2015 CATALOGUEculinary and medicinal herbsnative plants•veggies•greens

ravenhillseeds.caopen pollinated•organically grown•gmo free

Welcome!

Ravenhill Herb Seeds are organically-grown at Fireweed Farm on the beautiful Saanich Peninsula near Victoria, BC.

At our farm we value working in balance with nature and practice ecologically sustainable and organic growing practices. We believe what nourishes the soil, water, plants and ani-mals will in turn nourish us. We believe that by creating quality local and organic products we can help to enrich our economy and work with the community toward a sustainable future.

We are a small-scale business specializing in culinary and medicinal herb seeds and plants. We offer our own artisan herbal tea blends, infused herbal honeys, tinctures, salves and other herbal products under the name Miss Mullein’s Herbals. We also offer educational workshops and programs on herb growing and herbal medicine through Fireweed Herb School.

Visit us! Fireweed Farm is open to the public on weekends from April-July for seed, plant, and herbal product sales. Please see the last page of this catalogue for our address, open hours, and to learn more about our farm.

Thank you for supporting local organic agriculture!

Gratefully,

Jessy Delleman owner Ravenhill Herb Seeds PO Box 169 Saanichton BC V8M 1C3

250-652-2655 ravenhillseeds@gmail.com

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open pollinated • organically grown • gmo free

We are pleased to offer you a fresh supply of high-quality, local, organic seeds for 2015!

Ravenhill Herb Seeds are open-pollinated, untreated, GMO free, and come from healthy organically grown plants grown at our farm. All of our seeds are hand selected and har-vested from only the healthiest, vigorous, disease-free plants that show characteristics true-to-type. All seed varieties have been germination tested to ensure quality for our customers.

We continue to specialize in medicinal and culinary herbs adapted to the West Coast. This year we have added 28 new culinary and medicinal herb seed varieties. 76 varieties of herbs seeds in total. We offer high quality veggie seeds too, and are currently offering 29 varieties.

Many of the medicinal herbs we grow are also native to BC and other parts of Canada. We have added a couple new features to our catalogue. You will now find designations beside our seed listings letting you know which plants are native to Canada. We have also included USDA Zoning for all our perennials. You can order our seeds online at ravenhillseeds.ca or use our mail order form included in the back of this booklet.

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HERB SEEDS50 to 100+ seeds per package depending on variety. Average seed life is three years.

Anise-Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) ‘Licorice Mint’. Native. Perennial. Zone 7-10. Full sun. 4ft tall. Anise-flavoured leaves and purple flower spikes are a favorite for teas and in salads. A wonderful plant for attracting beneficial insects, bees, butterflies and humming birds. Remedy for coughs and fevers.

NEW Arnica, Meadow (Arnica chamissonis)Native. Perennial. Zones 5-8. Prefers moist soil with full sun. Our native Arnica is much easier to grow than the European variety (A.montana), and medicinally the two can be used interchangeably. Used topically for bruises, trauma, and sore muscles.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)Annual, or Perennial in zones 8-11. Full sun. Well-drained soil. Grows easily from seed into a stout shrub in one season. One of the most valuable adaptogenic herbs that can be grown on the coast. Roots promotes vitality, fertility, endurance, and enhance quality of sleep.

Basil, Holy (Ocimum sanctum)‘Rama Tulsi’. Annual, or Perennial in zones 9-10. Full sun. 1.5ft tall. Aromatic leaves make a wonderful tea. Holy Basil is antidepressant, antianxiety, adaptogenic, blood purifying, and tonifying to the heart. In Ayurvedia it is regarded as an “elixir of life” to promote longevity.

Basil, Sweet (Ocimum basilicum)Annual, or Perennial in zones 10-11. Full sun. 1.5 ft. This vigorous plant produces lush leaves all summer long for pesto making and more. Pinch back growing tips to delay flow-ering. Medicinally basil is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and stabilizes blood sugar.

Basil, Italian Large Leaf (Ocimum basilicum ‘Italian Large Leaf ’)Annual, or Perennial in zones 10-11. Full sun. Up to 2ft tall and wide. Similar in flavour to the traditional sweet basil but with very large and tender light-green leaves. Plants are slow to bolt and very prolific.

Bergamot, Wild (Monarda fistulosa)‘Sweet Leaf ’. Native. Perennial. Zones 3-9. Full sun. A favorite honey plant for bees. Grows 3ft tall and spreads by slender rhizomes. Mauve colored flowers from June to September. Used to treat colds and flus. Antiseptic for healing wounds.

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Betony, Wood (Stachys officinalis)Perennial. Zones 5-10. Part to full sun. Enjoys moisture. 2ft tall. Long-lived red/purple flowers are a favorite of bees & butterflies. Flowers July to September. Used for the treat-ment of anxiety, tension headaches & migraines, wound healing and digestive complaints.

Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus)Annual. Full sun. Non-invasive. Easy to grow. Interesting downy leaves and flowers. Well known for its use in promoting lactation. Useful for headaches and migraines, as well as stimulating appetite and promoting digestion. Sow in Fall or Spring.

Borage (Borago officinalis) Annual. Self-seeding. Full sun/part sun. 2ft. Pretty blue star-shaped flowers are great in sal-ads. They also make beautiful little decorations for cakes or other desserts. Both the leaves and flowers have a pleasant cucumber-like flavour. Mild anti-depressant and sedative.

NEW Burdock (Arctium lappa) Biennial. Zones 3-7. Part-full sun. Enjoys moist soils rich in nitrogen. Burdock roots are dug in the late-summer or fall of first year. They are prized as a food source and medicinally. Blood purifying and especially useful for the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) Annual. Full sun. 1ft tall and wide. Over wintering and self-seeding. The lovely orange, yellow, and cream daisy-like flowers bloom year round on the coast. Flower heads are made into skin-healing infused oils, salves, and creams. Petals can be added to salads.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Perennial. Zones 3-7. Full sun. Fairly drought tolerant. Acts as a calming nervine with mild sedative properties. Also a diaphoretic, helping with fevers. A safe and gentle herb for chil-dren works well for upset tummies and colic. A favorite of our feline friends.

Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla) Annual, self-seeding. Full sun. 2-3ft tall in bloom. Flowers make a soothing tea. Also good for emotional upset tummies. Used topically as an emollient and anti-inflammatory. A great companion plant enhancing the health, growth, and flavour of other herbs.

Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) Perennial. Zones 4-8. Full sun. The scent of Roman chamomile is heavenly. Forms a dense low growing mat which can be used as an alternative lawn or out-door bed. Contains chamazulene, a brilliant blue-violet compound known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

NEW Chamomile, Wild (Matricaria discoidea)Annual. Full sun. Flowers are daisy-like and look like other chamomile flower heads but without the petals. Makes a sweet and fragrant, soothing tea. Wild Chamomile is medici-nally interchangeable with German Chamomile.

