"Herbs have been used for thousands of years to help people create and sustain a healthy and vital life..."

Our beautiful herb garden has a fascinating array of culinary, medicinal, aromatic, and flowering plants. The garden and its tenants, the angora rabbits, are shaded and sustained by a small grove of edible bamboo. We use organic intensive methods in the cultivation cycle.

In most cases we lift plants directly from the garden for ease of transplanting and optimum size. We will be glad to help with any cultivation questions or share information about preparation and use.

contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (540) 894-5126

Visit the herb garden by appointment

The garden is open by appointment March through October. Please call first to stop by and browse. We will be glad to help you with any herbal questions or problems that you might have. We offer for sale a wide variety of plants propagated directly from our working stock. Tours are welcome.

For information and to make an appointment for individuals or groups to tour the herb garden, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (540) 894-5126 12:30-3:00pm Tues - Fri.

Attend our spring Herb Day Gala

One event per year is currently offered. Here is the invitation for the current calendar year.

Herb Day Gala ~ Tours & Tea in the Garden
Join Hildegard & Ira for a guided tour.

We would like to invite you to come learn about herbs at our

Tea & Tour: Saturday May 16, 2015
(If it rains hard, we will cancel.)

Join Hildegard and Ira for a Guided Tour of the Twin Oaks Herb Garden in Louisa, Virginia.

with Morning Tea (10 a.m. to noon)
or Afternoon Tea (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Enjoy assorted sweet & savory herbal treats and teas. You'll receive recipes and have time to chat with our herbalists. Plants from the garden will be available for purchase.

For more information or to reserve your space, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or voicemail: 540-903-1669.

Our Herb Specialists

Ira Wallace
Studied at New College Environmental Studies Institute, workshops at N. C. Botanical Gardens, and Ontario Herbalist Society at Dandelion Community, Certified Plants Person with the Ontario Board of Horticulturists.

Hildegard Ott
Organic gardener, writer, homesteader, specializing as herbal consultant. Maker of herbal products, salves, balms, tinctures, wreaths, etc.

For further information about the herbal workshops or herbs,
please call Hildegard at (540) 894-5126

or e-mail
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can register for the Herb Day by phone or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Let us know your name, address, and phone number. The fee is $10 per session, payable to Twin Oaks Community. Please reserve early.

