Nature has so much to offer, even in seemingly unwanted weeds, there are many more than you might think. They grow wild in meadows, along paths, at the edges of forests, near streams, and on barren ground, often overlooked or seen as something to be weeded out in the garden. Yet, they are true treasures: they are incredibly important for biodiversity and the preservation of species.  

Here you will find out the differences between wild herbs and weeds, how to identify and forage for them, and how to support endangered species. 

They grow wherever they please, entirely without our intervention, and are of great importance to the ecological system. However, some wild herbs also find their way into gardens. Wild garlic (Allium ursinum) is often welcomed as a useful wild herb, nettles (Urtica dioica), ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria), and cleavers (Galium aparine) can be quite a nuisance in the garden. For this reason, many gardeners classify them as weeds. 

Anything that spreads vigorously in the garden creates work because it constantly needs to be removed to stop it from taking up space and nutrients from garden plants. They are often unwelcome and called weeds, therefore something that must go. In reality, there’s no actual difference between a weed and a wild herb; it’s up to each person to decide. So, here’s your chance to change your perspective on this greenery. 

The greater the diversity, the better. This is true in many areas of life and applies equally to the biodiversity of wild herbs, including those in the garden. This way an ecological balance can be achieved. When there are many naturally occurring plants, it ensures the preservation of numerous species of wildlife, from soil-dwelling organisms and insects to hedgehogs and birds. In a nature-friendly garden, wild herbs provide food and shelter for a wide variety of animals. 

Moreover, when wild herbs cover the ground, they protect it from erosion, and dead plant matter is naturally transformed into humus, which in turn provides nutrients for plants. Hardy wild herbs can even colonise barren soils, quickly covering the ground. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), chicory (Cichorium intybus), viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare), and melilot (Melilotus officinalis) are among these survival specialists.  

A large genetic diversity is particularly important nowadays because plants need to adapt to new climatic conditions, emerging diseases, and pests. 

The flowers of native wild herbs are usually small, making them perfect for bees, bumblebees, butterflies, and many other insects to feed on nectar and pollen. Some wild bees even depend on very specific wild-growing herbs. The bellflower scissor bee, for example, needs native bellflowers to survive. In turn, this wild herb relies on the specific bee species for pollination. You can also plant bee-friendly flowers on your balcony. Read here to find out which ones. 

There’s a lot you can do to preserve biodiversity and support the survival of wild herbs and much of it is easy to implement. With a colourful meadow flower mix, available for beds and balcony boxes, you can help insects and other wildlife while creating a place for wildflowers and herbs to grow and thrive. Before purchasing a seed mix, check the species composition listed on high-quality mixes. Make sure it includes truly native species, such as dyer’s chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria), brown knapweed (Centaurea jacea), crown vetch (Securigera varia), field scabious (Knautia arvensis), and mullein (Verbascum). 

You can continually refresh your window boxes and gardens with annual flower mixes. By planting a perennial meadow mix, you create a very ecological and exceptionally useful flower meadow.

In addition to their environmental importance, wild herbs offer plenty more benefits: many are edible and can be used as tea, tinctures, or as medicinal and culinary herbs. There’s no reason to be annoyed if you find dandelion, ground elder, or chickweed in your garden, just turn them into a salad! To protect wild populations in nature, you should only take small amounts. Generally, the 'handful rule' applies, meaning you may pick or cut enough to fit into one hand. In nature reserves, picking is strictly forbidden. 

Another important point: you should be familiar with the herbs you are harvesting. There are often similar-looking plants that are neither edible nor medicinal but poisonous. The best example is wild garlic, which resembles the lily of the valley. Wild garlic is delicious and widely used in cooking, while lily of the valley is toxic. If you’re unsure, it’s best to leave the plants alone. 

A good time for harvesting is late morning on an overcast day. By then, the dew has dried, and the wild herbs are full of flavour. Take a clean pair of scissors, such as the EasyPrune from Bosch, and cut only healthy, undamaged leaves and flowers. Avoid collecting herbs near busy roads, as the plants absorb pollutants and are no longer as healthy. It’s important to process your harvest quickly, as leaves and flowers soon lose their flavour and beneficial compounds. Gently shake your harvest to allow any small insects to escape.  

If you'd like to know more about when to carry out specific gardening tasks, you can find the right times to do the important activities in our garden calendar.