Guide To Perennial Herbs

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Perennial Herbs to make your garden elegant

Perennial Herbs- Paradise Of your home

In the good olden days when ignorance prevailed all over, when superstition was a virtue, and belief in magic was universal, there were literally hundreds of perennial herbs cultivated for fantastic reasons. Thanks to modern science and experts who after exploring many of these ancient fallacies, modified and experimented with them and thus gave us today the modern Pharmacopoeia means Perennial herbs. Perennial herbs mean herbs growing through out the year and year after year.

Perennial Herbs And Your Garden

Perennial herbs Gardens that decorate the home are the owners' pride. Perennial herbs gardens have earned a respectable place in the homes of Americans. Freshly harvested herbs have pungent and aromatic qualities that far exceed those of their commercially obtained counterparts, whether they are fresh or dried.

Even after the outdoor growing season is over, you can still enjoy dried herbs in fragrant potpourris and sachets. You can also grow herbs indoors in pots on sunny windowsills, and use them for culinary purposes fresh, dried, or frozen. They require care and a little space. Very few insects and disease affect these herbs, and they generally require moderate fertility levels. Above all, herbs provide you a continuing and satisfying hobby.

Most Popular Perennial Herbs

Fennel

Fennel is as edible as a vegetable; with a sweet licorice taste. It is used for flavoring foods from candy to fish and even used as a garnish for deviled eggs. The diary of an Ohio Valley settler from the late 1700's mentions fennel as a medicinal herb that might be found in pioneer cabins. Essential Oil of Fennel is included in some pharmacopoeias. It is traditionally used in drugs to treat chills and stomach problems.

Bee Balm, Bergamot (Monarda Didyma)

Many of the herbs cultivated here today were brought from Europe, but bee balm is native to the Americas. This plant is very susceptible to mildew, so it is harvested early and must not be treated with chemicals. Modern herbalists recommend bee balm tea for sore throats, coughs, nausea, and menstrual cramps. The essential oil of bergamot/bee balm has antibacterial and antiseptic applications.

Wild Garlic, Leeks And Chives (Allium)

Representative of a large group of pungent herbs, alliums grow from bulbs each year. Settlers used these early spring herbs for added flavor and health benefits, much like onions and garlic. For herb gardens, alliums are available from all over the world, many with interesting and odd ornamental flowers. A. sativum is renowned for its medical benefits as well as its flavor. More recently, Garlic has been shown to have promising anti-cancer properties.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Native to Kentucky prairies, coneflowers were introduced to settlers by Native Americans as medicinal herbs; echinacea herb derived from Purpule Coneflower has indeed become a familiar word on pharmacy shelves. These big, bold, beautiful flowers have become so popular that plant breeders have developed hybrids with new features, including an expanded color range of whites, pinks, reds, yellows and oranges. Many, such as Fragrant Angel, are scented. Perennial herbs should be given a permanent location in the garden where they can grow undisturbed year after year. Perennial herbs require periodic division to remain healthy and productive.

Urva Ursi: Parts Are Leaves And Berries

Native to Europe, the herb is now naturalized throughout the Northern Hemisphere up to the Arctic. It is popular with some gardeners who cultivate it as a ground cover.

Astringent and diuretic, uva ursi is used almost exclusively in the treatment of urinary disorders by herbalists in North America. It is widely used to disinfect and astringe the urinary tract in cases of acute and chronic cystitis and urethritis. Although one of the best natural urinary antiseptics, it is not suitable in case of kidney infection. Research has confirmed its antibacterial effect, which is thought to be stronger in alkaline urine. Thus, it is likely to be more effective if taken in combination with a vegetable-based diet. Therefore, while taking uva ursi, vitamin C and acid-rich foods as citrus and many other fruits, should be avoided.

The herb is also an anthilic, quickly breaking down kidney and bladder stones, and stopping new ones from forming. It has been recommended for ulceration of the bladder and leucorrhoea and to reduce excessive menstrual flow.