Map of the Herb Garden

Herbs List

Twin Oaks Community Herb Garden

Common & Latin Name

Uses

Notes

Alfalfa Medicago sativa	Tonic, nutritive, anti-inflamatory Used for: vitamins, minerals and calcium	hardy perennial
Angelica Angelica archangelica	Used for: colds, coughs, pleurisy, colic, rheumatism, diseases of the urinary organs	biennial
Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum	Used for: tea	perennial non spreading mint
Apothecary’s Rose Rose gallica officinalis	Used for: tea, edible flower
Arnica, American Arnica chamissonis	Used for: bruises, burns, inflamations Can blister the skin	perennial
Artemisia, Old Woman Artemisia stellerana	Used for: dried wreath making	spreading perennial
Artemisia, Silver King Artemisia ludoviciana	Used for: dried wreath making	spreading perennial
Artemisia, Sweet Annie Artemisia Annua	Used for: tonic summer tea, tonic to the liver during heat & humidity	hardy annual
Aster, New England Aster novae angliae	Can be dried for smudging Used for: fever, pain	perennial
Balm of Gilead Populus balsamifera	Stimulant and diuretic Buds are covered with a resinous material that is a good preservative for other ointments Used for: rheumatism, chest, stomach, and kidney problems, bruises, swellings, skin problems	tree
Bamboo, Bent Knee (or Golden Groove) Phyllostachys aureosulcata	Used for: edible shoots, usable canes, hot weather tea from leaves	spreading perennial
Bamboo, Black Phyllostachys nigra	Used for: black ornamental canes, edible shoots, hot weather tea from leaves	"
Bamboo, Flute Phyllostachys rubra marginata	Used for: making flutes, edible shoots, hot weather tea from leaves	"
Bamboo, Golden Phyllostachys aurea	Used for: decorative walking sticks, edible shoots, hot weather tea from leaves	"
Basil, Sweet Ocymum basilium	Used for: mild nervous headaches, rheumatic pains, vomiting, nausea, warts	annual
Bee Balm, Purple (bergamot) Monarda didyma	Used for: tea, edible flowers Historical note: Boston settlers used this plant for tea after dumping Brittish tea in a tax resisting action.	spreading perennial
Bee Balm, Red (bergamot) Monarda didyma	See above	"
Bloodroot Sanguinaria candensis	Expectorant, emmenagogue Used for: asthma, bronchitis, croup, nervous irritation, lowering high pulse, heart palpitation, ringworm, dysentery, fungoid growths, eczema In toxic doses, it causes burning in the stomach, intense thirst, vomiting, faintness, vertigo	woodland perennial
Boneset Eudatorium	Stimulant, laxative Used for: muscular rheumatism, colds, fever, flu, dyspepsia, tapeworm	perennial
Boxwood Buxus sempervirens	Used for: ornamental wreaths, creating hedging in gardens	shrub
Bugle, Common Ajuga reptans	Astringent and mildly-analgesic used for: wounds, cleansing the liver, hemorrhage, cough, hangover	low growing spreading perennial
Calendula (Pot Marigold) Calendula Officinalis	Used for: first-aid skin lotions and ointments	hardy annual
Cardinal Flower (Giant Lobelia) lobelia siphilitica	Used for: sedative, coughs	perennial
Catnip (Catnep, Catmint) Nepeta cataria	Used for: cat intoxication, human colds and fevers, inducing sleep, restlessness, colic	perennial
Celandine, Greater Chelidonium majus	Used for: warts, corns, stomach pains, inflammation of the bilary duct, jaundice, eczema, obstructions of the liver and gallbladder, warts, ringworm, corns	perennial
Chamomile, German Matricaria recutita	See below	hardy annual
Chamomile, Roman Chamaemelum nobile	Used for: relaxation, skin wash, fevers, nightmares, indigestion, colic, heartburn, loss of appetite, gout, headache	spreading perennial
Chastetree Agnus castus	Used for: hormonal balancing, regulating menstrual bleeding or too frequent menstruation, paralysis, pains in the limbs	small tree
Chervil Anthriscus Cereifolium	Used for: food	biennial
Chives, Garlic Allium Tuberosum	Used for: food	perennial, self sows
Chives, Onion Allium Schoenoprasum	Used for: food	perennial, self sows
Cilantro Coriandrum Sativum	Used for: food	annual, likes cool weather
Clove Pink (Carnation) Dianthus caryophyllus	Used for: flavoring ales and wines, scenting potpourri	perennial
Clover, Red Trifolium pratense	alterative and antispasmodic Used for: tonic, blood purifying, cancer, bronchial troubles, whooping cough, gastric troubles, ulcers, calcium	short lived perennial
Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara	Used for: coughs, colds, hoarseness, bronchitis, asthma	spreading perennial
Comfrey Symphytum officinale	Contains allantoin, a hormone-like substance that stimulates cell division Used for: wounds, ulcers, broken bones Pyrrolizidine alkaloids found in comfrey leaves and roots have reportedly caused liver damage when eaten over a long period of time. External use is safe.	perennial, grows from root pieces- beware
Costmary Tanacetum balsamita	Used for: food, fixative for potpourri	spreading perennial
Currant, Black Ribes nigrum	Used for: sore throat, fever	bush
Currant, Clove Ribes odonatum	See above	"
Dame’s Rocket (Sweet Rocket) Hesperis matronalis	Used for: edible flowers	short lived perennial, self sows
Day Lily Hemerocalis	Used for: salads	clumping perennial
Dill Anethum graveolens	stimulant, carminative Used for: food, flatulence	annual, self sows
Echinacea Echinacea augustifolia	Antiseptic, alterative Used for: increasing resistance to infection, cancer, syphilis, hemorrhoids, fever	perennial
Echinacea Echinacea purpurea	See above	perennial
Elderberry Sambucus canadensis	Used for: fevers, colds, skin	shrub
Elecampane Inula helenium	Diuretic, tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, alterative, antiseptic, astringent and gently stimulant Used for: coughing, bronchitis, asthma, stimulating digestion, toning the stomach, skin problems, pulmonary disease, healing sheep and horses	perennial 5’
