Beans and Herbs
 
 
Herbs
HERBS
£1.25 per packet
Growing instructions on each packet
Order Form
HERB SEED certified Organic Seed
NOTE Many herbs are medicinal . Please consult a qualified herbalist for the medicinal use of herbs.
Alexanders  
Delicious delicate-flavoured stems in spring - can be steamed. Green leaves can be picked throughout the winter and added to soups or salads. Perennial.
Anise Hyssop Agastache foeniculum
The scented mid-green leaves and the flowers can be used for tea, adding to fruit drinks/decorating salads. Hardy perennial . Height 60cm+ when in flower. Stunning blue flower spikes.
Angelica Angelica archangelica
Large green flower ball on tall stem. Young leaf stems can be candied. Hardy biennial. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Basil
Cinnamon
Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon'
Highly cinnamon scented when crushed. Used in spicy Mexican dishes and salad dressings. Annual.
Basil
Greek
Ocimum minimum
This basil has a more compact growth than Sweet Genovese, a smaller leaf and a stronger flavour. Used in the same way. Looks beautiful grown in a large terracotta pot. Annual.
Basil
Lettuce leaf
Ocimum basilicum neapolitanum
Very large crinkled leaves, with a distinctive flavour. Excellent for pasta sauce like pesto. Annual.
Basil
Lemon
Ocimum x citriodorum
Very lemon flavoured Basil for chicken or fish dishes, or in salads. Annual. Tips on growing all the basils
Basil
Lime
Ocimum basilicum 'Lime'

Dark green leaves with a distinct lime aroma and flavour. Annual.

 
All this list Certified Organic Seed
Basil
Fino verde
Fine leaves with very good flavour. Tight bushy habit. Annual.
Basil
Sweet
Genovese
Ocimum basilicum
Sweet Genovese is the usual large leaf basil with the familiar basil flavour. Tear leaves onto salads and tomato dishes. Delicious in pasta sauces like pesto, and with eggs, chicken, mushrooms. Annual.
Basil
Red
Ocimum basilicum 'Red'
Delicious dark red leaves and very fragrant. Annual.
Betony Stachys officinalis
Dark pink flowers throughout summer. Aromatic leaves. Height 60cm in flower. Hardy herbaceous perennial. Medicinal herb.
Dye plant for yellow. Click on Dye herbs
Borage Borago officinalis
Bright blue starry flowers which can be added to drinks and salads (or frozen in ice cubes!). Cut young leaves fresh in summer. Chop into salads or cream cheese. Add to yoghurt or mayonnaise. Hardy annual.
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum
Annual with pink flowers which are attractive to hoverflies and bees. Easy to grow even on poor soil. Medicinal herb.
Calendula Calendula officinalis
Also known as Pot marigold. Petals can be sprinkled onto salads, used to colour rice, and also used in ointment for wounds. Hardy annual. Dye plant.
Caraway Carum carvi
Clusters of white flowers in early summer. Feathery leaves for chopping into salads or soup. Seed crop added to rich meats, cakes and apple pies. An aid to digestion. Hardy biennial.
Cedronella Cedronella canariensis
Often called Balm of Gilead. Strongly aromatic leaves that can scent a room or a corner of a patio. Keep dryish in winter and protect from frost. Height 1m. Half hardy perennial.
Celery
Leaf
Apium graveolens
Lots of celery leaf to chop into salads, soups and soft cheses. Seeds of same flavour also for adding to soups. Hardy biennial. Sometimes perennial.
Chamomile Matricaria recutita
This is the annual chamomile grown for harvesting the daisy-like flowers for relaxing tea. The flowers can be dried and stored for winter use. Not the variety with scented leaves for lawns. (For scent see Chamomile Roman below.) Annual.
Chervil Anthriscus cerefolium
Use freshly chopped in salads and chicken dishes. Rich in vitamin C, iron and carotene. One of the ingredients of “fines herbes”. Finely cut, chervil is delicious in omelettes. Hardy annual.
Chives Allium schoenoprasum
For chopping into salads, soups, soft cheese, egg dishes. The mauve flowers are also edible and attractive on salads. Hardy perennial.
Chives
Polycross
Allium schoenoprasum
Early, high yielding and uniform with dark green leaves. Vigorous erect growth for forcing. Cut continuously. Hardy perennial.
Clary Sage Salvia sclarea
Large soft green leaves which can be used in fritters. Pastel coloured flower bracts, highly aromatic. Used to flavour muscatel wine. Height 1m. in flower. Hardy biennial.
Clover
Crimson
Vigorous quick growing clover with deep red flowers very attractive to bees. Grows best on sandy loam soil. Grow as annual March to August. Will overwinter from an August sowing in the southern counties of UK.
Coriander
for seed
Coriandrum sativum
This coriander goes more readily to seed, although the leaves can also be used. Collect when dry and store. Warm aromatic flavour when ground for stir fries, vegetables and casseroles. Delicious oriental flavour combined with garlic, ginger and lime. Much superior to shop bought seed. Annual.
Coriander
cilantro
Coriandrum sativum
This variety is good for leaf production. Use in salads, stir fries, vegetables, curries, other oriental dishes, and casseroles. Excellent combined with mint or garlic. Annual. Tips on growing
   
