We relish the soft, living, green carpets made of this fragrant and healing herb. This perennial chamomile stitches together into a mat a few inches tall that emits the sweetest apple scent when stepped on or patted. This plant likes sun or shade, and plenty of water in the summer.

The flowers are wonderful in tea, but the trick is to steep them very briefly - less than a minute. That way, you get the aromatic and soothing essence without any of the bitterness that increases with longer soaking.