Plant Start Info Guide

 


Anise Hyssop - Agastache foeniculum

Medicinal Uses:
External: Traditionally applied as a poultice to treat burns and wounds
Internal: Historically used to relieve coughs, colds, and digestive discomfort
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves and flowers

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Fertile, well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 4–8)
Native to North America

Pollinator Notes:
• Blooms over a long period, providing steady nectar
• Attracts honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
• Frequently used in pollinator garden designs for beauty and ecological benefit

 

Ashwagandha - Withania somnifera

Medicinal Uses:
Internal: Adaptogenic herb that helps the body adapt to stress, restore balance, and support overall vitality

Parts Used: Roots

Care: Full Sun | Sandy, well-drained soil | Low Water | Tender Perennial (Zones 8–12); grow as annual in cooler zones
Native to India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa

Tradition:
A foundational herb in Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha has been used for centuries to promote resilience, energy, and equilibrium

 

Blue Cornflower / Bachelor's Button - Centaurea cyanus

Medicinal Uses:
External: Traditionally used as an eyewash to soothe eye irritation and reduce inflammation.
Internal: Historically consumed to aid digestion, stimulate appetite, and support liver and gallbladder function.
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Dried flowers.

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, fertile soil | Moderate Water | Annual

Tradition:
Blue Cornflower has been valued since ancient times for its vibrant blue petals and medicinal properties, often used in herbal remedies and as a natural dye.

Borage - Borago officinalis

Medicinal Uses:
External: Traditionally applied to the skin to reduce inflammation and soothe irritations
Internal: Historically consumed to support adrenal function, promote lactation, and alleviate respiratory conditions

Parts Used: Leaves and flowers

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Annual (self-seeding)

Tradition:
Long cherished as a pollinator plant, borage is a favorite among bees and is often grown to support healthy hives and vibrant gardens

 

Burdock - Arctium lappa

Medicinal Uses:
Internal: Historically used to support digestion, promote detoxification, and as a diuretic to aid in removing excess fluids
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Roots

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Deep, well-drained, loamy soil | Regular Water | Biennial (USDA Zones 3–10)

Tradition:
Burdock root has been consumed as a vegetable in various cultures and is known for its use in traditional herbal remedies aimed at purifying the blood and supporting overall health

 

Caraway - Carum carvi

Medicinal Uses:
External: Use in compresses to relieve muscle spasms, apply as oil to soothe skin conditions.
Internal: Aid digestion, alleviate bloating and gas, and stimulate appetite; also used to support respiratory health by acting as an expectorant.
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Seeds.

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, fertile soil | Moderate Water | Biennial (Zones 3–7)

Tradition:
Caraway seeds have been used for centuries in culinary practices to flavor breads, cheeses, and meats, and have a longstanding reputation in herbal medicine for their carminative (gas-relieving) properties.

 

Calendula - Calendula officinalis

Medicinal Uses:
External: Minor cuts, burns, inflammation, fungal issues, eczema, rashes
Internal: Digestive lining support, antioxidant, antimicrobial, liver & lymph support

Parts Used: Entire flower head

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Annual (self-seeding) Zone  2-11

Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects like hoverflies. Can deter asparagus beetle, tomato hornworm

 

Chamomile - Matricaria recutita

Medicinal Uses:
External: Soothe skin irritations and reduce inflammation
Internal: Aid digestion, alleviate anxiety, and promote restful sleep

Also attracts beneficial insects, supporting garden health

 

Parts Used: Flowers

 

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil | Moderate Water | Annual (self-seeding)

Tradition:
Cherished for centuries in herbal medicine, chamomile is renowned for its calming properties and is commonly consumed as a soothing tea

 

Catnip - Nepeta cataria

Medicinal Uses:
External: Alleviate headaches and reduce swelling
Internal: Ease digestive discomfort, reduce anxiety, relieve headaches, and promote restful sleep

Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 3–9)

Tradition:
Known for its stimulating effect on cats, catnip has also been valued in traditional herbal practices for its calming properties in humans (and if ingested, it will calm the cat too!)

 

Comfrey/Knitbone - Symphytum officinale

Medicinal Uses:
External: Support wound healing, reduce inflammation, broken bones, pulled ligaments/sprains, varicose veins, burns      *Garden Amendment*
Internal: Used to address digestive issues and respiratory ailments (*Contains PAs)


Also attracts pollinators, supports garden health as a fertilizer plant that speeds growth due to Allantoin

 

Parts Used: Roots and leaves

 

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Moist, fertile, well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 4–9)

 

Tradition:
Known as "knitbone," comfrey has been esteemed for centuries for its purported ability to promote the healing of bones and tissues

 

Echinacea/Purple Coneflower- Echinacea purpurea

Medicinal Uses:
External: Apply to wounds and skin infections, acne, boils, anscesses
Internal: Supports immune function, colds and respiratory infections, mouth infections, venomous bites, fever
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, enhancing garden health

Parts Used: Roots, leaves, and flowers

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (Zones 3–9)
Native to eastern North America

Tradition:
Valued by Native American tribes for its medicinal properties, Echinacea has been a staple in herbal remedies for centuries

 

Elecampane - Inula helenium

Medicinal Uses:
External: Soothe skin irritations and support wound healing.
Internal: Expectorant, clears mucus and alleviate coughs; also utilized to aid digestion.
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Roots.

