£0.69
Native to Asia, Elfdock, or Horseheal, is a herbaceous perennial belonging to the Inula genus, which is part of the aster (or Asteraceae) family. Famous for its therapeutic and medicinal properties, this plant, also called elecampane, was regularly prescribed on a therapeutic basis by Hippocrates (460 to 370 BC). In the Middle Ages, it was a standard plant in the healing herb gardens of monasteries. This is a robust and rather splendid introduced wild flower with large, wrinkled, basal leaves, bearing in summer large, distinctive, bright yellow flowers up to 3ins or more across and described in an old herbal as “very beautiful.” Long cultivated for its many medicinal virtues, the roots have been candied and sold as sweetmeats and, it is said, the leaves have been used as a pot-herb. 5ft (1.5m).
Approximately 100 Seeds
In stock
Sowing & Growing
Sow indoors at any time, under glass in spring or autumn. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained seed compost. Just cover seed with a sprinkling of soil. Do not cover small seed, just press into the soil. Keep moist but not wet. Ideal temp. 20°C. Germination takes 14-42 days.
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle to individual pots and grow on in cooler conditions. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed.
Can be sown directly into prepared soil. Thin seedlings as required.
Does prefer a deep, fertile, moisture retentive soil in full or partial sun. Will tolerate any garden soil. May require staking in an exposed situation. Cultivation; Cut back old stems and foliage as the plant dies back in winter. Propagate be seed or by division in spring or autumn.
| Packet Size | Approximately 100 Seeds |
|---|---|
| Life Cycle & Hardiness | Hardy Perennial |