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Medicinal herb feature:How to grow ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a medicinal herb native to India where it has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for many thousands of years. Sometimes known as ‘Indian ginseng’ the roots of ashwagandha are used in herbal medicine to increase vitality in the body, reduce stress and improve quality of sleep. After the first or second year the roots may be harvested and can be used fresh or dried in teas and tinctures, or powdered and added to food.

Ashwagandha is an evergreen woody perennial shrub in its native habitat of the hot and dry topics. It grows to about 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide in one season, and produces small light green flowers which then form attractive reddish-orange ber-ries inside transparent paper coverings. It prefers full sun, and average soil with good drainage. In zones 7 and cooler it is grown as an annual. At our farm on Vancouver Island (zone 8-9) we are able to grow Ashwagandha as a herbaceous perennial. Its leaves and woody stems are killed off by frost but, as long as the soil is not overly wet, its roots remain vital and will sprout new shoots in the spring.

If grown as an annual, Ashwagandha is best started early in the Spring to provide an extended growing season. This can be done anytime in April or May, with siz-able roots forming by October or November. Once all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed the ashwagandha seedlings can be transplanted outdoors ~ we usually time this with the planting of other hot crops such as tomatoes and basil. We like to grow our ashwagandha plants in the greenhouse but this is not necessary so long as you provide a sheltered well drained spot with full sun.

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NEW Chickweed (Stellaria media)Annual, self-seeding. Part sun to full sun. Prefers moist soils. Harvest the fresh succulent greens for use in salads. Chickweed is chock-full of vitamins, blood purifying, and makes a great spring tonic. Leaves make a soothing and cooling addition to salves.

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)Perennial. Zones 3-9. Full sun. 1ft. One of the easiest herbs to grow and great for contain-ers. The tender greens of chives are a reliable fresh herb in the kitchen garden. Bright pink chive flowers brighten the herb patch and area treat, adding colour and flavour to salads.

Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)Annual. Full sun/part shade. 2ft. Cilantro does best when direct seeded and given deep fer-tile soil. A short lived annual, producing a nice leafy crop that can be cut two or three times before the plants begin to flower. Ripened seeds are the fragrant coriander spice.

Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris) Perennial. Zones 3-8. Prefers moist, partially shady locations. 2ft - 3ft tall in bloom. A magical woodland plant whose pretty flowers look like fairy hats. The seeds are antiparasitic and have been used traditionally to control lice. The plants should not be taken internally. Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum) Perennial. Zones 8-9. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. 3ft tall and wide. The essential oil is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and astringent. Though not related in anyway to the mixture of spices used in Indian cooking, curry plant is edible and adds lovely flavour.

NEW Dill, Mammoth (Anethum graveolens)Annual. Full sun. To 6’ in flower. Leaves, flowers, and seeds are used fresh or dried in many culinary dishes. A favorite herb for homemade pickles. A great companion plant, attractive to many beneficial insects.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)Perennial. Zones 3-10. Full sun. Enjoys moisture. To 3.5 feet tall. Well known and effective immune boosting herb. A tincture or tea made from the roots can be taken at the first signs of cold or flu to prevent illness. Roots can be harvested at the end of second or third year.

NEW Elderberry, Black (Sambucus nigra)Perennial. Zones 3-11. Part-full sun. Tall multi-stemmed shrub or tree. Leaves, flowers, and berries all contain medicinal properties. Berries are edible and used to make the famous im-mune boosting and antiviral Elderberry Syrup. For best germination plant seeds in the fall.

NEW Elecampane (Inula Helenium)Perennial. Zones 3-8. Part to full sun. Moist soil. A mammoth of a plant, growing 7-10ft high. Large, elongated light-green leaves and yellow flowers. The root is a digestive and lung remedy. It is effective for pneumonia, bronchitis, and chronic cough.

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NEW Epazote (Dysphania ambrosiodes)‘Wormseed’. Annual/Perennial. Zones 8-11. Full sun. Popular Mexican culinary herb used in bean dishes to help with digestion. The seeds are used to expel intestinal parasites, and the leaf used in culinary dishes is a lot milder and can be used as a parasite preventive.

Evening Primrose (Oenethera biennis) Native. Biennial. Zones 4-8. 3-5ft tall. Lance-shaped leaves form a basal rosette and spiral up to the flowering stems. Velvety light-yellow flowers open in the evening. Edible flowers, seeds, leaves and roots. An important source of gamma-linolenic acid.

NEW Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Annual. Full sun. Well-drained soil. Legume family member. Fragrant seeds are used as a spice and are one of the ingredients in curry powder. Medicinally the seeds lower choles-terol, aid in digestion, and reduce pain and inflammation.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Perennial. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. Pretty plants grow to 3.5ft tall and sport large clusters of white daisy-like flowers. Used for migraine headaches, and the treatment of fevers, arthritis, and digestive issues. A strong bitter and emmenagogue.

Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)Native. Perennial. Zones 6-8. Full sun. Enjoys moisture. 3-5ft tall. Leaves are diuretic, anal-gesic, and blood purifying. Used for the treating psoriasis and eczema. Unusual tiny maroon and yellow flowers are full of nectar and attract butterflies, bees, other insects and birds.

NEW Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)Native. Perennial. Zones 2-9. Part to full sun. Prefers moist soil. To 6ft tall. Showy plumes of pink-purple flowers. Leaves and flowers can be used as a tea substitute. Tonifying to the bladder, kidneys, and prostrate. Floral emblem of the Yukon.

Fleabane (Erigeron speciosus)Native. Zones 2-8. Full to part sun. Traditionally used as a herbal contraceptive and for menstrual pain. Helps to repel insects and bed bugs. Starlings line their nests with fleabane to keep mites away. Fleabane is a good companion plant in the garden.

NEW Foxglove, Grecian (Digitalis lanata)‘Woolly Foxglove’. Perennial. Zones 4-10. Part to full sun. Drought and poor soil tolerant. Tall spires of white or light-brown flowers with maroon colored veining. Source of the cardiac drug digoxin, used to treat congestive heart failure.

NEW Goldenrod (Solidego canadensis)Native. Perennial. Zones 5-10. To 6 feet tall. Spreads by slender rhizomes. Prolific bloomer. Fragrant flowers and leaves. Diuretic, soothing and antiseptic, great for treating urinary tract infections. Anti-inflammatory for both external and internal use.

