Garden Witch's Herbal (6 page)

For added interest in the garden or in your containers or pots, look for varieties of culinary herbs with different-colored foliage. These will add even more color to the garden as they grow and bloom. Here is a colorful list to choose from. The herb is listed first, then the variety of the name (if applicable), and lastly, the color of the foliage.

Basil ‘Dark Opal':
deep purple leaves and stem

Basil ‘Holly's Painted':
purple-splotched leaves

Basil ‘Purple Ruffles':
dark purple leaves and stem

Bay ‘Golden Bay':
golden leaves

Fennel ‘Bronze':
brownish green leaves and stems

Lemon Balm:
variegated gold-splashed leaves

Marjoram, Golden:
gold-splashed to golden yellow leaves

Mint, Ginger:
gold-splashed leaves

Mint, Orange Bergamot:
purple- to bronze-tinged leaves

Mint, Pineapple:
cream-edged leaves

Sage ‘Iceterina':
yellow variegated leaves

Sage ‘Pupurascens':
purple leaves

Sage ‘Tricolor':
purple, deep pink, and white leaves

Sorrel ‘Red':
red-veined leaves

Thyme, Lemon ‘Argenteus':
silver-edged leaves

Thyme, Lemon ‘Aureus':
gold-edged leaves

Windowsill Culinary Herb Garden

Parsley—the jewel of the herbs,
both in the pot and on the plate.

albert stockli

Herbs that are grown indoors add fresh aroma to your home, and because they are so close at hand, they encourage you to make use of them for seasonings and in food preparation. Basically, indoor-grown herbs require a sunny growing area (five to six hours of sunlight per day), water, and humidity. They will need protection from cold drafts and extreme temperatures. Also, turn your pots occasionally to promote even growth of the plants.

Interested in the magickal associations of these herbs? Please refer to the list beginning on page 39.

Here are a few bewitching culinary herbs that are suited to growing indoors:

Basil (
Ocimum basilicum
):
Great indoor plant. Pinch off the flowers to encourage leaf production. Basil's culinary uses are numerous. Adds a nice flavor to Italian foods, red sauces, and tomatoes.

Bay (
Laurus nobilis
):
Add a leaf to savory dishes, chili, or stews.

Borage (
Borago officinalis
):
Use these pretty and edible blue flowers to garnish food and beverages.

Chives (
Allium schoenoprasum
):
Cut off the flowers for improved leaf production. Chives are a versatile cooking herb. Season potatoes, eggs, salads, stews, etc.

Marjoram (
Origanum majorana
):
May be added to salads, eggs, or cheese dishes, or to meat in the last few moments of cooking.

Oregano (
Origanum
spp.):
Popular in Italian dishes, red sauces, and meat dishes.

Parsley (
Petroselinum crispum
):
Parsley is underappreciated until you start to learn to cook with it when it is fresh. Adds great color and freshness to many dishes.

Rosemary (
Rosmarinus officinalis
):
Great with chicken, pork, or beef. Do not overwater this plant.

Tarragon (
Artemisia dracunculus
):
These thin aromatic leaves have a distinctive flavor. Tarragon is becoming popular once again as a seasoning in cooking, especially in French dishes.

Featured Plants' Magickal Associations

For the advantages which fashion values are plants
which thrive in very confined localities …

ralph waldo emerson

Are you all set to start your own enchanting container or city Witch garden? Here are the featured plants in this chapter, listed by their sun and shade requirements. You will see the common name listed first and then the botanical name in Latin. This makes it easier when you go to the nursery or garden center to identify and choose your plants. So do your
homework
—figure out what your sun and shade patterns are, then choose the best enchanting plants for your balcony, rooftop, deck, or patio. Happy magickal gardening!

Please note:
These flowers, plants, and herbs are not intended to be taken internally or to treat medical issues. Some are toxic. This listing of magickal associations is for spells and charms only.