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus neglecta	Stimulant, antiseptic, aromatic Used for: sore throat, tuberculosis, bronchitis, croup, parasitic skin infections, deodorizing the air In large doses, it irritates the kidneys	shrub
Eucalyptus, Babyblue Eucalyptus archerii	See above	shrub
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare dulce	Used for: improving digestibility of oily foods, calming infants, chronic coughs, flatulence	shrub
Fennel, Bronze Foeniculum vulgare dulce rubrum	See above	perennial
Fenugreek Foenum Graecum Trigonella	Used for: fevers, stomach upset, diabetes, abscesses, boils, carbuncles, gout	annual
Feverfew Chrysanthemum parthenium	Aperient, carminative, bitter, emmenagogue Used for: migraines, arthritis, reducing tension, coughs, insect bites	perennial
Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea	Source of digitalis, which stimulates and regulates the heart Too powerful to use without medicial supervision.	biennial
Garlic Allium Sativum	Antibiotic Used for: high blood pressure, repelling insects	perennial
Garlic, Elephant Allium ampeloprasum var ampeloprasum	See above	perennial
Geranium, Apple Pelargonium Odoratissimum	Used for:	perennial
Germander, Wall Teucrium Chamaedrys	Stimulant, tonic, diaphoretic, diuretic Used for: upset stomach, promoting appetite, gout, fevers, uterine obstructions, coughs, headache	perennial
Goldenrod, Sweet Solidago odora	Used for: stomach and bowel complaints	perennial
Goldenseal Hydrastis Canadensis	Used for: sore gums, gastritis, nasal congestion, digestion, sore eyes, yellow dye, hemorrhoids, liver troubles, constipation, vomiting	perennial
Gooseberry Ribes Grossularia	Used for: inflammations, spring tonics	bush
Goutweed Aegopodium podograria	Sedative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties Used for: gout, sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism, inflamation	spreading perennial
Grapes Vitis vinifera	Used for: food	vine
Heartsease ( Viola, Johnny Jump Up) Viola tricolor	Used for: dropsy, respiratory catarrh and skin eruptions, epilepsy, asthma, heart disease, love potion	hardy annual
Hen & Chicks (Houseleek) Sempervium tectorum	Used for: burns and various skin diseases, earache	perennial
Hops Humulus lupulus	Used for: flavoring for beer, calming tension, insomnia, improving the appetite and digestion	strong growing vine
Horehound, Black Marrubium vulgare	antispasmodic and expectorant Used for: nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, morning sickness, stimulating the uterus	perennial
Horse Tail Equisetum arvense	Contains silicic compounds which promote the coagulation of blood Used for: bleeding ulcers, excessive menstrual flow, mouth and gum inflammations, kidney and bladder infections, hemorrhage, swollen eyelids	spreading perennial
Horseradish Cochlearia armoracia	Used for: digestion, rheumatism, promoting perspiration, cough, worms	perennial, grows from root pieces
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis	Used for: weak stomach, muscular rheumatism, bruises, cuts, pulmonary disease	perennial
Ivy Hedera helix	Used for: dysentery, jaundice, sunburn	spreading perennial
Ivy, Ground Glechoma hederacea	Used for: kidney diseases, indigestion, coughs, nervous headaches, bruises, black eyes, sore and weak eyes	spreading perennial
Japanese Ginger Zingiber mioga	Used for: food	spreading perennial
Lady’s Bedstraw Galium verum	Used for: urinary diseases, red dye	mat forming perennial 1’
Lady’s Mantle, Alpine Alchemilla alpina	See below	perennial 1’
Lady’s Mantle, Regular Alchemilla mollis	astringent Used for: wounds, menstrual disorders, stimulating appetite, rheumatism, stomach ailments, muscle disorders	perennial 1’
Lambs Ears, Wooly Stachys byzantina	Used for: bandaging wounds, wreath making	spreading perennial 2’
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia	Used for: dried sachets, scented soaps, perfume, potpourri, faintness, spasms, colic, flatulence, fatigue, toothache, neuralgia, sprains, rheumatism	perennial 2’
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis	Used for: tea, heart stimulant, calming nerves, melancholy	mildly spreading perennial 2’
Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra	Used for: throat, lungs, balancing other herbs in perscriptions	perennial4’
Ligonberry Vaccinium vitus-idaea	Used for:	spreading perennial 1’
Lilac Syringa vulgaris	Used for:	shrub 4’-6’
Lobelia, Blue (Indian Tobacco) Lobelia inflata	Used for: bronchitis, epilepsy, tonsillitis, sprains, bruises, skin diseases, expectorant, nauseant, sedative, asthma, whooping cough, stimulant in small doses, nerve depressant in larger doses Excessive doses can cause severe depression.	perennial 2’
Lotus, Sacred Nelumbo nucifera	Used for: food and medicine,	water plant 4’-6’
Lovage Levisticum officinale	Used for: stomach disorders, fevers colic, flatulence, emmenagogue	perennial 3’
Lungwort Pulmoniaria officinalis	astringent used for: coughs, bronchitis, excess mucus, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, inflammation	woodland perennial 1’
Madder, Rose Rubia tinctorium	Used for: nosebleeds, hemorrhages, blood disorders, reducing fever, source of red dye	spreading perennial 3’
Marjoram, Sweet Origanum majorana	Used for: sprains, bruises, emmenagogue, sneezing powder	tender perennial 1’
Marshmallow Althaea officinalis	Used for: irritations & inflammations of the skin, throat, eyes, lungs and urinary organs	peennial 3’
