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SEEDS (30pcs/bag)

Common names: Black mulberry, Black mulberry tree
Scientific name: Morus nigra
Family: Moraceae

Plant history & use:

Mulberry trees are one of our oldest cultivated plants. The black mulberry tree, like the white variety, Morus alba , originates from Western Asia - on the other hand, the black mulberry tree came to Europe a couple of hundred years before the white one. The first findings of knowledge of the black mulberry tree were already around 300 BC. It could possibly be that Morus nigra originates slightly further to the south-west (closer to Europe) in West Asia than its relative Morus alba, and that this is why Morus nigra also has a slightly poorer hardiness in cold climates than its relative.

Traditionally, the black mulberry was used to make wine and make-up - thanks to its high concentration of anthocyanins which give the berry its deep dark colour. But the berries were also grown for fresh consumption.

Unlike the fruits of the white mulberry tree which can vary in color, the fruits of the black mulberry tree are always black when ripe. The black mulberry is also more acidic.

The berries are rich in antioxidants and, like mulberry leaf tea, are thought to help balance blood sugar levels. This is thanks to the content of the substance MFE, which stabilizes the blood sugar level and thus suppresses the body's sweet tooth. Therefore, mulberries are a common substitute for those who want to get rid of their sweet tooth.

Due to the berry's unusually high nutritional content, mulberry, like the goji berry , is considered a so-called "superfood".

In addition to mulberry wine, you can also make juice and jam from the berries.

Cultivation:

Withstands temperatures down to -25 ° C. The tree can grow in most soils but thrives best in loose, nutrient-rich soils. Hardy in windy coastal climates but optimal growth is given in warm, wind-sheltered locations.

Fits well as a trellis tree as the branches are easily bendable.

Mulberry trees also suit well in forest orchards as they are a popular host plant for many organisms and provide recurring harvests without major maintenance and protect plants in lower layers.

Mulberries are self-fertile, which means that only one tree is needed to bear fruit.

Prune in winter when the tree/shrub is dormant to avoid excessive "bleeding" of the tree, which is otherwise a common characteristic of mulberry plants.

The berries ripen continuously from mid-summer to early autumn.

The berries are harvested when the color has changed from red to jet black. A tip is to pick the berries with a needle to avoid them being crushed between your fingers.

Sowing:

Mulberry seeds germinate best if given a cold period of 2-3 months. To induce this, mix the seeds with a small amount of sand/peat/sowing soil and place in a plastic bag in the fridge for the above period. Check periodically if any seeds have germinated in the bag. When the cold period is over, carefully spread the contents of the bag into a pot of soil.

Alternatively, sow outdoors in February in a glass-covered seed bed or greenhouse.

It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the seeds to germinate. However, some seeds may need another 12 months to germinate.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-4 m
Germination Time: 1-12 months
USDA Zone: 5-10

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

SEEDS (30pcs/bag)

Common names: Common Soapwort, Bouncing-Bet, Crow Soap, Wild Sweet William, Soapweed 
Scientific name: Saponaria officinalis
Family: Caryophyllaceae

Plant history & use:

Common Soapwort is, as the name suggests, used as soap, shampoo and detergent. S. officinalis is a useful plant of Eurasian origin that in traditional Europe was often used both for washing textiles and for personal hygiene. Today it is used in cures for acne.

The whole plant is useful, ie. flowers, leaves, roots and stem. All plant parts contain degreasing substances that lather together with water. The highest concentration of the fat-dissolving substances is found in the root. When mixed with water, the foaming liquid can then be used to wash fabrics, as a shampoo & soap or as an all purpose cleaning solution.

Saponaria officinalis, despite its toxicity, is utilized in culinary applications. It serves as an emulsifier in commercial tahini production and helps create a foamy head in brewing beer. In the Middle East, the root is added to halva to stabilize the oils and give it the unique texture that halvah is known for.

The flowers emit a sweet fragrance in the evenings and are effective when it comes to attracting pollinators.

Cultivation:

As the Common Soapwort is naturally adapted to the European climate, there are no difficulties in growing it outdoors here. It thrives in most soils, slightly clayey soils are most favorable. Areas with Sun/Part shade are good placements. It grows 30-100 cm high depending on the surrounding circumstances.

S. officinalis can spread well via underground shoots. So choose carefully where you plant it.

Sowing:

Sow seeds directly on the plant site or pre-cultivate indoors before planting out. Sow seeds 1 cm deep. Keep the soil moist when growing indoors. If germination has not occurred within a month, place the seeds in a pot in the refrigerator for about a month.

Alternatively, sow outdoors in pots or in open ground Sep-Nov. The seeds will germinate next spring.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun/Part shade
Height: 30-100 cm
Germination Time: 1-3 months
USDA Zone: 4-8

SEEDS (15pcs/bag)

Trivial name: Carob, St. John's Bread, Locust Bean, Keration
Scientific name: Ceratonia siliqua
Family: Fabaceae

Plant history & use:

Carob is an evergreen culturally significant plant with a long history of various uses. Already thousands of years ago, Carob - as the dried bean pods are called - were used as a counterweight when weighing gold and precious stones. The kernels (seeds) inside the pod always weighed 0.2 grams and that is where the measurement carat comes from.

Carob has also been used as a cough medicine and sold as candy in pharmacies in the past. The pods have a natural sugar content of 30-50% and this is believed to be one of the reasons why they were eaten as a snack in Ancient Rome.

A known area of ​​use today is as a substitute for cocoa, in roasted and ground form. Unlike cocoa, carob is free from i.a. caffeine and theobromine.

Another common use today is the so called Locust Bean gum extracted from the seeds. Locust Bean gum is a thickener used in different foods, among others: ice cream and crème fraîche.

Carob contains many different vitamins, e.g. vitamins A and B2 and has a taste reminiscent of caramel.

