Matricaria chamomilla

Annual herb with small, scented yellow and white flowers. It is very easy to grow from seeds sown in early spring. If the flowers are left to go to seed, the plant will come up year after year. Chamomile prefers a dry, sunny position and light, well drained soil, and will also grow well in containers.

Another fragrant plant in the same botanical family is Roman chamomile (anthemis nobilis). This is a dwarf species used when planting scented chamomile lawns.

Medicinal: Chamomile has a great many healing and cosmetic uses. In Ancient Egypt it was dedicated to the gods and revered for its medicinal powers. A simple infusion of chamomile flowers makes a good herbal rinse for fair hair, and among its many other uses are mouthwashes and eyebaths. Its oil is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.