Cress
plain
Lepidium sativum
Plain leaves. Stronger flavour than curled cress. For adding to salads. Can grow on a windowsill. See Mustard for Mustard-and-Cress. Annual.
Dill
Mammoth
Anethum graveolens
Tall decorative plant with yellow/green flowerheads. Good cut flower or leave for dry seed to add to chutneys, vinegars, or with lamb or fish. Annual.
Dill
Hera
Anethum graveolens
Fresh leaves can be chopped onto fish dishes, soups, and onto new potatoes. Also very good in tomato salads, green bean salads and in omelettes. Annual.
Dyer's Chamomile Anthemis tinctoria
Yellow daisy flowers throughout summer. Leaves ferny. Hardy perennial. Dye plant for yellow to olive. Click on Dye Herbs
Dyer's Weld Reseda luteola
Long wavy edged leaves. Spires of yellow-green flowers. Dye plant for yellows. Height 1m. Biennial. Click on Dye Herbs
Best autumn-sown - order in August
Echinacea Echinacea purpurea
Purple coneflower. Very attractive border plant with purple/pink petals and orange centre. Ht. 1m. Medicinal herb. Hardy perennial.
Elecampane Inula helenium
A magnificent plant in flower. Height in flower up to 1.75m, flowers 12cm across. Medicinal plant. The roots were traditionally used for candying to improve asthmatic conditions. Hardy herbaceous perennial.
Evening
Primrose
Oenothera biennis
Large yellow flowers used for oil extraction. All plant used as a pot herb. This is the true medicinal plant. Height 1m. Hardy biennial.
Fennel
Bronze
Foeniculum vulgare 'Purpureum'
Bronze feathery leaves. Large umbels of tall yellow flowers in late summer. Leaves can be chopped into salads, cooked vegetables, used in stuffing and with oily fish. Seed crop used in fish dishes and bread. Height 1.5m. Hardy perennial.
Fennel
Green
Foeniculum vulgare
Uses same as Bronze Fennel but bright green feathery leaves. Hardy perennial.
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum
Decorative plant with clover-like leaf. Young leaves tossed in stir fries and curries. Grown for young leaves and for seeds for collecting and eating as newly sprouted seeds. Annual.
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium
White daisy-like flowers. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial.
Can be sown early autumn or in spring.
Garlic Chives
blue
Allium tuberosum mauve
Beautiful flower ball actually mauve. Height 40cm. Leaves for sweet garlic flavour chopped into salads, soups and casseroles. Hardy perennial.
Good King Henry Chenopodium bonus henricus
Dark green arrow shaped leaves, rich in iron, calcium and vitamins B and C. Add a young chopped leaf to salad, or cook lots and use like spinach, saving the mineral rich cooking water for soup or gravy. Green flowers also edible. Hardy herbaceous perennial.
Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis
Narrow aromatic dark green leaves. Bright blue flowers, attractive to bees. Add leaves sparingly to meat. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial.
Joe Pye Weed Eupatorium purpureum
Known also as Gravelroot. Mass of pink flowers in late summer. Height in flower 1.5m. Hardy herbaceous perennial. Medicinal plant. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Lavender
vera
Lavender vera
Purple flowers in summer. Grey/green aromatic leaves. Height. 45cm. Hardy perennial. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Lemon
Balm
Melissa officinalis
Lush green leaves with strong lemon scent, used for relaxing tea or for lemon flavour in salads, with chicken or fish. Ht. 70cm. Hardy perennial.
Lovage Levisticum officinale
Yellow-green clustered flowers in summer. Lush green leaves for salad, soup, gravy or casseroles. Height 2m. in flower. Hardy perennial.
Marjoram
Pot
Oreganum onites
Pink flowers in summer, attractive to bees. Aromatic dark green leaves are used in soups and casseroles. Medicinal herb. Hardy perennial.
Marjoram
Sweet
Oreganum majorana
Round pale green leaves with excellent flavour. Good for drying for winter use. Annual.
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
Creamy white flowers in summer. Flowers for tea, wine and beer making. Also for herb vinegar, and with stewed fruit. Height in flower 1m. Hardy perennial. Click on Dye Herbs Best autumn-sown
 
