July Garden

Drink deep of the rose Feast your sight on the first star Light your thoughts with the silver moon Walk in the scent of honeysuckle Blessed by tobacco plants With bursts of fragrance

Bees hunt buds of marjoram Ants farm blackfly on sturdy stems of loveage Lemon balm sports sky blue flowers Red valerian crumbles Borage bursts into starflowers Edged by snapping dragons

Green apples swell among branches Runner beans shoot skywards Mugwort and St John's Wort stand stunted by harvest Ringed with moondaises Pale lavender creeps

Light fails Moon brightness hidden by willow fronds Insects of the night flutter about their business The garden grows

White moondaisies tower over a soothing collection of herbs.

Gather lavender buds before they flower and dry to preserve. These can then be used in teas, pot pourris or in small bags to scent clothes. Add two lavender stalks to a bottle of white wine vinegar to make a special and distinctive salad dressing.

Mugwort can be stuffed into pillows to help you dream or burnt to assist with difficult breathing. It can also be used like sage for smudging to cleanse people or places. Three or four mugwort leaves, chewed slowly, can help dissipate fatigue, while mugwort vinegar on a compress is useful for bruises or swollen and inflamed joints.

St John's Wort has many healing properties, bruise some fresh leaves and flowers and add to sunflower oil and watch over the weeks to see how it gradually turns a deep red. The oil can then be used in salves and lotions to promote healing.

Virginia skullcap is useful for any disorder of the nervous system. Brew a simple tea when you experience stressful times and want to relax, but still be able to concentrate.

How often do we think about eating flowers?
Nasturtiums are a colourful addition to salads and the seeds can be pickled in sweet spiced vinegar to make "false capers".
Marshmallow flowers can also be eaten or infused in spring water to make a flower remedy that will help people who find it difficult to make friends.

Double chamomile is similar to Roman chamomile and has a pungent, fragrant smell when you crush the leaves. Chamomile vinegar can be used for itchy conditions in sensitive areas. Adding chamomile tea to a child's bath can be an effective way of soothing them, especially if they are over excited.

Potato flowers are beautiful, but poisonous, since the plant belongs to the deadly nightshade family!

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