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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.

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Variegated sage is grown for its attractive and aromatic leaves. The green leaves are marbled and blushed with yellow gold highlights. They have an earthy spicy aroma with a more subtle flavor than standard sage. It is a slower growing variety as are most colored varieties of sage, making it's leaves slightly more tender than standard sage.

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aka Shallots or Scalloins

A versatile perennial bulb that has a mild sweet taste compared to its close relative the Onion. When planting do not bury the bulb too deep - 1 bulb should multiply to 6-12 bulbs which are harvested when the green tops wilt and turn brown usually in autumn. Dry in the sun prior to storage.

The green tops of your Shallots can be used like chives for salads etc if you wish. Shallots are shallow rooted so it is important that they get even moisture for good yields i.e. do not let them dry out. They will store for up to 12 months after drying.

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Sorrel is a slender herbaceous perennial plant about 60 cm high, with roots that run deep into the ground, as well as juicy stems and edible, arrow-shaped leaves.

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Full of fresh flavour and aroma Mint is one of our favourite and most used culinary herbs. Vigorous and spreading in habit so sometimes safer in a container. Will grow in sun or part shade and prefers moist cool soil to do well. Trim regularly to encourage new growth. Perennial.

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aka Sweetleaf, Sugarleaf

In the wild, Stevia grows to 2 feet in height while cultivated varieties grow to three feet. A spindly, many-branched plant with an interesting root system. Fine roots spread out on the surface of the soil, while a thicker part of the root grows deep into the soil. The stems are hairy, wand-like and covered with leaves. Leaves are opposite and toothed, fibrous and dark green.

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant species in the genus Stevia of the sunflower family, commonly known as sweetleaf, sweet leaf, sugarleaf.

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aka Strawberry

This delicious Strawberry has large, conical shaped, dark red firm fruit with excellent flavour. Camarosa are short-day strawberries, they flower from spring to summer, with the main crop in December. Good disease resistance. Plant in well drained fertile soil, with afternoon shade for best results.

To get the very best out of your Strawberry patch look at our How to page for growing tips.

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Aromatic herb used since the Middle Ages as an insect repellent. It is used to expel worms in animals (including humans), repel fleas and bed bugs and to delouse parasites on horses and dogs. Dried, it will also repel moths and ants in stored goods. It has green fern like leaves with attractive heads of yellow button flowers.

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aka French Tarragon

A refined flavour indispensable to the classic French cuisine. Glossy long green leaves which release a bitter sweet, warm peppery scent with an anise undertone. Use fresh to flavour salads, meats, fish and egg dishes Sunny, light well drained soil. Perennial

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Perennial which has a tarragon scent with undertones of anise. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. Golden yellow flowers in flat clusters

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aka Golden Thyme

Highly aromatic small yellow leaves that can be used to flavour meat or vegetable dishes. Dainty white to mauve flowers appear in summer and should be removed after flowering. Hardy and easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot. Evergreen.

A favourite Thyme for cooking as it has a superb flavour and aroma that carries a hint of Oregano. Lovely dark green leaves. Good for adding flavor to stocks, soups and many more culinary dishes. Happy in sunny well drained position in the garden or a container. Evergreen.

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aka Carpet or Creeping Thyme

This is the perfect Thyme to use as a tough aromatic ground-cover. Little dark green leaves and tiny crimson pink flowers in summer. Hardy and easy to grow. Benefits from a light trim every now and then. Evergreen.

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aka Creeping Thyme

This delightful and dainty little Thyme is perfect for use as a ground-cover in a warm sunny well drained position or just enjoy some in a pot. The little bright green leaves are smothered by dainty white flowers in summer. Forms a neat and tidy mat. Evergreen.

Can be used for culinary purposes if desired. Trim lightly after flowering to keep compact and avoid over fertilizing as generally Thyme are best left to their own devices.

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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.

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aka Lemon Variegated Thyme

The small cream-edged green leaves of this lovely thyme will release a burst of citrus scent each time they are brushed against, while the clusters of pink flowers will add even more colour in summer.

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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.

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aka Woolly Thyme

The best known name for this garden Thyme is Woolly Thyme which relates to the tiny, hairy, grey leaves which form a dense carpet. While not suitable for culinary purposes it is very useful as a ground-cover or for draping over walls and banks. Evergreen.

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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.

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aka Silver Thyme

Thyme Silver has the same uses as Thyme Common: it's a great accompaniment for soup, marinades, stuffings and veges and is also delicious with beef, chicken, fish, veal, cheese and tomato sauces.

Placed in a pillow, Thyme was said to induce sleep and ward off nightmares.

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aka Silver Queen Thyme

This pretty little Thyme is usually grown more as an ornamental than a herb because of its attractive, dainty, silver-green leaves that are edged with white. Lilac flowers in summer. Highly aromatic. Plant in sunny well drained spot. Evergreen.

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aka Common Thyme

Common Thyme. The most popular culinary thyme with highly aromatic small green leaves that can be used to flavour meat or vegetable dishes. Dainty white to mauve flowers appear in summer and should be removed after flowering. Hardy and easy to grow in a sunny well drained spot. Evergreen.

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Yams. Inca Gold is a new variety bred for New Zealand conditions. It has a yellow flesh and grows up to 10cm long and 3cm thick. It has a lovely flavour and is a high yielder.

Plant July to mid October. Harvest Approx May/ June/ July, when tops of yam plant have totally died off or after first frost. It is recommended that if you are in regions that have frost’s, leave your yams in the ground to get frosted a few times. This then enhances the flavour.

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Yams grown in New Zealand originate from the South American Andes where they are known as oca. Their waxy skins are shiny and colourful and is thin and soft and needs no peeling. The white to lemon-yellow flesh has a smooth, silky texture with a nutty taste, similar to beetroot. Earth gems have a crisp texture, which remains even when cooked. They can be boiled, steamed, microwaved or baked.