Meadowsweet Fillidendula ulmaria	Contains salicylic acid, chemically similar to aspirin Used for: flu, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, fever	perennial4’
Mint, Fairy Pycnathemum nuticum	Used for:	spreading perennial 2’
Mint, Mountain Pycnathemum pilosum	Used for:	spreading perennial 3’
Mint, Peppermint Mentha piperita	anti-spasmodic, stimulant, stomachic and carminative Used for: alternative to coffee or caffeinated tea, stomach indigestion, stomach cramps, flatulence, colic, diarrhea, nausea, flavoring other medicines don’t drink while pregnant	spreading perennial 2’
Mint, Spearmint Mentha viridis	Similar to peppermint, but not as strong	spreading perennial 2’
Moneyplant Lunaria	Used for: dried arrangements	biennial 2’
Motherwort Leonurus cardiaca	Used for: PMS, menstrual pain, delayed menstruation, sedative, calming the nervous system, strengthening the heart, circulation	perennial, self sows 3’
Mullein Verbascum thapsus	emulcent, emollient, astringent Used for: bleeding of the lungs and bowels, sedative, cough, mucus membrane irritation, hemorrhoids, diarrhea	biennial 5’
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus	Used for: promotes appetite	annual 1’
Nettle, Dead (Purple Archangel) Lamium purpureum	Used for: stopping hemorrhages, inducing sweating in order to combat chills	winter weed, perennial
Nettle, Stinging Urtica dioica	Astringent, stimulant Used for: bronchial and asthmatic problems, poison and venomous bites, hair growth	spreading perennial, stings
Oregano Origanum vulgare hirtum	Used for: food, colds	perennial 2’
Orris Iris germanica var. Florentina	Used for: perfume and potpourri	perennial 2’
Parsley Crispum petroselinum	Used for: stomach upset, bad breath	biennial
Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata	Used for: reducing arterial pressure, epilepsy, diarrhea, dysentery, sleeplessness	vine, perennial, can be invasive
Pennyroyal Mentha Pulegium	Used for: headache, repelling insects, fainting, stomach upset, spasms	low creeper, perennial
Primrose Primula Vulgaris	Antispasmodic, vermifuge, emetic, astringent Used for: muscular rheumatism, paralysis, gout, sedative, headaches	perennial, 1’, yellow blooms in spring
Prunella (Self Heal) Prunella Vulgaris	Astringent and antiseptic Used for: first aid on fresh wounds, sore throats, bleeding gums, hemorrhoids, heavy menstruation	perennial, self sows,
Pussy Willow Salix caprea	Contains salicylic acid, chemically similar to aspirin Used for: sore throat, heartburn, stomach problems, food poisoning, arthritic pain, corns	shrub
Rose Hip Rose Rosa rugosa	Used for: souce of vitamin C	shrub
Rosemary "ARP" Rosmarinus officinalis	astringent, diaphoretic, stimulant Used for: headache, hair-lotions, preventing premature baldness, dandruff, stimulating the kidneys, circulation, colic, colds, antispasmodic, asthma	perennial, needs winter protection
Rue Ruta graveolens	Used for: headache, repelling insects, coughs, croupy affections, colic, flatulence, nightmares	perennial 3’
Sage Salvia officinalis	Used for: dyspepsia, sore throat, bleeding gums	perennial 3’
Sorrel, Sheep Rumex acetosella	Used for: fevers, inflammation, diarrhea, excessive menstruation, cancer, urinary and kidney diseases	low creeping perennial
Southernwood Artemisia abrotanum	Antiseptic Used for: emmenagogue, worms	perennial 3’
Speedwell, Garden Veronica longifolia	Used for:	perennial 2’
Speedwell, Silver Veronica incana	Used for:	"
St. John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum	Used for: insomnia, depression, bedwetting, bladder troubles, painful joints, strained muscles, hemorrhages, jaundice	short lived perennial 3’
Sweet Cicely Myrrhis odorata	Antiseptic Used for: coughs, flatulence, gentle stomachs stimulant, snake and dog bites,	3’ perennial
Sweet William Dianthus barbatus	Used for: edible flowers	2’ biennial
Tansy, Curled (Crisp) Tanacetum vulgare var. Crispum	See below	perennial 3’ on runners
Tansy, Plain Tanacetum vulgare	Used for: repelling ants and cockroaches	"
Tarragon, French Artemisia dracunculus Sativa	Used for: food	2’ perennial
Thyme, Garden Thymus vulgaris	Anti-bacterial, anti- fungal Used for: colds	1’ perennial
Thyme, Lemon Thymus x citriodorus	See above	"
Thyme, Mother of Thymus serpyllum	See above	short crawling perennial
Thyme, Mother of (Red) Thymus Serpyllum var. Coccineus	See above	"
Thyme, Oregano Thymus sp.	See above	"
Thyme, Pennsylvania Dutch Tea ?	See above	"
Tobacco Nicotiana rustica	Used for: bee stings, smoking, insectiside	annual, 3’
Valerian Valeriana officinalis	Used for: sedative	3’ perennial
Violet, Sweet Viola odorata	Used for: tea, edible flowers, cold sores, vitamin C	1’ self sowing perennial
Winter Savory Satureja montana	Anti-bacterial Used for: colds	2’ perennial
Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana	Astringent with hemostatic properties Used for: hemorrhoids, varicose veins	small tree
Wolfberry Lycium Barbarum	See below	vine
Wolfberry, Chinese (Matrimony Vine, Gou-gi-zi) Lycium Chinense But Richters says Lycium barbarum	Used for: strengthening muscles and bone, restoring liver function, improving vision, increasing white blood cell counts, stimulating tissue development	"
Wood Betony Stachys officinalis	Used for: substitute for black tea, headache, tonic	2’ perennial
Woodruff, Sweet Galium odoratum	Used for: vanilla scented May wine, migrane, nervous conditions	1’ creeping perennial that is shade tolerant
Wormwood Artemisia powis castle	Used for: absinthe and other liquors, vermifuge for worms	3’ perennial
Yarrow Achillea millefolium	Used for: cuts, cleansing skin, digestion, circulation, building natural resistance to colds, helping the functions of the liver, gall bladder, and kidneys, stop bleeding	3’ perennial

