Matricaria chamomilla

German Chamomile, in Latin Matricaria chamomilla or Matricaria recutita, also known as wild chamomile, small chamomile or true chamomile, is cultivated for its ornamental, medicinal and cosmetic qualities. Chamomile naturally finds a place in a vegetable garden, as it protects vegetables by attracting or repelling certain insects. It forms an upright bush that can reach 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) in height and width. It is easy to grow and thrives in sandy and rich soils where it blooms from May to October with small white daisies with hollow and rounded yellow hearts. This annual plant, found along paths or in abandoned areas, can be grown in flower beds or pots on a balcony.

Its feathery and finely divided foliage is very characteristic and allows it to be distinguished from the common chamomile. German chamomile is an annual while Roman chamomile is perennial. Aromatic, herbal teas are made with dried flowers. A calming infusion of German chamomile helps to fight insomnia. This chamomile is also used for lightening hair colour.

Harvest for wild bouquets: from May, German chamomile produces very pretty wild bouquets. You can pick it when the flowers are fully open, but not yet ripe and the ligules (outer florets) will bend downwards.

Harvesting flowers for herbal teas (or other purposes): cut the inflorescences when they are fully open but not yet ripe, preferably in the morning. The aromatic properties of chamomile are greater when the flowers are used fresh. If you want to dry them for storage, spread the flowers on a rack or tray in a dry place away from light. The flowers are properly dried when they start to darken.

The gardener's culinary tip: crumble up to 4 to 5 chamomile flowers in your pastries to give them an original and refined flavour.

The gardener's little trick: German chamomile, like nasturtium, attracts aphids, thus acting as a protector of the vegetable garden. In addition, it attracts two important garden and vegetable garden allies: the hoverfly and the lacewing. The hoverfly, sometimes confused with wasps because of its yellow and black striped abdomen, has only one pair of wings. Its larvae mercilessly feed on aphids and once adult it becomes a useful pollinator. Lacewing has a beautiful name and silhouette and its offspring will eliminate aphids, mealybug or red spider mites. Hoverflies and lacewings are extremely sensitive to insecticides, even organic ones.