| Alchemilla
alpina
|
ALPINE LADY’S MANTLE
|
A medicinal herb that is an
anti-inflammatory and controls bleeding. Hardy, herbaceous perennial
for sun or part shade. Low, clumping plant.
|
M |
| Allium schoenoprasum
|
CHIVES
|
Onion flavoured strap-like
leaves. Delicious in salads and soups. Hardy, herbaceous perennial.
Prefers rich soil and a sunny position.
|
C |
| Allium tuberosum
|
GARLIC CHIVES
|
Subtle garlic flavour. Attractive
white flowers.
Hardy, herbaceous perennial for a sunny position.
|
C |
| Aloe vera
|
ALOE VERA
|
Aids healing of burns and cuts.
Succulent plant for a warm sheltered position. Suitable for
a pot.
|
M |
| Aloysia triphylla
|
LEMON VERBENA
|
Very fragrant leaves used to
make a lovely herb tea. Deciduous shrub to 2m. Happiest in the
sun.
|
M/F |
| Angelica archangelica
|
ANGELICA
|
Used medicinally, in cooking
and in pot-pourri. A spectacular biennial for sun to part shade.
1.5 m.
|
M/C |
| Anthriscus
cerefolium
|
CHERVIL
|
Tangy and slightly sweet flavour
used to garnish soups and savoury dishes. Annual for light shade.
|
C |
| Armoracia
rusticana
|
HORSERADISH
|
A sharp tasting herb. Makes
a delicious sauce. Has a searching taproot. Requires deep, rich
soil, sun.
|
C |
| Arnica chamissonis
|
ARNICA
|
Used for external applications
to sprains, bruises and chilblains. Low perennial herb, part
shade.
|
M |
| Artemisia
abrotanum
|
LAD'S LOVE/
SOUTHERNWOOD
|
A medicinal herb excellent
at repelling moths and insects. Hardy shrub for a sunny position.
1m.
|
M |
| Artemisia
absinthium
|
WORMWOOD
|
Used in medicinal preparations
and in various liqueurs. Hardy shrub for sun or part shade.
1.5m.
|
M |
| Artemisia
dracunculus
|
FRENCH TARRAGON
|
Distinctive and delicate flavoured
leaves used in cold soups and fish dishes. Clump forming perennial.
Dormant in winter, sun.
|
C |
| Borago officinalis
|
BORAGE
|
Young leaves and flowers used
in salads. Flowers frozen in ice make a delightful addition
to summer drinks. Annual that self seeds readily. Sun. 60cm.
|
C |
| Centella cordifolia
|
SWAMP PENNYWORT
|
Medicinal herb used in the
treatment of arthritis. Creeping plant for a moist sunny position.
|
M |
| Chamaemelum
nobile
|
LAWN/ROMAN CHAMOMILE
|
A bitter aromatic herb with
sedative properties. Well suited to making a lawn, hence the
name. Hardy perennial for well-drained soil, sun.
|
M/F |
| Cymbopogon
citratus
|
LEMON GRASS
|
Makes a delicious tea and is
essential in Asian cooking. Perennial for a sunny protected
position.
|
C |
| Echinacea
purpurea
|
PURPLE CONEFLOWER
|
The dried root is used to increase
bodily resistance to infection and other ailments. Hardy herbaceous
perennial for a sunny position. Spectacular flowers.
|
M |
| Eruca vesicaria
subsp. sativa
|
ROCKET
ARUGULA
|
Mild spicy flavoured leaves
used in salads. Flowers used as garnish. Hardy annual that self
seeds readily. Sunny position.
|
C |
|
Botanical
Name |
Common Name |
Uses & Cultural
Notes |
F = Fragrant,
C = Culinary,
M = Medicinal. |
| Galium odoratum |
SWEET WOODRUFF |
Used medicinally and in pot-pourri.