There are over seventy species of Arctostaphylos, with uva ursi being one of the most pronounced medicinally. It is available commercially in forms for infusions, cold macerations, extracts, capsules, and powdered forms. These preparations can also be made at home under professional guidance.

Valerian

Two species of Valerian, Valeriana officinalis and V. dioica, are indigenous to Britain, while a third, V. pyrenaica, is naturalized in some parts. The genus comprises about 150 species, which are widely distributed in temperate parts of the world.

In medicine, the Valeriun root of V. officinalis is intended when Valerian is mentioned. It is supposed to be the Phu (an expression of aversion from its offensive odour) of Dioscorides and Galen, by whom it is extolled as an aromatic and diuretic.

It has a remarkable influence on the cerebro-spinal system, and is used as a sedative to the higher nerve centres in conditions of nervous unrest, St. Vitus's dance, hypochrondriasis, neuralgic pains and the like.

The drug allays pain and promotes sleep. It is of special use and benefits those suffering from nervous overstrain as it possesses no after-effects that are produced by narcotics.

Though in ordinary doses, it exerts an influence quieting and soothing in its nature upon the brain and nervous system. Large doses, repeated too often, have a tendency to produce pain in the head, heaviness and stupor.

Scented Gerinnium

In the world of herbs, scented geraniums have unique place. There are over 230 varieties with aromas. Whatever mood you are in a choose one out of many whether it is apple , coconut, peach, apricot cinnamon, pineapple, nutmeg, or even pink Champagne?

Scented geraniums are considered tender perennials. Today scented geraniums continue to be used in the making of perfumes. Synthetic rose oil is made using rose scented geraniums. The dried leaves are also used in sachets and potpourri. In aromatherapy rose scented geranium is used for facial steams as it is reputed to have anti-aging effects on the skin. It is also said to ease insomnia and have an antidepressant effect.

The best way to choose a variety is to find well-stocked nursery and let your sense of smell lead the way.

Guidelines To Buy Perennial Herbs

Perennials add beauty, permanence, and seasonal rhythm to any landscape, and fortunately, there's a perennial that's right for almost any environment.

Before you move to your local garden store or sit down with your nursery catalog, have a plan in mind to make sure you buy just the right number of plants with the soil, amount of moisture and sunlight the plants will receive. If you are:

Starting your Perennials from Seed

Advantages

Inexpensive -- a packet of perennial seeds often costs less than one single plant.
You'll have the widest possible variety of species and colors to choose from.

Disadvantages

Some perennials take two to three years to reach blooming size.
Some perennials are difficult for anyone but the expert gardener to grow form the seed.

Suggestions

It may not be feasible to try starting your entire perennial garden from seed, but you may want to try adding a few new plants that you've started yourself. You'll find that you take great pride in the plants you've started yourself.

Ordering from Mail Order Nurseries

Advantages

You'll find a much larger selection than that available from your local garden center.

Disadvantages

Plants are usually smaller than those available locally, and may be slower to establish themselves because of the stress of shipping.

Suggestions

Place a small first order from mail order nurseries to test the quality of their plants.
Order early for the best selection.
Don't worry about broken or bruised leaves -- healthy plants recover quickly.
Examine your plants immediately and contact the supplier right away if there is a problem. Most are reputable and will handle your complaints promptly.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Mail order nurseries often offer special collections that are excellent buys, but avoid those that are unbelievable.

Even the catalogues they offer are a great source of inspiration and information.

Buying From Your Local Garden Center

Advantages

You can see what you're getting.

Plants will be larger and will establish themselves more quickly than those ordered by mail.

Disadvantage

The selection won't be as good as what you'll find in a good nursery catalog.

Suggestions

Shop in the spring when you'll find the best selection.
Avoid rootbound plants.
Check plants for insects.

If you can't plant immediately keep the containers in a shaded area and water often.

Whether you grow them, buy them, marinate with them or use them for medicinal purposes perennial herbs are extremely versatile, rejuvenating and self- satisfying.

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