Plants with a bee symbol are beneficial for bees or other pollinators.
Key: Annual: A plant that flowers, set seeds and dies within a single growing season. Biennial: A plant that completes their life cycle over two seasons putting on leaf growth only in the first year and flowering and setting seed in the second year. Perennial: A plant that will continue to grow for many seasons, possibly flowering each year. Some perennial plants will die back each winter with new growth appearing in the spring. Not all perennials are hardy and some will need protection or placing under cover during the winter. Monocarpic: A plant that will die after flowering and setting seed but is not necessarily an annual or biennial and may live for more than one season before flowering.
NOTE: It is very important to consult a qualified medical herbalist before taking any herbs medicinally. Any information contained here is for information only and not as a guide to self-medication. The use of any information from this website is entirely at the reader's own risk.
Alpine Strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 25 cm
Preferred position: Sun or shade, moist soil.
Care: Divide runners if they have become invasive.
Uses: Culinary (fruits)
A good ground cover plant, with little white flowers and very tasty small red fruits in summer.
Angelica
Angelica archangelica
Type: Hardy Biennial / Monocarpic
Approximate height: Up to 1.8m
Preferred position: Moist rich soil, preferably in shade but tolerant of most conditions. Good for planting at the back of borders.
Care: Water well when dry or may go to seed early.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
A tall plant with large greenish white umbels in early summer. Will self seed readily. The young stems can be candied for decorating cakes / confectionary and the roots and seeds are used to flavour liqueurs. The foliage is eaten as a vegetable in Greenland and Scandinavia.
CAUTION: Take care when handling as contact with the leaves may increase skin photo-sensitivity.
Basil - Greek
Ocimum basilicum var. minimum
Type: Tender Annual
Approximate height: 15-30 cm.
Preferred position: Moist but well drained soil in a sunny sheltered position.
Care: Can be grown on a sunny windowsill. If planted outside do not plant out until all risk of frost is gone. Removing flower spikes will give more leaf growth.
Uses: Culinary
This may have small leaves but it's big on flavour. A very good basil for pots with tiny white flowers in summer.
BASIL - Purple
Ocimum basilicum 'purple'
Type: Tender Annual
Approximate height: 25 cm.
Preferred position: Moist but well drained soil in a sunny sheltered position.
Care: Can be grown on a sunny windowsill. If planted outside do not plant out until all risk of frost is gone. Removing flower spikes will give more leaf growth.
Uses: Culinary
Mauve flowers in summer.
Basil - Sweet
Ocimum basilicum
Type: Tender Annual
Approximate height: 45 - 60 cm
Preferred position: Moist but well drained soil in a sunny sheltered position.
Care: Can be grown on a sunny windowsill. If planted outside do not plant out until all risk of frost is gone. Removing flower spikes will give more leaf growth.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
Bright aromatic green leaves with white flowers in summer. Used in Mediterranean cookery to flavour pesto, pizzas, ratatouille and pasta sauces.
Bay
Laurus nobilis
Type: Evergreen shrub or tree
Approximate height: 3m - 10m
Preferred position: Rich well drained soil in a sunny sheltered position.
Care: Young plants may need some winter protection.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
Evergreen shrub or tree with grey bark. Dark green leaves with yellowish-white flowers in late spring to summer. Can be followed by dark purple berries on older specimens. Used in stews, casseroles and marinades etc. as it benefits from longer cooking. The fresh leaves are stronger than the dried.
Borage
Borago officinalis
Type: Hardy Annual
Approximate height: 60 cm
Preferred position: Light, well drained soil in a sunny position.
Care: Dead head regularly to ensure more flowers.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
Beautiful blue or white star shaped flowers from early summer to mid autumn. The hairy leaves and flowers have a mild cucumber flavour. Use both the young leaves and flowers in salads, fruit drinks, etc. Borage is said to bring happiness and drive away melancholy.