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NEW Gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia)Native. Perennial. Zones 3-10. 3ft tall. Full sun. Prefers sandy soil, and grows naturally by the seaside. Sticky resinous flower buds and golden yellow flowers can be tinctured for soothing bronchial irritations. Topically it makes a healing wash for burns, and poison ivy.

NEW Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)Perennial. Zones 3-9. Full sun, well-drained soil. Grows 4-8 feet tall in bloom, with showy flowers in pinks, purples, and reds. Similar properties medicinally as marshmallow. The leaves and flowers can be added to salads. Flowers are used as a natural dye.

NEW Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)Perennial. Zones 4-8. Full sun, well-drained soil. 2ft tall. Bushy habit. Gray-green crinkled, slightly hairy leaves, downy-white on the undersides. Source for the flavouring of old fash-ioned horehound candy. Useful for coughs and persistent lung infections.

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)Perennial. Full sun. Zones 3-9. Enjoys well-drained soil. Pretty, ornamental blue flower spikes are very aromatic. Useful as an expectorant, for nasal congestion, asthma and bron-chitis, and as a antiviral for colds and flus. Repels flea beetles and cabbage moths.

NEW Indian Consumption Plant (Lomatium nudicaule)‘Indian Celery’. Native. Zones 3-10. Perennial. Prefers sandy well-drained soil. New shoots have a celery-like taste and be eaten fresh or cooked. Seeds are used medicinally as a diuretic and immune booster. Traditionally used in ceremony; and for the treatment of tuberculosis.

Lamb’s Ears (Stachys lanata) Perennial. Zones 4-9. Full sun. Drought tolerant. 3ft in bloom. Lovely downy soft leaves are low growing and will spread slowly by rhizomes. The plants send up multitudes of tall spikes with small purple flowers in whorls around the stems. Leaves aid in wound healing.

Lavender, English (Lavendula angustifolia) Perennial. Zones 5-8. Drought & poor soil tolerant. 3.5ft tall. ‘True Lavender’ used in teas & as a culinary herb. The very aromatic flowers are easily rubbed off stems when dry. Used in aromatherapy for the treatment of anxiety, mental stress, insomnia and fatigue.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Perennial. Zones 5-9. Full sun to part shade. Drought & moisture tolerant. 2.5ft. Very aro-matic lemon scented leaves are delightful in tea & in cooking and baking. Used medicinally as a mood enhancer, a mild sedative, and for anxiety. Latin ‘Melissa’ means honey-bee.

NEW Lettuce, Wild (Lactuca virosa)‘Opium Lettuce’. Annual. Self-seeding. Sometimes called ‘Poor Man’s Opium’, this relative to the domesticated lettuce contains opiates similar to those found in Opium Poppy. New leaves are much less bitter than the mature plant and can be eaten in salads.

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In the home garden:Starting from seed

All the information needed for a plant to grow, thrive, and produce offspring lies dor-mant in a living seed. With just the right combination of elements ~ air, water, earth, and sun (fire) ~ the seed will break dormancy and begin to flourish and grow into a mature plant. It is a seemly magical event to get to witness! Seed starting is very easy with a little practice and dedication, and is a very rewarding (and inexpensive!) way to start your home garden.

Starting seeds indoors in containers in a bright sunny window, under a grow-light, or in a greenhouse is a great way to extend the season and give your plants a head start before transplanting out to the garden. Sowing seeds in containers gives you more control over the germination conditions such as light, temperature and moisture. If you start with clean potting soil it also eliminates some of the potential issues of fungal growth or un-wanted weed seeds that you may encounter when seeding outdoors.

Indoor seed starting for annual, perennial, and biennial herbs and veggies can begin as early as January or February here on Vancouver Island. If you live in an area with longer winters you may wish to delay this by a few weeks to a month to prevent your seedlings from getting too big or leggy before the soil has warmed enough to plant them out. This is especially important for fast growing herbs and veggies which may become stunted if left in pots too long.

Direct seeding outdoors can be a great way to start many herbs. Dill, cilantro, parsley, and chamomile all do very well direct sown. Considerations for outdoor sowing are ad-equate moisture and soil condition. Heavy soils can crust-over and prevent the seeds from breaking through the soil, so make sure the surface is finely worked over and kept evenly moist at all times. Because of this it can be easier to start seeds outdoors in the naturally moist months of spring and fall, as long as the soil has warmed enough (at our farm this usually means April or May).

When sowing, as a general rule, bury the seeds to a depth twice the thickness of the seed. If buried too deep your seeds may expire or rot before reaching the surface of the soil. Seeds such as mullein, foxglove, chamomile, and wormwood, are so fine that they can been simply sown on the surface of the soil and gently pressed in place.

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Germination often takes place much faster and more successfully with a bit of added warmth. Many seeds need consistent minimum temperatures of 12C to germinate. Some need higher temps, such as basil which needs 21C to sprout. Try adding bottom heat in your greenhouse or on your window ledge to help warm the soil. If your window ledge just happens to be above a base board heater then all the better!

Moisture is key to having successful germination and plant growth. Once you have got-ten your seeds all tucked into their new cozy soil homes, all you need to do is watch and wait ~ and water! The soil can dry out very fast. It is important to check on your newly seeded containers at least once a day. Watering gently with room-temperate water is best to prevent dislodging the seeds or shocking the newly emerging seedlings.

Once the new little sprouts pop out of the soil it is very important they get adequate sunlight to develop properly and prevent legginess. You want your seedlings to look more short and stocky rather than tall and slender: more like dwarves than elves. If you see long unusually thin stems bending toward the light this is a sign that the amount of sunlight needs to be increased.

Over-watering and ‘damping off ’ can also be a common problem. Damping off causes rotting of the seedlings stems and is due to a fungus that flourishes in overly moist condi-tions. It is best to water the surface of the soil lightly and frequently. Try letting the soil surface dry out very briefly in between waterings.

Once your seedlings have one or two sets of true leaves, they are ready to pot up into larger pots or transplant out to the garden. It is important to prevent transplant shock by hardening them off first. This involves gradually introducing them to the outdoor condi-tions before permanently planting them in their new homes. You can begin hardening off by opening a window or moving your seedlings into a temporary cold frame.

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NEW Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus)‘Wild Daga’. Perennial. Zone 9-10. To 6ft tall and 3.5ft wide. Very showy and ornamental orange flowers, resemble a lion’s tail, and are arranged around the tall stems in whorls. The leaves have mild psychoactive properties similar to that of THC.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)Native. ‘Indian tobacco’. Annual. Full to part sun. Enjoys moisture. One of the most power-ful antispasmodic and relaxing herbs. Dilates the bronchials and relaxes muscle spasms in the lungs. Useful in anti-smoking formulas. Emetic in large doses.