Herb Garden Photos

Here's a small selection of photos from the Herb Garden and one of our annual herb day events.

Arbor. A beautiful sitting spot that looks out over the herb garden. Courtyard buildings visible behind.
Herb garden arbor Herb garden arbor
Cutting garden. Set up to encourage members to self-serve in the cutting of ornamentals.
Cutting garden Cutting garden
For sale. Various potted plants are sold from the herb garden, particularly during the annual herb day workshop.
For sale For sale
Globe
Globe Globe
Lotus pond. Large leaves inside bamboo fence are lotus, in a goldfish pond.
Lotus pond Lotus pond
Monarch butterfly. Sundial visible in middle ground.
Monarch butterfly. Monarch butterfly.
Lotus blossom.
Lotus blossom. Lotus blossom.
Herb Workshop (2007 photos)(renamed Herb Day for 2012). One-day event held annually in May. Ira Wallace presenting.
Herb Workshop Herb Workshop
Ira and attendees.
Ira and attendees. Ira and attendees.
Concrete Earth Spirits.
Concrete Earth Spirits. Concrete Earth Spirits.
Cut flowers for sale
Cut flowers for sale Cut flowers for sale
Hildegard and participant
Hildegard and participant Hildegard and participant

Arbor. A beautiful sitting spot that looks out over the herb garden. Courtyard buildings visible behind.

Cutting garden. Set up to encourage members to self-serve in the cutting of ornamentals.

For sale. Various potted plants are sold from the herb garden, particularly during the annual herb day workshop.

Globe

Lotus pond. Large leaves inside bamboo fence are lotus, in a goldfish pond.

Monarch butterfly. Sundial visible in middle ground.

Lotus blossom.

Herb Workshop (2007 photos)(renamed Herb Day for 2012). One-day event held annually in May. Ira Wallace presenting.

Ira and attendees.

Concrete Earth Spirits.

Cut flowers for sale

Hildegard and participant

A large garden next to the Courtyard buildings complex. Includes hundreds of culinary, medicinal and ornamental herbs. An annual workshop open to the public is given here.

Herb Garden

Herbs are for sale