Southernwood

Also knoivn as Lad's Love and Old Man. From the family Compositae. This lovely aromatic plant is a native of southern Europe. It has been introduced to many countries and is now naturalized widely in temperate zones. The derivation of the genus name is unclear. One suggestion is that it honors Artemisia, a famous botanist and medical researcher, sister of King Mausolus (353 BC). Another is that it was named after Artemis or Diana, the Goddess of the Hunt and Moon. In the 17th century, Culpeper recommended that the ashes of southernwood be mingled with salad oil as a remedy for baldness.

Species

Artemisia abrotanum

Southernwood

Deciduous or semi-evergreen hardy perennial. Ht and spread lm (40in). Tiny insignificant clusters of dull yellow flowers in summer. The abundant olive green feathery leaves are finely divided and carry a unique scent.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

It rarely flowers and sets seeds, except in warm climates. Cuttings Take softwood cuttings in spring from the lush new growth, or from semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Use the bark, peat, grit mix of compost. Roots well. It can be wintered as a rooted cutting, when it sheds its leaves and is dormant. Keep the cuttings on the dry side, and in early spring slowly start watering. Plant out 60cm (24in) apart after the frosts have finished.

Pests and Diseases

It is free from the majority of pests and disease.

Maintenance

Spring: Cut back to maintain shape. Take cuttings.

Summer: Take cuttings.

Autumn: Trim any flowers off as they develop.

Winter: Protect the roots in hard winters with mulch.

Garden Cultivation

Southernwood prefers a light soil containing well-rotted organic material in a sunny position. However tempted you are by its bedraggled appearance in winter (hence its name, Old Man) NEVER cut hard back as you will kill it. This growth protects its woody stems from cold winds. Cut the bush hard in spring to keep its shape, but only after the frosts have finished.

Harvest

Pick leaves during the growing season for use fresh. Pick leaves for drying in mid-summer.

Culinary

The leaves can be used in salads. They have a strong flavor, so use sparingly. It does also make a good aromatic vinegar.

Medicinal

It can be used for expelling worms and to treat coughs and bronchial catarrh. A compress helps to treat frost bite, cuts and grazes.

Other uses

The French call it Garde Robe; use it as a moth repellent. It is a good fly deterrent, too - hang bunches up in the kitchen, or rub it on the skin to deter mosquitoes.

Arnica

Also known as Mountain Tobacco, Leopards Bane, Mountain Arnica, Wolfs-bane and Mountain Daisy. From the family Composite. It is found wild in the mountainous area of Canada, North America, and in Europe, where it is a protected species. Bees love it. The name 'arnica' is said to be derived from the word 'ptarmikos', Greek for sneezing. One sniff of arnica can make you sneeze. The herb was known by Methusalus and was widely used in the 16th century in German folk medicine. Largely as a result of exaggerated claims in the 18th century by Venetian physicians, it was, for a short time, a popular medicine.

Species

Arnica montana

Arnica

Hardy perennial. Ht 30-60cm (l-2ft), spread 15cm (Gin). Large, single, scented yellow flowers throughout summer. Oval, hairy, light green leaves.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Sow the small seed in spring or late summer in either a pot, plug or seed tray, and cover with Perlite. Place trays in a cold frame as heat will inhibit germination. The seed is slow to germinate, even occasionally as long as two years! Once the seedlings are large enough, pot up and harden off in a cold frame.

You can gel a more reliable germination if you collect the seed yourself and sow no later than early autumn. After polling up, winter the voting plants under protection. They will die back in winter. Plant out in the following spring, when the soil has warmed up, 30cm (1ft) from other plants.

Division

Arnica's root produces creeping rhizomes, which are easy to divide in spring. This is much more reliable than sowing seed.

Pests and Diseases

Caterpillars and slugs sometimes eat the leaves.

Maintenance

Spring: Sow seeds. Divide creeping rhizomes.

Summer: Dead head if necessary. Harvest plant for medicinal use.

Autumn: Collect seeds and either sow immediately or store in an airtight container for sowing in the spring.

Winter: Note the position in the garden because the plains die right back.

Garden Cultivation

Being a mountainous plant it is happiest in a sandy acid soil, rich in humus, and in a sunny position. Arnica is a highly ornamental plant with a long flowering season. Il is ideally suited for large rock gardens, or the front of a border bed.

Harvest

Pick flowers for medicinal use in summer, just before they come into full flower. Pick in lull flower, with stalks, for drying. Collect leaves for drying in summer before flowering. Dig up roots of 2nd/3rd year growth after the plant has fully died back in late autumn/early winter for drying.

Medicinal

Arnica is a famous herbal and homeopathic remedy. A tincture of flowers can be used in the treatment of sprains, wounds and bruises, and also to give relief from rheumatic pain and chilblains, if the skin is not broken. Homeopathic doses are effective against epilepsy and sea sickness, and possibly as a hair growth stimulant. It has also been shown to be effective against salmonella.

Other uses

Leaves and roots smoked as herbal tobacco, hence the name Mountain Tobacco.