HERBS

People have been using and enjoying herbs for centuries in all sorts of different ways. They are invaluable in cooking. Herb teas can be very soothing. Try Bergamot, Chamomile, Lemon Balm or Lemon Grass. Herb butters are delicious. Use any cooking or edible herb. Just soften some butter, add finely chopped fresh herb and then chill. Herb vinegars are really easy to make. Use your favourite bottle. For every 2 and a half cups of white wine vinegar add about 2tbs of roughly chopped edible herb. Secure the bottle and leave to infuse for about 10-15 days in a warm place, shaking the bottle from time to time. Strain the vinegar, discard the leaves, return the liquid to the bottle adding a few fresh sprigs of herb for decoration. Use as a vinaigrette or marinade. Everyone knows about pot-pourri. Think about using different materials. For example - strongly scented leaves like Tansy, Bergamot and Balm of Gilead. Mix with acorns, chestnuts and little cones. Lavender bags have always been popular and now wheat bags with Lavender are as well. Enjoy a relaxing bath with a herbal sachet. All you need is muslin and your favourite relaxing herb. In the centre of the muslin place the dried herb and tie the sachet together so it is secure. Place under running water or in the bath. Reuse after drying. Whether you have a traditional garden, a cottage garden, potager or a few pots, there is always room for a few herbs.
AGRIMONY Agrimonia Eupatoria. Also known as church steeples. Tapering spikes of yellow star-shaped flowers in summer. Scalloped green leaves. Used for centuries as a tea for sore throats, kidney stones, gastro-intestinal complaints, rheumatism and arthritis. Chinese medicine uses a tea to stop profuse menstruation. The entire top of the plant also produces a yellow dye. It is even quite pretty in the garden, people are often intrigued with what it is. 60cm, sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE B
ALEXANDERS Smyrnium Olusatrum. Widely used during the times of Alexander the Great as a salad herb. It was kept in Monastery gardens for treating ailments like snakebites and colic. 80cm, sun. Biennial. CODE A
ANGELICA Angelica Archangelica. Valued for centuries for its candied stalks. It was widely used by early European and North American hunters as the roots fragrance attracts deer and fish. Tall stately biennial. Sun or p/shade. 1.8m. CODE A
ANISE Pimpinella Anisum. Feathery leaves with a delicate flavour for salads. Of course, it is well known for the aniseed taste of the seeds. A popular liqueur flavouring - used in Ouzo. It is even given to cows to increase milk production. 50cm, sun. Annual. CODE A
BALM OF GILEAD Cedronella Canariensis. Native of the Canary Islands. Strongly scented foliage used in Pot Pourri. People are amazed at the scent. A shrubby perennial. Needs light frost protection. Just under overhanging branches is fine. 1m. CODE A
BASILS Wonderful in salads and in cooking. A definite must in the herb garden. Use all as annuals. All CODE A
ARARAT Old heirloom variety from the Southern Caucasus. Dark green mottled foliage marked with a purplish brown colourations. Quite aromatic and spicy. Lavender flower spikes. 45cm.
FINO VERDE Narrow neat little leaves on a compact plant. Valued in Italy for the finest pesto. Very aromatic. 40cm.
LIME Ocimum Americanum. Small dark green leaves. Zesty lime for seafood and salads. 60cm.
PURPLE RUFFLES Fragrant, ruffled deep purple leaves. Perfect garnish About 5% will be purple-green. 60cm.
RED AND GREEN Ocimum Tenuiflorum. Eye-catching contrast, again great for garnishing. Try it as a tea. 50cm.
SPICY GLOBE Fragrant and flavourful. Perfect for pots as it stays dwarf and compact. Equally valuable as an ornamental. 20cm
SWEET BASIL Ocimum Basilicum. No Basil can 'outflavour' this one. Perfect in salads and in cooking. Large glossy leaves.60cm To have fresh Basil all year round just grow some in a pot on the kitchen windowsill.