Marshmallow (Althea officinicalis) Perennial. Zones 3-9. Part-shade/full-sun. Moisture loving. To 6ft tall. Velvety grey-green leaves and lovely two-tone pink flowers. Marshmallow root is a soothing herb used to treat ulcers and inflammation of the digestive tract, dry cough, sore throats and skin irritations.

NEW Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)Perennial. Zones 3-9. To 4ft tall. Multiple stems arise from a spreading crown with delicate leaves. Masses of fragrant cream flowers resemble ocean spray. A favorite medicinal herb of European tradition. Anti-inflammatory and pain relieving. Source of salicylic acid. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) Perennial. Zones 4-8. Full sun. 4ft tall. Leaves are toothed and pale below, flowers pale-pink in whorls alternating up the stems. Primarily a herb for the heart, motherwort has a long history of use as a cardiac tonic, nervine, and emmenagogue. Also a strong bitter.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) Perennial. Zones 4-10. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. To 6ft. Dark green pinnate leaves are silvery on the underside. Mugwort when taken as a tea before bed it is said to enhance lucid dreaming. Used in moxibustion to enhance acupuncture treatments.

NEW Mugwort, Coastal (Artemisia suksdorfii)Native. Perennial. Zones 6-9. Full sun. Found in well drained sandy soil near the ocean side from BC to California. Strongly aromatic leaves resemble the purifying and clarifying scent of sagebrush. Leaves are strongly bitter and contain pain-relieving properties.

Mullein, Common (Verbascum thapsus) Biennial. Zones 4-9. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. 2ft wide basal rosettes of large downy grey-green leaves with majestic spikes of small densely packed velvety yellow flow-ers. Used medicinally for its emollient and astringent properties.

Mullein, Greek (Verbascum olympicum)Biennial. Zones 4-9. Full sun. 6-9ft tall. A very majestic species. In the second year, it sends up a huge, branching candelabra of golden-yellow flowers. The light grey-green leaves and flower stalks are coated in a thick soft white down. Used medicinally like common mullein.

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Mullein, Moth (Verbascum blattaria)Biennial. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Moderate moisture. 3-4 feet tall. Very pretty pink and white flowers resemble moths, and appear in the second year on tall spikes. Contains compounds that make it a useful insect repellent.

Nettle, Stinging (Urtica dioica)Native. Perennial. Zones 3-10. Part sun. Likes moisture & humusy soil. 4ft tall. Used to treat arthritis and allergies, and is a galactagogue. Highly nutritious, the leaves and new shoots contain up to 25% protein, high in iron, vitamin A & C, and other nutrients.

Oregano (Origanum sp.)Perennial. Zones 5-11. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Mediterranean native. Aromatic and or-namental pink or white flowers are much loved by bees. A well known culinary herb, also a useful in herbal medicine for its antimicrobial actions, great for colds, flus and sore throats.

Parsley, Italian Flatleaf (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum)Biennial. Full sun. Flat, dark green leaves are deeply cut, resembling cilantro, with a rich parsley flavour preferred by chefs. Retains its colour and flavour upon drying and keeps better than other parsley varieties.

NEW Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)Native. Perennial. Zones 3-7. Full sun. Well drained soil. Narrow grey-green leaves with white woolly undersides. White flowers are ‘everlasting’ in dried flower arrangements. Leaves and flowers are used medicinally for there astringent and antiseptic properties.

Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) Perennial. Zones 6-9. Full sun/part sun. Very aromatic tiny glossy green leaves form low dense mats and send up leafy stems with flowers arranged in distinctive whorls. The essen-tial oil is concentrated and highly toxic, but the herb itself is safe for use.

NEW Plantain, Broadleaf (Plantago major)Perennial. Zones 3-10. Part shade to full sun. Leaves are used topically to soothe and heal wounds, and prevent infection. Used as an astringent for diarrhea. Soothing to digestive irritations. Can be eaten like a green and is high in calcium and vitamins A, C, and K.

NEW Pokeroot (Phytolacca americana)Native. Perennial. Zones 5-9. Part shade to full sun. 6-10 feet tall. Use medicinally as a pur-gative, an emetic, a heart stimulant and to treat cancer. All plant parts are toxic to a certain degree and should not be taken internally unless properly prepared.

Poppy, Opium (Papaver somnifera)Annual. Showy flowers. Seed heads are very decorative when dry. Grows 1.5ft wide and up to 5ft tall. Seeds are abundant and easily harvested as a grain crop for use in baking. Plant throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall. Fall sowings will overwinter.

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Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) Perennial. Zones 3-8. Full sun. 1.5ft. Source of many essential nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, and potassium. A rich source of isoflavones, used in the treatment hot flashes & osteoporosis, and to support cardiovascular health.

NEW Rose, Wild (Rosa nutkana)Native. Perennial. Zones 4-8. Part shade to full sun. Native to coastal areas from Alaska to California. Incredibly fragrant flowers can be used medicinally as an astringent and anti-depressant. Hips are high in vitamin C and can be made into syrups, jam, or dried for tea.

Rose Campion (Lychnis coronarea) Perennial. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. To 4ft tall. Very striking and ornamental, light silver-grey downy leaves contrasted with intensely bright magenta flow-ers. Blooms in late Spring/early Summer, flowers are long lasting and profuse.

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Perennial. Zones 4-8. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. 4.5ft tall. Spreads gracefully by rhizomes. Clusters of tiny bright-yellow flowers with many stamens appear in early summer. Used medicinally as an antidepressant and to repair damaged nerve tissue.

NEW Sage, Clary (Salvia sclarea)Biennial. Zones 4-9. Full sun. Heavily scented leaves and flowers. Majestic plumes of pink and lavender tinged flowers in early Summer. Used in aromatherapy for relieving anxiety, painful menstruation, PMS, and insomnia.

Sage, Garden (Salvia officinalis)Perennial. Zones 5-9. Full sun. Well-drained soil. Profuse bloomer with blue to purplish flower spikes. A well known culinary herb, used since ancient times for its medicinal prop-erties. Used to treat nervous headache, sore throat, delayed menses, and hot flashes.

Savory, Summer (Satureja hortensis) Annual. Full sun. Moderate moisture. 1.5ft. Slender lance-shaped leaves with tubular lilac-coloured flowers. Popular cooking spice used in much of the same way as sage. Imparts a lovely spicy flavour and also acts as a digestive aid.

