Common Name
and Description

Achyranthes bidentata

Niu Xu, Ox-Knee - A short perennial with some frost hardiness that is widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. Uses include treament of blood ailments, muscle pain and toothaches, among many others. The plant has an upright and rambling habit. The shoots are edible. Grows to 1-2ft. #1356

Allium porrum

Leek - Hardy perennial with multiple edible uses. The leaves and white stem are used raw, often in salads, and have a mild onion-like flavor. The bulb can be eaten raw or cooked and has a reminiscence to garlic. Easy to grow pretty much anywhere, hardy to around 0F. #1310

Althaea officinalis

Marsh Mallow - Highly useful herb, used both for eating as a vegetable, and medicinal. Its main medicinal uses include as an immune system stimulant, for throat and stomach inflammation, and externally for bruises, aches, and pains. The leaves and roots are eaten and sometimes used in salads. Annual. #381

Amelanchier x grandiflora

Juneberry - A small berry having a very sweet flavor reminiscent of apples. Grows on a shrubby tree that is quite beautiful and planted as an ornamental for its profuse flowers. Grows to 10-12ft. Very hardy. #1370

Angelica archangelica

Angelica - A short biennial known for its many edible and medicinal uses. The beautiful, spreading Angelica has a long history of use in herbal medicine, often for digestive and circulatory problems. The leaves are edible and taste a bit like liquorice. The stalks and seeds also have a number of edible uses. Hardy to Zone 4. #1343

Arctostaphylos rainbowensis

Rainbow Manzanita- Rare, shrubby manzanita known only from the hills north of San Diego. Grows to 8-12ft, hardy to 15-20F. Known for its gorgeous red bark, this plant is quite drought hardy. Produces red, berry fruits throughout summer. #344

Artemesia princeps

Yomogi, Japanese Mugwort - A vigorous perrenial growing to about 3-4ft whose leaves are a principal ingredient in parts of Japanese cuisine. Along with their pleasant aroma and color, the leaves have some important uses in traditional medicine. Hardy plant, can be grown in most climates. #1365

Berberis darwinii

Darwin's Barberry - Small dark blue/purple fruited shrub. Prefers temperate or subtropical climates and will survive to 10-15F. The bush become covered by ornamental yellow/orange flowers during spring, followed by the edible berries in summer. To 6ft. #306 more info...

Borago officinalis

Borage - 1-3" tall annual. Ornamental herb produces profuse blooms of blue and purple flowers. Attracts bees. Leaves and flowers are edible, and eaten raw or used in teas. Leaves taste a bit like cucumbers. Can be grown pretty much anywhere. #305 more info...

Calamintha sylvatica

Calamint - A short perennial usually growing to about a foot. Calamint has highly aromatic leaves with a unique scent akin to mint and marjoram. The leaves are used as a flavoring for tea and as a spice. The plant also has some historical medicinal uses. #1338

Calendula officinalis

Pacific Beauty Calendula - Seeds are from the Pacific Beauty mix, with large orange and yellow flowers. Pretty, low-growing annual native to Southern Europe that is instantly recognizable by its bright flowers. In addition to its ornamental beauty, calendula has been used for centuries medicinally---usually topically as a skin ointment, and to treat a wide range of skin disorders. #1413

Callicarpa mollis

Japanese Beautyberry - Medium sized shrub bearing large clusters of bright pink-purple berries. Fruits are edible, though the plant is usually grown for its ornamental appearance as it loses it leaves during winter, leaving the long-lasting and contrasting colored berries hanging alone. Hardy to well below freezing. #382

Capparis spinosa

Caper - Vining, bushy plant, producing the capers of commerce. Subtropical/Mediterranean, can survive to 20F, as well as temperatures well above 100F. Pretty flowers are followed by egg shaped fruit. #302

Carthamus tinctorius

Safflower - An herbaceous annual and one of the world's oldest crops. Safflower plants can grow to several feet and a have bright yellow, orange, and/or red flower blooms that make this a popular ornamental. Dyes are made from the beautiful flowers and the seeds contain a cooking oil similar to sunflower oil. The flowers are also sometimes used as an alternative to saffron. An easy and fun to grow annual. #1335

Carum carvi

Caraway - An aromatic spice used mainly for its seeds, which are a bit like cumin. Caraway is a small biennial that can be grown pretty much anywhere as an annual. The seeds are a popular ingredient in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. #1351

Castanea sativa

Chestnut, Spanish Chestnut - Large, temperate climate tree producing the famous edible chestnut. Trees may grow to 100ft, but can be kept quite small. They will bear well in both cool and subtropical climates. The large, edible nuts have a variety of uses. Two large seeds per pack. #399

Chenopodium ambrosioides

Epazote - A short annual or perennial native to Mexico that is a fragrant spice-herb popular in Mexican cuisine. Epazote is common in certain soups, salads, bean dishes and as a flavoring for meat. The herb has a very aromatic smell and is quite unique, sharing a passing resemblance to coriander. Grows to 1-4', can be grown anywhere as an annual. #1366

