Thought Eucalyptus was just a delicacy for koala bears?  Think again!  It’s actually a potent medicinal herb with a myriad of benefits. We were overjoyed a few years ago, when we discovered “Silver Drop” Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus gunnii), which is a much more cold hardy version of this Tasmanian native herb. After planting it throughout our farm, here in zone 7, it now thrives in our gardens and towers over us.

Used medicinally to relieve respiratory and chest congestion, ease coughs and soothe burns, Eucalyptus has long been used by Aboriginal tribes for its healing properties. Antiseptic components in the plant’s oil, like cineole- a chemical found in the herb’s oil that gives the plant its camphor-like, pungent aroma adds the active ingredient that makes Eucalyptus an expectorant. Often compared to Vick’s Vapor Rub, Eucalyptus has a strong, piney smell that aids in decongestion when inhaled.

To create your own decongestant, forget about the artificial drugstore remedies like Vick’s, and opt for the grease-less, natural source. Just boil some water, crush a cup of fresh ‘Silver Drop’ Eucalyptus leaves. Remove the water from the stove top, wait for it to stop bubbling, and toss in the leaves. Hover over the hot concoction with a towel over your head to collect the steam and breathe deeply until the water cools. You can then use the cooled Eucalyptus water as a fragrant hair or skin wash, to infuse your body with the plant’s fresh fragrance. I like to add lots of freshly crushed leaves to a satchel and place it in the floor of my shower where the hot water will release the essential oils into the steam. It’s a great way to open up your lungs if you’re asthmatic, clear a stuffy nose if you’re sick, or just relax and treat your body to a fresh fragrance after a long day.

While winter is still flirting with us here in zone 7, many of our friends are already hunkered down throughout the country to weather out winter storms. Though I love the simple beauty of winter, I hate that freezing feeling. You know the one, where you can’t seem to ever get warm. The one that no matter how many layers of socks you put on, you still have toecicles. It’s that down-in-your-bones-cold feeling that no heap of blankets can seem to remedy. If you’re having trouble staying warm from the inside out, then it’s time to brew some delicious hot tea. There’s no quicker cure for this kind of coldness, than a steaming cup of herbal tea to lift your spirits, warm your bones and relax your mind. For an added benefit, try mixing medicinal herbs into your brew to ward off those worrisome winter sniffles.

Here’s a great recipe from our Marketing Director, Caroline, who usually uses her cats as a “mew”-lectric blanket, but when they’re not enough, she turns to a hot cup of herbal tea from her garden.

We’ve had a relatively mild winter here in the Richmond, VA area this year, so when we experienced our first cold day, it was a shock. I got home after a long commute in the cold, and I just couldn’t  leave the January chill at the door. I turned the heat up and donned a sweater but still wasn’t satisfied with the temperature. After a quick survey of the kitchen, I realized that it must be time to grocery shop, because I was out of herbal tea. Instead of chattering any longer, I realized that because of the unseasonably warm winter we’d had until this point, I still had a few hardy herbs left in my gardens outside and some indoor potted herb gardens thriving in my kitchen.

Younger Horehound leaves are covered in a protective fuzz that they shed as they grow bigger.

I gathered a handful of Horehound, an old fashioned medicinal herb, related to mint that acts as a soothing expectorant. Though not approved by the FDA you can find Horehound in many candies, cold remedies and lozenges, and makes a wonderful tea. (As with all medicinal herbs though, you should consult your doctor or herbalist if taking other medications and it shouldn’t be taken in large doses, especially by people with heart conditions or who may be pregnant because it may affect your blood pressure or existing heart conditions.) I think it’s a beautiful plant in the garden, with its fuzzy, textured leaves and was excited to try it in tea. I found it to be slightly on the bitter side, so next time I’m adding more Mint and maybe even some Stevia to sweeten it up!

Chocolate Mint is a beautiful addition to your kitchen garden.

I also picked a few dark sprigs of Chocolate Mint and some large, bright green leaves of Kentucky Colonel Mint for flavor. Mint has always been one of my favorite plants- it’s easy to grow, easy to use, and each variety has its own charm. The smooth, dramatic leaves of the Chocolate Mint and the brilliantly green texture of the Kentucky Colonel Mint look as great in an herb bouquet as they taste in a tea!  These two varieties are a unique twist on the standard Peppermint flavor. Kentucky Colonel has a bold, spicy spearmint taste that works well in summer drinks and salads. Chocolate Mint has a smoother, more subdued flavor, warmer than some of the other varieties, and tastes great in desserts. Both of these culinary herbs are perfect for making tea, as Mint is a great digestive aid and its strong  mentholated aroma allows you to breathe more easily.

