Good plants for a Medicinal Garden.

 For those who like to garden here is a list of some good herbs to add to or make a special spererate garden for. Besides the Medicinal value of these herbs they also make for a lovely add of some very showy blooms and a wonderful burst of color for any landscape. One suggested shape for a Medicinal Herb Garden that is seperate would be the kidney shape. Thus reinforcing their medicinal theme. So on with the list.

1. Mullein - (Verbascum thapsus): A biennial, with a flower that grows 3 to 6 feet, that has a basal rosette of large, wooly like leaves and a large burst of lemon yellow flowers from June to October. Should be planted 2 feet centered. The flowers may be used to treat coughs, congestion and tuberculosis and have been smoked to soothe pulmonary diseases.
2. Valerian - (Valeriana officinalis):A perenial, it grows 3 to 5 feet tall, has pinnate leaves with clusters of fragrant white, pink or lavender flowers blooming from June through September. Again plant on 2 foot centers. The oil from the roots of Valerian has been used as a sedative and painkiller.
3. Comfrey - (Symphytum officinale): A perenial, again 3 to 5 feet tall, it has large, hairy base leaves and rose, purple, white or yellowish bell shape flowers and blooms from May to frost. Plant 1 and a half foot on centers. The roots have been used to treat inflammation and in healing broken bones.
4. Gentian - (Gentiana lutea): A perennial, grows up to 6 feet tall, that has deep veined foilage and showy yellow flower clusters that bloom in late summer. Plant 2 feet apart at centers. Its roots have been used for antiseptic wound treatment, vermicide and as a digestive aid.
5. Echinacea - (Echinacea augustifolia): A perennial, up to 2 feet tall, has long, narrow leaves and large lavender daisy-shape petals that curve from tall orange cones; it flowers from middle to  late summer. Plant 1 foot apart. Herbalist still use these roots as a anti-infective.
6. Lobella - (Lobelia inflata): An annual, up to 3 feet tall, with blue and white flowers and toothed leaves, blooms in July and August. Plant 1 and half feet apart. The entire plant has been used as a tobbaco substitute, to treat asthma, and as a stimulant.
7. Betony - (Stachys officinalis): A perrenial, flower to 2 and a half feet tall, has a basal rosette of round leaves with spikes of pink, white or purple-reddish blooms from mid to late summer. Plant 1 and half feet apart. Betony leaves have been used as a tonic, emetic, nervine, poultice and as a sedative.
8. Feverview - (Chrysanthemum Parthenium): A perennial, up to 3 feet tall and wide, it has a aromatic, fingered leaves with creamy white button shaped flowers from midsummer through fall. Plant 1 and half feet apart. Feverview flowers have been used as a tonic and a sedative.

 Caution!! all the following although used as Medicinal herbs are also poisonous. Now with that said it is not to say they are not good for adding color and show to your garden.

1. American Hellebore - (Veratrum viride): A perennial, up to 7 feet tall, broad, ribbed leaves and a spike of green-yellow flowers that bloom in midsummer. Plant 2 feet apart to centers. American Hellebore rhisomes have been used as a sedative, emetic and in treating hypertension.
2. Autumn Crocus - (Colchicum autumnale): A perennial bulb, 3 to 4 inches wide and up to 1 foot tall, with strap-shape leaves that wither in summer but are quickly followed in September by rose-purple blooms. Plant a half foot apart at centers. The corms and seeds have been used to treat rheumatism and gout.
3. Foxglove - (Digitalis purpurea): A bienneal that is 3 to 4 feet tall, large, wrinkled leaves with huge spikes of pink, rose, white, ivory, lavender or purple bell shaped flowers, often having speckled throats, and blooming in June and July. Plant 1 and half feet apart form centers. The leaves have been used to treat dropsy and as a heart stimulant.
4. Aconite - (Aconitum Napellus): A perennial, up to 3 feet tall, with rich deep green leaves, that are finely divided and dark blue hood-shaped flowers in large spikes that bloom in July and August. Plant 1 and half feet apart at centers. Aconite rhizomes have been used as a painkiller, sedative, and to treat rheumatism.

But again be aware the all parts of all these plants are poisonous!

All of these Herbs are great for adding showy burst of colors and since they have many different bloom times they will have your garden landscape looking Beautiful throughout the season. So for some lovely blooms, aromas and for many Medicinal uses keep these herbs in mind. May your gardening be happy and fruitful!