Cultivation:

In its natural environment around the Mediterranean, the Carob tree grows to 10–15 meters and produces pods up to 25cm long.

In the most favored areas of Northern Europe, such as Cornwall, England, the Carob tree is reported being able to grow and overwinter outdoors. In the rest of Europe, it is best grown in pots that are outdoors during the summer and overwintered indoors. 

However, the microclimate may vary in one and the same region. The main point to consider should be that the Carob tree can withstand subzero temperatures down to about -8 ºC before the tree takes damage - if you can provide such conditions above that limit it is theoretically possible for the Carob tree to grow outdoors all year round. But it should be considered an experiment in itself and it's recommended to perform it when the tree has gained somewhat growth.

Other than that, the Carob tree is drought tolerant and thrives in well-drained/rocky soil in sunny locations. Avoid damp environments and heavy clay soils. Let the soil dry up between waterings and add nutrients during the summer months if desired.

Transplanting to a larger pot is preferably done before the taproot (the thickest main root) has grown down to the bottom. As with all plants, restricted space for taproot growth is significantly decreasing growth rate of the entire plant. 

Carob trees growing in their natural environment, the Mediterranean Basin, are high-producing trees capable of yielding 400 kilos of bean pods each year.

Sowing:

Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 3 days before sowing. Sow in sowing soil. Cover with 2 cm of soil. Keep the soil moist. Germination time is about 2-5 weeks and optimal germination temperature is 22-26 ºC.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: up to 15 m
Germination Time: 2-5 weeks

USDA Zone: 9-11

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common name: Common Comfrey, True Comfrey, Boneset, Knitbone, Consound, Slippery Root
Scientific name: Symphytum officinale
Family: Boraginaceae

Plant history & use:

True Comfrey is historically a well-used plant in the treatment of various ailments. But above all, it is a very effective accumulator of nutrients, i.e. a good soil improver. Comfrey grows quickly and the roots are deep, which gives the plant access to nutrients from deeper soil layers that are otherwise inaccessible to most plants. It is mostly minerals such as potassium and calcium that are stored in the leaves, but also magnesium, iron, phosphorus, manganese and more.

The leaves from the comfrey plant can be cut down during the year and used as cover material, or alternatively buried in the soil, to make the nutrients available to other plants. Comfrey leaves are well suited as a fertilizer for fruit trees and berry bushes thanks to their potassium and phosphorus content.

True Comfrey has a long growing season, early winter to late autumn.

If the leaves are not cut before winter, they wither and in the same way add nutrients to the soil they grow on. New leaves begin to emerge on the plant shortly after the snow melts.

You can make your own fertilizer tea from comfrey by filling a container with the leaves and then filling with water up to the edge. Leave for a couple of days and then mix the fertilizer tea with 10 parts water to irrigate the plants with.

Comfrey is effective as an edging plant near manure piles to prevent nutrient leakage, but also as an edging plant around plantations and other places where you don't want root weeds to spread. Comfrey's dense root system forms an underground wall, making it difficult for other roots to get through.

True Comfrey creates an overall attractive environment for other plants in your cultivation - through attracting pollinators, serving as a natural fertilizer, and more.

Cultivation:

Comfrey is a herbaceous perennial native to Europe. It continues to grow on the site the next year even after the leaves have withered during the winter.

It is an incredibly easy-to-grow plant and it is tolerant in the choice of plant location. It can grow in shade as well as wet soils and is therefore an effective component in flooded and waterlogged soils.

It also thrives in drier soils in sunny locations, although it does best in a slightly moist environment.

Sowing:

Sow indoors or outdoors.

If germination has not occurred after one month after sowing indoors, place the pot with the seeds in the fridge for a month and take it out to room temperature again, or put outdoors during spring and summer times.

Can also be sown outdoors in autumn to give the seeds a real winter. The seeds germinate the following spring.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Shade/Semi-shade/Sun
Height: 50-100 cm
Germination Time: 1-12 months
USDA Zone: 3-10

SEEDS (30pcs/bag)

Common name: Kariyat,

Kalmegh, King of Bitters, Indian Echinacea,

nilavembu,

Bhuin, Chirota, Nemba
Scientific name: Andrographis paniculata
Family: Acanthaceae 

Plant history & use:

A well-known medicinal plant, also used in Scandinavia as an infection inhibitor for colds, etc. Compared to the healing properties of Echinacea. Kariyat is also known as the "King of Bitters" for its bitter taste.

It is mainly the roots and leaves that are used to relieve fever, skin problems, stomach problems and to improve appetite. Kariyat is full of antioxidants and is used as an immune system booster.

Commonly used to relieve colds through its ability to shorten the duration of colds.

Dry leaves and roots and add to boiled water or hot drink of your choice. You can also pulverize dried leaves and consume in any way you like. Alternatively, make a decoction directly on fresh leaves and roots. The leaves are sometimes also eaten fresh in a mixture with other vegetables.

Poultices of plant parts are used to relieve swelling and pigment deficiencies in the skin (e.g. vitiligo) . Also used as relief from snake and insect bites.

Attractive plant for bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

Extract of Kariyat leaves can be used as an organic pesticide against plant pests. The extract is mixed with water and sprayed on the intended plant.

Culture:

Kariyat is a perennial low-growing shrub that is, however, often grown as an annual. But if you overwinter the plant frost-free, you can use the same plant for several years.

Kariyat is a hardy plant that grows naturally in many different types of environments: low-lying plains, upland slopes, coasts and roadsides.

In cultivation, it is an easy-care plant that thrives in many different types of soil. However, moist soils with good drainage are an advantage. Can grow both in full shade (e.g. under taller trees and bushes) and in partial shade, but it grows best in sunny, slightly shady locations.

Plant with a distance of approx. 60cm x 30cm.

Top branches for a bushier growth habit.

Roots should be harvested when foliage begins to lose color or wilt.

