V

Vaccinium Myrtillus 'Bilberry'

Ericaceae: a low, spreading shrub, up to 2ft tall, bilberry is one of the most common plants of the moorlands and mountains, growing among the heather. The green-pink bell-shaped flowers appear from April to June and are followed in July by round blue-black berries covered with a grape-like bloom. The berries, which can be used to make jam, they are also an important part of the diet of grouse and other moorland birds. Bilberry is known as whortleberry in some part of England. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Iceland south and east to Spain, Macedonia, the Caucasus and Northern Asia.

The fruit can be used raw or cooked, they have a sweet and very tasty flavour, and they make an excellent preserve, their small seeds making them suitable for jam. A slightly acid flavour when eaten raw. The fruit can be dried and used like currants, also an herbal tea can be made from the leaves.

The dried leaves of bilberries are used in the treatment of a variety of complaints. These leaves should be harvested in early autumn, only green leaves being selected, and then dried in gentle heat. The leaves should not be used medicinally for more than 3 weeks at a time. A tea made from the dried leaves is strongly astringent, diuretic, tonic and an antiseptic for the urinary tract. It is also a remedy for diabetes if taken for a prolonged period. Another report says that the leaves can be helpful in pre-diabetic states but that they are not an alternative to conventional treatment. The leaves contain glucoquinones, which reduce the levels of sugar in the blood. A decoction of the leaves or bark is applied locally in the treatment of ulcers and in ulceration of the mouth and throat. A distilled water made from the leaves is an excellent eyewash for soothing inflamed or sore eyes. Whilst the fresh fruit has a slightly laxative effect upon the body, when dried it is astringent and is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhoea. The dried fruit is also antibacterial and a decoction is useful for treating diarrhoea in children. The skin of the fruits contains anthocyanin and is specific in the treatment of hemeralopia (day-blindness).

Sow late winter in a greenhouse in a lime-free potting mix and only just cover the seed. Stored seed might require a period of up to 3 months cold stratification before germination will take place.

SOLD OUT UNTIL THE END OF SUMMER 2015.

Valeriana dioica 'Marsh Valerian'

Currently Unavailable

Valeriana officinalis 'Valerian'

[Ex. Co. Durham]

Valerianaceae: slender upright, usually unbranched perennial to 1.5m. Grows in grassy wayside places, beside rivers and woodland, happy on both dry and damp soils, but growing tallest in damp locations. The flowers are 3-5mm long, funnel-shaped, pale pink, arranged in dense, terminal umbels 4-7cm across, blooming from June-August. The seeds are oblong, with a feathery pappus, and drift on the wind. The leaves are lanceolate, toothed, in opposite pairs. Widespread and locally common. Native to Europe, including Britain but excluding the extreme north and south, temperate Asia to Japan.

Valerian is a well-known and frequently used medicinal herb that has a long and proven history of efficacy. It is noted especially for its effect as a tranquilliser and nervine, particularly for those people suffering from nervous overstrain. Valerian has been shown to encourage sleep, improve sleep quality and reduce blood pressure. It is also used internally in the treatment of painful menstruation, cramps, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome. It should not be prescribed for patients with liver problems. Externally, it is used to treat eczema, ulcers and minor injuries. The root is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, and hypnotic, powerfully nervine, sedative and stimulant. The active ingredients are called valepotriates, research has confirmed that these have a calming effect on agitated people, but are also a stimulant in cases of fatigue. The roots of 2 year old plants are harvested in the autumn once the leaves have died down and are used fresh or dried. The fresh root is about 3 times as effective as roots dried at 40° (the report does not specify if this is centigrade or Fahrenheit), whilst temperatures above 82° destroy the active principle in the root. 

Sow seeds spring in a cold frame, only just cover the seed because it requires light for germination. A Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant out into their permanent positions in the summer if sufficient growth has been made.

Harvested: September 2014 [this is the second form that I found this year, shorter plants to about 3-4ft, very full busy flower heads, and red stems!.]

Approx. 200+ seeds £1.50

Valeriana officinalis

Valerianella locusta 'Cornsalad'

Currently Unavailable

Verbascum blattaria 'Moth Mullein' [Rare native]

Currently Unavailable Until 2016

Verbascum nigrum 'Dark Mullein'
[Ex. Norfolk]

Scrophulariaceae: upright, ridge-stemmed biennial to 1m. The stems are purplish and usually unbranched. Grows on roadsides verges and disturbed ground, on calcareous and sandy soils. The yellow flowers have the stamens coated in purple hairs; in elongated spikes from June-August. Locally common in South Eastern England only. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia south and east to Spain, Siberia, Macedonia, Caucasus.

The flowers and leaves have anodyne, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, pectoral and vulnerary properties. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, and asthma and throat irritations. An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils. The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position. Dislikes shade and wet soils. Sow seeds in late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability.

Harvested: 2014

Currently Unavailable

Verbascum pulverulentum

'Hoary Mullein'

[Rare native]

Currently Unavailable Until 2016

Verbascum thapsus 'Great mullein'
[Ex. Suffolk]

Scrophulariaceae: robust, upright biennial to 2m. The plant is covered in a thick coating of white, woolly hair. Grows in dry, grassy places, on roadside verges and on waste ground. Yellow flowers in tall dense spikes, sometimes with side branches, blooming from June-August. The leaves are ovate, woolly, forming a basal rosette in the first year from which tall, leafy stalks arise in the second. Widespread and locally common in Britain. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to Spain, temperate Asia to China.

