Perennial

Lavandula species
Family: Labiatae/Lamiaceae

History

Lavender’s name comes from the Latin ‘to wash’, and both the ancient
Romans and Greeks scented their soap and bath water with the herb.

Uses

Medicinal: The essential oil has spasmolytic, antiseptic and carminative properties. Warm lavender tea applied as a compress aids chest congestion, bruises and bites. Flower tea treats anxiety, headaches, flatulence, nausea, dizziness and halitosis. Lavender is safe but should be used in moderation.
Culinary: Flowers flavour jams, vinegar, sweets, cream, and can be crystalized.
Aromatic: Dried flowers add longlasting fragrance to sachets and potpourris. The aroma is an insect-repellent—an ideal herb for the linen press, wardrobe and jumper drawer.
Ornamental: With many species to choose from, there is a variety to suit and enhance any herb garden or herbaceous border. A good hedge plant.
Cosmetic: Lavender stimulates and cleanses the skin. Add to the bath.
Craft: Fresh or dried, it can be used in wreaths, arrangements, sprays and decorations. Lavender vinegar, for the dressing table not the dining table, is made by adding rose petals, lavender flowers and jasmine flowers to distilled vinegar. Stores well in airtight bottles.
Companion planting: Attracts bees and other pollinators to the garden.

Cultivation

Propagate from cuttings of side shoots in summer. After rooting, plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position. Drought and frost resistant.
Harvesting & storage: Harvest while in flower. Dry in shade in bunches, or on screens in an airy place.

Perennial

Rosa canina, Rosa rugosa
Family: Rosaceae

History

Also known as dog rose, wild briar or wild rose, it is often found growing wild in woods and shrubland in Tasmania and parts of Victoria.

In the language of flowers, dog rose symbolises pleasure mixed with pain.

Rose hips have been eaten for thousands of years, and the petals were used to scent water potpourris and food.

The hips were either eaten in times of fruit scarcity or used to make wines, syrups, jams and preserves.

Uses

Medicinal: Rosehips have a high vitamin C content—higher even than citrus fruit. They are also high in calcium, phosphorus and iron, which makes them very useful for dealing with coughs, sore throats and bronchial problems.
A popular European cure for headaches caused by sunburn is rose vinegar. To make it, collect enough rose petals in the morning to fill a jar. Cover with quality distilled vinegar and leave to stand in the sun for three weeks. Strain. To use soak a cloth in the liquid and apply to the forehead. It can also be used as a skin lotion, gargle or eyebath.
To make a concentrated general tonic for convalescents, the aged and children, put a handful of dried rose petals into a litre of boiling water and infuse for 10 minutes. Drink two cupfuls a day.
Culinary: Crushed rose petals are used to flavour cakes, jams, wines and sweetmeats. The fruits are used commercially to make syrups as a nutritional supplement, especially for babies. The syrup is also used to flavour medicines such as cough mixtures.
Garden: The briar rose makes a fine hedge, and in large gardens a few allowed to grow wild make a welcome, safe nesting place for small native birds.

Cultivation

Propagate from seed or cuttings. Adaptable to most well-drained soils in an open, sunny position. Frost-hardy but drought tender. Most wild species flower on the previous year’s growth.
Harvesting & storage: Gather hips after the first frosts when they are bright red and slightly soft to the touch. Cut lengthwise and dry rapidly in a well-ventilated site. Store in a cool place.
Do not keep for more than a year as they lose their vitamin C.