BERGAMOT Monarda Didyma. Became a popular tea from 1773 when the American colonists were forced to substitute herbs for black tea. It is a delicious tea. Pretty whorls of red in summer. Moistish, p/shade. Hardy perennial. 1m. CODE B
BORAGE Borago Officinalis. Beautiful blue star-like flowers smother this plant in summer. Float these flowers in summer drinks. They are a wonderful salad garnish because of the colour. Very attractive to bees. 90cm, sun. Annual. CODE A
CAROB Ceratonia Siliqua. Evergreen tree from the Eastern Mediterranean. Has long bean-like pods which are roasted and powdered for a chocolate substitute. Pods can be eaten raw. May need more than one tree to produce fruit. Because of its large glossy leaves and healthy habit it is a wonderful container plant. We have had ours on the porch for a couple of years. Soak seeds overnight. 7m. CODE A
CHAMOMILE Anthemis Nobilis. White daisy flower for tea. Dry the flowers first. Nice in the garden. 30cm. Hardy per. CODE A
CHERVIL Anthriscus Cerefolium. A favourite in French cooking. Try it as a herb vinegar. Light shade, 60cm. Annual. CODE A
CILANTRO Coriandrum Sativum. Fresh leaves are used in cooking all over the world, as are the seeds - as the basis for curries and salsas. Try it in a pot. 60-90cm, sun. Annual. Best direct sown. CODE A
DILL DUKAT Anethum Graveolens Use leaves and seeds for cooking and salads. Try making Dill seed vinegar. 90cm, Ann. CODE A
ECHINACEA PURPUREA Large pinkish daisy flowers in late summer. Echinacea root is well known for its use to activate the body's immune system. It is more stimulating to the immune system if it is not taken continually for long periods. I.E. Use in an on-off regime. A pretty flower in the garden. Dryish, sun. 1.2m. Hardy perennial. CODE B
EPAZOTE Chenopodium Ambrosiodes. American wormseed. Strong aromatic flavour used in black bean, corn and many tortilla dishes. The oil is used as a treatment for internal parasites in humans and animals. 1.2m, sun. Tender perennial. CODE B
FENNEL BRONZE Foeniculum Fulgare. Wonderful for garnishes and cooking. In the Mediterranean, seaside restaurants wrap fish in fennel leaves before grilling. Great in the garden with red flowering plants. Sun or p/shade. 1.8m. Hardy perennial. CODE A
FENUGREEK Trigonella Foenum Graecum. Seeds for curries. Given to animals for a 'pick-me-up'. 60cm, sun. Annual. CODE A
FEVERFEW Tanacetum Parthenium. Light green foliage and single white daisy flowers. The leaves, taken regularly, can alleviate migraines. A tea of the flowers and leaves can help with menstrual pain. 50cm, light shade suits it best. Annual. CODE A
FIGWORT Scrophularia Nodosa. Was used to cleanse and purify the body. Also used to treat skin conditions like eczema, acne and psoriasis. Brownish snapdragon-like flowers in. People are always asking what this plant is. 1.2m, sun or p/shade. Hardy per. CODE B
GARLIC CHIVES Allium Tuberosum. Flat, solid leaves, white flowers in summer. Just wash and snip with scissors for cooking. Mild garlic flavour, not overpowering. Evergreen all year round. 30cm, sun. Hardy perennial. CODE A