Savory, Winter (Satureja montana) Perennial. Zones 5-8. Full sun. To 3ft tall and wide. Aromatic semi-evergreen shrub with white flowers. Stronger spicier flavour than summer savory. A great herb for companion planting, helping to keep away a variety of pests and attract beneficial insects. Eases diges-tive upset. Self-Heal (Prunella vulgaris) ‘Heal-All’. Native. Perennial. Zones 4-9. Full sun/part sun. Enjoys moisture. Very unique purple flower heads on low growing plants. It is an alterative, purifying the blood and help-ing to restore the body to health. The leaves make a great poultice for wound healing.

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NEW Skullcap, Blue (Scutellaria lateriflora)Perennial. Zones 3-8. Part shade to full sun. Prefers moist to wet soil. Small pretty blue flowers. Popular medicinal herb well known for its anxiety-reducing and sedative qualities. An important nervous system tonic.

NEW Skullcap, Baical (Scutellaria baicalensis)Perennial. Zones 4-8. Full sun. Prefers dry, rocky or sandy soil. Small plants grow to 1ft all and have beautiful deep blue showy flowers. The root is used in Traditional Chinese Medi-cine as a cooling bitter, antibacterial, antiviral, and diuretic.

NEW Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea)‘Toothache Pant’. Perennial grow as an annual in temperate climates. 1ft tall mounding. Unique conical petalless yellow flower heads with deep red center. Leaves, and especially flower buds, contain a mouth numbing and saliva stimulating compound.

Tobacco, 1000 yr old (Nicotiana rustica)Annual. Full sun. 3 ft. Broad fuzzy leaves with yellow/green flowers on short spikes. Seeds of this tobacco variety were discovered sealed with pitch in pottery in a native burial site, estimated to be over 1000 years old.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)Perennial. Zones 4-9. Full to part sun. Native to Europe. One of the most effective herbal sedatives. Also strongly antispasmodic and anxiolytic. Valerian flowers in the late Spring or early Summer, and the aroma of the white honeyed flowers is heavenly and vanilla-like.

Vervain (Verbena officinalis) Perennial. Zones 4-8. Full sun. 3ft tall. Attractive deeply lobed and toothed leaves, grey-green in Spring turning deeper green in Summer. Small pale lilac flowers on tall delicate spires in late Summer to early Fall. Calming nervine, sedative, and antispasmodic..

NEW Vervain, Blue (Verbena hasta)Native Plant. Perennial. Zones 3-9. Part Shade to Full sun. Prefers moist soil. Long lasting purple-blue flower spikes. It is a great anti-spasmodic herb, and muscle relaxer. It soothes and builds damaged nerves, and aids tension, anxiety and insomnia.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)Perennial. Zones 3-9. Full sun. Drought tolerant. Beautiful silver gray-green leaves. Strong antimicrobial, antiseptic and bitter. Used to treat parasites, reduce fever and upset stomach. Used in the production of absinthe, it gives the drink its blue-green color.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Perennial. Zones 3-10. Full sun. Drought & poor soil tolerant. Finely divided leaves. Flat topped clusters of tiny daisy-like white or pink-hued flowers bloom throughout the sum-mer. Leaves and flowers are diaphoretic, styptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-septic.

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In the home garden:Understanding plant life-cycles

Understanding the different life-cycles of the plants you are growing will help you to determine the best time of year to plant. If you wish to save your own seed, it will also help you to know when you can expect the plant to flower and produce seeds. In flower-ing plants, such as herbs and veggies, the plant life cycle begins with a seed. The seed will sprout and produce a tiny, immature plant called a seedling (so exciting!). The seedling will grow to adulthood and form a mature plant. The mature plant will reproduce by producing flowers and forming new seeds which will begin the next life cycle. There are three general ways a plant life-cycles are expressed ~ annual, biennial, and perennial.

Annual plants only live for one year: they sprout, grow leaves, flower, set seed, and die all in one growing season. Annuals are only propagated from seed, not from cuttings or divi-sions, and must be replanted year after year. Examples of annuals are cilantro, fenugreek, dill, borage, lettuce, and lobelia. To get a full season of growth out of these herbs it is often ideal to start them in early spring by either direct sowing in place or starting them indoors in containers. Most annuals are well suited for container growing. In general they produce shallow root systems, and are not as drought tolerant as some perennials. Some annuals are self-seeders, which means they will return year after year from the ripened seeds they have naturally dropped on the soil. These plants will often germinate in the moisture of the fall rains and overwinter as tiny seedlings, this gives them a great headstart on the season. Self-seeding annuals include german chamomile, calendula, milk thistle, and opium poppy. Seed saving from annuals must be done in the first year after the seeds have ripened (usually in the late-summer or fall).

Biennial plants live for only two years. In the first year they will sprout and grow leaves. During this first year the leaves of biennials will often form low to the ground taking the shape of a basal rosette. In the second year they will then flower, set seed and die. Examples of biennials are mullein, clary sage, evening primrose, foxglove, angelica, onions, and kale. Biennials may be started either in the spring or the fall, and will bloom the following year. Many biennials are tap-rooted and prefer to be direct sown, others do fine started in con-tainers and then transplanted out. Many biennials are self-seeders and will come back year after year. To save seed from a biennial plant you must wait until the end of the second year, after the plant has flowered and the seeds have ripened.

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Perennials are plants that live for more than two years. Some perennials are short-lived, while others are long-lived (such as cedar trees which can live for thousands of years!). Some perennials are herbaceous, which means they die-down for the winter, and regrow from dormant roots each Spring. Examples of herbaceous perennials are sunchokes, as-paragus, bergamot, marshmallow, oregano, and mint. Others are evergreen and keep their leaves through the winter, such as thyme, winter savory, bay, rosemary and lavender. Peren-nials may often wait to begin to bloom until after the first or second year. They will then continue to bloom and set seed seasonally each year onward. Perennial herbs can be started anytime from early-Spring to Fall, either direct sown or in containers.

Tender perennial is a term we use to describe the perennial herb and veggie plants that we grow as annuals because they are not hardy to our region. Examples of tender perennials are tomatoes, lemongrass, basil, lemon verbena, cardamom, vietnamese coriander, and pine-apple sage. These plants cannot withstand the minimum temperatures of our cooler winters. Depending on your which USDA Hardiness Zone you live in they will either need to be overwintered with protection (greenhouse, mulch, row cover), brought indoors, or restarted from seed in the spring.

The USDA Hardiness Zone you live in will determine which plants will be classified as tender perennials in your region. At our farm on Vancouver Island we are considered to be Zone 8-9. The USDA Hardiness Zone describes minimum temperatures only, and does not factor in other variables such moisture levels, insulating snow, or damaging winds. At our farm we have had years where we have successfully overwintered plants from Zone 10 without protection, whereas occasionally an exceptionally cold winter has damaged some of the more hardy plants from our zone. Working with nature you have to learn to adapt (be flexible and go with the flow!), each year is different, and experimenting and finding what works in your own special microclimate is half the fun.

