More scarlet and gold highlights from the herb garden .. just starting to flower this last week or so are Tansy and the bronze Fennel..
I'm sure from reading about tansy way back that its supposed to be an insect repellent .. I know it is used dried to put in pet's beds to deter/repel fleas .. but everytime I go to photograph the lovely golden button flowers, they are covered in flies.. hmmmm!
When the great tall (some might say overgrown and out of control!) valerian finished, I left the great tall stems to provide support for the bronze fennel. So glad I did, as the golden flowerheads supported up high are providing a nice extra dimension in the herb garden.
... and on the windowsill soaking up the sunshine, the infused oils I prepared about six weeks ago are nearly ready and have changed colour ...
this golden one is Chamomile
and this gorgeous blood-red one is St John's Wort..
.. you can see the fantastic change in colour by comparing with this photo I took when I prepared it!
This should mean that all the goodness and healing properties from the flowers have now transferred themselves into the oil.
Once I've strained the plant material out, I will be keeping some oil to use as it is (for burns, including sunburn) and thickening a little of it to make into a salve for knife wounds .. I am accident-prone with the kitchen knife when I've not had enough sleep, so this is another helpful standby in our house!