Sowing:

Pre-cultivated indoors early in the year, alternatively sown directly outdoors in May-June.

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with small air holes to retain moisture.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun / shade / semi-shade
Height: 30 cm
Germination time: 3-10 days

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common names: White Roselle, White Rosell hibiscus, White Sorrel
Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Family: Malvaceae

Plant history & use:

Unlike the more commonly known red roselle hibiscus, the white roselle hibiscus has green-white sepals (what is normally referred to as the "fruit" of roselle hibiscus) more deep yellow flowers and green stem. The fruits are also smaller with white roselle, but the total yield is higher than from regular red roselle.

The fruits and leaves are used in the same way as fruit and leaves from ordinary roselle - however, the juice becomes transparent / amber colored instead of the deep red color of ordinary roselle.

Hibiscus sabdariffa originated in Africa and spread from there to Asia and the Caribbean.

Most popularly used to make juice (Agua de Jamaica) from the fresh sepals, but you can also let them dry to make hibiscus tea. Dried sepals are also used as a flavoring agent for Gin. The fresh leaves can also be used as a sour addition in salads or in soups of an Asian character.

In Asia, the leaves are usually fried, made into soup or used for prepared dishes with e.g. fish, chicken and beef.

Roselle is also often used for its health-enhancing properties.

Culture:

Roselle thrives in bright locations. Grow indoors in a bright window and feel free to move outside in the summers. Alternatively, sow the seeds directly in open ground when the risk of frost is over.

Roselle is grown commercially in one-year periods. In nature, however, the plant is perennial and it can also become so when grown at home. Wintering in a bright location is a prerequisite for perennials in Sweden. Grows into a small tree / tall shrub.

Sowing:

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with small holes in it to retain moisture. Optimum temperature for rapid germination is between 25-30 ºC , but the seeds germinate even at 20+ ºC . If necessary, use a heating mat for better germination conditions.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: up to 2 meters
Germination time: 7-30 days

SEEDS (50pcs/bag)

Common Names: African Cabbage, Spiderwisp, Shona Cabbage, African Cabbage, African Spider Flower
Scientific name: Cleome gynandra
Family: Cleomaceae 

SEEDS (50pcs/bag)
Common name: Spiderwisp, African cabbage, Shona cabbage, African Spider Flower, Cat's whiskers, Chinsaga, Maman, Stinkweed
Scientific name: Cleome gynandra
Family: Cleomaceae

Plant history & use:

Leaves and shoots are used for stuffing/pickling and eaten as a side dish. They can also be cooked and eaten like spinach or added to stews.

The whole plant is rich in vitamins and above-ground plant parts have a peppery, mustard-like taste.

Ground seeds can be used as a substitute for mustard.

Also grown in conjunction with other crops for its pest repelling properties.

Liquid from leaves and roots is used to relieve earaches etc.

Culture:

Thrives best in an airy, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil in warm and sunny locations.

African Cabbage is drought tolerant but thrives best in moist soils.

Sowing:

Sow directly outdoors when the risk of frost is over, alternatively pre-cultivate indoors early in the year. Cover the seeds with a very thin layer of soil.

Characteristics:

Duration: One year
Plant position: sun / partial shade
Height: 60 cm
Germination time: 5-14 days

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common name: Yellow Goji Berry, Yellow Wolfberry, Yellow Boxthorn / Matrimony Vine
Scientific name: Lycium barbarum
Family: Solanaceae

Plant history & use:

Yellow Goji Berry belongs to the same genus as the red and black goji berry and, like its relatives, is a highly nutritious berry - especially rich in vitamins and proteins. Unlike the red goji berry, yellow goji berries contain no bitter substances and also have a lower sugar content.

Yellow Goji Berries can be eaten raw as they are, mixed in a salad or dried to add as a topping to granola/cereals/müsli or baked goods. You can also simply make an infusion from them, similar to that of the black goji berry infusion.

Both yellow and black goji berries are relatively uncommon in Europe so far, so here is the chance to have something unusual and useful in your garden!

Cultivation:

Yellow Goji is a hardy shrub that can withstand many sub zero degrees and is fit for outdoor cultivation in all of Europe, even in the far north. It can be grown in the open field or in a pot. The Goji shrub grows well in both sandy and clayey soils - and everything in between, as long as the soil is well drained. It thrives in sunny locations and is relatively insensitive to drought, wind and salts.

The Goji bush has a strong root system which binds the soil effectively. Its hardy properties make it a suitable plant in maritime coastal climates with a lot of wind. Can be planted along the border of beaches to bind the sand and protect against wind.

Yellow Goji is a grateful plant that does not require much care.

The bush grows to 1-3 meters. Give the bush something to climb/grow against and it will grow faster.

Sowing:

The seeds are sown in moist soil. Cover with a thin layer of soil. Keep the soil moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-3 m
Germination Time: 1-3 weeks
USDA Zone: 6-9

SEEDS (5pcs/bag)

Common names: Korean Ginseng, Asian (Korean, Chinese, Japanese) Ginseng, Rénshēn, Insam, Ninjin
Scientific name: Panax ginseng
Family: Araliaceae

Plant history & use:

Panax ginseng , also known as Korean Ginseng, has a long and rich history as an important herb in traditional Asian medicine. Its medicinal properties and adaptogenic abilities have made it popular worldwide for its potential health benefits.

This plant is considered an adaptogen, meaning it can help the body adapt to stress and promote balanced and healthy physical and mental health. Korean Ginseng is often used to improve stamina, reduce fatigue and boost cognitive functions.

Korean Ginseng is often used in various dietary supplements. Its roots have long been sought after for their health-promoting abilities and are also used dried in the form of tea, extract and powder. Ginseng tea is considered calming and can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

Cultivation:

Korean Ginseng is a perennial plant that thrives best in shady and moist environments. To mimic its natural habitat, it should be grown in a well-drained, moist soil with a pH level of around 5.5 to 6.5. It also prefers to grow in a cooler environment and can therefore thrive in shady areas, e.g. under trees and bushes. To visualize its optimal environment, think: ground vegetation in a forest grove.