Sweetly scented flowers. Creeping plant for part shade.
|
M/F |
| Galium verum |
LADY’S BEDSTRAW |
A slightly bitter, astringent
herb used medicinally for kidney and bladder complaints. Creeping
perennial for shade.
|
M |
| Helichrysum
italicum
|
CURRY PLANT
|
A beautifully aromatic herb
used to flavour rice, vegetables and savoury dishes to give
a mild curry flavour. Hardy shrub for a sunny position. 90cm.
|
C |
| Hyssopus officinalis
|
HYSSOP
|
Medicinal herb with antibiotic
properties. Also one of the secret ingredients of the liqueur
Chartreuse. Hardy perennial for full sun. 60cm.
|
M |
| Inula helenium
|
ELECAMPANE
|
The root is used for in a range
of remedies to treat various ailments. Herbaceous perennial
for a protected sunny position. 1m.
|
M |
| Laurus nobilis
|
BAY TREE
|
An aromatic culinary herb,
wonderful in stews, soups and sauces. Small tree up to 12m.
Grows well in pots. Full sun.
|
C |
| Lavandula
x allardii
|
GIANT LAVENDER
|
Strong camphor-like aroma.
Crystallised flowers are used in ice cream making. Hardy shrub
for sun. Prune after flowering. 1.5m.
|
C/F |
| Lavandula
angustifolia
|
ENGLISH LAVENDER
|
Yields exquisitely scented
oil used in aroma-therapy. Flowers used for culinary purposes.
Hardy perennial for sun. Prune after flowering. 1m.
|
M/C/F |
| Lavandula
angustifolia
‘Hidcote’
|
‘HIDCOTE’ LAVENDER
|
Superbly scented bright purple
flowers on a compact bush. Hardy perennial for sun. Prune after
flowering. 50cm.
|
C/F |
| Lavandula
dentata
|
FRENCH LAVENDER
|
Rosemary-like scent. Dried
flowers are used in pot-pourri. Hardy perennial for sun. Prune
after flowering. 1.5m
|
F |
| Leonurus cardiaca
|
MOTHERWORT
|
A medicinal herb inducing quietness
and passivity of the whole nervous system. Perennial for shade.
|
M |
| Levisticum
officinale
|
LOVAGE
|
Culinary herb with a celery-like
flavour. Also contains antiseptic properties. Herbaceous perennial
for a sunny position.
|
M/C |
| Matricaria
recutita
|
GERMAN CHAMOMILE
|
A valuable herb particularly
as a general soother and aid to sleep. Annual that self seeds,
sun.
|
M |
| Melissa officinalis
|
LEMON BALM
|
Highly fragrant herb with medicinal
properties. Makes a refreshing tea. Herbaceous spreading perennial
for sun or part shade.
|
M/C/F |
| Mentha piperita
|
PEPPERMINT
|
A deeply aromatic herb with
therapeutic properties makes an excellent addition to pot-pourri
or herb pillow. Wonderful flavour in teas and iced drinks.
Perennial with a spreading habit, sun to part shade.
|
M/C/F |
| Mentha x piperita
|
CHOCOLATE MINT
|
A delicious chocolate peppermint
flavour. Spreading perennial for sun to part shade.
|
C |
|
Botanical
Name |
Common Name |
Uses & Cultural
Notes |
F = Fragrant,
C = Culinary,
M = Medicinal. |
| Mentha pulegium |
PENNYROYAL |
Used medicinally, generally
not for culinary purposes. Reputed to repel insects. Creeping
perennial that can spread, sunny position.
|
M/F |
| Mentha requienii
|
CORSICAN MINT
|
Aromatic herb with a strong
peppermint scent. Ornamental groundcover for sun to part shade.
Will take light traffic.
|
F |
| Mentha sp |
BASIL MINT |
Delicious basil flavour wonderful
in soups. Spreading perennial for sun to part shade.
|
C |
| Mentha sp
|
EAU DE COLOGNEMINT
|
Very fragrant herb used in
pot-pourri. Ornamental creeping perennial for sun to part shade.
|
F |
| Mentha spicata
|
SPEARMINT
|
A beautiful mint used in confectionery,
cosmetics and medicinally. Highly valued for its essential oil.