GOOD KING HENRY Chenopodium Bonus Henricus. Chop the leaves finely and add to salads. It looks a bit like Spinach. Very tasty and rich in iron. 60cm, sun. Hardy perennial. CODE B
GREATER CELANDINE Chelidonium Majus. The sticky juice is used as an effective wart remover and for softening corns. Place the juice on the warts and corms. Attractive pale green foliage and bright golden yellow flowers in. 1m, sun. Hardy bie. to per. CODE B
GYPSYWORT Lycopus Europaeus. Shrubby perennial with long branches and white flowers. 1m, sun or p/shade. Hardy per. CODE B
HYSSOP OFFICINALIS ROSEA Lovely pink form. Was used as an edging for knot gardens. The oil is used in expensive perfumes. A very pretty looking plant that bees are attracted to. 60cm, sun. Hardy perennial. CODE B
LEMON BALM Melissa Officinalis. Refreshing tea from the leaves. Chop into salads. Bees love it. 90cm, sun. Hardy per. CODE A
LEMON BERGAMOT Monarda Citriodora. Also called Lemon Bee Balm. > From the Appalachian Mountains. Lemon flavour for tea or in salads or fish dishes. Definite bee plant with pinkish whorls. 60cm, sun. Annual. CODE A
LEMON GRASS Cymbopogon Citratus. From Western India. Tall grass like leaves strongly lemon scented when broken. For lemon flavour try an infusion ( place with a little boiling water then drain the leaves) for stir fries and sauces. A special plant that is best grown indoors in cooler climates. Really worthwhile. 45cm, sun. Tender perennial. CODE A
LICORICE Glycyrrhiza Glabra. The source of common licorice. It is extracted from the roots and stolons. Harvest the roots of third or fourth year plants. Great curiosity value. 1m, sun. Tender perennial. CODE A
LOVAGE Levisticum Officinalis. Leaves and stems for cooking. The Maggi plant. Hardy perennial. 1.5m, sun or p/shade. CODE A
MARSHMELLOW Althaea Officinalis. Marshmellow sweets were originally made from the root of this plant. Attractive plant with greyish green serrated leaves and pink flowers. Moistish. 1m. Sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE A
MEADOWSWEET Filipendula Ulmaria. Was used as a strewing herb. It was one of the Druids sacred herbs and one of the 50 herbs in a drink called 'save.' Creamy flowers, pretty in the garden. Moistish. 1.2m. Sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE B
MOTHERWORT Leonurus Cardiaca. Was used to regulate menstruation and for the heart. Pink flowers. 1m, sun. Hardy per. CODE A
MUGWORT Artemisia Vulgaris. Deeply toothed leaves, green on top and silver white underneath. Once known in Europe as the Mother of Herbs. A tea was used to speed labour and expel the afterbirth. 1m, sun or p/shade. Hardy shrub. CODE A
OREGANO SP Delicious in lots of dishes. A definite must for any herb garden. Dryish, sun. 40cm. Hardy perennial. CODE A
OREGANO TRUE GREEK Oregano Hevacleaticum. Hot spicy flavour with zing! Grey-green leaves. 40cm, sun. Hardy per. CODE A
PARSLEY Petroselinum Crispum. Triple Curled. A must to eat all year round. 70cm, sun or p/shade. Biennial. CODE A
PARSLEY GIGANTE ITALIAN P. Neopolitanum. From Northern Italy with large deep green serrated leaves. Use as you would for normal parsley - it is not as strong. Will grow all year round. 80cm. Sun or p/shade. Biennial. CODE A
NOTE: Soak all parsley seed.