Korean Ginseng is very cold-resistant and can survive the winter in our Nordic climate.

Plants are generally slow growing, but they can live to be over 100 years old.

Harvesting of roots is usually done after year 4, which is also the year that plants usually flower and set seed. Of course, you can also wait to harvest even longer.

Sowing:

Place seeds in sand/sowing soil. Start by keeping the seed warm and moist at around +18 to +22°C for 2-4 weeks. Then you give the seed to a cold period (the fridge works well) for another 4-6 weeks.

You can also consider sowing outdoors in the open field, in cold benches or cold greenhouses. This has proven successful even as late as March, April and May.

Germination can take anywhere from 3 to 18 months. It must be a long and irregular process, but also an exciting one.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Shady & moist
Height: 30-60 cm
Germination Time: 3-18 months

SEEDS (6 capsules = approx. 30 seeds/bag)

Common names: Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthero, Kan Jang, Taiga Root, Thorny Ginseng, Ciwujia, Shigoka, Devil's Bush / Shrub, Touch-Me-Not, Wild Pepper
Scientific name: Eleutherococcus senticosus
Family: Araliaceae

Plant history & use:

Siberian Ginseng, or Eleuthero as it is also called, is a winter-hardy "Ginseng species" that belongs to the same family as the Korean Ginseng (Panax ginseng) and the American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). However it is not related to the Indian Ginseng.

From this Ginseng, it is the root bark that is used for its adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens are substances that help the body deal with different types of stress. Siberian Ginseng is well known among athletes and is also used to treat sleep disorders. Traditionally used in Russian/Chinese medicine.

Much of the Siberian Ginseng available on the market is ground whole roots, while in fact it is only the bark from the roots that contains the active substances of interest. Here, of course, it is an advantage to grow the Eleuthero yourself, as you control the entire process - from seed to consumption-ready product - by yourself.

Cultivation:

Siberian Ginseng is a shrub originating in Northeast Asia that often grows in forests as undergrowth or forms dense thickets. The bush is thorny and can grow up to 4 meters depending on location.

It thrives outdoors in temperate climate Europe and does not have high requirements to grow. Soil-wise, it can handle everything from sand to heavy clay soils, it is not demanding. However, it thrives best in soil mixed with leaves and compost (remember its natural environment is woodlands). Prefers light to partial shade. Can also be grown in a pot.

To harvest Eleuthero, you cut off one/several of the plant's underground shoots and let the plant grow. You then peel off the bark from the roots. Dry the root bark and discard the inner root.

Siberian Ginseng is a robust species with few known pests.

The flowers turn yellow-white/purple which later form black round fruits in clusters.

Sowing:

Seeds from Siberian Ginseng can be challenging to germinate. The seeds should be stratified to optimize conditions for succesful germination. This can be done by:

• Soaking the seeds for 1 day
• Put the seeds in an airtight plastic bag with sand/peat in the fridge for 2-3 months. Some seeds may need to lie for a whole year.
• Sow seeds in sowing soil, cover with 0.5 cm of soil. Keep the soil moist

If no seeds germinated after 4 months you can try one of these 2 methods:

• Leave the seeds in the ground/pot where you have sown them for the rest of the year. Let the natural winter be the long cold period they need. Be sure to protect the soil from heavy rainfall or picking birds with a covering net or similar. Next spring the seeds will hopefully emerge above the soil.
• Move the seeds in a pot into the fridge. Keep them there until next years spring arrives. Move the pot outdoors and wait for germination.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Partial shade/Sun
Height: 2-4 m
Germination Time: 2-4 months
USDA Zone: 3-7

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common Names: Light-Purple Butterfly Pea, Asian Pigeonwings, Cordofan Pea, Darwin pea
Scientific name: Clitoria ternatea
Family: Fabaceae 

Plant history & use:

A light purple variant of the more common one Blue Sky Pea . This variety has stuffed flowers.

Large climbing plant with edible flowers. Can be grown as a cover crop against a fence or as a ground cover.

Used to color food, sweets and drinks.

In Asia, tea made directly from the flowers is drunk. Sometimes it is mixed with lemongrass, honey and lime.

Himmelsärt is also used in traditional medicine as a relaxant and memory enhancer.

As a comparison, you can think that tea made in Himmelsart is used in Asia in the same way that we in Sweden use chamomile tea.

Like The goa bean Himmelsärten is regenerative for the soil in that it fixes nitrogen from air pores in the soil and works well as a ground cover crop. On the other hand, Himmelsärten is generally not hardy in Sweden, unlike Goa bean.

Cultivation:

The sky pea is a sun-loving, fast-growing plant that quickly establishes itself if it has something to climb on.

Cultivation in a pot is recommended if you want to let it become perennial in Sweden. Overwinter frost-free.

Able to grow in both moist and dry soils. Thrives surprisingly well in heavy clay soils. For growing in pots, a loamy soil with good drainage should be used.

Top branches for a bushier growth habit.

Sowing:

Pre-cultivated indoors early in the year, alternatively sown outside in April-May.

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with small air holes to maintain good moisture.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 150-300 cm
Germination time: 10-20 days

SEEDS (50pcs/bag)

Common name: Lemon basil, A frican basil, Hairy Basil, Lemon Basil
Scientific name: Ocimum x africanum
Family: Lamiaceae

Plant history & use:

Lemon basil is a hybrid basil that arose by crossing Ocimum americanum and Ocimum basilicum. It has a special lemony taste and aroma that makes it excellent for cooking, especially in South American, African and Asian dishes. It is usually a bit milder than common basil (Ocimum basilicum) and can be used fresh or dried.