Spreading perennial for sun to part shade.
|
M/C/F |
| Mentha suaveolens
|
APPLE MINT
|
A delightfully scented mint
that tastes like ripe apples. Perennial with spreading habit
for sun to part shade.
|
C/F |
| Mentha viridis
|
COMMON MINT
|
Delicious in cool summer drinks,
with peas and to flavour salads. Perennial for sun to part shade.
|
C |
| Monarda citriodora
|
LEMON BERGAMOT
|
Lemon scented leaves used in
teas and flavouring wild game. Annual or biennial for sun. 60cm.
|
M/C |
| Monarda didyma
|
BERGAMOT
|
Sweet scented herb with medicinal
properties. Bees love it. Perennial for sun to part shade. 60cm.
|
M/C |
| Nasturtium
officinale
|
WATERCRESS
|
A culinary herb with medicinal
properties. Used fresh in salads, promoting appetite. Slightly
bitter, mildly hot flavour. Hardy, creeping perennial, grows
in abundance in ponds or moist positions.
|
M/C |
| Nepeta cataria
|
CATMINT
|
Medicinal herb used for colds
and indigestion. Perennial herb for a sunny position. 30cm.
|
M |
| Ocimum basilicum
|
SWEET BASIL
|
Just beautiful with tomatoes.
Use fresh or dried in salads and cooking. Annual for sunny position.
|
C |
| Ocimum basilicum
'Cinamon'
|
CINNAMON BASIL
|
Cinnamon fragrance, delicious
in hot drinks, chutney and salads. Annual for sunny position.
|
C |
| Ocimum basilicum
var. minimum
|
BUSH BASIL
|
A sweet little basil with excellent
flavour. Annual for sunny position.
|
C |
| Ocimum basilicum
'Dark Opal'
|
DARK OPAL BASIL
|
Brilliant foliage colour makes
beautiful pesto and garnish. Use in vinegar. Annual for sunny
position.
|
C |
| Ocimum basilicum
var. citriodorum
|
LEMON BASIL
|
Delightful lemon scented leaves
and flowers. Used in vegetable, chicken and fish dishes. Annual,
sun.
|
C |
| Ocimum sanctum
|
HOLY/SACRED BASIL
|
Delightful slight musk mint
scent. In Hindu houses in India basil is cherished and considered
the protecting spirit of the family. Annual, sun.
|
F |
| Origanum heracleoticum
|
GREEK OREGANO
|
A beautiful flavoured herb
added to casseroles and tomato dishes. Perennial groundcover
for sun.
|
C |
| Origanum majorana
|
SWEET MARJORAM
|
Related to oregano. Used to
flavour just about any savoury dish form soups and salads. Perennial
for sun to part shade. 50cm.
|
C |
| Origanum vulgare
|
WILD OREGANO
|
An essential herb in Italian,
Greek and Mexican cooking. Use fresh or dried. Perennial for
sun.
|
C |
|
Botanical
Name |
Common Name |
Uses & Cultural
Notes |
F = Fragrant,
C = Culinary,
M = Medicinal. |
| Petroseinum
crispum |
CURLY PARSLEY |
Use fresh or dried
to flavour and garnish any savoury dish. Rich in vitamins A
and C. Biennial for a sunny position. 30cm.
|
C |
| Petroselinum
crispum 'Italian'
|
ITALIAN PARSLEY
|
Flat foliage with a rich flavour.
Hardy biennial for a sunny position. 50cm.
|
C |
| Rosmarinus
officianalis
|
ROSEMARY
|
An aromatic herb that is restorative,
relieves pain and relaxes. Used to flavour roasts, soups, stews
and biscuits. Hardy shrub for sun. 1.5m.
|
M/C/F
|
| Rosmarinus
officinalis
|
ROSEMARY
‘BENENDEN’S BLUE’
|
An equally rich rosemary with
a semi-prostrate habit and deep blue flowers. Hardy shrub, sun.
|
M/C/F |
| Rumex scutatus
|
FRENCH SORREL
|
A distinctive flavoured herb
used to make soup and flavour salads. Herbaceous perennial for
sun.
|
C |
| Ruta graveolens |
RUE |
An excellent repellent for fleas,
flies and ants. Used medicinally in small quantities. Hardy
shrub for sun. Tolerates dry conditions. 60cm.
|
M |
| Salvia elegans |
PINEAPPLE SAGE |
Highly fragrant pineapple-scented
leaves, delicious in cool summer drinks. Bright red edible flowers.