Growing instructions on each packet
Mizuna Brassica rapa var. japonica
Attractive bright green serrated leaves, becoming popular for stir fries and salads. Very productive and can be cut all season. Annual.
Mustard Sinapis alba
For fast growing in tubs on windowsill. Sow Mustard two days later than Cress if Mustard-and-Cress is required. Put folded kitchen roll sheets at base of tub. Keep moist but ventilated. snip crop with scissors as needed.
Mustard
Red
Giant
Brassica juncea
Attractive red leaves to add as baby leaves to salads and stir fries for peppery taste. Gets hotter with time and growth. Sow little and often throughout the summer. Annual/biennial.
Mustard
Osaka Purple
Brassica juncea
Sow throughout the summer and early autumn. Tolerates cold weather. Round violet leaves. Strong spicy flavour. Annual.
Nigella Nigella damascena
Delicate ferny leaves and stunning mid-blue flowers. The aromatic seeds can be used as a condiment or as a spice to flavour cakes or curry. Aid to digestion. Antibacterial. They can also be used as a moth repellent. Annual.
Orach
Red
Atriplex hortensis
Add chopped young red leaves to salads, or cook like spinach. Height 1.5m. Hardy annual.
Oregano Oreganum vulgare
Use on pizzas, tomato dishes and omelettes. Can be dried for winter use. Hardy perennial.
Oregano
Greek
Oreganum vulgare ssp hirtum
Has the fiery aroma of Greek cookery. For use on pizzas, tomato dishes and omelettes. Best oregano for culinary use. Hardy perennial.
   
Parsley
Moss curled
Petroselinum crispum
The best known variety. Rich source of vitamins and high in iron. Use for egg and fish dishes, for chopping onto soups and salads. Use for garnishing. Hardy biennial.
Parsley
Flat leaved
Petroselinum crispum French
This variety has a stronger flavour than curled parsley and a larger leaf. Hardy biennial.
Parsley
Grune Perle
Petroselinum crispum
Very long stemmed variety. Dark green with extra curled leaf. Excellent flavour. Hardy biennial.
Parsley
Italian Giant
Petroselinum crispum
Aromatic parsley with large flat leaves - more like a vegetable. Lots of leaf for picking. Hardy biennial.
Phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia
 
Bright blue flowers mid to late summer. Good bee plant. Annual, but can also be sown late summer to flower the following year.
Poppy
Field
Papaver rhoeas
Cheerful red flowers from summer to early autumn. Collect seed at end of summer. Add to muesli or sprinkle over bread rolls. Annual. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Red Clover Trifolium pratense
 
Beautiful red flowers are a good nectar source for bees. Medicinal herb. Perennial.
 
All this list Certified Organic Herb Seed
Rocket
Salad
Eruca sativa
Useful for giving flavour and interest to salads, sauces and vegetable dishes. Young leaves mild becoming hotter with time. Cut all season. Annual.
Rocket
Rucola
Eruca sativa
Long and leafy. Delicious flavour. Can grow little and often throughout most of the year. For spicy addition to salads. Annual.
Rocket
wild
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Deeply cut leaves which look very attractive in salad mixes. Annual.
Sage Salvia officinalis
Green Sage. Highly aromatic. Grows to shrub 60cm high. Blue flowers attractive to bees. Leaves excellent for stuffings, casseroles, cream cheeses. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial.
St John's Wort Hypericum perforatum
Bright yellow lemon scented flowers in summer. Height in flower 50cm. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial. Click on
Dye Herbs
Salad Burnet Sanguisorba minor
Attractive leaves divided into leaflets. young leaves with mild flavour for adding all year to salads, soup, and cream cheese. Hardy perennial.
Shungiku Chop Suey Greens. Easy to grow leaves with delightful aromatic flavour. Harvested at 10cm and stir fried, cooked like spinach, or eaten raw in salads. Also attractive flower.
Sorrel Rumex acetosa
Large bright green leaves for soups, sauces, and young fresh leaves for salads. Hardy perennial. Click on Dye Herbs
Sorrel
Buckler's Leaf
Rumex scutatus
Small arrow-shaped bright green leaves for soups, sauces, and young fresh leaves for salads. A favourite with children. Hardy perennial.
Summer
Savory
Satureja hortensis
Aromatic mid-green pointed leaves. Use with vegetables and rich meat. Fairly hot flavour so add sparingly to salads. Aids the digestion of beans. Annual.
Sunflower Helianthus annnuus
Very tall. Height 3m. Excellent nectar source for bees. Roots improve soil structure. Harvest huge number of seeds. After harvest the dry stems can be burned for potash. Annual.
Sweet Cicely Myrrhis odorata
Creamy white flowers in early summer. Ferny leaves with slight aniseed scent. Can be chopped into salads, and used with stems in place of some of the sugar in stewed fruit. Height in flower 75cm. Hardy perennial. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Sweet Rocket Hesperis matronalis
Violet flowered variety, very fragrant especially in the evening. Not the edible rocket. Biennial/perennial.
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Small aromatic leaves. Mauve flowers in summer, attractive to bees. Used in stuffings, casseroles and soups. Medicinal herb. Hardy perennial.
Valerian Valeriana officinalis
True Valerian. A spectacular plant in flower. Pale pink scented flowers in umbels. Height in flower 2m in moist shade, 1m in sun. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial.
Welsh Onion Allium fistulosum
Green hollow leaves like giant chives. Cut into salads and stir fries. Hardy perennial.
Winter
Savory
Satureja montana
Stronger flavour than Summer Savory and has some leaf in winter. Chop into soups, casseroles, and beans especially broad beans. Hardy perennial.
Woad Isatis tinctoria
Bright yellow flowers in spring/early summer. Dye plant for indigo blue. Height 1m. Biennial. Click on Dye Herbs Best autumn-sown-order in August
Yarrow  
Clustered white flowers. Aromatic feathery leaves. Medicinal herb which intensifies the medicinal action of other herbs. Also activates compost. Hardy perennial.
 