Lemon basil is often used in salsas, stews, marinades and as a flavoring in drinks. Its light taste and fresh aroma also make it excellent for making tea.

Lemon basil also has medicinal properties. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve symptoms from colds and headaches. The herb has also been used to treat stomach upset and high blood pressure.

Lemon basil is an excellent plant for growing in the garden or in pots on a sunny patio. It is easy to grow and produces a generous harvest of flavorful leaves. It is also a beautiful plant with bright green leaves and beautiful white flowers.

So if you're a foodie or a gardening enthusiast, lemon basil is definitely a plant you should try growing. It provides both good taste and health benefits and is easy to care for.

Culture:

Lemon basil thrives in full sun or partial shade with good drainage. It requires regular watering but the soil should not be too wet. Put in a pot with plenty of room for the roots and the Lemon Basil can grow into a perennial small tree , like the Holy Basilica . However, this requires that you move the plant inside before winter, as Lemon Basil is sensitive to frost. You can also plant directly in the ground in a greenhouse if you make sure that the winter temperature does not fall below 0 ºC. Alternatively, grow directly in the ground as an annual.

Cut off inflorescences to encourage growth of foliage. However, the inflorescences are edible and aromatic as well.

Lemon basil is also known to be resistant to pests and diseases, and thus works well as a natural protection for the plants you place it around. However, it is still important to keep an eye out for any signs of fungal or insect infestation.

To get a rich harvest of healthy leaves, it is important to keep the soil moist, but not wet. It is also important to give the plant enough nutrients and space to grow.

Sowing:

To sow lemon basil, fill a pot or seed container with moist, well-drained soil. Spread the seeds evenly over the soil and press them down gently. Then cover the seed with a thin layer of soil or sand to hold the seeds in place.

To conserve moisture, cover the seed with plastic wrap or a plastic bag with air holes. Then put the seed in a warm place with good drainage and leave it until the seeds have germinated. It usually takes between 5-15 days for the seeds to germinate.

Properties :

Age: Perennial
Plant position: partial shade/sun
Height: 30-150 cm
Germination time: 5-15 days

FRÖN (30st/påse) 

Trivialnamn: Grön Shiso, Bladmynta, Kinesisk Mynte, Veripeippi, Sesame Sauvage, Schwarznessel, Wilder Sesam, Beefsteak Plant, Shiso Zoku, Bai Su Zi
Vetenskapligt namn: Perilla frutescens
Familj: Lamiaceae 

Växthistoria & användning: 

Shiso, eller Bladmynta som örten kallas på svenska, härstammar ifrån Fjärran Östern: Korea, Japan, Kina m fl. Dess naturliga växtplats är från Himalaya till östra Asien där den ofta växer vild i fuktig, öppen skogsmark.

Både fröer, blad och unga skott/plantor används som krydda. Smaken kan anses obekant för västerländska smaksinnen till en början, vissa människor upptäcker kanel, andra koriander eller citrus. 

Skott eller små plantor läggs i sallader, medan äldre blad ofta används som garnering eller smaksättning. Användningsområdena för Shiso'n är dock vidspridda.

Större blad kan t ex användas för att slå in (wrap) bulgogi, en koreansk biffrätt. Blad från lilafärgade Shiso-sorter används i Japan för att färga och smaksätta inläggningar: t ex ingefära och plommon. Äldre blad kan även saltas och användas för smaksättning av tofu och som garnering till tempura. I och med att bladen har en "curryliknande" smak är dem en ingrediens i många soppor och grytor. Det är även vanligt att man gör rätter på ångade Shisoblad, t ex Perilla Leaf Kimchi. Bladen kan även torkas för senare användning. 

Outslagna blomknoppar används som garnering till soppor och andra maträtter, äts färska i sallader, läggs in (likt Kapris) eller wokas tillsammans med andra grönsaker.

Fröerna kan strös över sallader och maträtter. De är en av ingredienserna i de välkända kryddblandningarna 'Shichimi' och 'Seven Spice'. Man gör även energibars med just Shisofrön. Det är frön från de rödfärgade Shiso-sorterna som föredras vid kulinarisk användning.

Ur fröerna kan man även utvinna s k perillaolja, som används i industriella sammanhang - t ex parfymtillverkning och tandvårdsprodukter samt inom pappers- och färgindustrin. Oljan används dock även i kulinariska syften som smaksättning av godis och olika såser. Ur fröerna kan man också utvinna en olja som effektivt används för att behandla trä, likt linolja.

Fröerna innehåller cirka 21,5% protein, 43,4% fett, 11,3% kolhydrat, 4,4% mineraler av olika slag. Fröerna från Shison är även rika på linolensyra (ALA).

Shiso är en uppskattad medicinalväxt inom orientalisk medicin, där den benämns som en bitande, aromatisk och värmande ört. Både bladen, stjälkarna och fröna används. Bladen används vid behandling av förkylningar, luftvägsinfektion, kräkningar, buksmärtor m fl (Yeung. Him-Che.). Fröerna är antiastmatisk, hostdämpande, mjukgörande och slemlösande. Saften från bladen appliceras på skärsår och sår (Manandhar. N. P.). Extrakt från växten används internt vid behandling av astma, förkylningar och frossa, illamående, buksmärtor, matförgiftning och allergiska reaktioner (särskilt sådana från skaldjur), bronkit och förstoppning (Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S.). Stjälkarna är ett traditionellt kinesiskt botemedel mot illamående på morgonen (Bown. D.).

Extrakt av örten har på senare tid börjat användas även i västvärlden, mot vissa allergier och som alternativ till antibiotika och kortison. De senaste ca 20 åren har det funnits ett intresse för örtens verkan mot astma (Almark L. & Flising L. - Svenska Örtasällskapet).