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained, loamy soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 3–8)

Tradition:
Elecampane has been valued since ancient times for its aromatic root, which has been used in herbal remedies and culinary preparations.

 

Flax - Linum usitatissimum

Medicinal Uses:
Internal: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber; traditionally used to improve digestive health, alleviate constipation, and support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure; may help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation.
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Seeds.

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, fertile soil | Moderate Water | Annual
Native to the Middle East; cultivated worldwide.

Tradition:
Flax seeds have been consumed for thousands of years, valued for their nutritional benefits and as a natural remedy for various ailments.

 

Garden Sage - Salvia officinalis

Medicinal Uses:
External: Gargle to soothe sore throats, apply to minor wounds, and inhale as a steam for respiratory support
Internal: Aid digestion, alleviate menopausal symptoms, and support cognitive function
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil | Low to Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 4–8)

Tradition:
Revered since ancient times, Garden Sage has been valued for its culinary and medicinal properties, often associated with wisdom and longevity 

 

Holy Basil / Tulsi - Ocimum tenuiflorum

Medicinal Uses:
External: Reduce skin irritations and promote wound healing, fungal infections, pain
Internal: Has adaptogenic qualities—stress, anxiety, high blood pressure, viral infections, depression, cold/flu, high blood sugar, pain
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops

Care: Full Sun | Light, well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial in tropical climates; grown as annual in cooler regions

Tradition:
Revered in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, Holy Basil is considered a sacred plant in Hindu culture and is used to promote longevity and spiritual well-being

 

Helichrysum/Immortelle - Helichrysum italicum

Medicinal Uses:
External: Wounds, burns, and skin inflammations for its purported healing properties.
Internal: Digestive discomfort, liver ailments, and respiratory issues.

Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and flowers)

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil | Low Water | Perennial (Zones 7–10)

Tradition:
Known as "Immortelle" for its long-lasting, vibrant yellow flowers, this plant has been esteemed in Mediterranean cultures for centuries.

 

Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

Medicinal Uses:
External: Soothe skin irritations and cold sores.
Internal: Reduce stress & anxiety, promote sleep, digestive aid, viral infections, cold & flu, fever
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops.

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Moist, well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 4–9)

Tradition:
Cherished for its calming properties, lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages to uplift spirits and ease discomfort.

 

Marshmallow - Althaea officinalis

Medicinal Uses:
External: Traditionally applied to soothe skin irritations and minor wounds
Internal: Moistening herb used to alleviate dry coughs, sore throats, and digestive discomfort .
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Roots, leaves, and flowers

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Moist, fertile, well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 3–9)

Tradition:
Marshmallow has been valued for centuries for its mucilaginous properties, inspiring the creation of the confectionery treat that bears its name

 

Mullein - Verbascum thapsus

Medicinal Uses:
Internal: relaxes lungs, soothes sore lungs, calms asthma, alleviates dry coughs, strengthens bladder muscles, tightens tissues of hemorrhoids
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves and flowers

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil | Low Water | Biennial (USDA Zones 3–9)

Tradition:
Mullein has long been revered in traditional medicine for its gentle yet effective support of respiratory health and its towering, torch-like flower stalks. Smoking the dried leaf is a very effective way to deliver the benefits directly into the lungs (great for smoke damaged lungs too)

Caution:
Mullein leaves have fine, fuzzy hairs that can be irritating to the skin and throat—always strain teas well, and avoid using the leaves as “natural toilet paper.”

 

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris

Medicinal Uses:
External: Alleviate joint pain and muscle aches, insect repellant
Internal: Support digestive health and regulate menstrual cycles, internal muscle cramping, anxiety, activating the dreams

xAlso attracts beneficial insects, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 3–9)

Tradition:
Known as the "mother of herbs," mugwort has been used in various cultures for its medicinal properties and in culinary practices.

 

Safflower - Carthamus tinctorius

Medicinal Uses:
Internal: Support heart health by reducing cholesterol levels and improving blood circulation; may aid in regulating blood sugar levels; alleviate menstrual discomfort, fever.
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Flowers and seeds.

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, fertile soil | Moderate Water | Annual
Native to Asia and Africa; cultivated worldwide.

