Pansy – 500 Seeds – Two-Colored Flowers – Early Flowering – Beds & Containers – Winter Hardy

Main Features: Botanical Name: Matricaria recutita (syn. Matricaria chamomilla) German Name: German Chamomile, True Chamomile Type: Annual, aromatic and medicinal plant Number of Seeds: 2000 Sowing Time: March to May (outdoors) or February to April (under cover) Flowering: June to September (about 6 to 8 weeks after sowing) Height: 30–60 cm Flower Color: White flowers with bright yellow center (disc) Flower Form: Small daisies, 1–2 cm in diameter Location: Full sun to partial shade Hardiness: Semi-hardy, withstands light frosts Description: German chamomile is an aromatic and medicinal plant highly prized for its calming properties and delicate apple-like flavor. Its small white flowers with yellow centers, resembling daisies, cover beds and flowering meadows from early summer until frost. Easy to grow, it finds its place in the vegetable garden, in beds, or in window boxes, and its dried flowers are ideal for making soothing infusions. Plant Characteristics: Foliage: Finely divided, bright green, emits a light apple scent when crushed Flowers: Small flower heads of 1–2 cm, with white ray florets and a yellow center Flowering: Abundant and continuous, from June to September Scent: Sweet, reminiscent of green apple Uses: Infusion: Dried flowers for soothing, digestive teas Medicinal: Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and wound-healing properties Cosmetics: Making lotions, compresses, and floral water Ornamental: Beds, flowering meadows, borders, window boxes Vegetable Garden: Companion plant that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects Sowing and Cultivation: Sowing: Time: Pre-cultivation under cover: February to April, in pots or trays. Direct sowing outdoors: March to May, directly in place. Depth: Sow seeds on the surface, press lightly. Seeds need light to germinate. Do not cover with soil. Germination Temperature: 15–20°C Germination Time: 7 to 14 days Planting Spacing: Thin or prick out to 20–25 cm spacing. Row spacing 25–30 cm. Cultivation and Care: Soil: Normal, light, well-drained. Chamomile tolerates poor soils, preferring rather dry than too wet soil. Location: Full sun to partial shade. A sunny location promotes abundant flowering and a better concentration of essential oils. Watering: Moderate. Once established, chamomile tolerates drought well. Avoid waterlogging, as it promotes disease. Fertilization: Low requirements. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Care: Remove faded flowers to prolong flowering, or leave some flowers for seed harvest and natural self-seeding. Diseases: Not very susceptible. Too much moisture can promote damping off or powdery mildew. Harvesting and Preservation: Harvesting Flowers: Time: Harvest flowers in the morning after the dew has dried, when the white ray florets are fully open and the yellow center is still well formed. Method: Cut the flower heads with a small stem. Use pruning shears or fingers. Frequency: Harvest regularly during flowering (every 2–3 days) to stimulate production. Drying: Method: Spread the flowers thinly on a clean cloth, dry in the shade in a dry, well-ventilated place. Turn regularly. Duration: About 1 to 2 weeks. Storage: Store dried flowers in an airtight jar, protected from light and moisture. Use in infusion: 1–2 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of boiling water. Steep for 5–10 minutes. Tips: German chamomile is annual; Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is perennial but less used for infusions. Check the species. For a rich harvest, sow successively every 3–4 weeks. Chamomile self-seeds naturally in the garden if some flowers are left to go to seed. Avoid planting chamomile in overly rich or too wet soil, as this can reduce the concentration of essential oils. Packaging: 2000 seeds.