Orychophragmus violaceus / Violet mustard:

 Mountain Gardens is pleased to introduce the finest new salad greens / edible flower in a generation. This is a winter annual in the mustard family with showy lavender-pink flowers to 2″ wide. Germinates readily; hardy to at least 20F but won’t make much growth at such temperatures. Better in coldframe or under row cover (or in a slightly warmer area). Both leaves and flowers are very tasty, the large, substantial leaves have a spicy flavor like roquette (mild enough for salad, even when in bloom), the flowers are pleasantly sweet & sour – a good addition to winter and spring salad mixes, and an exciting new edible flower. The Chinese prefer to eat the entire flowering stalks. Recently reported to have the highest protein content of any of the Brassicaceae. 

seeds available

Chamaelirium luteum / False unicorn root:

A native perennial herb, forming a more or less evergreen rosette of narrow, spatulate leaves; dioecious – the female plants have a narrow, unbranched wand of small white flowers to about 30″, the males are usually shorter, often with an abrupt horizontal bend near the tip. The root is short and stubby, sometimes branching. Propagated by seed, which germinates (rather late) following cold stratification; can also be propagated by root cuttings. A woodland herb found . throughout NC; mountain habitats are typically moist, fertile and acid, but can also be found in open woods. This herb benefits the female reproductive system, and is reputed to help prevent miscarriage. Although there is little scientific data, pro or con, demand – and price – is high, and rising – and the supply comes almost entirely from wild harvest. A potential candidate for endangered species status, and potential opportunity for growers to ‘do well by doing good.’
seeds available
plants available in our nursery or as bare root plants in the spring

Aralia cordata / Udo:

A robust hardy perennial herb to 8′, with a thick stem, large bipinnately compound leaves, and small greenish flowers in a tall, branching spike of round umbels, followed by small purple fruit. A very imposing herb. Spreads by roots to form colonies in rich, moist part-shade. Can also by propagated by cold-stratified seed. The blanched, early spring shoots are a prized, ‘luxury’ vegetable in Japan (sort of like Asparagus for us); I don’t think anyone is marketing it in America. This is the only plant in the ginseng family commonly used for food, and probably has tonic properties which may account for its desirability.
seeds sometimes available in the fall
large potted plants sometimes available at nursery
root cuttings are available in spring

Epilobium parviflorum / Small-flowered willow-herb:

Biennial or short-lived perennial herb forming a rosette of elongated, finely toothed leaves, often red-tinged. Small pink flowers in upper axils of 2′ branching stems, followed by slender pods which split to release feathery seeds. Easily propagated by seed, sometimes self-sows; average garden soil and sun.
According to Maria Treben, famous Bavarian folk-healer and author of “Health from God’s Pharmacy”, this is the sovereign herb for prostate problems. Most other herbals don’t even mention this obscure herb, but any addition to the skimpy list of beneficial plants for the male reproductive system is welcome. I’m not aware of any scientific data, pro or con, but it seems to work for me.
seeds sometimes available
plants available in our nursery in the spring

Polygonatum commutatum / Giant Solomon’s-seal:

A perennial herb with strong, arching stems to 5′ from a thick, branching root. Broadly lanceolate leaves, beneath which dangle small clusters of greenish, bell-shaped flowers, followed by dark blue berries. Seed germinates readily after a period of cold stratification; roots can be divided. Native in rich deciduous woods; grows larger in sun, provided soil is rich and retains moisture.
a) it’s a beautiful native plant for the landscape, and b) it’s delicious – particularly the spring shoots (harvested before the leaves unfurl), which resemble and taste like Asparagus but are, if anything, more tender. The flowers and young fruits are also edible, with a sweet flavor reminiscent of green peas. [also, c) medicinal – the Asian species are used as tonics in Chinese medicine].
seeds available
plants $5 and up, depending on size, available in spring

Ligusticum canadense / Canada lovage, boar-hog root, bo’ hog root, Eastern osha, ‘angelico’ :

Native perennial herb with deep strongly aromatic roots and 2-3x divided, toothed leaves. Small white flowers in umbels, summer. Seed germinates well after a period of cold. Rich soil: woods, wood margins in mountains. This attractive herb is the east coast relative of Osha and member of a genus noted for tonic properties in traditional Chinese medicine. Not found in herbals. Considered aphrodisiac in afro-american root doctor tradition. The leaves are prized spring greens of the Cherokee.
seeds sometimes available in fall / plants sometimes available in spring

Apios priceana/Price’s groundnut:

This is a rare, endangered species of Apios (American groundnut) a well-known perennial vegetable / wildfood plant. This species makes only a single tuber, which increases in size with age. Makes a very strong vine, much stronger than A. americana, with large showy clusters of pink flowers. Legume family / nitrogen fixer.
limited number of seeds available in November - please inquire
seedling plants sometimes available

Campanula americana / Tall bellflower:

A very beautiful native wildflower of rich coves. An annual or biennial herb to 4′ with large blue bell-shaped flowers in late summer. Will self-sow in rich soil and shade. Leaves are a preferred Cherokee spring green.

seeds available
seedling plants may be available in spring

Allium tricoccum / Ramps, wild leek:

This native woodland perennial herb is a spring ephemeral, each slender bulb producing one or two 8-10″ elliptic leaves which last only from early to late spring. A ball of small greenish flowers on a naked, 6-12″ stalk in summer is followed by shiny black seeds in husks. Seed germinates readily after cold stratification. Very rich and moist areas of deciduous woods, often in extensive carpets. But not for long: the arrival of ATVs, and a surge in popularity coupled with unsustainable harvesting practices (digging up the entire root), means that the ramp, long since exterminated from all easily accessible areas, is no longer safe in its remote sanctuaries. This locally popular spring treat (ramp ‘festivals’ are a Southern Appalachian tradition) has been discovered by gourmet restaurants, and the combined demands signal the approaching end of those extensive carpets and/or an exciting opportunity for growers with suitable habitat. 

seeds available / plants sometimes available in our nursery

Zanthoxylum piperitum / Japanese prickly ash, sansho:

This is a large shrub or small tree, called sansho in Japan. The pericarp (seed covering) is the spice "Japanese pepper,” similar to “Szechuan pepper” (from Zanthoxylem simulans); the young leaves (kinome) have a unique flavor and are prized as a spring garnish for sushi, etc. We have one mature tree, from which we are harvesting kinome; we’ll be planting several more, including other Zanthoxylum species.