JACKSON HOUSE MUSEUM
THE GARDEN IN SUMMER
Explore the Garden
It's essential to note that while the medicinal use of plants has a historical significance, not all plants are safe for consumption. References to historical use are meant to be informative, not instructive. Always consult with a medical professional before using any plant for medicinal purposes.
Adams Needle (Yucca filamentosa)
This cactus is native to the Southeastern U.S. Its flowers are white and edible, as are the seeds and fruit. Native Americans used it for many purposes including food, medicine, cordage and soap. The Yucca is deer resistant.
American Mountain Mint (Pycnanthamum virginianum)
A native showy perennial, it has very fragrant leaves. It blooms from summer into early fall and is used in Native American herbal medicine. The tea has been used in the treatment of menstrual disorders, indigestion, colic, coughs, colds, chills and fevers. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches. Due to their strong scents, mints are deer resistant.
Asiatic Lily (Lilium - Asiatic hybrids)
A summer flowering bulb, it is native to Asia, Europe, and North America. It is not deer resistant.
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Most often used as a vegetable, the root and seeds can purportedly be used for high blood pressure, obesity, kidney stones, constipation, and many other purposes. There is no good scientific evidence to support these medicinal uses.
Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)
A native perennial, which blooms in late summer through fall, the plant has a strong mint scent when crushed. It is frequently used in traditional medicines. The flower can be used to treat skin infections and sore throats and the leaves can be used to stop bleeding. In addition, studies have shown that the mistflower has high antioxidant properties. The plant is reported to be deer resistant.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla formerly known as Matricaria recutita)
German Chamomile is an annual herb that blooms in summer. It is native to Europe, India, and China. It is usually thought of as a medicinal herb. Chamomile is described in ancient medical writings and was an important medicinal herb in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Still in use today, it is used to reduce inflammation, speed wound healing, reduce muscle spasms, and serve as a mild sedative to help with sleep. Test tube studies have shown that chamomile can kill bacteria, fungus, and viruses.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
This herb blooms in late spring through early summer. It is commonly used as a culinary herb to impart mild onion flavor to many foods. The plants also have good ornamental value.
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea)
A summer perennial it is native to the Northern Mediterranean. With white to lavender blossoms, it has a long history of use as a medicinal herb, but current usages are primarily as an herbal flavoring for foods, muscatel flavoring for wines, vermouths and liqueurs, and as an aromatic additive to soaps, perfumes, and cosmetics. The flowers are sometimes used to make tea. Historically, the medicinal usage included the treatment of anxiety, certain menstrual issues, kidney diseases, muscle pains, insomnia, and digestive disorders. It is deer resistant and is reported to be invasive in parts of the Northwestern United States.
Common Yarrow (Achillea borealis)
Yarrow is native to the Northern Hemisphere with slight variations in each continent. The genus name ‘Achillea’ refers to Achilles, a hero of the Trojan Wars in Greek mythology, who purportedly used the plant medicinally to stop bleeding and to heal the wounds of his soldiers. Yarrow was used in traditional North American medicine partly because of its astringent properties and the mild laxative effect of its leaves. The plant is reported to be deer resistant.
Damask Rose (Rosa x damascene)
This rose blooms a medium pink from late spring into early summer. Its origin is unknown but can be traced to before 1560. The petals can be applied externally as an astringent. They are also made into a preserve and used as a tonic. The fruit are a very rich source of vitamins and minerals. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers. Roses are usually deer resistant.
Dill (Anethum graveolens)
A summer blooming herb with yellow flowers, it probably originated in Eastern Europe and Southern Russia. It was used historically for medicinal and magical purposes (love potions, casting spells, and for protection against witchcraft). It is reported to be deer resistant.
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
A perennial with white flowers, it blooms in summer through early fall. It was used in the past as a treatment of a variety of medical problems including toothache, arthritis, headaches and, of course, fever. The "parthenium' is purportedly because it was used to save a worker who fell from the Parthenon during its construction in the 5th century. It is native to southwestern Asia and southeastern Europe.
Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata)
The native Garden phlox blooms from summer through early fall. A perennial, its flowers are purple-pink to white and attractive to butterflies. An extract made from the leaves has been used as a laxative and for treating boils.
Germander wall (Teucrium chamaedrys)
An evergreen herb with magenta pink flowers that appear in late spring and summer, it is native to the Mediterranean area. The leaves are aromatic and shiny with scalloped edges and when dried are frequently found in potpourri. It is very attractive to bees and is said to be deer and rabbit resistant!
Grape leaf windflower or Grape leaf anemone (Eriocapitella vitifolia)
An excellent late summer and fall bloomer, this perennial has white flowers with yellow stamens. It is deer resistant. Originally from the Himalayas, it is mildly toxic to humans and animals. Once heated or dried, the root is used to treat headaches & tooth aches. It can also be used to treat scabies..
Hosta aka Plantain lilies (Hosta spp)
Also known as plantain lilies, it is primarily grown for its foliage, it is native to Northeastern Asia. Hostas are shade loving plants.
