Growing Chamomile in My Cottage Garden

May 27, 2021. The dainty and sunny faces of chamomile deserve a place in every cottage garden. They are humble in appearance and yet long revered for their comforting qualities. Many flowers carry a special symbolization earned from a long history in culture. Chamomile represents “energy in adversity” which is appropriate given its use to ease anxiety and calm. Remember Peter Rabbit after his adventures in Mr. MacGregor’s garden that were nearly the end of him? You might also remember that his mum put him to bed later that night with chamomile tea to calm him. These whimsical childhood stories were enchanting as a child, and as an adult I wanted to create a garden reminiscent of that world. Charming cottages gardens require certain flowers and growing chamomile in my cottage garden was one of those.

Chamomile’s reputation is largely anecdotal and does not have much science behind it. Yet, chamomile is still worthy of consideration because it is one of the oldest known herbs and also most reliable herbs. Furthermore, studies show that chamomile does have bioactive constituents that have promising value in medicinal uses. Sometimes science just needs to catch up to tradition. Additionally, as people are actively limiting pharmaceuticals in their lives demand for natural homeopathic ingredients is only going to grow. And chamomile has a long and respectable history in homeopathic treatments.

What is it about growing chamomile in my cottage garden that I love?

Myself, I enjoy growing chamomile. There are different varieties of chamomile, but it is the tall Roman kind that you will find in my garden. It has lacy foliage and is one of my most productive herbs. Most dry days I go out and clip chamomile heads to dry for teas. Home grown and dried chamomile makes wonderful tea. I remember a friend of mine exclaiming about its flavor. While there are lots of wonderful teas to buy and drink I have yet to have found a chamomile tea that is superior to growing one’s own. There is something comforting about clipping herbs in the garden with my tiny scissors. All of a sudden I feel a kinship with the past and the sense of carrying on an important tradition. You might say it feels spiritually grounding in something bigger when we connect with our garden.

Chamomile is fairly easy to grow. My garden is not full sun; however, the chamomile thrives and often reseeds itself. It sits in a little patch between the lavender, thyme, and peppermint. However, the highly prolific and vibrant blue forget me nots threaten a hostile takeover every Spring. This means a serious battle with them using an electric weed eater. Forget me nots are beautiful, yet they are also pestilent. Chamomile is resilient though. They stand proud and tall, faces bent towards the sun, white petals on display.

Among other benefits of growing chamomile is that it combines well with other herbs for tea. Lavender and lemon balm are other well-known nervine herbs that I grow that blend well with chamomile for a calming tea. Nervine herbs are those that support the nervous system. The times we live in now have produced much mental health anxiety which prompt us to look for helpful remedies. Since my own childhood anxiety has resurfaced, I find much comfort in a prayerful mindset and a beautiful creation to care for that provides nature’s own remedies such as chamomile.

Drying chamomile is not hard. Simply clip the heads of dry, blooming chamomile heads after the dew has dried and before the heat of the day as they lose some of their essential oils. Next, spread them out on a clean surface in a dark area and let them sit until fully dry. It helps to occasionally to turn them over to dry evenly. I usually dry them for a good 2 weeks to make sure they are fully dry before storing them. Chamomile produces and blooms fairly quickly, so most days will see me clipping chamomile heads. If you harvest enough, they make a great gift of tea for someone.

And now I will go sit in my garden and enjoy the light golden beverage of chamomile tea and a book!

Have a beautiful day!