Easy for some and elusive for others, a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy and happy life. Most of us experience some difficulty sleeping every now and then so fortunately there are some techniques and plants that can help.

The Sweet Dreams Garden is a selection of our favourite herbs that over the years have been found to support a good night’s sleep. Technically known as nervines, or hypnotics, from the Greek meaning ‘sleep’, they have a range of effects on our nervous system from the gentle herbs such as chamomile or wood betony easing tension and mental chatter, to the stronger herbs working directly on deeper layers of relaxation, such as valerian root and California poppy.

As well as helping support a good night’s sleep, a fresh cup of herbal tea is a great way to wind down after a long day’s work, or simply to take the edge off things in a moment of need. This is a diverse and colourful selection of plants that will look good in any garden, and some of them – especially motherwort and wood betony – are a big favourite of the bees.