Common Name: Geranium – Rose Latin Name: Pelargonium ‘Graveolens’ Description: Vigorous, upright shrub with rose-scented leaves and pale pink flowers forming in summer. Perennial. 120cm Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested at any time. Best Results: Cut down by two thirds every year. Grow in full sun for best perfume. Uses: Use leaves fresh in fruit drinks and desserts or dried in […]
Common Name: Geranium – Citronella Latin Name: Pelargonium ‘Citrosum’ Description: Robust, upright shrub with refreshing, citronella fragrance. Attractive leaves are dark green and deeply cut. Height 70cm Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested at any time for use in pot pourris. Best Results: Cut down by two thirds every year. Grow in full sun for best perfume. Uses: Plant around patio […]
Common Name: Garlic Latin Name: Allium sativum Description: Bulb forms underground whilst long, strappy stems grow to around 1 metre in height. Harvesting: Harvest garlic once the stem has started to die down – around 6 months after planting. Pull one bulb and check the size before harvesting the rest. Young garlic can be harvested early and the rest […]
Common Name: Fennel Florence Latin Name: Foeniculum vulgare Description: Tall, clumps of erect hollow stems with a bulbous base. All parts have aniseed flavour. Annual. 60cm. Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested at any time. Base takes 120 days to form. Collect seeds in summer. Best Results: Plant away from vegetable garden. Uses: Slice stems and steam as a vegetable with chicken […]
Common Name: Dog Bane Latin Name: Plectranthus ornatus Description: Succulent scalloped leaves with attractive blue mauve flower spikes in summer. Leaves have an unusual texture and strong scent. Perennial. 40cm. Harvesting: Plant where required or pick leaves when needed. This is not an edible plant. Best Results: Cut back straggly plants quite hard in spring. If leaves look a little […]
Common Name: Dill Latin Name: Anethum graveolens Description: Aniseed flavoured, blue-green foliage with a bushy habit. Umbels of tiny yellow flowers in summer. Annual. 100cm. Harvesting: Leaves are cut and used fresh or dried. Harvest frequently. Seeds are gathered in summer. Best Results: This is quite a short lived plant so consider planting new plants every three or four months. […]
Common Name: Curry Plant Latin Name: Helichrysum angustifolium Description: Small shrub with thin, greyish-green foliage and clusters of small yellow flowers in summer. Distinctive curry fragrance, especially on a warm summers day. Perennial. 30cm. Harvesting: Harvest early in the morning and use fresh or dried. Best Results: Prune after flowering to prevent plant from becoming woody. Uses: Leaves do not have […]
Common Name: Cumin Latin Name: Cuminum cyminum Description: Slender green foliage with tiny white and pink flowers. Grown for seed. Plant in spring and collect seeds from flowers in summer. Annual. Height 20cm. Harvesting: Harvest in summer. Collect pods once brown. Dry then rub pods to release seeds. Store in airtight container. Best Results: Grow in part shade in rich, […]
Common Name: Coriander Slowbolt Latin Name: Coriandrum sativum Description: Fast growing but slow bolting variety of coriander with distinctive pungent flavour. Annual. 45cm. Harvesting: Harvest young leaves frequently and use fresh. Seed can be harvested when ripe. Best Results: Buy new plants when less than 10 cm tall to ensure that the roots aren’t too well established. Planting established plants […]
Common Name: Comfrey Latin Name: Symphitum Offinicale Description: Large, bristly leaves 25cm long with clusters of prurple to pink or white flowers. It is best to keep plants in pots or in an area where it doesn’t matter if the plant becomes a bit invasive. Perennial. 80cm. Harvesting: Harvest leaves frequently to encourage fresh growth from the centre. Wear […]
