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Wildzone: Our plant Ancestors.

   Wild Zone Index:
Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature and let their wildflowers be their food & medicine, 
as well as their inspiration
Legends and myths from Ireland alludes to the magical and mysterious nature of plants. 

With a little work over the year you can start to transform a small area in the garden into 
your own native wildflower paradise. With a little imagination and these simple suggestions 
you can re-create a sacred celtic garden, a medieval, Anglo Saxon or a culinary garden,  
all from the wildflowers which will grow from the SEED MAT.

If your garden space is limited, you can cut the mat to fit patio planters or Transplant 
seedlings to fill decorative terracotta pots.

Many of these wildflowers are herbs that can be kept near to the kitchen for easy access.
 if you wish to fill your garden with wild flowers and herbs Remember that nature 
will take her course naturally, and her genius cannot be rushed.

Ar chosta Chorca Dhuibhne
damhsaigh na sioda
I mblath an tsamhraidh......

On the cost of Chorca Dhuibhne (West Kerry)
the fairies dance
amid the flowers in summer meadows.......

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The Irish Celts lived in a world where they were able to cross over into the world of
the Sidhe or fairy people. Why not encourage the fairies to visit your garden by
planting in some of the wildflowers held sacred to the Celts.

Plantain Plantago Lanceolata 
- Interestingly this has acquired the folk name of
English mans' foot as where ever the Anglo Saxons stepped, they dispersed the seed
of the plantain. In Ireland the Celts called it herb of health. Mix an infusion with
lemon juice and honey as a diuretic and to pep up a sluggish urinary system.

Meadowsweet Spirea Filipendula
- Once called the 'bride of the meadows' and held
sacred to the druids : the creamy sweet flowers have been a traditional remedy for
headaches when infused in hot water. The flowers steeped in dew or rainwater were
made into a skin lotion.
The sweet smelling white flowers can be used to add a honey flavour to drinks.

Yarrow Achillea millefolium
- Known as the carpenters herb as the leaves have long
been used to speed up the healing of wounds when applied externally. 

St Johns Wort Hypericum perforatum
- In medieval times it gained the reputation as
being the arnica of the nerves and was given when a sedative action was required.
When infused in oil it may be used as a cooling agent for sunburnt skin.
Sorrell Rumex acetosa- The leaves are an essential ingredient in salads as they have
a cooling action on the system, are diuretic and as lore has it "make men more
agreeable"!

Wild Carrot Dacaus carota- 
This has long been a favourite remedy for disorders of
the urinary and digestive tract. The seeds in particular were esteemed as having
nourishing properties.

Self Heal Prunella Vulgaris- 
As the name suggests this was once considered a most
beneficial herb as it stimulated the bodies own healing processes. Today the flowering
tops are mainly used to ease sore throats

Mullein Verbascum Thaspus- 
This has acquired several interesting folk names
Shepherds herb, ladies slipper, velvet dock, Aaron's rod and herb of St Fiacre. The
latter is the patron saint of gardeners. In times gone by the velvet leaves were worn as
insulation in the shoes and perhaps this is how it gained the reputation of having the
ability to prevent colds

  Go on choose Design By Nature for seeds, plants, advice and design.