulch (which can easily be taken off the following spring).

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Lavender Herbs for Potpourri

May 22nd, 2010 |

Author: peter

Lavandula species (Labiatae)

Appearance
Little greyish abundant leaves (evergreen in European herb gardens) form a rounded bush 90-180 cms (3-6 ft) high – and sometimes more in spread – which is populated with rigid stems of lilac-blue blossoms . The complete plant is not unlike a large pincushion. In America lavender isn’t regarded as a hardy evergreen because of the low winter temperature ranges; however, if grown inside containers in yards and covered up in the winter months its fragrance can be appreciated in summer.

History
The finest essential oil of lavender can be obtained from L. angustifolia, which botanists fairly recently appear to have included within the generic class L. spica. Gerard named it ‘spike’ which should settle the issue since the classic herbalists avowed that spike lavender was the best one for you to cultivate.

For centuries the effectiveness of its clean crisp and clean fragrance has been used to relieve ‘a light migrain’ or for the falling sickness or maybe giddiness of the brain as outlined by Culpeper. Long before the modern world produced deodorants and bath salts the Romans used lavender in their bath water; the name comes from the Latin lavare – to wash.

Usage
Lavender is among the most widely used plants in the modern herb garden and it is valuable in borders to pathways, internal hedges and on the top of dry walls. It can also be grown in large containers.

Lavender is not really regarded as a culinary herb, but the odd sprig may be added into rich game stews. The blossoms can be crystallized in order to spruce up appearance of sweets as well as confectionery. Its most enduring virtue is its fragrance, and it is a truly wonderful pot pourri component.

Cultivation
Propagate through cuttings of strong new growth in summer or autumn (fall), and once rooted plant most of them out in a nicely drained fairly poor soil. (It may be a good idea to keep a supply of adolescent plants for spot planting later.)

The established herb garden plants tend to take care of themselves and react well to an annual trim in autumn after flowering or otherwise in early spring.

Shrubs tend to straggle as they mature and it’s often important to cut back drastically in autumn (fall) to generate a strong growth the following spring.

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Showy Iris – Herbs For Sore Eyes

May 19th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Iris pseudacorus (Iridaceae)

Herb Garden Plants – Iris.

Appearance
Iris is really a category of some two hundred and fifty-odd species of flowering plants with flamboyant blooms. Although Iris may not be generally seen as a ‘herb garden plant‘ it nevertheless fits both the definition and spirit of beneficial herbs.

It borrows its label from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide selection of blossom hues found among the numerous varieties. As well as being the scientific title,’ iris’ is also very widely used as a common label; for one thing, it refers to all Iris varieties, though a number of plants called thus fit in better with some other closely connected genera.

Throughout North America, the popular name for irises is ‘flags’. The true yellow flag bears compact, elegant, golden yellow flowers in summer, and it is a fairly widespread plant found in waterway borders and marshy terrain in Great Britain. Flowering stems and sword-like leaves reach a height of 60 to 150 cms (2 to 5 ft) and the plants can form extensive colonies. ln America this plant is known as a blue flag, the blossoms being violet azure and variegated with yellow, and the flower stems attaining 60 to 90 cms (2-3 ft) in height.

The particular name pseudacorus acknowledges its resemblance (when not in flower) to the sweet sedge or sweet flag, Acarus calamus. Nevertheless, the leaves as well as the root base of iris are typically odourless whilst sweet sedge is fragrant.

History
Two or three native European irises have been used in remedies, the best known, the yellow flag iris, is British and ended up being the type taken to America by the early settlers.

Universally known as fleur de luce, fleur de lys or fleur-de-lis, it was the heraldic logo associated with the kings of France and legends abound on that score.

Usage

lris has long been grown in America for its roots which are applied in order to treat bumps and also bruises, and as iridin or irisin with regard to its action on the liver and bowels.
The powdered root is an additive to snuff, and if chopped up may offer a cure for toothache.
Culpeper extolled its use, when distilled, as a treatment for weak and tired eyes and asserted that a salve made from the flowers was beneficial for managing ulcers or even syphilitic sores.
The flowers produce a very good yellow dye and the roots, along with the addition of an iron dye mordant, create a black dye.

Cultivation
Yellow flag can only be grown really successfully as a water plant. ln the ornamental herb garden it needs a marsh-like location where it can accompany watercress, water mints and sweet sedge. Settle the rhizomes straight into the borders of a muddy pool and, if needed, tie some rhizomes collectively in a string or wire basket which can be ballasted to avoid the clumps from sailing off.

The irises tend to be such a large family that growing conditions and garden soil needs vary substantially. Numerous types have adapted to regional conditions when transported afar. I remember visiting a long-deserted farmhouse where the only visible flowers were purple irises growing happily in hard dry soil.

For most typical irises though, position your rhizomes just below the surface of the ground with the roots well spread out below so the rhizome is within reach of the heat of the sun’s rays while the roots beneath tend to be in damp (not soggy) soil.