Caraway
Carum carvi
Type: Biennial
Approximate height: 45 cm - 60 cm
Preferred position: Well drained soil in full sun.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
White flowers mid to late summer in second year. Dry seeds by cutting off a complete umbel just as individual seeds start to fall, (late summer to late autumn). Place in paper bag, tie bag around the stem and hang in a dry airy place. Caraway seed has been found among food remains from 5000 year old sites and is said to have been used by the early Egyptians.
Cardoon
Cynara cardunculus
Type: Perennial
Approximate height: 2m
Preferred position: Well drained soil in a sunny spot
Care: In very cold winters cover with straw.
Uses: Medicinal and culinary.
Very impressive tall plant with large purple thistle type flowers.
Catnep
Nepeta cataria
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 30 cm to 1m
Preferred position: Well drained soil in sun.
Care: After flowering, cut back hard to keep in shape.
Uses: Pot-Pourri, Cat treats
White, purple marked, flowers from summer to mid autumn. Loved by most cats, (there's always one), the leaves can be dried and used to stuff cat toys.
Chamomile - Dyers
Anthemis tinctoria
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: Up to 1m
Preferred position: Well drained soil in a sunny spot.
Care: Divide plants every 2 to 3 years.
Uses: Dye Plant
Yellow daisy-like flowers in summer.
Chamomile - Lawn - 'Treneague'
Chamomile nobile 'Treneague'
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 15 cm
Preferred position: Light sandy soil in sun.
Care: Keep well weeded and watered.
Uses: Aromatic ground cover plant.
This non-flowering variety is the best one for a chamomile lawn.
Chamomile - Roman
Chamaemelum nobile
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: Foliage 15 cm, flowers 30 cm
Preferred position: Light sandy soil in sun.
Care: Cut back frequently to encourage new bushy growth.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal, Cosmetic
White daisy like flowers in mid to late summer. The flowers can be used to make a soothing tea or used in an infusion to lighten fair hair.
Chervil
Anthriscus cerefolium
Type: Hardy Annual
Approximate height: 30cm - 60cm
Preferred position: Light soil with some moisture retention, in semi shade.
Care: Cut leaves frequently to prevent flowering.
Uses: Culinary
Sweet smelling plant with pale green delicate leaves and umbels of white flowers in early summer. Good herb to use in omelettes, soups and vegetable dishes.
Chicory
Cichorium intybus
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 1 - 1.5 m
Preferred position: Rich but well drained soil in sun.
Care: Best grown close to a fence or trellis as may need support.
Uses: Culinary
A tall plant with numerous beautiful blue flowers which close by midday. Fresh young leaves and the flowers can be added to salads.
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 30 cm
Preferred position: Prefers rich moist soil in sun by will tolerate most soils and conditions.
Care: The flower buds can be cut off to encourage leaf growth.
Uses: Culinary
Mild onion flavoured leaves with very pretty purplish pink globe flowers. Fresh chopped leaves can be added to salads, sauces, omelettes etc., whenever a mild onion flavour is required.
Clary Sage
Salvia sclarea
Type: Hardy Biennial
Approximate height: 60 cm - 90 cm
Preferred position: Plant in a sunny position in light well-drained soil.
Care: Clary Sage will often self-seed and the seedlings can be transplanted if necessary.
Uses: Medicinal
Very decorative plant with large aromatic leaves and colourful flower bracts of white, pink and lavender in its second year.
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Type: Hardy Annual
Approximate height: 60 cm
Preferred position: Well drained fertile soil in a sunny position.
Care: Regular watering helps to prevent premature running to seed.
Uses: Culinary
Coriander has small flat umbels of white or reddish flowers from mid-summer to early autumn. It has been cultivated for over 3000 years and the leaves and seeds are still widely used in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine.
Cotton Lavender
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Type: Evergreen Perennial
Approximate height: 20 - 50 cm
Preferred position: Well drained soil in full sun.
Care: Can be clipped in mid-spring to keep in shape.
Insect repellent
An evergreen shrub with grey-green leaves and bright yellow flowers from mid to late summer.