Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a perennial herb that grows in a bushy manner and emits a delightful lemon fragrance from its leaves. During summer, it produces cream-white or pale purple flowers. This herb thrives in both sunny and lightly shaded environments, and its growth is robust and effortless. Lemon balm leaves are a perfect complement to salads, sauces, and fish dishes, imparting a zesty lemon flavor. Additionally, they make for a rejuvenating herbal tea.
Thyme Foxley
Thyme Foxley is an evergreen herb that can spread up to 20cm in height. It has small, aromatic, green leaves that are irregularly variegated with cream, as well as short spikes of tiny purple-pink flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. Thyme Foxley is a particularly noteworthy culinary variety of thyme that is often used to add flavor to stuffing and stews. Additionally, this herb has a rich history of medicinal use that spans many centuries, with its essential oils being used to treat various ailments such as aches, pains, and sprains.
Fennel Bronze
Fennel bronze is a stunning perennial plant that grows upright and forms clumps up to 1.8m tall. Its’ finely divided foliage produces fine, feathery clouds of bronze-purple leaves, which are complemented by flat-topped, sulphur-yellow flowerheads that bloom in mid to late summer. Once the flowers have bloomed, the plant produces aromatic seeds. The foliage of this giant fennel herb is not only visually appealing but also adds a tasty touch to fish, meat, and salads.
Tree Spinach
Tree spinach is an annual plant that produces long spikes of tiny red flowers, with mid-green arrow-shaped and serrated older leaves. The younger leaves and centre rosettes have a glittery appearance and open out as a bright magenta, adding a striking visual appeal to salads. When cooked, the leaves taste similar to spinach and chard, making them a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal.
Amaranth Red Army
The Amaranth Red Army herb plants bears vibrant, long-lasting, small red flowers, which are followed by edible seeds that can be cooked. Its textured, ovate, red leaves are used in culinary dishes, where young leaves are added to salads or steamed when mature. Or use the seeds to make flatbreads.
Oregano Golden French
Oregano Golden French is a beautiful deciduous perennial with vibrant yellow foliage that forms a bushy and attractive appearance. It grows well in containers, and adds an ornamental touch to gardens with its loose sprays of pink flowers during summer and early autumn. This flavourful herb is a great addition to Italian, Greek, and Mexican cuisine, and pairs well with tomatoes and garlic.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a versatile and easy-to-grow herb that can enhance the aesthetics of any herb collection, whether planted in the ground or in containers. In addition to its ornamental value, the fragrant flowers of this hardy perennial are commonly used to make chamomile tea, while the feathery leaves can add a delightful aroma to sauces.
Sage Pineapple
Sage pineapple is a delightful inclusion in any herb garden as its foliage emanates a pleasant pineapple fragrance upon contact. In addition to its aromatic leaves, the herb’s edible nature makes it a perfect ingredient for elevating the flavour of summer beverages or salads, while its vibrant scarlet blooms provide a stunning display in late summer.
Lavender
Lavender is a favoured choice for gardeners seeking aromatic and drought-resistant plants that thrive in sunny conditions with well-draining soil. Besides being easy to grow and complementing other shrubs, perennials, and roses, lavender herb flowers and stems are also useful in cooking and enhancing the flavours of barbecues.
Verbena Lemon
With a strongly lemon-scented, narrowly lance-shaped leaves and open panicles of tiny white or pale lilac flowers, Verbena lemon is a deciduous shrub herb that can reach up to 2.5m in height. For a refreshing beverage, simply chop a small handful of fresh leaves, steep and strain to enjoy it hot or iced.
Mint Chocolate
Mint Chocolate is a clump-forming perennial herb that grows aromatic, rounded foliage and can reach up to 60cm in height. During the summer and autumn, spikes of pink-lilac or white flowers appear, and it can grow in any moist soil with a sunny position, making it easy to propagate and a versatile plant that can enhance the flavour of drinks, desserts, salads, and savoury dishes.
Lemon Thyme
The bushy lemon thyme herb produces aromatic mid-green leaves that release a pleasant lemon scent when rubbed and a colourful display of lilac flowers during summers. It can be used as a stunning container plant or a sunny border lining, but it should be planted close enough to the kitchen to enjoy its fragrance.