Tradition:
Safflower has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, including Chinese and Ayurvedic practices, for its purported benefits on circulation and pain   relief

 

Self Heal / Heal All - Prunella vulgaris

Medicinal Uses:
External: Wound healing, sore throat relief, anti-inflammatory applications, drawing herb (abscess, boils, stings)
Internal: Digestive support, liver health, immune enhancement, cardiovascular support, ulcers, sore throat, seasonal allergies, inflammation

Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, flowers)       

Known to attract bees and butterflies.

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Perennial | Zones 4-9
Native to Virginia and much of the Eastern U.S.

 

Skullcap - Scutellaria lateriflora

Medicinal Uses:
Internal: Anxiety, nervous tension, panic attacks, twitching, tension headaches,  insomnia- helps quiet the mind and break the cycle of overthinking to support restful sleep
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and flowering tops)

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Moist, well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 4–8)
Native to North America

Tradition: Named for its helmet-shaped flowers—and because it “puts a cap” on racing, cyclical thoughts—skullcap has long been cherished for its calming effects on the nervous system

 

Spilanthes / Toothache Plant - Acmella oleracea

Medicinal Uses:
External: Traditionally used to alleviate toothache pain and oral discomfort due to its numbing effect
Internal: Historically consumed to support digestion and stimulate appetite
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves and flowers

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, fertile soil | Regular Water | Annual

Tradition:
Known for its distinctive "buzz button" flowers, the Toothache Plant has been used in traditional medicine for its anesthetic properties and in culinary dishes for its unique flavor

 

St. John's Wort - Hypericum perforatum

Medicinal Uses:
External: Wounds, burns, skin irritation, nerve damage
Internal: Depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances; ease nerve discomfort and support menopausal symptom relief, helps digestive issues due to stress
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Flowers and leaves

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Moist but well-drained soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 5–9)

Tradition:
Named for its tendency to bloom around St. John’s Day in late June, St. John’s Wort has a long history in traditional European medicine for supporting mood, rest, and resilience

 

Stinging Nettle - Urtica dioica

***Listed as an invasive species in Virginia – plant and manage responsibly***

Medicinal Uses:
External: Soothes joint pain, reduce inflammation, arthritis (by intentionally “stinging” the area)
Internal: Highly nutritious; weak hair/teeth/bones, seasonal allergies, UTI, asthma
Also supports pollinators and beneficial insects, and is a host plant for several butterfly species

Parts Used: Leaves, stems, roots, and seeds 

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Moist, fertile, well-drained soil | Moderate to High Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 3–10)
Native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa; naturalized and invasive in parts of North America

Caution: Fresh nettle leaves are covered in fine hairs that can sting—use gloves when handling, and always cook, dry, or blend well before consumption

 

White Sage- Salvia apiana

Parts Used: Leaves and stems

Care:
Full Sun | Well-drained, dry soil | Low Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 8–11)
Native to Southern California and Baja California

Tradition:
Widely used by Native American tribes in purification and ceremonial practices.

 

White Horehound - Marrubium vulgare

Medicinal Uses:
External: Traditionally applied to minor wounds and skin irritations
Internal: Historically used to relieve coughs, support respiratory health, and aid digestion
Also attracts pollinators, supporting garden health

Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil | Low Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 3–10)

Tradition:
Known for its distinctive bitter taste, White Horehound has been used in traditional remedies for centuries, particularly in lozenges and syrups to soothe coughs and colds

 

Wild Lettuce - Lactuca virosa

Medicinal Uses:
External: Alleviate localized pain and reduce inflammation
Internal: Historically used as a sedative, pain reliever, and to address digestive discomfort

Parts Used: Leaves and stems

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained Soil | Moderate Water | Biennial (USDA Zones 5–9)

Tradition:
Known as "Opium Lettuce," it has been valued for its sedative and analgesic properties

 

Wood Betony - Stachys officinalis

Medicinal Uses:
External: Bruises, Wound wash, soothe burns
Internal: Headaches, digestive stimulant, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia, muscle tenstion, nervous tension, cramps
Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health.

Parts Used: Aerial parts (leaves and flowering tops).

Care: Full Sun to Partial Shade | Well-drained, loamy to clayey soil | Moderate Water | Perennial (USDA Zones 4–8)

Tradition:
Revered since ancient times, Wood Betony was believed to possess protective qualities and was commonly used in herbal remedies to address a variety of ailments.

 

Yarrow - Achillea millefolium

Medicinal Uses:
External: Staunches bleeding, wound healing, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and offers antimicrobial properties—especially effective against Gram-positive bacteria,
Internal: Fever, infection, regulate over or under menses, digestive support (like Beano)
**Also attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, supporting garden health**

Parts Used: Leaves and flowering tops

Care: Full Sun | Well-drained soil | Low to Moderate Water | Perennial (Zones 3–9)

Tradition:
Used as a wound herb in battles across the ages—from ancient Greece to field treatments as recently as World War II. FUN FACT: the fresh leaves can be shoved in the nostril to stop a nosebleed—VERY fun for children