Work your dirt properly to a depth of 25 to 30 cm. In the event that your soil is heavy, incorporate sand so that wetness drains quickly. Irises will develop in the majority of garden soils.

Be certain to firm the earth snugly about every rhizome when planting. Follow the ordinary good gardening procedure of applying water and settling soil on newly set plants.

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Tags: Fleur De Lys, herb garden plants, home herb garden, Iris Pseudacorus, Irisin |

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Calamintha, Bees and Butterflies

May 17th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Calamintha nepetoides (Labiatae)

Appearance
A small, upright, bushy little herb garden plant 30 to 60 cms (1-2 ft) tall, calamintha produces a haze of tiny bluish flowers with long purple bracts from June through to September. Flowers are studded on short spikes between the leaves in mid-summer. This may slowly spread to make a compact patch. Calamints are near cousins to the garden mint, but without the nasty spreading habit. When crushed, the oblong, dark green leaves give off a spearmint-like fragrance and the blossoms can be a magnet for bees and butterflies.

History
Despite the fact that the correct herb is C. ascendens, which is indiginous to Europe and previously the officinal plant and dubbed C. officinalis for some considerable time, the most popular plant found in the majority of herb gardens is actually C. nepetoides. The two types seem to have been used in days gone by without distinction between them.

Usage
The scented leaves are similar to the fragrance associated with thyme but with pennyroyal nuances; calamintha seemed to be primarily employed in days gone by to help relieve wind. The volatile oil, rather minty in taste, enhances a tea made from the dried leaves and which Gerard deemed to take away ‘sorrowfulness which cometh with melancholie, and maketh a man merrie and glad’.

Useful towards the front of the garden border, or in a woodland location among ferns. Also appealing in mixed containers. Eliminate any all-green shoots as soon as they are noticed, since this plants has a tendency to revert.

Culpeper referred to it as having ‘an fierce and quick fragrance’ and called it as mountain mint and recommended its use for a wide variety of complaints ranging from shortness of breath, cramp, liver and spleen problems, mixed with salt to remove worms and also as a contraceptive.

This plant should be placed where its delightfully fragrant foliage can be touched and brushed.

Cultivation
Try this lovely catmint in a warm, sunny spot in the garden, among herbs or Mediterranean-style plants. It is tolerant of hot and dry conditions.

Division of plants in early spring, cuttings in spring or propagation via seed are all ways to start calamintha in the herb garden. Select a dryish alkaline soil for the best results.

Lift and divide congested colonies in spring.

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Beautiful Bergamot Brings Bees

May 13th, 2010 |

Author: peter

Monarda didyma (Labiatae)

Appearance
The flower stalks of this aromatic herb garden plant grow to around 50 to 90 cms (1.5 to 3 ft) and flower for many months from the middle of summer . The whole flower is usually impregnated with an enchanting fragrance even when the top growth has died all the way down and the roots remain gently perfumed with a suggestion of citrus; for this reason it’s gained the name of bergamot, similar to bergamot orange. The flowers are a flamboyant red color and they are carried in crowns with red bracts in between each floret, suggesting an exploding fire flower.

Dependable cultivars can be obtained with pink, mauve and white-colored blooms, all of which maintain the aromatic characteristics that cause them to be valuable in the herb garden. A handsome plant native to South America as well as the eastern parts of North America from New York to West Virginia, bergamot is an inhabitant of swampy stream edges around hilly areas.

History
Bergamot was introduced into Europe in the 16th century and became well known by the mid-18th century, primarily for its fragrance virtues. Bergamot is currently well established as a good looking perennial, which is the offspring of numerous cultivars.The genus Monarda commemorates Nicholas Monardes – a Spanish physician who wrote about the New World flora in the 16th century.

Usage

The aromatic leaves dry out well and keep their scent so they may be incorporated into pot pourri.
A tisane made out of the leaves used to be drunk by the Oswego Indians – consequently the parochial title of Oswego tea. This particular infusion is endorsed as a digestive as well as being useful when you are treating instances of an abnormal or painful monthly period.
The blossoms make a cosmetic addition in fruit cups, but need to be steeped in water first to wash the insects that hide in the little round flowerets.
Valued by beekeepers for their ability to attract bees.

Propogation
The plant is quick to develop and forms bunches with a number of runners. Bergamot loves a moist soil or any decent gardening soil to which moisture retentive material has been added and it likes the sun. It is very adaptable to somewhat of a shaded position provided the roots stay damp. Chalky garden soil does not go down well and it dislikes damp winters since the yearly growth routine is impeded.

A portion drawn from the outer edges of an established bunch in spring will soon establish itself in any herb garden and cuttings could be obtained at the same time.

The clumps should be split up and divided every 3 or 4 years.

moz screenshot Beautiful Bergamot Brings Bees