Hardy shrub for sun. Prune regularly. 1m.
|
C/F |
| Salvia x
fruticosa
|
GREEK SKIES
|
This strongly aromatic culinary
herb is superb.
In combination with onion it makes great stuffing. Medicinally
it is used for coughs and rheumatic pain. Broad handsome leaves.
Hardy shrub for sun. Well drained soil. 90cm.
|
M/C/F |
| Salvia officianalis
|
SAGE
|
Used for both culinary and
medicinal purposes as with Salvia fruiticosa. Hardy shrub for
sun. Well drained soil. 90cm.
|
M/C/F |
| Salvia sclarea
|
CLARY SAGE
|
Used medicinally for a variety
of diseases and ailments. Clump forming biennial plant for sun
to part shade.
|
M
|
| Sambucus nigra
|
ELDERBERRY
|
Used for medicinal, culinary
and cosmetic purposes. Muscatel flavoured berries are beautiful
in stewed fruit, jams and jellies. Makes superb mead. Deciduous
shrub to 4m, sun.
|
M/C/F |
| Sanguisorba
minor
|
SALAD BURNET
|
A nutty flavoured herb used
fresh in salads and soups. Perennial for a sunny position. Self-seeds.
|
C |
| Santolina
chamaecyparissus
|
LAVENDER COTTON
|
An ornamental herb with delightfully
fragrant silver foliage and medicinal properties. Rarely used
medicinally today. Hardy shrub for a sunny position. 60cm.
|
M/F |
| Santolina
viridus
|
SANTOLINA
|
Vibrant fragrant green foliage.
Hardy perennial small shrub for a sunny position. 60cm.
|
F |
| Satureja hortensis
|
SUMMER SAVORY
|
Used for medicinal and culinary
purposes. Wonderful in stuffing and meat dishes. Annual herb
for sun. 30cm.
|
M/C |
| Satureja montana
|
WINTER SAVOURY
|
Used for both medicinal and
culinary purposes. An ingredient in herbal cordials for gastric
complaints. Perennial for a sunny position. 40cm.
|
M/C |
| Stachys officinalis
|
BETONY
|
A medicinal herb that should
not be taken to excess. Hardy mat-forming perennial for sun
to part shade.
|
M |
|
Botanical
Name |
Common Name |
Uses & Cultural
Notes |
F = Fragrant,
C = Culinary,
M = Medicinal. |
| Symphytum
officinale
|
COMFREY
|
A soothing and healing herb
used medicinally. Makes an excellent compost accelerator. Herbaceous
perennial for sun to part shade. Take care not to let it escape.
60cm.
|
M |
| Tanacetum
cinerariifolium
|
PYRETHRUM
|
A pungent herb with insecticidal
properties. A hardy perennial for a sunny position. 90cm.
|
F |
| Thymus argentea
|
‘SILVER POSY’
THYME
|
A pretty little thyme with
white and green variegated leaves. Has a camphor like fragrance.
Used to flavour savoury dishes. Hardy perennial for a sunny
position. 30cm.
|
C/F |
| Thymus citriodorus |
LEMON THYME |
Delicately lemon leaves used
to flavour savoury dishes, particularly fish, poultry and vegetables.
Used medicinally in aromatherapy for respiratory complaints.
Hardy perennial for a sunny position. 30cm.
|
M/C/F |
| Thymus herba
barona
|
CARAYAY THYME
|
A strongly flavoured thyme
used in savoury dishes from soups to salads. Hardy prostrate
creeping perennial. 20cm.
|
C/F |
| Thymus serpyllum
|
WILD THYME
|
A culinary herb used in soups,
marinades and dishes that are slowly cooked, as it retains its
flavour well. Hardy perennial for a sunny position.
|
C |
| Thymus vulgaris
|
COMMON THYME
|
Wonderful in home made vinegar
and oil, roasts and French cooking. Used medicinally for coughs
and related conditions. Hardy perennial for a sunny position.
30cm.
|
M/C |
|
Valeriana officinalis
|
VALERIAN
|
Used medicinally to treat insomnia,
hysteria, anxiety and other ailments. Hardy herbaceous perennial
for sun to part shade. 1.5m.
|
M |
