HERBS

A selection of useful culinary herbs and those which add beauty to the herb garden. Many extremely beneficial to bees and butterflies.

Allium schoenoprasum – Chives
Hardy perennial grown for its mild onion flavoured leaves which can be used in salads, soup, as garnish etc. Attractive pinky-mauve flowers. Grows best in moist, well-worked soil. Prefers sun, will tolerate partial shade. Height 30cm, spread 20cm. Price Code: HA

Allium tuberosum – Garlic chives
Hardy perennial grown for its delicate garlic flavour. Use as for chives and in oriental cooking. Attractive white flowers. Price Code: HB

Borago pygmaea
Pretty, prostrate perennial borage. Bristly dark leaves (can irritate skin) and trailing stems covered in blue starry flowers (start out pink). Enjoys sun and poor soil. Height 20cm, sprawling. Price Code: HA

Chamaemelum nobile – Roman chamomile GROWN TO ORDER ONLY (please contact to discuss terms)
Hardy perennial with aromatic, bright green, feathery leaves and white daisy-like flowers. Can be used to make a scented lawn. Height to 30cm, sprawling.

Foeniculum vulgare – Fennel, green and bronze
Attractive feathery fronds with an aniseed scent. Add fresh fronds to salads, fish and poultry dishes, also good with peas and beans. Hardy perennial. Likes a sunny site in moisture retaining soil. Height 1.5m, spread 50cm. Price Code: HB

Hyssopus officinalis – Hyssop
An evergreen shrubby perennial with narrow leaves and beautiful blue flowers, attractive to bees and butterflies. Can make an ornamental hedging plant. Leaves have bitter, minty taste. Can be used in salads or vegetable dishes. Likes sun and well-drained soils, will tolerate some shade. Height 60cm, spread 45cm. Price Code: HB

Lavendula angustifolia 'Hidcote blue' seedlings
Hardy lavender with spikes of blue flowers. Fragrant foliage and flowers. Best on poor, freely draining soils in full sun. Prune hard after flowering to maintain shape. Flowers and leaves can be used to flavour grilled meats or fruit salads. The flowers dry well and can be used for decorations or to scent clothes, rooms etc. Height 60 – 70cm, spread 40cm.

Mentha x smithiana - red mint
Strong mint with red stems and dark leaves with purple tinge. To 45 cm. Price Code: HB

Origanum vulgare – wild marjoram or oregano
An attractive British native with tall stems of dark pink buds and flowers. Used in salads, pizza, soups and stews. Also makes good cut flower for summer and winter arrangements. Likes well-drained, preferably limey, soil in sun. Can tolerate some shade. Height 60cm, sprawling. Price Code: HA

Petroselinum crispum - parsley, curled and flat leaved varieties
A herb that needs no introduction. Enjoys good fertile soil and an open aspect. To 40cm. Price Code: HA

Salvia officinalis – Sage
Hardy shrub with soft grey-green leaves and attractive purple-blue flowers, attractive to bees. Prune after flowering. Used with poultry and pork, in stuffings and sausages. Likes a sunny position in free-draining light soil. Height 60 – 80cm, spread 45 – 60cm. Price Code: HB

Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary
An erect evergreen shrub with narrow dark-green, aromatic leaves and pale blue flowers. Useful bee plant. Used with lamb, in soups and stews, stuffings and sausages! Add prunings to the barbecue to flavour the smoke. Height to 1m, but happiest against a wall in full sun where it may grow taller. Prefers well-drained soil. Price Code: HB

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Primley Blue'
As above but more compact with smaller leaves. To 80 cm. Price Code: HB

Thymus citriodorus – Lemon thyme
An erect growing thyme with lemon and thyme scented leaves. Cut back regularly throughout the summer to produce sprigs for cooking. Add to olive oil, use with meats and fish. Likes sun and well-drained light soil. Height and spread 20-30cm. Price Code: HA

Thymus vulgaris – Thyme
Erect, bushy perennial with aromatic leaves. Flowers attractive to bees and butterflies. Cut back regularly to produce sprigs for cooking. Add to olive oil, meats, stews and chops. Likes sun and well-drained light soil. Height and spread 20-30cm. Price Code: HA

Viola tricolor – Heartsease
An annual viola that readily self-seeds. Pretty purple, yellow and white flowers which can be added to salads and summer drinks. Flowers are scented and can be dried and added to pot-pourri. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Happiest in sun. Height 20cm. Price Code: HA

Last updated: 1 March, 2006