Odling:

Trivs bäst i en lätt, fuktighetsbevarande jord i soligt läge. Shison är ej frosttålig så den behöver övervintras frostfritt ifall man vill odla den som flerårig. Annars är den passande att odla som ettårig tack vare dess höga tillväxttakt.

Lättodlad, likt de flesta andra växter i familjen Lamiaceae: Grekiskt Bergste, Helig Basilika, Trädbasilika, Thaibasilika, Citronbasilika.

USDA-zon anges vara 7-10. Den ungefärliga översättningen från USDA zon 7-8 till vårt svenska system är växtzon 1-2. Men i och med att systemen inte mäts på samma vis är de inte direkt översättningsbara. Experiment kan göras på egen risk, finns chans för att plantornas rötter kan övervintra i landets allra mildaste delar, även om delen ovan jord fryser bort under vintern. 

Sådd:

Förkultivera inomhus, alternativt så utomhus på senvåren när jorden är varm. Fröna är ljusgroende - täck därav fröerna med ett ytterst tunt jordlager eller täck inte alls. Håll sådden fuktig. Ett sätt att behålla god fuktighet är att täcka sådden med plast försedd med lufthål.

Optimal groningstemperatur är 18-25 °C.

Egenskaper:

Årighet: Flerårig i varmare klimat, annars ettårig
Växtläge: sol
Höjd: 60-100 cm
Grotid: 5-15 dagar
USDA-zon: 7-10

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common Names: Light Purple Sky Pea, Light Purple Sail Pea, Light Purple K litoria, Light Purple Butterfly Pea
Scientific name: Clitoria ternatea
Family: Fabaceae 

Plant history & use:

Magenta colored variant of the more common one Blue Sky Pea .

Large climbing plant with edible flowers. Can be grown as a cover crop against a fence or as a ground cover.

Used to color food, sweets and drinks.

In Asia, tea made directly from the flowers is drunk. Sometimes it is mixed with lemongrass, honey and lime.

Himmelsärt is also used in traditional medicine as a relaxant and memory enhancer.

As a comparison, you can think that tea made in Himmelsart is used in Asia in the same way that we in Sweden use chamomile tea.

Like The goa bean Himmelsärten is regenerative for the soil in that it fixes nitrogen from air pores in the soil and works well as a ground cover crop. On the other hand, Himmelsärten is generally not hardy in Sweden, unlike Goa bean.

Culture:

The sky pea is a sun-loving, fast-growing plant that quickly establishes itself if it has something to climb on.

Cultivation in a pot is recommended if you want to let it become perennial in Sweden. Overwinter frost-free.

Able to grow in both moist and dry soils. Thrives surprisingly well in heavy clay soils. For growing in pots, a loamy soil with good drainage should be used.

Top branches for a bushier growth habit.

Sowing:

Pre-cultivated indoors early in the year, alternatively sown outside in April-May.

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with small air holes to maintain good moisture.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 150-300 cm
Germination time: 10-20 days

FRÖN (20st/påse)

Trivialnamn: Japanskt Russinträd, Orientaliskt Russinträd, Raisin Tree, Chi-Chao Li
Vetenskapligt namn: Hovenia dulcis
Familj: Rhamnaceae

Växthistoria & användning:

Det Japanska Russinträdet ett härdigt träd som finns i Asien, från östra Kina och Korea till Himalaya där det växer på höjder upp till 2 000 m öh.

De köttiga, söta och väldoftande frukterna äts råa eller tillagade. När frukterna torkas får dem både en smak och ett utseende som påminner om russin.  

Ett extrakt gjort från frön, grenar och unga blad kan ätas likt honung och används även för att göra vin och godis (Facciola, S.).

Fröerna innehåller ca 15 % protein och 7,8 % fett (Duke. J. A. & Ayensu. E. S.).

Russinträdet har sedan länge använts i traditionella kinesiska, koreanska och japanska mediciner för att behandla en rad olika åkommor, däribland bakfylla (Hyun TK et al.). Frukterna från Russinträdet nämns redan i materia medica från Tangdynastin på 600-talet.

Modern forskning bekräftar att flavanonolen ampelopsin / dihydromyricetin (DHM), som återfinns hos växter i släktena Ampelopsis och Cercidiphyllum, kan minska symtomen på alkoholförgiftning och abstinens (Reich L.).

Extrakt av Hovenia dulcis finns kommersiellt tillgängliga och marknadsförs som ett botemedel mot efterverkningarna av överdriven alkoholkonsumtion.

Trädet är traditionellt känt för sina hälsofördelar vid konsumtion i teform.

Träet från Russinträdet är hårt och passar väl för tillverkning av möbler.

Odling:

Trivs bra i väldränerade, sandiga lerjordar i soligt och varmt läge. Skyddas gärna mot frost de första åren, därefter tål trädet ner mot -15°C. Om trädet däremot låts härdas mot kylan långsamt kan vävnaden låtas mogna (förhårdna) och då kan trädet vara härdig ända ned till -25°C (Huxley. A.).

Undvik kompakta och våta jordar.

Trädet anses vara snabbväxande och blir oftast inte mer än 5-6 meter högt i vårt klimat. I andra delar av världen når det höjder upp till hela 30 meter.

Kan toppas för att hållas som en buske eller låtas växa för att bli mer naturligt trädformad. 

Russinträdet är torktåligt, men kvaliteten på frukten kan påverkas märkbart om vattentillgången ej är god. Vattning 2-3 gånger i veckan rekommenderas under vår och sommar. 

Frukterna mognar oftast sent på säsongen, runt oktober månad. Frukterna skördas när de torkat på trädet, så inget behov för manuell torkning av frukterna.

Russinträdet är självfertilt och producerar rikligt med frukt i mogen ålder.

Sådd:

OBS! Dessa fröer har legat i stratifiering (köldperiod) och kan därav sås direkt efter mottagning.

Fröna sås i fuktig såjord. Täck med ett tunt lager (ca 1 cm) jord. Håll sådden fuktig.

