I have just been planting some new wormwood plants – a lovely hybrid, Limelight – and no doubt it will try to take over the garden again. I was sold on Wormwood every after I visited Thomas Jefferson’s home in Virginia, and saw that the trustees of his house had replanted the gardens as a Victorian Herb Garden – hence the rows of wormwood plants. Wormwood is particularly forgiving as a plant, but I have never been able to grow it from seed (I bought some at Jefferson’s House – Montecello I think) BUT a frost or too much exposure to winter will kill it. When my new plants grow their new foliage I shall make the Wormwood Vinegar.

Wormwood Vinegar:  Take equal quantities of each herb: Wormwood, Lavender, Sage, Rosemary,  I use abt 2 teaspoons to half a litre of cider vinegar. Put into a kilner jar or earthenware container and leave in a warm sunny place for two weeks or so. Strain into bottles. You can use it in a spray bottle for cleaning and distinfecting you work surfaces in the kitchen or put a spoonful or two into your bath. Spray onto a cloth for cleaning around the sink, taps etc.