End of Main Catalogue of Organic seed

Our Main Catalogue contains only Organic Seed. The herbs shown below are ones we are unfortunately unable to source as organically grown. Many are grown without the use of artificial fertilisers or pesticides, but they have not been certified as organic seed. Contact us if you wish to find out about the production of any particular variety. Please order at the same time as any requirements from the Main Catalogue using the Order Form at the top of this list, or simply write to us. ALL HERB SEED is £1.25 per packet.

 
Ajwain Similar to Thyme though stronger. Much used in Indian cookery. Added to curries, bread, pickled. Particularly good for the digestion of beans and all other legumes. Dry roasted, fried in oil, or infused. Many medicinal properties. Annual.
Alkanet Anchusa officinalis
Big rough leaves and bright blue flowers in early summer. Height in flower 65cm. Perennial. Click on Dye Herbs
Amaranth
Red Army
Easy to grow with red leaves for adding to salads or stir fries. Can also be steamed. Annual.
Anise Pimpinella anisum
White flowers. Aniseed used to flavour cakes, and as an aid to digestion. Annual.
Basil
Ararat
Ocimum basilicum 'Ararat'
Leaves purple and green with a licorice flavour. Annual.
Tips on growing basils
 
Growing instructions on each packet
Basil
Holy
Ocimum tenuiflorum sanctum
Sacred basil. Green leaves with purple edges and stem. Delicious rich scent for stir fries and used in Thai temples. Annual.
Basil
Mrs Burns Lemon
Large leaved lemon basil. Annual.
Basil
Marseillais
The best type of true Bush Basil. Particular flavour sought in cuisine of southern France. Annual.
Basil
Spice
Strong spicy fragrance and flavour. Dark green aromatic leaves. Annual.
Basil
Thai
Green foliage, purple tinted with pale pink flowers. Special flavour sought for Thai cooking. Annual.
Bergamot
Wild
Monarda fistulosa
The species plant. Very attractive pale mauve flowers. Leaves for tea. Height 1m. Hardy perennial.
Calendula
single
Calendula officinalis
Single, rare, semi-wild form with many yellow flowers. Decorate salads with edible petals. Use in ointment for skin. Height 30cm. Hardy annual.
Catmint Nepeta racemosa
Spires of blue flowers all summer. Fragrant greyish leaves can be rubbed on meat for flavouring. Height 50cm. Hardy perennial.
Celtuce Lactuca sativa var. augustana
Hearts eaten like a small cos lettuce, or stems are delicious stir fried.
Chamomile
Roman
Flowering chamomile which can be used for lawns. Clip forming buds often. Hardier than 'Lawn Chamomile' (Treneague). Needs good drainage. Height 40cm. Perennial.
Chicory Cichorium intybus
Pick young leaves all summer and until end of October. Add sparingly to salads. An effective tonic. Hardy herbaceous perennial.
Comfrey See special page for Comfrey
Coriander
Confetti
Very fine distinctive leaves. For leaf production. Suitable for use throughout the whole season. Annual.
Coriander
Lemon
Lemon Coriander is grown in the same way as the usual coriander. Leaves and seeds have a lemon scent. Annual.
Cowslip Flowers for decorating salads. Medicinal herb.
Best autumn-sown. Likes alkaline soil. Perennial
.
Cress
Greek
Greek Cress has a spicy flavour. The very serrated leaves are very attractive. A good addition to salads , sandwiches or as a garnish. Very easy to grow in tubs.
Cumin Cuminum cyminum
White or pinkish flowers in summer followed by aromatic seeds which are used whole or ground in oriental dishes especially lamb, curries and yoghurt. Annual.
 