För vissa fröer kan groning ske så sent som ett år efter, alltså ytterligare en köldperiod senare. 

Egenskaper:

Årighet: Flerårig
Växtläge: sol / lätt skugga
Höjd: 4-30 m
Grotid: 1-12 månad/-er
Växtzon: 1-4

SEEDS (15pcs/bag)

Common name: Chinese Liquorice/Licorice Root, Cultivated Licorice
Scientific name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Family: Fabaceae

Plant history & use:

This characterizes Chinese Liquorice Root in relation to other Liquorice species in the genus Glycyrrhiza:

• Originally from Central Asia and Northern China.
• Used in traditional Chinese medicine for its medicinal properties.
• Hardy down to -25 ºC.
• Can be grown outdoors in colder climates with appropriate winter protection.
• Grows to a height of 0.5-1.5 meters. This is a more low-growing licorice species.

Liquorice Root has a long history both as a medicinal plant and as a sweet treat. As early as 4000 BC it was used by the Assyrians and since then the licorice root has been used as a nerve-soother, flu-reliever, anti-infective and more.

One of the most prominent uses of the Licorice root by our ancestors was to chew it in order to keep their teeth clean and healthy. This was efficient due to the anti-bacterial properties of the substance glycyrrhizin present in the roots. It's also the same substance which provides the sweet flavor. However, glycyrrhizin is not metabolized by our bodies and may therefore, just as Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana), be used as a sweetening substitute for sugar.

Licorice root was sold in pharmacies as a medicine until as late as the 1970s.

The Licorice root can be shredded and made into a tea or a refreshening beverage served with ice. In Mongolia, the leaves are used as a substitute for common Tea (Camellia sinensis).

The root may also be ground/crushed to make your own licorice. Mix with sugar molasses/syrup, flour and anise in a heated saucepan. 

Licorice root is also often used together with anise when flavoring alcoholic beverages.

Cultivation:

Licorice root grows naturally in southern Europe and parts of Asia.

The plant is hardy down to -25 ºC. In most of Europe, it can be grown outdoors all year round. To protect the plant during the winter, cover the base with twigs, leaves, straw or similar. Measures such as these can allow your Licorice root plant to thrive even in locations that are generally viewed as below its temperature range. The USDA Zone of the Licorice root range from 7-10.

Licorice root may also be grown in a wide pot, put outdoors during the warmer months, and indoors during the colder months.

Licorice root thrives best in well-drained soil and locations with full sun.

The roots, which are the main part used for consumption, become meters long, so a large pot is recommended for pot cultivation. It takes about 3 years for the plant to become harvestable and by that time it will likely have grown to become a fairly large bush. 

Sowing:

The seeds can be sown directly outdoors when the soil temperature has risen to above 15 ºC. The seeds can also be pre-cultivated indoors any time of the year.

Soak the seeds for 1 day before sowing. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep the sowing moist.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun
Height: 1-2 m
Germination Time: 1-3 months
USDA Zone: 5-9

SEEDS (5pcs/bag)

Common names: Orchid Tree, Camel's Foot, Mountain Ebony, Kachnar
Scientific name: Bauhinia variegata 'Candida' / 'Alba'
Family: Fabaceae

Plant history & use:

The Orchid Tree, also known as Mountain Ebony, is a beautiful flowering tree that belongs to the pea family. It is originally from South Asia and is known for its distinctive and colorful flowers. The tree got its name from the similarity between its flowers and orchid flowers. The flowers on the Orchid Tree are very fragrant - they have a honeysuckle-like scent. These seeds are from the variety 'Candida' with white flowers.

Leaves and flower buds are edible. In India, the unopened flower buds, which are called Kachnar, are used to both prepare curries and make various pickles. You can compare it to the fact that here in Europe we use the unopened flower buds from the Caper plant to make pickles and consume.

Oil can be extracted from the seeds of the Orchid tree.

There are also some medicinal uses for the plant. It is then mainly sap from the bark that is used.

The tree thrives best in subtropical and tropical climates, but can also do well in sheltered and sunny locations in temperate climates. Read more about cultivation below.

Cultivation:

The Orchid Tree has its origins in subtropical and tropical climates in southern Asia. However, it tolerates frost and temperatures as low as -7 degrees. If you place the tree in a favorable sunny and windless place, you can theoretically succeed with outdoor cultivation all year round in the most favorable parts of Sweden - Skåne, Öland & Gotland, among others. The specified USDA zone for the tree is zone 8, which corresponds precisely to the most favorable locations in Sweden's zone 1. Read more about the relationship between Swedish plant zones & USDA zones here .

To further protect the tree during the colder months, the base of the tree can be covered with straw or the like to create protection against wind, prevent the radiation of ground heat and insulate against external penetrating cold. This can be done with basically all trees that are on the border of hardiness in an attempt to succeed in wintering outdoors.

Otherwise, you can always grow in a pot that is moved in for the winter.

Use a nutrient-rich, well-drained soil for your Orchid tree.

The orchid tree is slightly sensitive to lime - add peat or other pH-lowering substrate to your soil if it is naturally chalky (higher range of pH values ​​- 7.5 and above) to give the tree optimal conditions for successful growth. Acceptable values ​​for the Orchid Tree are pH 5.5-7.5.

The tree can be propagated by cuttings as well as seeds.

Sowing:

Soak the seeds for 1-2 days before sowing.

Preferably sow indoors or in a greenhouse under a 1 cm layer of soil. Keep the seed moist. The seeds can still be considered quick-germinating, it usually does not take more than about 1 week before the seeds start to germinate, some of the seeds take longer.

