CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Sweet Basil

Where would summer be without Basil to add fragrance and flavour to a multitude of dishes? Large shiny green leaves that taste great fresh - wonderful for Pesto. Leaves can be frozen for future use if you have an over-production. Loves the sun and good drainage. Protect from frost. Annual.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Lemon bee balm

The flowers are very pretty in white or pink with purple dots, growing in typical Bergamot fashion. Young leaves can be used in tea or for any gourmet dish, especially fish, where a strong lemon flavour would add interest. An attractive plant that will attract the attention of bees, as well as people, in any herb garden.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Camomile

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs in the Western world. Chamomile has been used as a medicine for thousands of years; used to calm frayed nerves, to treat stomach problems, to relieve muscle spasms, and to treat skin conditions and mild infections. Chamomile tea aids sleep. Annual.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Comfrey should be termed as a 'super-plant' it can be used as a medicinal herb, tea, vegetable, animal feed and green manure. Tall and wide spreading, it reaches a height of 60 to 90cm. With large, coarse leaves and flowers which are blue or creamy white grow in spikes and bloom all summer. It is easy to grow. Perennial.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

The Goji Berry is an ancient medicinal and culinary plant from Asia that is highly valued for its therapeutic qualities. Green foliage, purple and white flowers in summer followed by nutrient packed red berries. Grows best in a sunny well drained position. Self-pollinating, hardy and deciduous.

The Goji Berry will eventually form a strong trunk a bit like a grape-vine. The somewhat trailing branches can be trained as required. Fruiting should occur after the 2nd year with full production around year 5. Quite drought tolerant once established. This so called 'Superfood' is certainly worth a try.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Best grown in rich, moist soils in full sun to part shade. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. Large plantings may be sheared after bloom to remove flower spikes and stimulate new vegetative growth. Soil barriers may be used to restrain spread if plants are grown in borders or other areas where spread is unwanted.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Mint Vietnamese or Cambodian mint or laksa leaf

Also known as Vietnamese coriander, Cambodian mint and laksa leaf this has to be my favourite Asian herb. This perennial, which has striking pointed leaves, lime green in colour with dark inner markings. With purple stems the whole plant has a wonderfully strong citrus aroma with a taste to match.

Native to peninsular South-East Asia

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Oregano Common

Herb. A highly ornamental and delicious herb that is an essential ingredient in Italian style cuisine. A must have on top of Pizza. Mainly used dry. Plant in a sunny well drained spot and give it a good haircut every now and then. Perennial.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

True Greek oregano is the superior, true culinary type of oregano prized by Italian and Greek chefs. It is highly aromatic and flavorful, combining superbly with fresh tomatoes or tomato sauces, egg and cheese combinations such as omelets and quiche, marinated vegetables, meat, fish and poultry.

Grows well in a container.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Italian Parsley

I can't do without this wonderful Parsley in my vege patch. Large flat leaves that are full of flavour and highly decorative. A lovely garnish and great in a variety of soups, casseroles etc. Plant in sun or part shade in well drained soil. Fertilize every now and then and harvest regularly. Evergreen.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Parsley

Ever popular Parsley is probably the most widely used Herb world wide. Full of iron and excellent for eating fresh or dried. Goes with just about everything. Plant in sun or part shade in well drained soil. Give it a little bit of fertilizer every now and then and harvest regularly. Evergreen.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Pomegranate

The Pomegranate is a beautiful and highly ornamental shrub and a producer of highly decorative and nutritious fruit. Large showy orange-red flowers over a long period from late spring through summer. They are very sweet and virtually seedless. Deciduous.

Popular in Spanish and Middle Eastern Cusine the Pomegranate has also been seen as a symbol of fertility through-out the ages mainly because of the high seed count in the fruit. Easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot with protection from harsh frost. The fruit is high in Vitamin C, B5, Potassium and anti-oxidants.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Pomegranate

A beautiful and highly ornamental shrub that producers highly decorative and nutritious pomegranates. New growth is bronze -green, in summer there are bright orange flowers which develop into large, burnished red fruits. The fruit is high in Vitamin C, B5, Potassium and anti-oxidants.

Popular in Spanish and Middle Eastern Cusine the Pomegranate has also been seen as a symbol of fertility through-out the ages mainly because of the high seed count in the fruit. Easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot with protection from harsh frost.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Rosemary upright

Rosemary. A classic culinary herb suitable for use in all manner of dishes but especially with lamb. Attractive aromatic foliage and pretty blue flowers that appear mostly in summer. Use as a herb, ornamental shrub or for hedging. Prefers the sun and good drainage. Bees love it. Evergreen.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Rosemary

Prostrate groundcover with light blue flowers and aromatic foliage. Ideal for hot, dry areas. Very hardy and fast growing. Excellent for banks and rockeries.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Sage

The downy grey-green leaves of this perennial Herb are widely used to add flavour to poultry and pork dishes. Use fresh leaves sparingly as they have quite a strong flavour. Plant in a sunny well drained spot in light sandy soil for best results. Evergreen.

Sage has been used historically for many medicinal purposes.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Purple Sage is a lovely addition to any landscape, kitchen garden or combination herb planter. Sage requires well drained soil, is drought tolerant. Sage can be used fresh or dried as a culinary flavouring.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Lemon Thyme

Lemon Thyme is is known to be especially mouth-watering with poultry and in salads. An herb whose scent is regularly described as astonishing, it is super delicious when added to herb butters and herbed bread. IHoneybees love the flowers of the thyme plant! Perennial

Thymus Lemon's slow mounding habit is beautiful in the landscape as a border or edging plant.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Pizza Thyme

My favourite Thyme for cooking as it has a superb flavour and aroma that carries a hint of Oregano. Lovely dark green leaves. Fabulous in meat and tomato dishes and of course Pizza. Happy in sunny well drained position in the garden or a container. Evergreen.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

aka Thyme

Herb. Want a super dramatic groundcover? Ruby carpet will cover itself in gorgeous pink flowers throughout spring. Excellent bee attractant for the vege garden and an excellent culinary herb as well. Aromatic foliage. Happy in a sunny well drained position in the garden or container. Evergreen.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Root vegetable which is grown for the brightly coloured and aromatic rhizome. Prefers warm sunny position away from frost even when dormant in winter. Harvest when leaves start to die back and wear gloves as the rhizome will stain your hands yellow. Green bushy growth in summer.