I love the cedar scented leaves of False Balm of Gilead. And just look at those leaves. The foliage is an excellent filler for floral arrangements. Long, strong stems that have a long vase life. No conditioning required either.
This perennial herbaceous plant has aromatic foliage is used in potpourri and as a base for a herbal tea from Madeira called 'Thé de Canaries'. However, there are no known medicinal properties supported by research. The leaves are best harvested before the plant comes into flower and are dried for later use . Leaves may also be used as an insect repellent. The plant prefers a moist, rich soils in a sunny to part shaded position. Drought and frost tender, so I grow mine in a pot. Height to 1m x 1m.
In warmer areas seeds can be sown at any time of year. In cool areas, sow seeds in spring after the last frost. Seeds can be direct sown or started in pots. Sprinkle seeds on the surface of good quality potting mix. Lightly cover the seeds with potting mix. Keep moist but not wet. Ideal germination temperature is 15C. Germination takes around 14-21 days.
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