Shade Plants

Begonia (
Begonia
spp.):
a warning, encourages premonitions

Bugle (
Ajuga reptans
):
health, healing

Columbine (
Aquilegia canadensis
):
courage, love

Ferns:
faerie magick, invisibility

Forget-me-not (
Myosotis sylvatica
):
improves memory, aids in finding lost treasures

Hosta (
Hosta
spp.):
mystery, devotion, health

Impatiens (
Impatiens
spp.):
also known as “Busy Lizzies” and used in spells and charms to bring a speedy outcome

Ivy (
Hedera
spp.):
fidelity, love, protection, grace

Lily of the valley (
Convallaria majalis
):
happiness, protection, faerie magick, wisdom (
note:
mildly toxic)

Mint (
Mentha
spp.):
prosperity, health (
note:
edible culinary herb)

Periwinkle (
Vinca minor
):
protection, utilized in bindings (
note:
toxic)

Rhododendron (
Rhodora
spp.):
welcome, loving homes

Sage (
Salvia officinalis
):
wisdom, protection, helps to make wishes come true

Solomon's seal (
Polygonatum officinale
):
protection, banishing unwanted spirits

Tansy (
Tanacetum vulgare
):
vigor, long life

Violet (
Viola odorata
):
faerie magick, love, protection from enchantment

Part Sun/Shade Plants

Angelica (
Angelica archangelica
):
inspiration, protection

Bacopa (
Bacopa monnieri
):
soothes, brings peace, calms the nerves

Bergamot (
Monarda didyma
):
success, prosperity

Betony (
Stachys
spp.):
also known as lamb's ears; used in protection and children's magick

Black cohosh (
Cimicifuga racemosa
):
A shade-loving herb that imparts courage to its bearer. This herb is a wonderful addition to spells that will encourage love and increase sexual potency.

Catmint (
Nepeta cataria
):
sacred to the goddess Bast; used for cat magick, affection, beauty, playfulness, and cheer

Foxglove, common (
Digitalis purpurea
):
This biennial plant's enchanting blossoms may be used in charms and spells for faerie magick and protection. When foxgloves are grown in the garden, it's like putting out a sign to attract both the elementals and the Fae. (
Note:
toxic)

Foxglove, yellow (
Digitalis lutea
):
A perennial foxglove that is dainty and blooms yellow. Use in spells for protection and to get the attention of the faeries.
(
Note:
toxic
)

Heliotrope (
Heliotropium arborescens
):
This herb has the scent of vanilla and cherries, which explains the folk name often ascribed to this plant of “cherry pie.” Magickal associations to this flowering herb are invisibility and faerie magick.
Garden Witch Tip:
If you have sensitive skin, you may wish to wear gloves while handling this plant, as it can cause contact dermatitis.

Lady's mantle (
Alchemilla vulgaris
):
love, romance, women's mysteries

Lobelia (
Lobelia erinus
), annual blue variety:
protects against gossip, and as a true blue flower it is sacred to Venus/Aphrodite

Mallow (
Malvia
spp.):
love, protection, banishing

Mugwort (
Artemisia vulgaris
):
sacred to the goddess Artemis; moon magick, women's mysteries
(
note:
mildly toxic
)

Nicotiana (
Nicotiana tabacum
):
Use flowering tobacco for moon magick, healing, and cleansing; it is a good herbal substitute for more baneful herbs.
(
Note:
toxic
)

Pansy (
Viola tricolor
):
This popular annual flower comes in a rainbow of colors and color combinations. The folk name for the pansy is “heartsease,” which is appropriate because this flower is worked into love spells, love divinations, and, according to flower folklore, will help to heal a broken heart.

Salvia, Red (
Salvia
):
This popular annual bedding plant may be used for strength and wisdom.

Soapwort (
Saponaria officinalis
):
This lovely flowering herb is perfect for cleansing spells.

Sweet woodruff (
Galium odoratum
):
This shade-loving groundcover encourages protection and safe homes. It is also worn or carried as a protective charm for athletes.

Sun Plants

Bay (
Laurus nobilis
):
protection, health, promotes psychic abilities

Borage (
Borago officinalis
):
courage, psychic abilities

Calendulas (
Calendula officinalis
):
health, sunshine

Chives (
Allium schoenoprasum
):
protection, absorbs negativity

Cockscomb (
Celosia
spp.):
promotes energy, protection, healing

Coreopsis (
Coreopsis lanceolata
):
cheer, sunshine, chases away the blues

Daisy (
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
):
innocence, sweetness

Delphinium, blue (
Delphinium grandiflora
):
love; these blue flowers are sacred to Venus/Aphrodite

Dianthus/Clove pinks (
Dianthus caryophyllus
):
promotes energy, beauty, and health

Dill (
Anethum graveolens
):
protection, prosperity

Fennel (
Funicular vulgare)
:
health, purification

Feverfew (
Tanacetum partheium
):
protection, health, safe travel

French Tarragon (
Artemisia dracunculus
):
The word
dracunculus
is French for “little dragon.” Tarragon fights fatigue. It is suggested that you slip a few leaves in your shoe.