By Barbara F. Smith

Focusing on herbs currently flowering in the BBG Herb Display Garden, this week’s column highlights Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilicata) and Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as Pot Marigold (see photos above).

A member of the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae), Lobelia as a genus has about 400 species. Great Blue Lobelia is native to the eastern United States and Canada, and has tall, unbranched stems bearing blue flowers characterized by various authors as striking/vivid/magnificent/ and intense. Sometimes called “Blue Cardinal Flower,” this clump-forming perennial grows 2-4 feet tall, flowering from July through early autumn. At a time of the season when many flowers have stopped blooming, Great Blue Lobelia provides a crucial late season nectar source with special value for hummingbirds, native bees and predatory and parasitoid insects that prey on pest insects. Great Blue Lobelia is disease and pest-free, although relatively short-lived. Snails and slugs may damage the foliage. This plant would be useful in rain gardens, native or pollinator gardens, and wet meadows.

How did this herb get its name? Sometimes the answer reveals an interesting story. In 1753, Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist regarded as the father of taxonomy – that is, the study and naming and classifying organisms based on shared characteristics – named the genus ‘Lobelia’ for Flemish botanist Matthias de L’Obel, whose plant classification system based on leaves was printed in 1570. Linnaeus also gave the species name ‘syphilicata’, likely based on information provided by a student of his who traveled in America studying medical practices, that Native Americans effectively used the herb in treating venereal diseases. The herb became popular in Europe for that use, although it proved ineffective, possibly because it was not used in combination with other herbs as Native Americans had. 

Native Americans also used Great Blue Lobelia to treat respiratory and muscle aches and stomach ailments.

After falling from favor as a medicinal cure, by the end of the 1800s, British estate gardeners turned again to Great Blue Lobelia, the tall, colorful plant that bloomed later in the season and could survive in boggy or damp conditions. Thus, “the Great Blue Lobelia transitioned from failed pharmaceutical commodity into a highly practical solution for difficult garden environments.”

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has declared Great Blue Lobelia a species of “greatest conservation need” under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. As a result, the plants are protected from activities that would destroy habitat or disrupt behavior. In Massachusetts, Great Blue Lobelia may be found growing in wet meadows, swamps, stream sides, moist woodland borders, and roadside ditches. It self-seeds generously in favorable conditions. Associated flowers found at similar sites include wild bergamot, calico asters, late goldenrod and joe pye weed. Some invasives that might compete for habitat are oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose and Japanese barberry. If you have seen Great Blue Lobelia in its natural habitat, count yourself lucky!

Great Blue Lobelia is not used for culinary purposes, in fact, all parts of the plant are poisonous, but only in large quantities. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, convulsions and coma. Consider adding this showy perennial to your garden, if you have the right conditions.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) also is known as Pot Marigold, Poet’s Marigold or Marsh Marigold – in spite of not being a true marigold (which are members of the Tagetes genus). Also, Calendula is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, while marigolds are native to the Americas. The calendula genus has about 20 species, but only officinalis is used both for medicinal and culinary purposes.

This cheerful annual prefers full sun and average soil to thrive.    Plant heights range about 8-20 inches. The flowers are up to three inches across, with yellow to deep orange petals arranged in a daisy shape, sometimes with petals edged in red. Newer hybrids have a wider color range including shades ranging from ivory and cream to pink and apricot. There are both single and double forms. Calendula flowers attract beneficial pollinators and will readily self-sow in good conditions.

Because the flowers “follow” the sun (phototropism), the plant became a symbol of obedience in centuries past. In the language of flowers, Calendula represents pain and grief, although in medieval times, they were an emblem of love.

In the kitchen, Calendula petals may be used to add color to cheese, butter and custards, to thicken soups, or to flavor vinegars. It has been called the “poor man’s saffron.”

Calendula petals yield dye that can be used for fabrics. Records dating back to the 16^th century indicate Calendula petals were used to dye hair blonde.

Petals have antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, used to promote healing of wounds and in treatment of dermatitis or minor skin problems such as cuts, burns or rashes. Used in skin lotions, Calendula reduces pore size and nourishes the skin, bringing soothing hydrating attributes to protective salves, diaper balms, and skin care recipes designed to neutralize occasional irritations, itchiness and dryness.

Calendula reportedly was used in the Civil War and World War 1 to help treat gangrene, fevers and chronic infections.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BBG HERB KITCHENS?

Ooh, in the zingy mode, the Warm Kitchen Crew prepared a batch of Jalapeno Pepper Jelly – sweet and spicy, with a kick of heat. Use it as a glaze, as a dip for veggies, spread it on crackers with a bit of cream cheese. 

In the Cool Kitchen, the Crew assembled a batch of “BBG BBQ Sauce” – gotta love that name! Enjoy this unique product on your latest grilling project. Also, the Peach Basil Shrub was bottled.

In a brief respite from their regular labors in the BBG Herb Production Garden, Herb Associates Nora Burch and Joanne Conroy received warm compliments from Caroline Kessman on behalf of the Kitchen Crew, who regularly use the herbs grown there in many, many products produced for sale at the Visitors Center Gift Shop (see photo).

Thank you for your ongoing interest in all things herbal at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens. Drop by the Center House and the related Herb Display Garden and Herb Production on Tuesday mornings to see the work of the Herb Associates in action! And, see you at the Harvest Festival!

The Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Herb Associates began in 1957 and have been making and selling products for the benefit of BBG ever since. At BBG, the Herb Associates oversee a display garden and production garden, both located near the Center House. Members/volunteers meet every Tuesday morning during the late spring through mid-autumn each year, coinciding when the gardens themselves are open to the public. Members plant, weed and tend the gardens, as well as harvest and process the variety of herbs.