An aromatic, slightly bitter tea can be made by infusing the dried leaves in boiling water for 5 - 10 minutes. A sweeter tea can be made by infusing the fresh or dried flowers.

Great mullein is a commonly used domestic herbal remedy, valued for its efficacy in the treatment of pectoral complaints. It acts by reducing the formation of mucus and stimulating the coughing up of phlegm, and is a specific treatment for tracheitis and bronchitis. The leaves and the flowers have anodyne, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant and vulnerary properties. An infusion is taken internally in the treatment of a wide range of chest complaints and also to treat diarrhoea.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most well-drained soils, including dry ones, and prefers a sunny position. Dislikes shade and wet soils. Sow seeds in late spring to early summer in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 - 3 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in late summer. The seed has a long viability.

Harvested: 2014

Seeds Available!

Verbena officinalis 'Vervain'
[Ex. Oxfordshire]

Available!

Veronica beccabunga 'Brooklime'

Currently Unavailable

Veronica officinalis 'Heath Spedwpeed'

Currently Unavailable

Viola odorata 'Sweet violet'
[Ex. Yorkshire]

Violaceae: a fragrant perennial herb to 15cm. found growing in hedgerows and woods, mostly on calcareous soils. The flowers come in violet or white, blooming from February-May. The leaves are large and heart-shaped. Widespread and locally common in England and Wales. Europe, from Norway south and east to North Africa, Western Asia and Syria.

The young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves are usually available all through the winter. The leaves have a very mild flavour, though they soon become quite tough as they grow older. They make a very good salad, their mild flavour enabling them to be used in bulk whilst other stronger-tasting leaves can then be added to give more flavour. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. Also used as a flavouring in puddings. A tea can be made from the leaves. The flowers can be used raw to decorate salads and desserts. A sweet mild flavour with a delicate perfume, the flowers are an especially welcome decoration for the salad bowl since they are available in late winter. The flowers are also used fresh to flavour and colour confectionery. A soothing tea can be made from the leaves and flowers. A leaf extract is used to flavour sweets, baked goods and ice cream.

Sweet violet has a long and proven history of folk use, especially in the treatment of cancer and whooping cough. It also contains salicylic acid, which is used to make aspirin. It is therefore effective in the treatment of headaches, migraine and insomnia. The whole plant has anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, and laxative properties.

Succeeds in most soils but prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Seed is best sown in the autumn in a cold frame. The seed requires a period of cold stratification and the germination of stored seed can be erratic. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.

Harvested: 2014.


Approx. 100+ seeds

Viola riviniana
'Common Dog-violet'
[Ex. Co. Durham]

Violaceae: a pretty perennial herb of woodland rides and grassland. The flowers are 15-25mm across, bluish violet with a blunt, pale spur that is notched at the top, pointed sepals. Blooming from March-May. The leaves are long-stalked, heart-shaped and mainly hairless. Widespread and locally common throughout. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and east to Spain, Italy and Greece.

The young leaves and flower buds eaten raw or cooked. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. The uncooked leaves, flowers and buds can be used make an herbal tea.

Prefers a cool moist well-drained humus-rich soil in partial or dappled shade and protection from scorching winds. Sow stored seed in early spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.

Harvested: 2014

Approx. 100 seeds £1.25

Currently Unavailable

Viola riviniana

Viola tricolor 'Heartsease'
[Ex. Co. Durham]

Violaceae: annual/perennial growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). A small plant of creeping and ramping habit, reaching at most 15 cm in height, with flowers about 1.5 cm in diameter. It grows in short grassland on farms and wasteland, chiefly on acid or neutral soils. It is usually found in partial shade. It flowers from April to September (in the northern hemisphere). The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white. They are hermaphrodite and self-fertile, pollinated by bees. Native to Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia south and east to Corsica, Western Asia, Siberia and Caucasus.

The young leaves and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked, if added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra. A tea can be made from the leaves. The small attractive flowers are added to salads or used as a garnish.

Heartsease has a long history of herbal use and was at one time in high repute as a treatment for epilepsy, asthma, skin diseases and a wide range of other complaints. In modern herbalism it is seen as a purifying herb and is taken internally in the treatment of skin complaints such as eczema. The herb has anodyne, antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, cardiac, demulcent, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative and vulnerary properties. Being expectorant, it is used in the treatment of various chest complaints such as bronchitis and whooping cough, whilst its diuretic action makes it useful for treating rheumatism, cystitis and difficulty in passing urine. It is also used as an ointment for treating eczema and other skin complaints and is also useful in cases of rheumatism, bed-wetting. The plant is harvested from June to August and dried for later use. The root is emetic. A homeopathic remedy is made from the entire plant. It is used in the treatment of cutaneous eruptions.

Yellow, green and blue-green dyes are obtained from the flowers. The leaves can be used in place of litmus in testing for acids and alkalis.

Seeds best sown in the autumn or spring in a cold frame or greenhouse. Easy. 

Harvested 2014.

Approx. 100+ seeds £1.25.

Viola tricolor