Kentucky Colonel Mint is great for more than just Mint Juleps!

Being too impatient to dry my herbs, I washed and chopped them and then packed them into a small tea infused. Just add hot water and let the leaves steep for a bit! You can also dry your herbs in advance for more of a traditional tea.

You can also use cheesecloth to make a small pouch for infusing.

Consider tisanes (herbs for making tea or herbal infusions) when you’re planning your next garden. We all love teas with more floral flavors, like Chamomile and Lavender, but don’t forget that many culinary herbs make a great tea, too. Some other unlikely candidates for a healthy, flavorful tea to warm your bones are Lemon Grass, Rosemary, Basil and Lemon Thyme. Try mixing different variations of your favorite culinary herbs and discover a delicious new way to use your garden! Want to get a start on your herb garden during these cold winter months? Try one of our Potted Herb Garden Kits, like our Time For Tea Gift Set and we’ll give you everything you need, from soil to saucer, to grow your own tea garden.

Summertime in Virginia not only means hot, humid temperatures; it sounds the call to break out the bug spray if you plan to be outside for more than five seconds.Yet, with so many chemicals and air pollutants found in commercial, over the counter brands, why not grow your own insect repellent and protect yourself the natural way? The majority of retail sprays, candles, coils and other creative contraptions to keep you safe from the summer swarms contain harmful toxins, including DEET, which can lead to serious health issues, especially for expecting mothers, children or pets. By planting herbs that are rich in natural sources of citronella and other repellent oils, you can skip the potential side effects and safely protect your family from pests all summer long.

Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus):

This light, lemon-flavored culinary herb commonly found in Asian and Indian cuisine is at the top of our list for its versatile usage and potent repellent properties. Though annual in most areas, this heat-loving, tropical herb is closely related to the variety of grass (Cymbopogon nardus) that citronella oil is derived from, which is found in most commercial repellents. Although it may not be as potent as its cousin, the citratus variety still contains enough essential oils to ward off backyard buggers. You can either plant this fragrant herb around your pools, water gardens and patios to enjoy skeeter-free evenings this summer,  rub freshly cut stalks directly onto your skin, or steep them in hot water to release the volatile oils and once cooled, used that as a spray.  In addition to its repellent properties, Lemon Grass is also anti fungal, antibacterial, helps detoxify your liver, reduces cellulite and more! Lemon Grass grows quickly, so you can harvest it as often as you like. What you don’t use to keep pests away, you can add to your favorite stir fry or brew into a refreshingly healthy tea.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita):

Not just a common scent around the holidays, Peppermint can also help defend your skin from mosquito attacks, while offering a few other beneficial results. Of all of the various types of Mint, Peppermint has one of the highest concentrations of volatile oils, hence its strong minty flavor and aroma.  Peppermint has long been loved as a medicinal herb for its many uses in treating digestive issues, and has also been proven to enhance your memory! This hardy, low-growing and quick-spreading herb is well known to many as a flavoring or culinary herb used in jellies, desserts, gum and other recipes, but many underestimate its ability to thwart pests. Containing high levels of menthol, Peppermint keeps mosquitoes, lice, ants, fleas and even rats at bay with its minty scent. As most insects dislike pungent herbs, a good rule of thumb when considering what to plant is, the stronger it smells, the more likely it is to help keep pests away. This vigorous herb is a proven winner. You can surround your home with a minty barrier and enjoy the lovely, crisp perfume each time you brush past these plants. For more controlled growth, you can easily container plant Peppermint and keep it indoors, allowing its natural perfume to freshen your home.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria):

Cat lovers and most pet owners should be very familiar with this herb that felines flip for. When kitties roll in or ingest this easy to grow herb, it induces euphoric behavior ranging from tearing around the house madly, to lounging around and drooling. A cousin to Mint, Catnip is a very low maintenance herb that will grow vigorously. The active oil in Catnip is Nepalactone, the very same volatile oil that drives your cat wild, while protecting you from becoming a snack for mosquitoes. Nepalactone has been researched and proven to be more effective in repelling mosquitoes in lower concentrations than the commercial chemical DEET, which is a key ingredient in most retail repellent products. It also seems to have an effect on cockroaches, and can be steeped in hot water and made into a “tea” for spraying baseboards where they may be hiding. Make sure to dilute the Catnip oil in water, or to rub it on your clothing rather than your skin, as the oil can affect people who have dermal sensitivities and may cause irritation if applied in a concentrated amount.

