ARNICA MONTANA ‘ARBO’ SEEDS

Arnica montana ‘Arbo’

European ethnobotanical. An extraordinary selection of this hardy perennial medicinal with huge golden flowers on 1'-2' stems. Suitable for field culture. Long used as a topical analgesic. Dried flowers macerated in oil produce a concentrated and effective topical ointment that may be used to expedite the healing of bruises and sprains and to alleviate most types of joint pain. Extremely powerful medicine that is also quite toxic. Not suitable for internal use. Do not apply to broken skin.

Most selections of Arnica montana prefer to grow in poor acidic soils, but ‘Arbo’ is significantly more adaptable to the basic soils of the American Midwest. Full sun and drainage are ideal, and the species does very well on the sunny shale slopes of the Hudson Valley. Fairly tolerant of amended of clay. Competes favorably with most weeds once established, including grass. Fairly deer-resistant.

Best sown indoors 8 weeks before the last frost at 70°F in bright light. Barely cover the seeds. Prick out seedlings to grow on in individual 4" containers. Transplant well-rooted plants into warm soil in full sun. Sparse blooms in the first year. Second year plants produce buckets of flowers. Hardy to at least zone 5.

Packet contains at least 50 seeds.