Chamomile

Creates charming informal meadow effects with delicate white daisy flowers and feathery foliage. Excellent for cottage gardens, herb gardens, and naturalistic plantings. Self-sows readily. Works beautifully in gravel gardens, between paving stones, or as fragrant lawn substitute.

One of most important medicinal herbs, traditionally used as gentle sedative and digestive aid. Dried flowers make calming tea for insomnia, anxiety, and stomach upset. Contains anti-inflammatory chamazulene and bisabolol. Used topically for skin conditions and wound healing. Safe for children.

Primarily used to make soothing herbal tea from fresh or dried flower heads. Sweet, honey-like, slightly bitter flavor with apple notes. Can flavor light desserts, ice creams, and syrups. Flowers make attractive edible garnishes. Best harvested when flowers fully open.

Attracts beneficial insects including hoverflies, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. Provides nectar for small pollinators and solitary bees. Seeds eaten by finches. Self-sows readily. Considered companion plant that may improve health of nearby plants.

Annual herb 15-60cm tall with finely divided, feathery bipinnate leaves. Classic white daisies with yellow centers, 1-2.5cm across. Distinguished by hollow, conical yellow center. Distinctive apple-like scent when crushed. Stems smooth, branched, bright green.

Not applicable - small herbaceous annual with no woody growth. Dried flowers historically used in potpourri and strewing herbs for floors.

Name derives from Greek chamaimelon meaning ground apple due to scent. Ancient Egyptians dedicated it to their sun god Ra. Known as the plant physician in companion planting lore. Peter Rabbit's mother gave him chamomile tea in Beatrix Potter's tales.