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VEGGIE SEEDS50 to 100+ seeds per package unless otherwise noted. Average seed life is three years.

Arugula (Eruca sativa)Annual. 35 days. Tender & peppery salad green. Edible flowers & seed-pods. Germinates and grows rapidly. Sow every 2-3 weeks from Spring through Fall for continuous harvest. High in Vitamin A & potassium. Arugula is one of the oldest known aphrodisiacs.

Amaranth, Mix (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)Annual. Full sun. Burgundy, bronze, golden and red flower heads, purple and green leaves. The leaves have a mild nutty flavor, and are great raw or steamed. Seed will ripen in late summer or early fall, and is easily harvested by rubbing the flower heads into a bucket.

NEW Broccoli Raab (Brassica rapa)‘Rapini’. Annual. 40 days. A speedy grower. Small plants produce edible buds, leaves and stems with a flavour stronger and richer than regular broccoli. Harvest the prolific side shoots to keep the plant producing. Plant from early Spring until Summer, and in Fall.

NEW Chrysanthemum, Edible (Chrysanthemum coronarium) ‘Shungiku’. Annual. 4ft tall in bloom. Tasty, mildly bitter edible leaves and flowers. The leaves are popular in Japanese stirfries where they are known as ‘chop suey greens’. The petals can be scatted on salads or used as stunning garnish to brighten up the plate.

Kale, Red Russian (Brassica napus)50 days. Biennial. Year-round staple. Tolerates temps down to -12C and gets sweeter with frost. Enjoy fresh in salads, steamed, added to dishes. In Spring the edible flower buds can be eaten like broccoli. Sow seeds in Spring, and again in Summer for a Fall/Winter crop.

NEW Komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. perviridis)‘Japanese Mustard Spinach’. Annual. Slow to bolt. Very tasty tender light green leaves can be eaten raw, cooked like spinach, or added to soups and stir fries. Very Mild mustard flavour. High in calcium, vitamin A and C. Easy to grow.

Lettuce, Continuity (Lactuca sativa)Annual. 55 days. ‘Marvel of the Four Seasons’. Vigorous growth, disease resistance, great hardiness. Ruffles of bronze-red tinted leaves encase large light green heads, measuring 8 – 12” across. Tender and crisp with great flavour. French Heirloom from the 1880’s.

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NEW Lettuce, Merlot (Lactuca sativa)Annual. 55 days. Glossy leaves are a deep dark burgundy-wine colour with a splash of light green at the base. Upright open-head leaf lettuce. Holds up well in heat without becoming bitter. Very stunning! We always get many comments on this beauty!

NEW Lentil, Ethiopian (Lathyrus sativus)‘Grass Pea’. Annual. 90 days. Full sun.Tolerates both drought, and heavy wet soils. Produces predictable yields when other crops fail. Commonly eaten in parts of Asia, Europe, and East Africa. Large lentil-like legume that look like a cross between a lentil and a pea.

NEW Onion, Redman (Allium cepa)100 days. Biennial. Earliest maturing red storage onion. Rich flavour. Red outer paper and inner skin with white inner flesh. Can be started indoors as early as January or February in flats or direct seeded out as soon as soil warms. Greens can be eaten like scallions.

Orach (Atriplex hortensis)Annual. 40 days. Full sun. 6 feet tall in bloom. Warm weather salad green with tasty bright magenta leaves that are very striking in salads. Can be cooked and eaten like spinach, some-times called ‘mountain spinach’. Plants are very ornamental in the garden. Easy to grow.

Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius)‘Oyster root’. Biennial. Full sun. The root is cultivated and eaten as a vegetable, it is high in inulin, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable. The young shoots with flower buds are cooked and eaten like asparagus. Aids the liver and gall bladder, and acts as a diuretic.

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)Perennial. Part sun to full sun. Lemony, tart leaves are wonderful fresh in salads or added to soups or sauces. Plants begin producing tender new leaves in early spring and continue until they bloom in midsummer. Once cut back the plants will re-grow for a fall/winter crop.

NEW Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla)‘Silverbeet’. Biennial. Full sun to part sun. Can be cooked or used raw in salads and is high in vitamins A and C. To harvest cut full-size leaves from the outside of the plant.Start in flats inside early or direct seed mid-April to early August. Thin to 6-12 inches apart.

Tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa)70 days. Full sun. 3 feet wide and tall. Perfect for making salsa verde. Tomato-like apple-green fruits ripen to fill their papery coverings. Flavour like a cross between a lime and a to-mato. Delicious roasted. Far easier to grow and more productive than tomatoes. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Best of All (Solanum lycopersicum)75 days. Full Sun. Mid-sized salad tomato with great flavour and texture for fresh eating. The bright red fruits are smooth skinned, blemish free, and crack resistant. This really is a perfect little tomato! Semi-determinate plants. 20+ seeds.

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Tomato, Black Cherry (Solanum lycopersicum)65 days. Full Sun. Mid-sized cherry tomato with a great full flavour. A great variety for the west coast. Not overly sweet. The fruits ripen to a nice dark maroon and burgundy colour. A great market garden tomato that produces late into the season. Indeterminate. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Black Krim (Solanum lycopersicum)80 days. Striking Russian heirloom tomato that is a deep dark red with brown and green shoulder. Large tomatoes, very juicy inside with great texture. A wonderful slicing tomato that is rich, smoky and sweet in flavour. Plants are indeterminate and vigourous. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Flamme (Solanum lycopersicum)70 days. Full sun. French heirloom. Very lovely mid-sized salad tomatoes are sweet and fruity. Primarily golden orange in colour with beautiful pink and yellow gradations inside and out. Medium-tall indeterminate variety. Highly recommended. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Gardener’s Delight (Solanum lycopersicum)65 days. Full sun. Heirloom cherry tomato with bright-red, tasty, bite-sized fruit. Very productive vines. Great garden snacking. Our favorite red cherry tomato variety. Indeter-minate. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Green Zebra (Solanum lycopersicum)75 days. Full sun. Ripe fruits are small to medium sized, bright green with yellow stripes. Very rich tasting, sweet with a slightly tart bite to it. Very unique tomatoes are fun to grow and show off to friends and family. Indeterminate. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Red Currant (Solanum pimpinellifolium)65 days. Full sun. A super sweet and tasty treat. Profuse clusters of tiny currant-sized toma-toes all season long. Can be supported like other vining tomatoes, left to sprawl or be grown in hanging baskets. Shorter indeterminate variety. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Yellow Currant (Solanum pimpinellifolium)65 days. Full sun. A super sweet and tasty treat. Profuse clusters of tiny currant-sized toma-toes all season long. Can be supported like other vining tomatoes, left to sprawl or be grown in hanging baskets. Shorter indeterminate variety. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Yellow Brandywine (Solanum lycopersicum)80 days. Full Sun. Heirloom. Large yellow beefsteak variety. Superbly rich and delicious-tasting, large and juicy fruit. Needs heat and full season to ripen, but they are well worth the wait. Potato-leaf variety. Indeterminate. 20+ seeds.