Characteristics:

Lifespan: Perennial
Location: Sun / Partial shade
Height: 2-10 m
Germination Time: 1-4 weeks

FRÖN (30st/påse)

Trivialnamn: Gyllene Himalaya-Hallon, Golden Evergreen Raspberry, Yellow Himalayan Raspberry, Ainselu
Vetenskapligt namn: Rubus ellipticus
Familj: Rosaceae

Växthistoria & användning:

Det Gyllene Himalayanska Hallonet har sin härkomst från Himalaya-bergskedjan i Tibet och Nepal, men växer även vilt på höga altituder på sydligare breddgrader som t ex Sri Lanka och Sydostasien. 

Bären har en söt smak med en behaglig nivå av syrlighet.

Nepalesiska bönder odlar och skördar Gyllene Himalaya-Hallon för att sedan jäsa bären och producera ett lokalt fruktvin.

Bären har historiskt sett använts både som föda och i medicinska syften.

Vetenskapliga undersökningar har avslöjat en rikedom på makronäringsämnen, mikronäringsämnen och olika mineraler i bäret (Lamichhane A, Lamichhane G et al.). Vidare har det Gyllene Himalayanska Hallonet visat sig vara rik på andra nyttiga ämnen, inklusive polyfenoler, flavonoider, antocyaniner, tanniner och terpenoider.

I lokala samhällen där hallonet växer vilt sker fortfarande konsumtion av bären likt förr i tiden. Bären säljs på lokala marknader i Himalaya-trakten (Manandhar. N. P.).

Den inre barken värderas som en medicinsk ört i traditionell tibetansk medicin. 

I skogsträdgårdssammanhang odlas växten traditionellt i levande staket i nordvästra Himalaya, där den hjälper till att hålla ute boskap och andra djur; markera markgränser; samtidigt som den tillhandahåller en rad medicinska och ätbara användningsområden (Pankaj Sharma & Usha Devi). Växten är även nyttosam i förebyggande av jorderosion och i övriga markvårdssyften (Manandhar. N. P.).

Denna art används även i hallonförädlingsprogram, där den korsas med vissa sorter för att medföra dess motståndskraft mot sjukdomar och för att förbättra anpassningsförmågan till varmare klimat (Janick, J. & J. N. Moore).

Ur bären kan man (förvånande nog) utvinna ett blålila färgämne som kan användas vid naturlig färgning (Grae. I.).

Odling:

Det Gyllene Hamalayanska Hallonet ska vara en vintergrön buske i sin naturliga miljö - möjligtvis även i de mildaste delarna i vårt land.  Busken producerar ett kluster av kraftiga, taggiga, upprättstående stammar från en vedartad grundstam. Busken blir vanligtvis 1-3 m hög, ibland upp till 4,5 m.

Lättodlad växt som trivs bäst i en väldränerad lerartad jord. God härdighet mot minusgrader, exakt härdighet är svårt att hitta pga dess ovanlighet inom kommersiell odling, men fall av härdighet ner till -20ºC har rapporterats (A. K. Trivedi)

Mer skuggtålig än många andra arter i Hallonsläktet (Rubus sp.). Bästa plats för största möjliga fruktsättning är dock soligt läge. 

Årlig skörd från vilda exemplar i Himalaya är ca 750 g från en buske som upptar en yta på 2,5 m² (Parmar. C. and Kaushal. M.K.).

Busken är självfertil och pollineras av insekter. Nya stjälkar produceras varje år från den fleråriga grundstammen, dessa stjälkar sätter frukt under sitt andra år och dör sedan ut för att utbytas mot fjolårets fruktsättande stjälkar nästkommande år.

Rotknölar samlade från växter i Java visade nitrogen-fixerande aktivitet och kan antas fixera sitt egna kväve likt de flesta växter i familjen Ärtväxter - Fabaceae (M. J. Van Steeniis-Kruseman).

Sådd:

OBS! Dessa fröer har legat i stratifiering (köldperiod) och kan därav sås direkt efter mottagning.

Fröna sås i fuktig såjord. Täck med ett tunt lager (ca 1 cm) jord. Håll sådden fuktig.

Egenskaper:

Årighet: Flerårig
Växtläge: sol
Höjd: 1-4 m
Grotid: 1-3 veckor
USDA-zon: 7-10
Växtzon (ungefärlig översättning): 1-3

SEEDS (10pcs/bag)

Common Names: Light Blue Sky Pea, Light Blue Sail Pea, Light Blue K litoria, Light-blue Butterfly Pea
Scientific name: Clitoria ternatea
Family: Fabaceae 

Plant history & use:

Light blue variant of the more common one Blue Sky Pea . This variety has double petals, there is also a Light Blue Himmelsärt with a filled inflorescence .

Large climbing plant with edible flowers. Can be grown as a cover crop against a fence or as a ground cover.

Used to color food, sweets and drinks.

In Asia, tea made directly from the flowers is drunk. Sometimes it is mixed with lemongrass, honey and lime.

Himmelsärt is also used in traditional medicine as a relaxant and memory enhancer.

As a comparison, you can think that tea made in Himmelsart is used in Asia in the same way that we in Sweden use chamomile tea.

Like The goa bean Himmelsärten is regenerative for the soil in that it fixes nitrogen from air pores in the soil and works well as a ground cover crop. On the other hand, Himmelsärten is generally not hardy in Sweden, unlike Goa bean.

Culture:

The sky pea is a sun-loving, fast-growing plant that quickly establishes itself if it has something to climb on.

Cultivation in a pot is recommended if you want to let it become perennial in Sweden. Overwinter frost-free.

Able to grow in both moist and dry soils. Thrives surprisingly well in heavy clay soils. For growing in pots, a loamy soil with good drainage should be used.

Top branches for a bushier growth habit.

Sowing:

Pre-cultivated indoors early in the year, alternatively sown outside in April-May.

Soak the seeds 1 day in advance. Sow in moist soil and preferably cover with plastic with small air holes to maintain good moisture.

Characteristics:

Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 150-300 cm
Germination time: 10-20 days