Herbs - M

85 days. Anethum graveolens. Annual. Mammoth Dill. The plant produces very flavorful leaves and seeds. It is prized for its large size, abundant seed production, and strong flavor. It is a popular, vigorous dill variety prized for its large size, abundant foliage, and substantial seed production. It has larger yellow flowers than other varieties. Seeds are used as a pickling spice, and leaves are used in omelets, fish dishes, soups, meat, and salads. Also used as a garnish. Leaves can be dried for later use. Great for attracting beneficial insects. Excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, AMES 24591. An heirloom variety from the USA.

90 days. Althaea offinalis. Perennial. Marshmallow. The plant produces velvety, gray-green leaves with beautiful, petaled, pale pink flowers. It is a popular herb variety prized for its roots, which contain mucilage historically used in herbal remedies and in the original marshmallow confection. The roots, leaves, and flowers are demulcent (soothing). Used to treat sore mouths, coughs, skin irritations, and wounds. Also said to aid women during childbirth. Young leaves and flowers are edible and used in salads and teas. Roots are used to make Candy Marshmallows, and leaves and shoots are used in salads. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the USA.

85 days. Tagetes lucida. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Mexican Tarragon. The plant produces good yields of glossy green leaves and orange flowers. Leaves are used in vinegar, sauces, and salads. The flowers are used to garnish desserts and drinks with the same sweet licorice flavor as the leaves. It has a stronger flavor than Russian tarragon. Used by Southwestern chefs. Also known as Mexican Mint, Spanish Tarragon, and Winter Tarragon. It serves as an excellent substitute for French Tarragon in warmer climates, where true tarragon often struggles. Cold Tolerant. Heat Tolerant. Drought Tolerant. High Humidity Tolerant. Easy to grow. Suitable for herb gardens, flower beds, or containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from the USA.

70 days. Petroselinum crispum. Biennial. Open Pollinated. Moss Curled Parsley Seeds. The plant produces high yields of very dark green curled parsley leaves. It is a popular heirloom curly-leaf parsley variety prized for its dense, dark green, tightly curled leaves on compact plants. It has a milder flavor than flat-leaf Italian parsley. It grows so thickly that the plant resembles a bunch of moss. Excellent for drying and use as a garnish. It can be used as an ornamental edging plant. Suitable for spring and fall planting. Cold Tolerant. An excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, NSl 3911. A 1904 heirloom from the USA.

Mother of Thyme

85 days. Leonurus cardiaca. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Motherwort. The plant produces good yields of large Motherwort leaves with tiny pink flowers. It is grown for its medicinal properties, as a garden ornamental, and to support pollinators like bees. Used as a traditional female tonic. Dried leaves can be brewed into tea. A medicinal herb used as an emotional balancer, stress reliever, for menstruation, and for the treatment of infertility. It can also help to treat an overactive thyroid. Also known as Lion's Ear and Lion's Tail. A member of the Mint family. An excellent choice for home gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 4763. An heirloom variety native to Europe and Asia.

85 days. Pycnanthemum pilosum. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Mountain Mint. The plant produces good yields of fragrant Mountain Mint leaves. It may be used just like peppermint. It has a wonderful menthol fragrance for potpourri. Used to make teas for indigestion, fevers, and to regulate the menstrual cycle. White flowers attract bees and butterflies. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from the USA.

60 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Mrs Burn's Lemon Basil. The plant produces good yields of 2 ½” long lemon-flavored basil leaves. It is a popular heirloom basil variety prized for its intense lemon-citrus fragrance and flavor, stronger than typical lemon basil, with larger, bright green leaves, white-to-pinkish flowers, and a robust, productive growth habit. The finest lemon basil around and the most lemony of all lemon basil. Excellent for making vinegar and seafood dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. An heirloom variety from New Mexico, USA.

85 days. Artemisia vulgaris. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Mugwort. The plant produces good yields of beautiful, fragrant leaves. Used to make tea to treat menstrual and menopausal problems. Also used for digestive problems to reduce bloating. Stimulates and improves memory. Good insect repellent. Easy to grow. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from the Mediterranean region.

110 days. Lavandula angustifolia. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Munstead Lavender. The plant produces beautiful English Lavender. It has fragrant gray-green foliage and early-blooming spikes of lavender-blue flowers. The plants bloom in early summer and, if lightly pruned after flowering, may rebloom in late summer. Munstead Lavender is the most fragrant variety. The flowers and leaves are also edible and used in salads and baked goods. The flowers can be used to garnish desserts. Used in bouquets, sachets, and perfumes. Also used to treat headaches, burns, and cuts. Used to repel moths, mosquitoes, and gnats. Cold Tolerant. Perfect for borders, rock gardens, and containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 88147. A 1916 heirloom variety from the USA.

100 days. Silybum marianum. Annual/Biennial. Open Pollinated. Milk Thistle. The plant produces high yields of spiny green leaves, marbled in white, and crowned with brilliant purple flowers. The plant's species name, marianum, refers to the Virgin Mary because the white mottling on the leaf is said to be her tears. Used in salads, smoothies, or steamed. Use young leaves cooked or in spring salads, remove spines first. Flower stalks put out large purple thistle flowers that were eaten like artichokes. Milk thistle is a favorite in the wellness world for its natural healing properties. Silymarin, found in the flowers and seeds, has been used to strengthen and regenerate liver tissue. The Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides (40–90 AD) was the first to describe milk thistle's healing properties. Later, in 1597, John Gerard noted that milk thistle was the best remedy against melancholy diseases. Silymarin, derived from milk thistle, is the most commonly used liver protectant (hepatoprotectant) by patients in gastrointestinal clinics in the USA. In Germany, where the government regulates herbal medicine use, milk thistle has been listed in the Commission E monograph for the treatment of dyspepsia, cirrhosis, and liver damage due to toxins. Milk thistle requires little maintenance and thrives in poor, well-drained soil. Also known as Blessed Milk Thistle and Mary Thistle. Drought Tolerant. Heat Tolerant. An excellent choice for home gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, NA 47041. A variety from the Mediterranean region.

Moringa oleifera. Open Pollinated. Moringa Tree. This tree produces excellent yields of edible slender fruits, commonly known as drumsticks. It is a popular tropical tree in Asia prized for its medicinal properties and nutritional value. It is grown for its young seed pods and leaves, which are used as vegetables and as herbal medicine. In the Philippines and Indonesia, where it is used extensively, it is grown for its leaves, which are eaten as a vegetable. The leaves are the most nutritious part of the plant, being a significant source of Vitamins A, B, C, and K, and high in Beta-Carotene, Manganese, and Protein. The leaves are cooked and used similarly to spinach, and dried and crushed into a powder for soups and sauces. The seeds are eaten like peas or roasted like nuts. It is also used for water purification. The fruits are prepared as a culinary vegetable, often cut into shorter lengths and stewed in curries and soups. The taste is similar to asparagus with a hint of green beans. The bark, sap, roots, leaves, seeds, and flowers are used in traditional medicine. Potential benefits include reducing or eliminating intestinal bleeding, and it is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and blood cholesterol-support, based on traditional use and some research studies.It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions but prefers neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained, sandy soil. In waterlogged soil, roots tend to rot. The Moringa does not tolerate freezing or frost. It can be grown in large containers and brought indoors during cold temperatures. Heat Tolerant. Drought Tolerant. Also known as Drumstick Tree, Horseradish Tree, Ben Oil Tree, Benzolive Tree, and the Miracle Tree. An excellent choice for home gardens, open production, and commercial production. United States Department of Agriculture, MIA 22848. A variety originating from India.