Dan shen
Salvia miltiorrhiza
Dan shen (not to be confused with Dang shen / Codonopsis pilosula) is a beautiful, small, perennial shrub, growing to about 60 cm in height and making a delightful border plant.
Dandelion
Taraxacum
The
flowers make a great wine, you can pickle the buds and the leaves
are good as salad greens, detoxifying the blood.
Daisy English Bellis perennis
The
leaves can be used as salad and the flowers make a great addition to
a therapeutic bath if infused beforehand. Research is underway into
the possibility of anti breast tumour properties.
Datura metel Purple Queen
Another
of the Hindu herbs, this beautiful solanaceae shares many of it's
chemical properties with others in the Datura family, but it is
really one to be treated with much care and research. All parts have
toxic compounds.
20+ seeds - $3.50
Delphinium Delphinium staphysagria.
The seed strikes easily and well and if planted in winter or early spring, the plants will be ready to plant out in the garden as the days warm up.
30+ seeds - $3.50
Dragonfruit Hylocereus undatus
It
tolerates, or rather, seems to prefer, reasonably dry soil and will
comfortably climb trees if they are around so full sun is not a
necessity.
White flesh /30 seeds - $3.50
Red Flesh / 30 seeds - $3.50
Dyer's Chamomile Anthemis tinctoria
A
very old favourite, this plant has been used as a dye plant for
centuries. A short lived perennial, it self seeds well so you will
always have it in the garden. A Cottage garden must.
Chinese Date Ziziphus jujuba
It is a deciduous tree and with its spines, leathery leaves and tiny yellow flowers it is not a visual pleasure in the garden, but then it fruits and
you don't care that it is not an attractive bush any more.
Echinacea purpurea / augustifolia
An
herbaceous perennial, this old favourite is the immune systems'
little helper. While it does have antibiotic and anti-viral
properties, it's ability to support our immune system is it's
greatest gift.
Eggplant (Finger) Solanum melogena
The same seductive glossy deep violet skin that is so impressive in the vegetable garden. The fruit itself is slightly more mild and is best picked when young or just before full maturity.
Elder Sambucus nigra
The
creamy white flowers herald the onset of spring and by summer the
wine coloured berries are everywhere.
It germinates moderately easily but patience is required as the
strike rate is inconsistent.
Eggplant (Turkish) Solanum integrifolium
Unusual,
brilliant orange fruits are great for stuffing. Sweet and fragrant
when freshly cut. The tomato sized fruits are best eaten when
slightly orange with green striping. Once fruits turn red the skins
will be bitter. The vigorous bush bears many fruits.
Epazote
Chenopodium ambrosioides
This
is a very distinctive herb that is mostly used as a spice as it does
give Mexican food that authentic taste. It also helps with 'Baked
Bean Belly"
Evening Primrose Oenothera biennis
Commonly
grown for it's seed oil to reduce the discomfort of PMS, it is also
useful in lowering blood pressure, treating eczema and and arthritis.
Well worth researching further.
30+ seeds - $3.50