Emerging Herbs

Spring took its own sweet time in arriving this year.  Winter simply did not want to loosen its grip.  Finally, the spring peepers are singing their chorus, red-winged blackbirds have appeared and plants are starting to awaken.

Here is Stinging Nettles, Urtica dioica.  Notice the purple/red runners that nettles sends out to spread from place to place.  Yes, indeed, this plant will sting you!  When it reaches about a foot high, I will harvest the aerial parts.  I use garden gloves, salad tongs and scissors to harvest.  Come back in a few weeks and I will share some delicious recipes for nettles.  It is nutritious and really good.

This is Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca.  Motherwort will grow to 3-4 feet tall.  It is really a great herb for some types of anxiety, especially when someone needs to be "lion-hearted", as the Latin name suggests.  I usually use it in tincture form, as it is quite bitter.  

Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla mollis, is just beginning to unfurl her cloak.  When I lived in England, it seemed EVERY English garden had Lady's mantle.  It is a really pretty mounding plant that will casually spill over a walkway.  The Latin name tells of its one-time use by alchemists.  There is said to be magic in the dew that collects in the folds of the leaves.  I like to dip my finger in the dew and anoint my face with it.  Can't hurt!  And it's rather fun.