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 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.
Marsh Mallow
Althaea officinalis
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 1m - 1.2 m
Preferred position: Moist soil in a sunny position.
Care: Keep well watered in dry weather and cut back after flowering to keep shape neat.
Uses: Medicinal
An attractive plant with velvety leaves and pretty pink flowers in summer Ideal for damp areas.
Oregano (Wild Marjoram)
Origanum vulgare
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 45 cm - 60 cm
Preferred position: Light well drained soil in a sunny position.
Care: After flowering cut back for a new flush of leaves.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
Used dried, rather than fresh, in Italian, Greek and Mexican cooking. A variegated form with cream edges to the leaves, Country Cream, is also available.
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Type: Hardy Biennial
Approximate height: Curly: 30 cm - 40 cm French or Flat leaved: 45 cm - 60 cm
Preferred position: Moist, fertile soil in sun or partial shade.
Care: Cut off flowers to prolong growth.
Uses: Culinary
Umbels of yellow-green flowers in 2nd year.
The french parsley has a stronger flavour than the curly.
Pennyroyal - Upright
Mentha pulegium
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 40 cm
Preferred position: Likes well drained soil but water well in summer. Plant in a sunny or shady position.
Care: Water well when dry in summer but dislikes wet soil in winter.
Uses: Medicinal
Creeping plant with very strong mint aroma, whorls of lilac flowers.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE A KIDNEY COMPLAINT OR ARE PREGNANT.
Pot Marigold
Calendula officinalis
Type: Annual
Approximate height: 50 cm
Preferred position: Any soil in sunshine
Care: Dead-head to ensure continued flowering.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal and bee plant
Bright orange daisy like flowers throughout the summer. Petals can be used as a salad garnish.
Pot Marjoram
Origanum onites
Type: Hardy Perennial
Approximate height: 60 cm
Preferred position: Light well drained soil in a sunny position.
Care: After flowering cut back hard for a new flush of leaves.
Uses: Culinary
White or pink flowers in summer and early autumn. Dried or fresh leaves can be added to Mediterranean dishes. A golden leaved variety is also available, (Origanum onites 'Aureum').
Red Veined Sorrel
Rumex sanguineus
Perennial
Approximate height: 30 cm
Preferred position: Plant in rich moisture-retaining soil in sun or partial shade.
Care: Remove flowering stems when they appear.
Uses: Culinary
Attractive clumps of green leaves with red veins.
CAUTION: HIGH IN OXALIC ACID, AVOID IF SUFFERING FROM KIDNEY PROBLEMS, RHEUMATISM, OR ARTHRITIS ETC.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
Type: Hardy Evergreen Perennial shrub
Approximate height: up to 1.8 m
Preferred position: Well drained soil in a sunny sheltered position.
Care: Trim after flowering in spring and give small young plants some winter protection.
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal, Cosmetic
Grey-green aromatic foliage and flowers from white, through pink to blue and purple depending on the variety. Different forms are also available from prostrate to upright.
Rue
Ruta graveolens
Type: Semi-evergreen Perennial
Approximate height: up to 60 cm
Preferred position: Plant in a sunny position in light well-drained soil.
Care: In Spring, prune to prevent straggly growth.
Uses: Insect repellent
Blue-green foliage and bright yellow flowers in midsummer.
CAUTION: PHOTOTOXIC - CAUSES BLISTERS IF HANDLED IN SUNLIGHT OR WHEN WET - USE GLOVES. AVOID IF PREGNANT.