PENNYROYAL Mentha Pulegium. Fragrant groundcover with pretty purple flowers. It is a flea repellent. Try some in and around the dog kennel. Try it in pot pourri. 30cm. Sun or p/shade. Not too damp. Hardy perennial. CODE A
PEPPERMINT Mentha Piperita. Fresh leaves for a refreshing tea. Dry and put in pot pourri. 50cm. P/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE A
PYRETHRUM Chrysanthemum Cinerariaefolium. Serrated grey foliage. White daisy like flowers which are the source of the organic insecticide - pyrethrum. Sunny well drained position. It is lovely grown in the white garden. 70cm. Hardy perennial. CODE A
RUE Ruta Graveolens. This shrubby upright plant has attractive blue-green foliage. Which is reason alone to include this plant in the herb garden. Some Arabs add Rue to suspect water to counteract any ill effects. 80cm, sun, drained soil. Hardy perennial. CODE A
SAFFLOWER Carthamus Tinctorius. False Safflower. Grown as a cheap alternative to Saffron. Mostly grown for its oil. Orange-yellow flowers that are nice dried - looks great in wreaths. Soak seeds and direct sow. 90cm. Sun. Annual. CODE B
SAGE Salvia Apiana. Botanical name literally means 'bee sage.' Native of California and used by native Indians as incense. One of the finest of all grey foliaged shrubs. White flowers on very aromatic foliage. Needs a hot dry space. 70cm. Biennial. CODE B
SAGE Salvia Officinalis. Used in cooking and as a gargle for sore throats. Sun, drained soil. 70cm. Hardy perennial. CODE A
ST JOHNS WORT Hypericum Perforatum. Well known for its potent anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. The oil is applied to inflammations, sprains and bruises. It is commercially harvested in N.Z. 30cm, yellow flowers. Sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE A
SALAD BURNET Sanguisorba Minor. Old herb in use since 1578. Was popular in cool drinks and salads. To be honest it is not very appetising! There are lots of other nicer salad plants to use. It does provide interest in the garden with its pretty ferny foliage and reddish bracts. It is quite at home in the herbaceous border. 30cm, sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE A
SOAPWORT Saponaria Officinalis. The leaves and roots produce a soapy lather that can be used like soap. It is used in the Middle East for cleaning delicate tapestries. Creeping plant with light pink flowers. 70cm, sun. Hardy perennial. CODE A
SWEET CICILY Myrrhis Odorata. Leaves used when cooking - less sugar is needed. White flowers. 1m, moistish. Perennial. CODE A
SWEET MARJORAM Origanum Majorana. Sweet subtle flavour for cooking. Use fresh or dried. Sun, dryish. Annual. CODE A
SWEET WOODRUFF Asperula Odorata. Was used as a strewing herb. It has scent of newly mown hay. It grows wild in the Black Forest in Germany. Light creeping plant best in part shade. 20cm. Hardy perennial. Chill 3 weeks. CODE B
TANSY Tanacetum Vulgare. Yellow button flowers and deeply cut ferny leaves. Insect repellent. 1.2m. Hardy perennial. CODE A
TEASEL Dipsacus Fullonum. Wonderful stately plant in its second year. First year growth is a rosette of green leaves then the second year it takes off! Lots of stems of large bracts which last a long time after the pink flowers are gone. Great as a dried flower - it is so different. It is not easy to obtain seeds or plants of this which is probably why it is not grown much. 1.8m, sun. Hardy biennial. CODE B
THYME Thymus Serpyllum. Creeping Thyme used as a ground cover and in cooking. 10cm, sun, dryish. Hardy perennial. CODE A
THYME Thymus Vulgaris. The standard cooking Thyme. Very aromatic. 30cm, sun, dryish. Hardy perennial. CODE A
VALERIAN Valeriana Officinalis. Clusters of fragrant pale pink flowers in summer. Feathery looking foliage. Roots were used as a sedative and to scent clothing. Really nice to grow in the garden. 1m, sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE A
VERVAIN Verbena Officinalis. It was a magic plant in Celtic and German cultures. Was a traditional remedy for uterine cramping and used as a mouthwash. Flowing stems of lilac flowers in late summer. 1m. Sun or p/shade. Hardy perennial. CODE B
WINTER SAVORY Satureja Montana. Small bushy herb used in cooking. 30cm, sun. Hardy creeping perennial. CODE A
WOAD Isatis Tinctoria. Very unusual plant. Yellow flowers in late spring followed by deep purple seed heads. Was used as a dye plant as far back as Julius Caesar's time. Very decorative hardy biennial. 90cm, sun. CODE A
WORMWOOD Artemisia Absinthium. Finely cut silver grey foliage. Try it in pot pourri. 1m. Shrubby hardy perennial. CODE A
WOUNDWORT Stachys Sylvatica. Hedge Woundwort. The hairy, heart shaped leaves were applied direct to staunch the flow of blood from a wound. Bruised leaves soaked in vinegar were used to reduce hard swelling. It is a bit like comfrey in that it is hard to get rid of. Plant it somewhere out of the way or in a tub. 1m, reddish purple flowers. Hardy perennial. CODE A