70 Percent of Medicines Come From the Most Common of Plants. Why Not Grow Some For Yourself?

When people think about adding a greenhouse to their property they are usually thinking about growing fresh or exotic foods, or flowers in mid-winter, or just extending their growing season. And a greenhouse will make all these things possible. Often overlooked is the ability to grow some of your own medicine.

Have you considered a living green wall?

Our partner, Dea Schofield, writes about growing your own medicine in a blog she titled Are YOU Growing Your Medicine this Winter? Dea is an expert horticulturist we met through a client who was an avid plant collector.

Dea managed his exclusive collection of edible plants. He was passionate about nature and wanted a greenhouse to show off his extensive plant collection. To relate to their existing home we designed a “Horticultural Jewel Box” as it had often been referred that combined all the elements of a gardener’s dream; a seating nook, delectable and edible plants, overlooking the water, and a little touch of the client’s unique design touch that made this greenhouse so unique.

To allow the greenhouse to house a multitude of plant species it required substantial heating and pumping equipment to make the climate consistent year-round. To hide the system and still keep the integrity of the design, we integrated a wall of living plants rather than the typical stick-it-outside-and-hope-no-one-notices approach. Few people realize that plant wall actually hides the mechanical equipment! Our plant collector loved the solution, and loves showing it off to visitors

Read more about this custom cedar greenhouse

Wild Medicine

Dea is not alone in recognizing the value of medicinal plants. In January of 2016, the Enid Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Gardens hosted a Wild Medicine in the Tropics event where many of the plants exhibited would work well in a home greenhouse environment. You can even get some tips and tricks on which are best for your area at your local public conservatory or botanic garden!

Well respected Dr. Mercola points out that few people recognize that roughly 70 percent of the medicines we use in the U.S. are derived from plants and other products from nature. He lists seven underappreciated medicinal plants, some of which you may already be growing. All of them, listed below, can also be grown in a greenhouse year around.

• Ginger
• Peppermint
• Garlic
• Lavender
• Chamomile
• Thyme
• Dandelion

A greenhouse with all the plants you cherish, from flowers through edibles and on to medicinal is a magical place, for you, your family and for your legacy.

Now’s the best time to start planning your conservatory or greenhouse. Click the buttons below to download our e-brochure or talk with a member of our team!