Jekka McVicar reveals some secrets about the healing properties of herbs

Herbalist and gardener, Jekka McVicar talks about her Chelsea Flower Show garden to Hannah Stevenson.

Anasty cough, mouth ulcers, upset stomach or other minor ailments would see Jekka McVicar’s mother picking out a number of herbs from her garden to make teas and tinctures for cures.

And this is what has given the multi-award-winning plantswoman the inspiration for The Modern Apothecary, her first show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, 2016.

“Herbs are gentle, but might take longer, she says. “As a child, I was brought up in a family where you never went to the doctor unless you were seriously ill.”

She’s hoping gardeners will start to grow the types of healing herbs she features in her show garden this year, and is also providing some inspiring design ideas for wellbeing in ‘The Modern Apothecary’ — her garden’s name.

A cobbled pathway running through a large circle of planting is part of McVicar’s design, (she has won 62 gold medals as a floral marquee exhibitor at the show), and if walked on barefoot, it should give the visitor some stress-busting reflexology in the process.

In each corner of her show garden is a hawthorn tree for well-being, as well as symmetry and awater feature provides a soothing focal point, while the whole garden is overseen by a sculpture of Asclepius’s staff, which is the symbol of healing.

At the back of the design are columns of Taxus, or yew, (from which taxol is derived and used to treat ovarian and breast cancer) and other plantings include hops (a sleep aid), and roses (rose hips for vitamin C), while the path is lined with fragrant lavender, for relaxation.

“One of the key features in the garden will be rosemary, because it’s just been proven that rosemary is as good as ginkgo for the memory. Drinking rosemary tea in the morning really clears your head and settles your stomach.

“If you ever get a cough, all you need is a sprig of thyme and a sprig of hyssop, pop them into a cup, add boiled water, let them steep for five minutes, McVicar says.

“If you have mouth ulcers, make the infusion from sage, which also feeds the brain.

“This modern apothecary is what we can do for ourselves today. The seeds are widely available— people can grow their own apothecary in their own garden.” www.jekkasherbfarm.com

RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 24-28.

For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea