Betony is a hardy perennial with clusters of flowers that range in color from pink to purple, attract butterflies and bees, and is found growing in the wild in the UK in open woodlands. It was often planted around churches as it was thought to protect against sorcery and witchcraft. The scientific name is Stachys officinalis. A description of Betony would include that it is a medicinal herb that is constantly visited by bees and butterflies.
It is easy to grow and is native to the UK. It was thought to have magical powers and is thought to be one of the nine herb charms to cure infection from the tenth century Anglo Saxon Lacnunga manuscript. It is a free flowering perennial and very popular with bees, as stated earlier. It is considered hardy; grows from 30-60 cm, can take sun and shade (equal parts) and will grow in any soil, but does best in alkaline. The flower colors range from pink to purple, and the flowering period is July through August. The pretty plant grows, naturally, along hedgerows, fields and open woodlands and isn’t too fussy about soils. In the garden, a rather best aspect would be in dappled shade. Betony can also be grown in a pot. In time, it will produce a gorgeous clump that will reward you with spires of pink or purple flowers each summer.
The traditional medicine of Betony has been used since the ancient Egyptians – mainly used for head issues, such as headaches and tension soothing. The herb had an earthy warming quality that aids in general relaxation, muscle relaxation and generally soothes and augments the entire nervous system, but the bitter qualities benefit digestion with their carminative action. Harvested in the summer, the whole herb can be dried to make an all year-round herbal infusion.
Borage is an easy-to-grow, attractive and self-seeding annual with a sky blue, star-shaped flower which is an excellent nectar source for bees.
The scientific name for this herb is Borago officinalis. This herb is used for cooking and medicine; it attracts bees and sports edible blooms. It has been cultivated for centuries and is valued as an infusion to promote courage and as an herb “to make men merry.” Certainly, it has been added to both wines and beer over the centuries, but one of its folk names is “bee bread” and it gives a good indication of how popular the flowers are with bees and pollinators.
Borage will grow from 60-100 cm and is considered hardy. It can grow in half sun and half shade. The flower, coming on from June to August, is a gorgeous periwinkle blue.
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