Perennial
Urtica dioica - Common Nettle, Stinging Nettle, Native British Seed
Hgt 50-150cm Flowers June to September
A very under rated and useful plant for culinary, medicinal, dyestuff, fibre, oil and liquid plant food. The leaves have small hairs that sting causing irritation to the skin. The stinging is neutralised by either drying or cooking, they are then safe to use as an edible plant. This plant is an excellent attractor to wildlife and provides nutritious food. The sting can be relieved by rubbing the effected area with dock leaves. The plant was used in manufacturing cloth from as early as the Bronze age. Culinary the leaves are used young, being picked before June, cooked and can be used as a vegetable like spinach, and added to soups and stews. Young shoots are used to make nettle beer and dried leaves as a herbal tea. A medicinal herb used for treating anemia, stemming internal bleeding, skin and hair problems. It is grown commercially for chlorophyll obtained from the leaves and stems. Sow seed in a cold frame in spring. Position plants in nitrogen rich fertile soil in full sun to partial shade.
1 gram approx 7,000seeds

Sowing time for wildflowers is all year round with best results sowing either March to early May, or from August to September.