Chenopodium berlandieri

Aztec Red Spinach - A hardy, herbaceous garden annual generally used much like spinach (it is not related to common spinach). The leaves turn a fiery red color as they mature and can be eaten raw or cooked much like spinach. The seeds also have uses in the making of baking flours. Very hardy, grows to about 3-4ft, and can be a gorgeous ornamental as well. Similar in appearance to Lamb's Quarters. #1336

Chenopodium capitatum

Strawberry Spinach - A delightful garden annual with both edible fruits and edible leaves. The leaves are eaten raw and used like spinach, being high in vitamins A and C. The small red fruits have a sweetish flavor and are sometimes used in salads. It is a cute little plant, ornamental, growing to 1-2ft. Will grow pretty much anywhere during summer months. #1311

Chenopodium giganteum

Tree Spinach - A hardy annual growing to six feet having delicious edible leaves. The leaves are eaten cooked or raw as spinach. The seeds can also be processed into a wheat-like substance and used in baking. Grows in almost all environments and soil types. #1329

Cichorium intybus

Chicory - A bushy and fairly low-growing perennial having pretty sky-blue colored flowers. Along for its ornamental value, chicory is historically used as a coffee substitute. The plant also has some notable medicinal uses. Very hardy, can be grown pretty much anywhere. #1369

Coriandrum sativum

Coriander, Cilantro - From one plant comes two important culinary spices: coriander (the seeds), and cilantro (the leaves). An annual, it will pretty much grow in any climate type, though it does best in drier, Mediterranean climates. Small, bushy annual, easy and fun to grow in the home garden. #389

Cuminum cyminum

Cumin - Annual herb, grown for its highly aromatic seeds which are used as a spice. It is a small, bushy plant, usually growing no more than a foot high. It is frost tender, but can be grown almost anywhere as an annual during the warm season. The seeds also have a variety of medicinal applications. #392

Cymbopogon flexuosus

East Indian Lemongrass- Tropical grass that can be grown as an annual or perennial. Very similar and closely related to regular lemongrass. Will grow to 6ft in proper conditions. Can be grown anywhere as an annual, but grows well in subtropical or tropical climates as a perennial. Will take short frosts. Stalks are scented and taste like lemon, and used in cooking. #304

Cymbopogon martinii motia

Palmarosa - An important aromatic herb used to scent perfumes, essential oils and to repel insects. Its main component, geraniol, gives the leaves their sweet scent. The oils are also used medicinal to aid in sleep and to to relieve stress and tension. Palmarosa is a clumping perennial to several feet, that is sometimes grown as an annual. #1346

Diospyros virginiana

American Persimmon - Medium fruit, generally apricot-sized, with soft, fruity pulp. The American Persimmon is similar to the more common Asian Persimmons but the fruit tends to be smaller in size. Trees can grow up to 50ft and are hardy to 0F. They adapt well to a wide variety of climates and are useful (along with their edible fruit) as ornamentals and rootstock for other persimmons. Mature trees are single-sexed. #1326

Echinacea purpurea

Echinacea, Purple Coneflower - A showy perennial to 2-3ft, featuring large lavender-colored flowers. Plants make beautiful ornamentals in the garden, and echinacea has a variety of alleged medicinal benefits, most notably a strengthening of the immune system. #1009

Ephedra distachya

Ephedra - Low-lying, arid climate plant with needle-like leaves. Very hardy, to at least 0F. Needs only limited water. Small red fruits are edible, plant contains a variety of chemicals that are used medicinally. #313 more info...

Ephedra equisetina

Ephedra, Mu Zei Ma Huang - Low-lying, arid climate plant with needle-like leaves. This species is extremely hardy, to well below 0F. Needs only limited water. Similar in growth habit to E. distachya, although this species, along with E. sinica and E. equisetina, is the most commonly grown for a variety of alleged medicinal purposes. #1339

Ephedra intermedia

Ephedra, Ma Huang - Low-lying, arid climate plant with needle-like leaves. Very hardy, to at least 0F. Needs only limited water. Similar in growth habit to E. distachya, although this species, along with E. sinica, is the most commonly grown for a variety of alleged medicinal purposes. #1332

Ephedra viridis

Mormon Tea, Green Ephedra - Low-growing needle-leaved ephedra sometimes used to brew a coffee-like beverage. Once used often by Native Americans for a variety of edible and medicinal purposes. Grows well in poor soils and will withstand extremely cold temperatures. #1318

Eruca sativa

Arugula - A low-growing, leafy annual popularized in Europe for its edible leaves. Arugula is extremely easy to grow and fast-maturing, providing a harvest as early as 40 days from seed. Plants grow to 1-2' and are hardy to zone 7/0-10F. The leaves have myriad uses in salads and as a flavoring. #1308

