VIPERS BUGLOSS (Echium Vulgare)

SOW OUTSIDE

In spring and lightly cover with soil. May also be sown in August-September.
GROW
In any good garden soil, but it prefers soil which is light and well drained.
SITE
Full sun.
MEDICINAL.
An infusion of the dried leaves (28gms. to a pint of boiling water), taken in a wine glass several times a day is effective for headaches and the common cold. Because of the spotted stem it is thought to resemble a snake and the seeds are shaped like a snakes head, the plant was traditionally used to treat snake bites. Bugloss is a good Bee plant, like its relative Borage.
CONSERVATION.
Bugloss would be an attractive plant to establish in a grass/Wildflower mixture for naturalisation. Howevere, because it is a biennial it might be difficult to establish except on a light rather sandy soil.