Chamomile

Chamomile From the Family Compositae

Chamomile grows wild in Europe, North America, and many other countries. As a garden escapee, it can be found in pasture and other grassy places on sandy soils.

The generic name, Chamaemelum, is derived from the Greek Khamaimelon, meaning 'Earth Apple' or 'apple on the ground'.

Species

Chamaemelum nobile

Roman Chamomile

Also known as Garden Chamomile, Ground Apple, Low Chamomile and Whig Plant Hardy perennial evergreen. Ht 10cm (4in), spread 45cm (18in). White flowers with yellow centres all summer. Sweet smelling, finely divided foliage. Ideal for ground cover. Can be used as a lawn, but because it flowers it will need constant cutting.

Chamaemelum nobile 'Flore Pleno'

Double-flowered Chamomile

Hardy perennial evergreen. Ht 8cm (3in), spread 30cm (12in). Double white flowers all summer. Sweet-smelling, finely divided, thick foliage. Good for ground cover, in between paving stones and lawns. More compact habit than Roman Chamomile, and combines well with Chamomile Treneague.

Chamaemelum nobile 'Treneague' (Anthemis nobilis Treneague')

Chamomile Treneague

Also known as Lawn Chamomile Hardy perennial evergreen. Ht 6cm (2.5in), spread 15cm (6in). Non-flowering. Leaves are finely divided and very aromatic. Ideal for ground cover or mow-free lawn. Plant in well-drained soil, free from stones, 10-15cm (4-6in) apart.

Anthemis tinctoria

Dyers Chamomile

Also known as Yellow Chamomile Hardy perennial evergreen. Ht and spread lm (3ft). Yellow daisy flowers in the summer. Leaves are mid-green and fern like. Principally a dye plant.

Matricaria recutita

German Chamomile

Also known as Scented Mayweed, Wild Chamomile Hardy annual. Ht 60cm (24in), spread 10cm (4in). Scented white flowers with conical yellow centres from spring to early summer. Finely serrated aromatic foliage. The main use of this chamomile is medicinal.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

Dyers, Roman and German chamomiles can be grown from seed. Sow onto the surface of a prepared seed or plug tray. Use a bark, grit, peat compost. Cover with Perlite. Use bottom heat 19°C (65°F). Harden off and plant out or pot on.

Cuttings

Double-flowered chamomile and Chamomile Treneague can only be propagated this way. Take cuttings in the spring and autumn from the offsets or clusters of young shoots. They are easy to grow as they have aerial roots.

Division

All perennial chamomiles planted as specimen plants will benefit from being lifted in the spring of their second or third year and divided.

Pests and Diseases

As all the chamomiles are j highly aromatic they are not troubled by pests or disease.

Maintenance

Spring: Collect offshoots, sow seeds. Fill in holes that have appeared in the chamomile lawn. Divide established plants. Give a liquid fertilizer feed to all -established plants.

Summer: Water well. Do not allow to dry out. In the first season of a lawn, trim the plants to encourage bushing out and spreading. In late summer collect flowers from the Dyers chamomile and cut the plant back to 6cm (2in) to promote new growth.

Autumn: Take cuttings. Divide if they have become too invasive. Cut back to promote new growth. Give the final Iced of the season.

Winter: Only protect in extreme weather

Garden Cultivation

All the chamomiles prefer a well-drained soil and a sunny situation, although they will adapt to most conditions.

As a lawn plant, chamomile gets more credit than it deserves. Chamomile lawns are infinitely less easy to maintain in good condition than grass lawns. There is no selective herbicide that will preserve chamomile and kill the rest of the weeds. It is a hands-and-knees job.

Prepare the site well, make sure the soil is light, slightly acid, and free from weeds and stones. Plant young plants in plug form. I use a mix of double-flowered and Treneague chamomile at a distance of 10-15cm (4-6in) apart. Keep all traffic off it for at least 12 weeks, and keep it to the minimum during the first year.

If all this seems daunting, compromise and plant a chamomile seat. Prepare the soil in the same way and do not sit on the seat for at least 12 weeks. Then sit down, smell the sweet aroma and sip a cool glass of wine. Summer is on hand . . .

Harvest

Leaves

Gather in spring and early summer for best results. Use fresh or dry.

Flowers

Pick when fully open, around mid-summer. Use fresh or dry. Dyers chamomile flowers should be harvested in summer for their yellow dye.

Companion planting

Chamomile has the unique name Physician's Plant because, when planted near ailing plants, it helps to revive them. Roman Chamomile can be planted next to onions to repel flying insects and improve the crop yield.

Chamomile Infusion

Bring 600ml (1 pint) water to the boil. Add a handful of chamomile leaves and flowers. Cover and let it stand for about half a day Strain.

Spray it onto seedlings to prevent 'damping off. If there is any liquid left pour it onto your compost heap. This acts like an activator for decomposition.

Container growing

I would not advise growing chamomiles indoors, as they get very leggy, soft and prone to disease. But the flowers can look very cheerful in a sunny window box. Use Chamomile 'Flore Pleno', which has a lovely double flower head or the non-flowering C. Treneague as an infill between bulbs, with a bark, grit, peat compost.

Cosmetic

Chamomile is used as a final rinse for fair hair to make it brighter. It should be poured over your hair several times. Pour 1 liter (l34 pints) boiling water over one handful of chamomile flowers and steep for 30 minutes. Strain, rover and allow to cool.

Medicinal

German chamomile's highly scented dry flower heads contain up to 1 per cent of an aromatic oil that possesses powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Taken as a tea, it promotes gastric secretions and improves the appetite, while an infusion of the same strength can be used as an internal antiseptic. It may also be used as a douche or gargle for mouth ulcers and as an eye wash.

Oil for skin rashes or allergies can be made by tightly packing flower heads into a preserving jar, covering with olive oil and leaving in the sun for three weeks. If you suffer from overwrought nerves, add five or six drops of chamomile oil to the bath and this will help you relax at night.

Chamomile tea

1 heaped teaspoon chamomile flowers (dried or fresh)

1 teaspoon honey slice of lemon (optional)

Put the chamomile flowers into a warm cup. Pour on boiling water. Cover and leave to infuse for 3-5 minutes. Strain and add the honey and lemon, if required. Can be drunk either hot or cold.

Other uses

Dyers Chamomile can be used as a dye plant. Depending on the mordant, its color can vary from bright to olive/brown yellow.

German and Double-flowered Chamomile are best for herb pillows and pot pourri.