If you love Italian food, you probably love Oregano as much as we do, but there is a lot of confusion over this spicy herb.  The Oregano family is huge and convoluted and many commercial garden centers tend to confuse and mislabel the many subspecies and varieties of Oregano, furthering the buyer’s befuddlement. Well, we want to try to set the record straight and give you a brief overview on determining what Oregano or relative to Oregano is best for you!

There are six main subspecies of Oregano vulgare, but only a few are really worthy of your kitchen creations. Let’s take a look at the ones we grow:

Italian Oregano

Origanum x majoricum

This hybrid cross of Origanum vulgare and Origanum majorana lends the hardy nature of the vulgare and the sweeter scent of the majorana to create a bold culinary herb. Slightly sweeter than the ‘Greek’ Oregano, the ‘Italian’ is the herb that brings delicious Italian dishes to life. Popularized after World War II when soldiers brought their love of Italian cuisine home with them from overseas, the ‘Italian’ Oregano became the quintessential pizza herb. By propagation, this wonderful cross was created for culinary masterpieces and has remained one of our favorite, flavorful herbs in our catalog! Perennial in Zone 7, ‘Italian’ grows to about 18″ and has purple blooms.

Greek Oregano

Origanum heracleoticum

‘Greek’ Oregano is a bold, spicy Oregano native to the Mediterranean area. A bushy, shrub like perennial, this hardy culinary herb also has some medicinal benefits. Because the Greek variety contains the highest amount of the chemical phenol, carvacrol, an element that lends antibacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory abilities to the plant, tea made from ‘Greek’ Oregano is a powerful digestive aid and can be quite good for treating bloating and indigestion. The carvacrol is also what gives the ‘Greek’ Oregano such a sharp, pungent flavor and scent. ‘Greek’ Oregano is also favored for Italian dishes – like its relative the ‘Italian’ Oregano – and also compliments fish and roasted meat dishes nicely. Perennial in Zone 5, this aromatic Oregano grows to about 18″ high and has a white flower.

Sweet Marjoram

Origanum majoricum

This hardy hybrid Sweet Marjoram is similar to the ‘Italian’ Oregano, but has a much sweeter, balsam fragrance and taste. Easily confused with the ‘Italian’ as well as with both of its parents, Sweet Marjoram (Origanum majorana) and Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare), also known as Oregano, it is no wonder that this family tree is so tangled and confusing! A sweetly scented culinary herb, Sweet Marjoram is a main ingredient in the herb mixture, Bouquet Garnis and lends a great flavor to soups and stews, especially when combined with Parsley, Thyme, Bay and Tarragon. The Greeks associated Sweet Marjoram with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, because of the herb’s sweet taste and smell. Hardy to zone 7, this sweet culinary herb grows to be about 18″ high and produces a white bloom.

Dittany of Crete

Origanum dictamnus

Dittany of Crete is a member of the Oregano family but is more like a distant cousin rather than closely kin. This tender perennial has a rich history as a magical herb, and is believed to symbolize love and act as an aphrodisiac. This belief was so prevalent that lovers would scramble precariously over dangerous cliffs where this wooly, low growing herb thrives, risking life and limb to retrieve their tokens of affection. Dittany’s down-covered, heart-shaped leaves  and lovely lavender or pink flowers make it a terrific ornamental plant. Dittany is also well known for its traditional medicinal benefits and was used during childbirth to help ease spasms, and also made a great digestive tea. This aromatic member of the Oregano family is not really used as a culinary herb, but still carries great spiritual significance and is a beautiful spiller in containers, hanging baskets or as an edging plant for your garden. Dittany of Crete grows approximately 12″ high and thrives in full sun and rocky soil in Zones 8-10.

White Sage is one of our most popular perennial herb plants.  Native to Southwestern United States, the whitish leaves contain oils and resins that become released when rubbed.  Bees love this aromatic herb and its flowers so much, it is sometimes called Bee Sage.

We’ve been thinking about white sage here in the greenhouse for months!  One of our slowest-germinating plants, we started sowing these guys all the way back in November.  We’ve nursed them all winter, and we are proud to say they are finally ready to graduate to your garden!

White Sage is a water-conserving plant and therefore does not require a lot of water.  Water only when dry, and be sure to provide well-drained soil and full sun.  The hardiness and low-maintenance of this plant makes it a great player in stabilizing degraded areas.

White sage is pretty easy to prune.  Remember that it should grow into a bush, and not a trailing plant.  To encourage your plant to grow up, and not out, pruning trailing vines will encourage new, bushier growth.