Agrimonia eupatoria

The Wood Agrimony is a perennial medicinal plant that blooms throughout the summer from June to September. It thrives on soils rich in nitrates. It possesses a certain charm, that of wild species that are somewhat ornamental without being exuberant. The golden-yellow flowers of the Agrimonia eupatoria stand tall on 40cm (16in) high spikes above compound leaves with a whitish and velvety underside. The floral spike reveals small flowers of 1cm (1in) with 5 petals that open from bottom to top. The stems are reddish and covered in hair. As for the fruits, they adopt a clever strategy to travel long distances, as they are equipped with small hooks that cling to animal hair or clothing.

Etymologically speaking, Agrimonia eupatoria already reveals some of its medicinal virtues; the genus name Agrimonia comes from the Greek word argemone meaning "eye patch" related to the plant's ophthalmological properties, and the species name is derived from the name of King Mithridates VI Eupator of Pontus (123-36 BC) who is said to have discovered its healing effects. Nowadays, the Wood Agrimony, or Ancient Eupatory, is little known, but in the past its leaves and flowers were used on a daily basis. Today, it is still valued in the world of singers, for whom the infusion is considered to be the guardian of their voice.

Native to Europe and Asia, Wood Agrimony is found in its natural state in sunny locations, on slopes, woodland edges, and field and path borders.Yyou can draw inspiration from it in a wild garden. Give it a place of honor in a  healing garden or in the vegetable garden alongside other medicinal or edible plants such as Angelica officinalis, Verbena officinalis, and Roman Chamomile.