Heracleum mantegazzanium, Giant hogweed- Massive biennial herb to 10’, with basal leaves to 5’ and flower heads (Umbellifer) as big as cartwheels. Rich moist soil, sun - light shade. Possibility of an allergic reaction to foliage.

Hypericum perforatum, St. John’s wort- Perennial herb with yellow flowers on 2-3’ stems above low, spreading foliage. Many medicinal uses, especially, at present, calming, anti-depressant, etc.Well-drained to dry soil, sun.

Lactuca virosa, Lettuce opium- Tall, slender (unbranched) biennial, 5-10’. The flowering plant and, especially, the abundant latex used for insomnia, anxiety, etc., but it ain’t opium. Succeeds in any reasonable soil & sun. Self-sows

Lavendula angustifolia, Lavender- Hardy shrub, 2-3’, with grey green leaves and fragrant violet-purple flowers which are used in perfumery & potpourri, also medicinally (nervous tension,etc). Well-drained/dry, neutral soil; sun.

Leonurus cardiaca, American motherwort- Perennial herb, 3’, attractive, if you like unusual leaf shapes and textures. Medicinal herb for the heart and female reproductive system, nervousness. Easily grown, self-sows.

Leonurus sibirica, Chinese motherwort- Biennial to 6’. Chinese medicinal (yi mu cao) used, like American species, for problems of the female reproductive system, also smoked recreationally. Easily grown, harvest to avoid weediness.

Lobelia inflata, Indian tobacco- Nondescript annual herb to about 30", self-sows in moist soil and light shade. Not true tobacco (Nicotiana). Used medicinally for lung problems and in anti-smoking preparations (lobeline ~ nicotine).

Lunaria annua, Money plant- Biennial herb, 2-3’. Attractive purple-red flowers followed by familiar disk shaped seed pods used in dried arrangements. Self-sows in good, moist soil and. part shade.

Macleaya cordata, Plume poppy- Perennial herb, 8’+, with clouds of salmon pink flowers, scalloped leaves. Cultivated as a substitute for bloodroot. Invasive but easily controlled. Prefers rich soil and light shade.

Malva alcaea, Mallow- Bushy perennial herb to 3’, with attractive foliage and pink flowers in summer. Primarily an ornamental, providing color for the midseason perennial border. Easily grown in average garden conditions.self-sows

Marrubium vulgare, Horehound- Perennial herb, 1-2’, with interesting wooly foliage, suggesting (accurately) both a preference for dry, sunny conditions and a beneficial plant for the lungs. Easily grown.

Medeola virginiana, Indian cucumber root- Native woodland perennial,1-2’; attractive, esp. in fruit, when the top tier of whorled lvs. turns vivid red. Roots excellent, like sweeter, crunchier cucumbers, but small.

Nepeta cataria, Catnip- Perennial herb, 2-3’, grey-green foliage and pale purple flowers. Medicinal uses of the herb include lowering fever, colds & flu, insomnia, etc. Easily grown in well-drained soil, sun/part shade. Self-sows

Nicotiana rustica, Native tobacco- Annual herb, 3’, yellow flowers. Native Americans grow this species for ceremonial use, also, being highest in nicotine, used in insecticides (best not inhale?) Veg. garden conditions.

Oenothera glaziovinia, Magic evening primrose- Biennial to about 4’, upright, branching, rather coarse looking. In the evening, the buds open, simultaneously and rapidly (1/2 hour), into 2-3" luminous yellow saucers. Self-sows

Onopordum acanthium, Scotch thistle- Spectacular (repellant?) biennial to 6’, with large, silver, jagged & prickly leaves and purple flowers. Buds & stems edible, and as tasty, as artichoke, but smaller. For sunny, dry location.

Osmorhiza longistylis, Anise root- Native herb of moist woods, 2’ Umbellifer with dissected foliage, attractive and potentially ornamental. The sweet, anise-flavored taproot is edible and has been used medicinally.

Papaver somniferum, Poppy- Showy annual, 2-4’, mix of flower types & colors. Source of edible poppy seeds and medicinal opium. Sow in fall or early spring, resents transplanting. Succeeds under average gdn conditions; self-sows

Patrinia scabiosaefolia, Patrinia- Perennial herb, 4-5’, ornamental with heads of tiny yellow flowers (encourage beneficial insects), dissected foliage. Chinese medicinal herb (bai jiang cao) to ‘clear heat, releave toxicity.’ Easy

Perilla frutescens, Perilla, Shiso- Tender annual, 2-3’. The leaves and seeds are both edible (flavoring, condiment) and Chinese medicines (zi su), for colds & flu, etc. Tolerant, prefers rich, moist, sunny. Self-sows

Platycodon grandiflorum, Balloon flower- Ornamental perennial herb, 2-3’, large blue flowers. Roots are eaten as a tonic vegetable and used medicinally (jie geng) for cough. Easily grown, prefers sun and well-drained soil.

Polygonatum commutatum, Giant Solomon’s seal- Perennial herb to 5’ (arching stems), ornamental. Spring shoots edible, resembling asparagus, flowers, young fruit also edible; root medicinal. Rich moist soil, part shade. Self-sows.

Polygonum tinctoria, Japanese indigo- Nondescript spreading annual, 1-2’. Hard to find dye plant, also a Chinese

medicinal herb. Average garden conditions.

Rumex crispus, Yellow dock- Perennial herb, 2-3’ from 12" rosette. A useful weed: young foliage is excellent spring greens, root medicinal - a ‘blood cleanser,’ for skin ailments due to internal toxicity. Average gdn conditions, self-sows

Silybum marianum, Milk thistle- Annual or biennial herb, 3’+, with attractive marbled (but prickly) foliage and purple flowers. The seed is an important medicinal for preventing or curing liver damage due to toxins.

Solidago odora, Sweet goldenrod- Perennial herb, 3’. A non-invasive goldenrod; the dried herb makes a pleasant, anise-flavored tea. Native plant found in clearings in dry woods.

Stokesia laevis, Stokes’ aster-Perennial herb, 2’, with attractive frilly blue flowers in late summer. This southeastern wildflower is a good, trouble-free subject for the perennial border.

Thermopsis caroliniana, Carolina lupin- Perennial herb, 3-4’, with yellow flowers; another good, low-maintainence native plant for the perennial border.

Tussilaga farfara, Coltsfoot- Perennial herb, 1-2’, with yellow daisy-like flowers in earliest spring, followed by large leaves. Beneficial for lungs, used in herbal smoking mixtures. Forms colonies in moist-wet disturbed soil, sun.

Urtica dioica, Stinging nettle- Perennial herb, 3’. So nutritious it has to defend itself with stings; also fiber, medicinal. Plant it in an out-of-the-way corner (rich, moist soil, light shade). World-class useful plant.

Verbena hastata, Blue vervain- Annual-perennial herb, 3-4’, worth growing for the attractive blue-purple flowers, also a medicinal herb for liver, colds & menstrual problems. Moist-wet soil, sun or part shade.

Withania somniferum, Ashwaganda- Tender perennial herb/subshrub, 3’+. The root is the foremost longevity/ rejuvenative herb in Ayurvedic medicine ("Indian ginseng"). Dry soil. Can be overwintered in pots (keep dry).

Want more? A complete list of 350+ species (seed) is available by mail (please send $1.00), or visit my website: gardens.webjump.com - or come visit the gardens in Celo, NC, one hour NE of Asheville (please call first).