Tomato, Yellow Perfection (Solanum lycopersicum)70 days. Full sun. An old British heirloom variety, an early and prolific cropper. Smooth round golden yellow 2” fruits with excellent flavour. Low acid variety. Potato-leaf foliage. Indeterminate. 20+ seeds.

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Culinary herb feature:How to grow cilantro/coriander

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), also known as coriander, is an annual herb native to parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Its leaves and seeds are commonly used as a culinary herb and spice all over the world. As well as adding intense and refreshing lemony-like flavour to cuisine, cilantro has many added health benefits helping us to detoxify heavy metals from the body, ease inflammation, boost immunity, and regulate cholesterol.

Cilantro is easy to grow from seed, enjoys part sun to full sun, good drainage and deep fertile soil. It prefers it a little on the dry-side but regular even waterings are recommended to encourage consistent leaf growth. It does best when direct seeded in the garden as it does not like to be transplanted, as this can cause it to ‘bolt’ or go to seed prematurely. The leaves can be harvested as soon as the plants are about 4” high. The seed heads can be collected as they ripen and dried in paper bags for use as the delightfully fragrant coriander spice.

Cilantro is short-lived and will often begin to flower and set seed after a few weeks of harvesting. To keep a good supply of fresh green leaves available it the garden, repeat sowings are needed. It can be sown several times throughout the season, as early as the first week of April all through summer until the end of August. It does best when grown as a cool season crop, and will produce more abundant leaf growth if given a cooler spot during the hot summer months. In zone 7 and warmer cilantro can be sown in September for a leafy crop that will overwinter and become quite prolific in the early months of spring.

PLANT STARTS

Ravenhill Herbs Seeds and Fireweed Farm produce one of the most diverse selections of culinary and medicinal herb plants in BC. Our plants are organically grown, healthy, hardy and adaptable. We are continually growing out new varieties and trialing their adaptability to our unique West Coast ecosystem.

All of our herb plants are propagated and grown at our farm using only environmentally sustainable and organic growing methods. For our growing medium we use certified organ-ic potting soil and our own sterile farm compost rich in natural organic matter. We propa-gate from our own farm-saved seed, and when starting new varieties use certified organic seed. We use only natural organic fertilizers such as kelp extract, fish emulsion, and compost tea. Absolutely NO chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides are used on the farm.

Our plants can be purchased direct from Fireweed Farm (see page 28 for details) and at various farmer’s markets throughout the season. Please visit ravenhillseeds.ca for a list of markets we will be attending or email ravenhillseeds@gmail.com to pre-order and ar-range for pick-up.

Our plant start selection is most diverse from mid-May though June. Plants are available in 4 inch pots, and occasionally in 1-2 gallon pots. Plug trays are available for some varieties (by special advance order only). Sorry we are unable ship plants at this time.

NATIVE HERB PLANTSAnise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)Arnica, Meadow (Arnica chamissonis) Bergamot, Red (Monarda didyma) Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)Fleabane (Erigeron speciosus) Goldenrod (Solidego canadensis) Gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia)Indian Consumption Plant (Lomatium nudicaule) Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) Mugwort, Coastal (Artemisia suksdorfii) Nettle, Stinging (Urtica dioica)Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) Poke Root (Phytolacca americana) Sagebrush, Silver (Artemisia cana)

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Stonecrop, Broad-leaved (Sedum spathulifolium) Vervain, Blue (Verbena hastata) Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

ANNUAL HERB PLANTS(annual or tender perennial) Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Basil, African Blue (Ocimum kilimandscharicum) Basil, Holy ‘Rama’ (Ocimum sanctum)Basil, Holy ‘Krishna’ (Ocimum sanctum)Basil, Sweet (Ocimum basilicum)Basil, Thai (Ocimum basilicum)Basil, Purple (Ocimum basilicum) Chamomile, German (Matricaria chamomilla)Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus sp.) Dill (Anethum graveolens) Geranium, Attar of Roses (Pelargonium capitatum ‘Attar of Roses’ ) Geranium, Lemon (Pelargonium ‘Frensham’)Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Lemongrass (Cymbpogon flexuosus) Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua)Tobacco, 1000 yr old (Nicotiana rustica)Tobacco, Night Blooming Aztec (Nicotiana alata)Tobacco, Virginia Smoking (Nicotiana tabacum) Vietnamese Coriander (Polygonum odoratum)

BIENNIAL HERB PLANTSAngelica (Angelica archangelica)Angelica, Chinese ‘Dong Quai’ (Angelica sinensis) Burdock (Arctium lappa)Evening Primrose (Oenethera biennis) Motherwort, Chinese (Leonurus artemisia) Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)Sage, Clary (Salvia sclarea)

PERENNIAL HERB PLANTS Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria)Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus scolymus)Arnica (Arnica montana)Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)Bergamot, Marshal’s Delight (Monarda didyma)

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Bergamot, Wild (Monarda fistulosa)Betony, Wood (Stachys officinalis)Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)Calamint (Calamintha sylvatica)Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)Catnip (Nepeta cataria)Chamomile, Roman (Chamaemelum nobile)Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus)Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)Chives, Garlic (Allium tuberosum) Clove-Pink (Dianthus caryophyllus ‘Grenadin’)Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)Cost Mary (Tanacetum balsamita)Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum)Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)Echinacea, Narrowleaf (Echinacea angustifola)Echinacea, White Swan (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’)Elecampane (Inula Helenium) Elderberry, Black (Sambucus canadensis)Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides)Fennel, Sweet (Foeniculum vulgare)Fennel, Bronze (Foeniculum vulgare ‘Rubrum’)Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Fo-Ti (Polygonum multiflorum)Gravel Root (Eupatorium purpureum)Germander (Teucrium chamaedrys)Gentian, Yellow (Gentiana lutea)Gojiberry (Lycium barbarum)Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)Hops (Humulus lupulus)Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)Indigo, Blue (Baptisia australis)Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis fruticosa)Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis)Lambs Ears (Stachys lanata)Lambs Ears, Golden (Stachys lanata)Lavender Cotton (Santolina incana)Lavender, Dwarf (Lavendula angustifolia)Lavender, English (Lavendula angustifolia)Lavender, French (Lavendula stoechas)