Larkspur (Delphinium)
Larkspur blooms in spring and summer. It is a deer resistant herb with multicolored flowers. With 300 species of annual and perennial flowers, they are native to North America and the high mountains of tropical Africa. The variety in the Jackson House Museum Garden is an annual. Despite serious safety concerns Larkspur have been used to make medicine.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
This is a summer blooming herb and ground cover. It has white to pale yellow flowers. The leaves are edible and may be added to salads, soups, sauces, or vegetables. The leaves are also used to flavor teas and dried leaves may be added to sachets and potpourri. It is reportedly deer resistant. Lemon Balm has been used in herbal medicine for a variety of purposes including calming nervous disorders, soothing insect bites, and treating colds.
Monarda Jacob Cline (Monarda didyma)
It is frequently known as Bee Balm. A native medicinal herb loved by pollinators; it has red flowers in summer through early fall. The leaves are used in teas and salads. The common name of Bee Balm came from the historical use in treating bee stings. Bee balm is reported to be deer resistant.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
A biennial herb, Mullein blooms in summer and early fall. It has yellow flowers which can be used as a dye. The tea made from the flowers has been used to make a soothing sedative. It was also believed to be a useful remedy for nasal catarrh and respiratory ailments. The leaves could be dried and smoked, much like tobacco, and this was thought to sooth the throat and calm the hacking coughs associated with consumption. In an August, 1859 letter to his sister, Jackson, who had suffered from some throat irritation, commented, “It appears to me that smoking mullein has been of great benefit to me.” It was first brought to the U. S. in early colonial times, probably because of its long history as an herbal remedy for many medical problems. The plant is reported to be deer resistant.
Muscadine Grapes (Vitis rotundfolia)
This large native grape, a variety known as scuppernong, blooms in spring and summer with fruit in summer and fall. They are good for eating and wine-making due to their sweet, pungent flavor. Native to the American South, it has been extensively cultivated since the 16th century.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
A summer herb with white to light purple flowers, it is extensively used in European and American cuisine. It is native to the Mediterranean area. Oregano oil has been used in folk medicine over the centuries. Although oregano or its oil may be used as a dietary supplement, there is no clinical evidence to indicate that either has any effect on human health.
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
This marigold is an annual or short-lived perennial with gold, yellow and orange flowers. The flowers are edible and have a slightly tangy, peppery flavor. They make a beautiful yellow dye. Native to Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, they ware traditionally used in the Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine. The flower has been used for wounds, rashes, infections, inflammation, and many other conditions. It is reported to be deer resistant.
Rosa Mundi (Rosa 'Rosa Mundi')
A summer blooming shrub, it has flowers that are a pink and white blend. Its origin is unknown and dates to before 1581. Roses are usually deer resistant.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
An herb with pale blue to white flowers, rosemary is deer resistant. Leaves may be used (fresh or dried) in a variety of cooking. The leaves and flowers are used in sachets and the oil is commercially used in some perfumes, soaps, shampoos, lotions, and other toiletries. Rosemary has a long history of uses for a variety of medicinal and curative applications. The Jackson House rosemary is over 30 years old.
Salsify (Tragopogon porrifolius)
Salsify is a biennial summer blooming wildflower and a root vegetable. Native to Southeast Europe and North Africa. Historically, the plant was cultivated for its root and young leaves which are edible. Cultivation in Europe began in the 16th century in France and Italy. Salsify is considered invasive in some parts of the United States.
Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
This perennial iris blooms from mid-spring to early summer with violet to blue blossoms. A yellow dye can be made from the flowers. It originates from Europe and Central Asia. In old traditional usage, Polish girls ate cooked seeds to help improve contraception. The word iris translates to the goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology. Through history, its blooms have been a symbol of monarchs and royal families.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
A perennial herb originating from Asia and Europe, soapwort has pink and white or gold and yellow flowers in summer. As its name implies, it can be used to make soap. There is no indication it is resistant to deer.
Sun Drops (Oenethera fructose)
Sun drops are a native perennial. A late spring, early summer bloomer, they have yellow flowers. In ancient times, the roots of the plant were used to add scent to wine. It is probably not deer resistant.
Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus)
Also called sweet shrub, it is a native shrub whose brownish flowers that give way to brownish, urn-shaped fruits or seed capsules which mature in fall and persist throughout the winter. Lustrous, dark green leaves turn golden yellow in fall. The leaves are aromatic when bruised and is deer resistant.
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
A summer blooming herb, tansy is deer resistant. Brought to North America from temperate Europe and Asia by early settlers in the 1600s, it was used for medical and horticultural purposes. Medically, it was originally used for constipation, hysteria, intestinal worms, rheumatism, and digestive disorders. The leaves were used to wrap corpses to prevent rapid decay and to protect meats from flies and ants. It has recently been investigated for use as an insecticide or mosquito repellent.
Trumpet vine or Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
A native deciduous vine with red blossoms, it blooms in July. It is reported to be deer resistant and is a favorite of hummingbirds. Trumpet vine is a very vigorous spreader.
Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
A vigorous woody vine native to the Eastern United States down to Mexico, it needs no support because it clings to surfaces by adhesive holdfasts located at the tendril ends. It also will creep along the ground as suggested by the common name. It has inconspicuous greenish white flowers and blue-black berries that are loved by birds. The vine should not be grown up wood or shingle walls because the holdfasts are difficult to remove. They can ruin painted surfaces. If unchecked, vines can also attach to and seriously damage such objects as gutters, shutters or wiring around homes and buildings and must be kept trimmed. Virginia Creeper is deer resistant.