There are many plants which are useful in the garden. The following plants may help in pest
control or may improve the soil nutrient level. Some are good compost activators while
others make excellent liquid fertilisers.
- Borage - Borago officinalis
High potassium levels and other nutrients useful in compost or to make liquid fertiliser.
Blue flowers are edible, good bee forage. Small shrub to 80 cm. Young leaves are also used in salads,
but older larger leaves tend to be hairy.
- Calendula or Pot marigold - Calendula officinalis
Hardy small shrub with bright orange flowers in summer and autumn. Likes full sun.
Petals of flowers used to make dye, potpourri, herbal tea and garnish for salads. Flowers added to
paraffin wax to make a hand and skin cream. Marigolds repel nematodes in the soil.
- Comfrey - Symphytum officinale
Deep rooted perennial which has long, hairy, thick leaves which are rich in protein, minerals and vitamins,
including B12. Used as a tea for stomach ulcers and coughs, and used as a poultice for bruising, sprains,
cuts and burns. Good for compost or liquid fertiliser.
- Coriander - Coriandrum sativum
Seeds are essential for tomato chutney and curries, and they can be added to soups and sauces.
The leaves are used in salads and poultry dishes. Has a reputation of repelling aphids and other sap suckers.
- Elderberry - Sambucus nigra
Elderberry leaves are poisonous but can be used to make insecticides and fungicides.
A compost heap under an elder tree is said to do exceptionally well and the flies are kept away.
Flowers are edible and can be used to make wine.
- Garlic chives - Allium tuberosum
Distinctive mild garlic flavour of leaves. Attractive white flowers, popular garden herb.
Clumps easily separated to spread around the garden as a pest repellent herb.
- German Chamomile - Chamomilla recutita (Syn Matricaria recutita, M. chamomilla)
Use fresh or dried flower heads to make the tea. Good for calming nerves. Height 0.75 m. Bushy, tall stems,
scented white flowers. Used in the household to revive sickly plants and activate decomposition.
Medicinal - sedative, relieves sunburn.
- Sage - Salvia officinalis
Attractive shrub to 50 cm high. Foliage is grey-green and aromatic, flowers are mauve. Popular culinary herb
to aid digestion. Sage tea used medicinally to combat diarrhoea and to cleanse the system. Leaves will repel
insects in linen. An infusion will whiten teeth.
- Santolina - Santolina chamaecyparissus
Also called Cotton Lavender. It grows 30-60 cm, is aromatic and has attractive silver grey foliage.
Popular in moth repelling sachets, or lay a sprig in drawers, under carpets, hang in closets or in between books.
- Yarrow - Achillea millefolium
An ancient herb with vigorous, spreading root system. Leaves grow from underground rhizomes and are feathery and
aromatic. Young leaves can be used in salads. Compost activator.
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