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Lavender, Goodwin Creek (Lavandula x ginginsii)Lavender, Melissa (Lavandula angustifolia)Lavender, Provence (Lavandula x intermedia)Lavender, White Spike (Lavandula x intermedia)Lavender, Yellow (Lavandula viridis)Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla)Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)Licorice, American (Glycyrrhiza lepidota)Licorice, Chinese (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus)Lovage (Levisticum officinale)Marjoram, Sweet (Origanum majorana)Mayan Mint (Lippia dulcis)Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)Mint, Austrian (Mentha x piperita)Mint, Apple (Mentha suaveolens)Mint, Banana (Mentha arvensis ‘Banana’)Mint, Chocolate (Mentha x piperita)Mint, Corsican (Mentha requienii)Mint, English (Mentha spicata)Mint, Ginger (Mentha arvensis ‘variegata’)Mint, Grapefruit (Mentha x piperita ‘grapefruit’)Mint, Korean (Agastache rugosa)Mint, Margarita (Mentha ‘Margarita’)Mint, Mojito (Mentha x villosa)Mint, Orange (Mentha aquatica ‘citrata’)Mint, Pineapple (Mentha suaveolens ‘variegata’)Mint, Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)Mint, Spearmint (Mentha spicata)Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) Oregano, Compact (Origanum vulgare ‘Compactum’)Oregano, Greek (Origanum vulgare hirtum)Oregano, Italian (Origanum sp)Parsley, Italian Flat Leaf (Petroselinum crispum)Parsley, Curled (Petroselinum crispum)Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)Rosemary, Arp (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘arp’)Rosemary, Creeping (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘prostratus’)Rosemary, Goriza (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Gloriza’)Rosemary, Tuscan Blue (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Tuscan blue’)Rosemary, Pink Majorica (Rosmarinus officinalis ‘Pink Majorca’)Rose Campion (Lychnis coronarea)

Rue (Ruta graveolens)Rue, Syrian (Peganum harmala)Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)Sage, Berggarten (Salvia officinalis ‘berggarten’)Sage, Dan-shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)Sage, Diviner’s (Salvia divinorum)Sage, Dwarf (Salvia officinalis ‘minum’)Sage, Garden (Salvia officinalis)Sage, Golden (Salvia officinalis ‘aurea’)Sage, Pineapple (Salvia elegans)Sage, Pitcher (Salvia spathacea)Sage, Purple (Salvia officinalis ’purpurea’)Sage, Tricolor (Salvia officinalis ’tricolor’)Sage, White (Salvia apiana)Skullcap, Blue (Scuterllaria lateriflora)Skullcap, Baical (Scutellaria baicalensis)Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor)Southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum)Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)Sorrel, Garden (Rumex acetosa)St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea)Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)Tarragon, French (Artemisia dracunculus)Thyme, English (Thymus vulgaris)Thyme, French (Thymus vulgaris) Lavender Thyme (Thymus thracicus)Thyme, Lemon (Thymus x citridorus) Thyme, Lemon Carpet (Thymus herba-barona cv.)Thyme, Mastic (Thymus mastichina)Thyme, Rose Petal (Thymus sp.) Thyme, Wild (Thymus praecox) Thyme, Woolly (Thymus pseudolanuginosus)Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)Vervain (Verbena officinalis)Yellow-dotted Mint (Monarda punctata)Zaatar (Origanum syriacum)

VEGGIE STARTS We also offer a variety of seasonal veggie starts available direct from the farm, such as let-tuces, greens, heirloom tomatoes, etc.

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local • organically grown • ethically wildcrafted

Miss Mullein’s Herbals are high-quality herbal remedies that will help to heal simple ail-ments, enhance general well being, and help facilitate a connection to the natural world. We formulate our herbal products using simple organic and sustainable ingredients that are gentle on the earth and on your body. We use locally wildcrafted herbs and herbs grown at Fireweed Farm. The freshly grown quality and vibrancy of the herbs we use shines through our products.

Products include Artisan Herbal Teas, Herbal Infused Honeys, Extract & Tinctures, Me-dicinal Syrups & Vinegars, Herbal Creams, and Oils & Balms.

Miss Mullein’s Herbals can be purchased online at ravenhillseeds.ca, direct from Fireweed Farm (see next page from hours), or at local farmer’s markets this season (please visit the website for a list of markets we will be attending this year).

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Visit us!

In the winter of 2014 we moved to a new location and began our new farm project at Fireweed Farm.

The landscape of our new farm allows us to grow and experiment with a myriad of herb varieties, and trial their adaptation to a variety of growing conditions. At the farm we are growing over a hundred varieties of herbs and slowly developing and establishing diverse herb gardens for seed saving, medicine making, education, and beauty!

As well as being the happy new home of Ravenhill Herb Seeds and Miss Mullein’s Herb-als, Fireweed also runs a small veggie box program (CSA), and is home to Fireweed Herb School, where students can learn hands-on plant medicine through workshops, plant walks and an 8 month long Herbal Apprenticeship Program.

Central to the vision for Fireweed Farm is the creation of a place for people in the com-munity to come and learn about herbs. About one third of the farm’s land is devoted to the creation of a herbal botanical garden and outdoor classroom. Workshops and herbal programs offered at the farm provide a unique enviroment for hands-on learning working directly with the herb plants. Workshop subjects offered at the farm include herbal medi-cine making (tinctures, teas, salves, infused oils), herbal creams and lotions, percolation and fluidized extracts, herbal syrups, fermenting with herbs, and herb growing.

Fireweed Farm will be open on weekends from April thought July 2015. We have set up a little farm shop and tiny garden centre for you where you can purchase our seeds, browse our diverse selection of culinary and medicinal herb starts, choose from a variety of seasonal veggie starts, and get aquainted with high-quality herbal products from Miss Mullein’s Herbals. Visitors are invited explore our herb and veggie gardens, and have tea in the tipi!

We look forward to sharing our new farm with you!

F I R E W E E D F A R M & herb school

culinary and medicinal herb plants • veggie starts herb and veggie seeds • herbal products

workshops • herb walks

We are located at:7159 Wallace DriveBrentwood Bay, BC

(25 mins north of Victoria)

OPEN HOURSSaturday & Sunday

10am to 4pmApril - July

Get in touch with us at:250-652-2655

ravenhillseeds@gmail.comravenhillseeds.ca

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order online at

ravenhillseeds.ca

Ravenhill H

erb SeedsPO

Box 169 Saanichton BC V

8M 2C

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