Foeniculum vulgare

Bronze Sweet Fennel - Bronze leaved variety of the popular herb fennel, known for its anise-scented foliage and seeds used in cooking. Plant very fast-growing to 6-8ft. Annual or perennial depending on how cold the winter gets, hardy to the 20's. Very easy to grow, plant is both attractive and highly useful. #317

Foeniculum vulgare

Florence Fennel - While the same species as other types of fennel, Florence Fennel has unique use in Italian cooking. Plants grow smaller than typical fennel and have a sweeter and more aromatic flavor. Fast-growing. Annual or perennial depending on how cold the winter gets, hardy to the 20's. Very easy to grow, plant is both attractive and highly useful. #1358

Fragaria vesca 'Alexandria'

Alpine Strawberry 'Alexandria' - Red colored alpine strawberry with a good, rich flavor. Probably the best of the red varieties. Care is similar to that of the standard strawberry. #312 more info...

Fragaria vesca

Alpine Strawberry 'Reugen' - This is the Reugen variety of the alpine strawberry; a red form with large berries for an alpine. Well flavored, does not produce runners. Alpine strawberries have an excellent flavor, much like a strawberry-wine. Care is similar to that of the standard strawberry. #335 more info...

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo Nut - One of the oldest evolutionary trees on the planet, the ginkgo is now grown worldwide for its beautiful graceful ornamental appearance as well as for its edible nuts. The nuts are often eaten roasted, but they, as well as other parts of the ginkgo tree are used extensively in herbal medicine. Among other things, nuts are used to increase mental cognition, treat asthma, heart problems, digestive problems, and numerous other ailments. Trees are very hardy, and can survive to 0F. Single trees have lived for over 3000 years! #327

Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Licorice, Gan Cao - A shrubby perennial growing to about 3-4ft that is one of the sources of commercial licorice. The main part used of the plant is its roots which have the characteristic anise-like flavor. This Licorice is native to the Himalayan region and is widely used in Chinese herbal medicine. It is a hardy plant, surviving temperatures into the low teens (F). The plant is also a nitrogen-fixer. #1341

Hamamelis virginiana

Witch Hazel - A fairly slow-growing, medium sized deciduous shrub best known for its medicinal value. The bark and bark extract is used as a topical medicine for various skin problems, external inflammation and soreness. The leaves are also used to make a type of tea. Very hardy, can survive to -30F. #1324

Hibiscus syriacus

Rose of Sharon - A gorgeous flowering, hardy hibiscus. The Rose of Sharon is a small bushy tree to 6-10ft bearing profuse white hibiscus blooms throughout the spring. This flower is also the nation flower of Korea. Hardy to as low as 0F. #1305

Hovenia dulcis

Raisin Tree - Deciduous tree bearing tasty raisin-pear flavored fruit, (actually the swollen true fruit receptacle). The tree is extremely hardy, to roughly -15F. Native to the Himalaya's. #379

Humulus lupulus

Hops - Annual vine that grows back each year from roots, producing fragrant flowers--the hops--that are used in the flavoring and production of beer. Vines are very fast growing, roots are hardy well below freezing. Can be grown anywhere during warm months. #324

Hypericum perforatum

St. John's Wort - A low-lying, shrubby perennial or annual often grown for its medicinal qualities. May have some use as an anti-depressant and some sources proclaim its use as a sleep aid. Grows to about 1ft. Hardy to below 0F. #1315

Hyssopus officinalis

Hysop - A low-growing shrub, usually to no more than 1-2ft, noted for its edible leaves and varied medicinal uses. Once considered a cure-all, hysop still has an important place in the herbal medicine cabinet. The leaves have a sage-mint-like flavor. Can be grown anywhere, easy to grow. #1355

Lactuca virosa

Wild Lettuce - A peculiar type of lettuce and the only true "wild" lettuce, this species is best known for its ethnobotanical uses. Wild Lettuce is sometimes known as Opium Lettuce for its historical use as a sedative. The leaves are edible though as with any medicinal, extreme caution or supervision should be used before ingestion. #1740

Lavendula angustifolia

Blue Hidcote Lavender - This beautiful lavender has bright blue-purple flowers that have a much bluer hue than common lavender. The highly aromatic leaves and flowers have the wonderful lavender scent. Flowers may bloom for much of the year. This variety is a dwarf type, rarely exceeding about 1ft. Fairly hardy, can stand freezes. #1325

Levisticum officinalis

Lovage - A hardy medicinal and edible perennial growing to 4-8ft.Very easily grown, the leaves can be eaten and used to flavor soups. The seeds are used in breads, and the roots have a number of medicinal applications. #1307

Linum usitatissimum

Golden Flax - A small flowering annual with pretty sky-blue flowers. The seed of this plant, the golden flax seed, is an important grain crop with numerous nutritional and medicinal uses. The seeds are very high in omega-3 fatty acids and have a nutty flavor when eaten. The plant is hardy to well below 0F (zone 4) and grows easily. #1306