“One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” — Michael J. Fox.
“Destroying rainforest for economic gain is like burning a Renaissance painting to cook a meal.” — E.O. Wilson.
“The true test of a character is to face hard conditions with the determination to make them better.” — Hellen Keller.
“In these divine pleasures permitted to me of walks in the June night under moon and stars, I can put my life as a fact before me and stand aloof from its honor and shame.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson.
}“Of course, fresh flowers are the answer to any June gloom you may be feeling. Flowers really do solve all problems.” Mia Moretti.
North America boasts a stunning diversity of native plants across its varied habitats. Our original American herb gardens were native plant communities in North America’s fields, woods, meadows, lakes, and wetlands. Herbs are universally enjoyed and utilized, whether we cultivate them or not.
People ask, what is a native herb? The answer to that question tends to be as variable as individuals’ use of the term. It all depends on who you are talking with and their experiences and perceptions of native and naturalized plant communities.
Native herbs are more than plants; they are cultural treasures. They are deeply intertwined with human traditions, holding historical, medicinal, and spiritual significance. By honoring the vast and rich tapestry of cultural perspectives on plants, we can sustain biodiversity and enrich our understanding of the natural world and our place within it. Native herbs offer a rich melting pot of uses, cultural significance, and vital ecological benefits.
Native plants are green social security; they clean the air, filter water, moderate the climate, and feed people and wildlife. The Herb Society of America defines native herbs as “chiefly seed-bearing plants—annuals, biennials, and perennials, aromatic or useful shrubs, vines, and trees that grew naturally in this country without the interference, accidental or intentional of man before European settlement. Spices, traditionally defined as aromatic parts derived from a plant’s bark or seeds, are also included depending on their history and uses. Crop vegetables and hardwood trees used for lumber are excluded from this definition.
You need to understand your gardening region, its native species, and its seasonal timetable which is a crucial factor in successfully growing native plants. You should also know your hardiness zones, frost dates, and soil conditions. But above all, it’s understanding the specific needs of the plant you’re cultivating and ensuring those needs are met that will lead to success.
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is an herbaceous, low-growing, deciduous woodland perennial. Its large, green, heart-shaped leaves are generated from rhizomes growing in tidy, spreading colonies—inconspicuous reddish, cup-shaped flowers hang beneath the pretty foliage near the base of the plant. The dull red color and foul scent of wild ginger flowers mimic dead carrion, a strategy used to attract native flies, beetles, and fungus gnats, the plant’s pollinators.
Crested Iris (Iris cristata) is a wild member of the Iridaceae family. The word “iris” is Greek for rainbow, appropriately named because the genus represents a variety of flower colors. The crested iris catches the eye with its golden crest along the plant’s sepals. This unique feature, coupled with its ability to bloom in early spring in shaded areas of rock gardens, and perennial borders, makes it an excellent ground cover choice.
Violets (Viola sororia) are low-growing herbaceous perennials with heart-shaped leaves and captivating dark purple or white flowers marked with purple. Their blooms and leaves sprout directly from underground rhizomes and flowers from April to July. The common blue violet (V. sororia) is a delightful sight, but you can also find white, pink, and yellow wild varieties. Violets thrive in sunny or lightly shaded spots with moist to average soil.
Common Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum) is a North American native plant that grows upright, reaching 1 to 3 feet in height and spreading 1 to 2 feet wide. Its light green aromatic leaves release a refreshing minty scent when crushed. Clusters of small white flowers dotted with purple top the plant’s branching stems from early summer to frost.
Anise hyssop (Agastache Foeniculum) is a fabulous perennial plant with an upright habit, sturdy square stems, and attractive spikes of small, tubular, lavender to purple flowers that bloom from early summer through fall. The fragrant foliage emits a delightful scent reminiscent of anise or licorice. Plants are 2 to 4’ feet tall with a 2 to 3’ foot spread. Easily grown from seed, Anise hyssop favors a sunny or lightly shaded site with well-drained soil.
A true native American herb, wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a tall upright perennial that grows in loose spreading clumps of pleasing aromatic foliage.
Delightfully fragrant, tubular, lavender-pink flowers bloom throughout summer, forming attractive seed heads in fall. This versatile plant is an excellent, long-blooming choice for mass plantings or naturalized settings, contributing waves of soft pastel summer color to layered landscape designs.
This fact sheet is provided as an educational service of the National Garden Bureau (www.ngb.org/native-plants/).
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.” Ephesians 6:24.