Growing instructions on each packet
Eucalyptus
citriodora
Eualyptus citriodora
Lemon scented eucalypt. Can be pruned and kept small for juvenile leaves. Leaves used as insect repellent, and in pot pourris. Protect in winter. Half-hardy shrub or tree.
Flax Linum usitatissimum
Sky blue flowers throughout summer. Up to 1m tall. Round capsules of shiny brown seeds. This variety has been cultivated since 5000BC to make paper and cloth. For linseed oil. Seed edible when roasted. Can sow in a block to prevent lodging (falling over). Hardy annual.
  Conserving our wild flower heritage........................
Flowers wild Some of our wild flowers are becoming increasingly rare. We offer the following specially chosen for the garden for different situations. See special pages for details of the flowers.
Flowers of the Cornfield Cornfield flowers, many now becoming rare in the wild (Corn Chamomile, Corncockle, Cornflower, Poppy, Corn Marigold and a decorative Barley) Available as a mix. Click on special page
Flowers of the
Meadow
Meadow flowers, some now becoming rare in the wild (Cowslip, Scabious, Knapweed, Meadow Clary, Oxe-eye Daisy, St. John's Wort) Not available as a mix. Click on special page
Flowers of the
Wayside
Flowers of the wayside, ditch, or pond edge (Aquilegia, Betony, Chicory, Mallow, Meadowsweet, Wild Angelica) Not available as a mix. Click on special page
Flowers attracting
beneficial insects
Flowers of many colours and scents for the garden. Chosen to attract insect pollinators. Not available as a mix. Click on special page


French Tarragon

 

See special page for French Tarragon
Galega Galega officinalis
Herbaceous perennial plant, over one metre tall in flower. Attractive pink/purple flowers (sometimes white) from mid summer onwards. Medicinal plant. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Garlic
Chives
white
Allium tuberosum
Leaves for sweet garlic flavour chopped into salads, soups and casseroles. White flowers in late summer, later than blue variety. Height 40cm. Hardy perennial.
Goldenrod Solidago canadensis
Perennial herb. Golden yellow flowers from late July to September. 75cm tall in flower. Hardy perennial.
Click on Dye Plants
Heartsease Viola tricolor
 
Small species pansy. Medicinal herb. Annual.
Herba Stella Succulent crunchy leaves, best harvested young before the plant flowers. Leaves have a sweet nutty flavour. Used raw and added to salads. Hardy biennial.
   
Hollyhock
Black
Alcea rosea nigra
Dark red, almost black flowers. 2m tall. Medicinal substitute for Marsh Mallow. Also dye plant. Sun. Any soil. Hardy perennial.
Horehound
White
Marrubium vulgare
Grey-green leaves, slightly wrinkled. White flowers. Medicinal plant for coughs and respiratory complaints. Poor soil and sun. Hardy perennial.
Horseradish  
See special page for Horseradish
Jacob's
Ladder
 
Clusters of blue flowers in summer. Height in flower 50cm. Dried flowers used in pot-pourri mixes. No longer used medicinally. Hardy perennial.
   
Land Cress Barbarea verna
Similar to watercress but does not need so much water. Rich in vitamins and minerals. Annual.
Lettuce
wild
Lactuca virosa
True wild form. Medicinal lettuce. Height 1.5m in flower. Hardy biennial.
Liquorice Glycyrrhiza glabra
Purple and white flowers similar to sweet peas, followed by red pods. Attractive round leaves up stem. Height 1.2m. Roots are used for commercial liquorice production. Hardy perennial.
   
Marigold Calendula officinalis
Known also as Calendula. Decorate salads with edible petals. Use in ointment for skin. Height 30cm. Hardy annual. Click on Dye Herbs
Marsh
Mallow
Althaea officinalis
 
Pale pink flowers in late summer. Soft downy grey/green leaves. Height 1m. Roots originally used for confectionary marshmallows, nowadays manufactured synthetically. Hardy perennial. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Mexican Marigold Tagetes minuta
Tagetes minuta. Aromatic annual . Roots secrete weed-suppressing chemicals. Some deterent against eelworm, and also bindweed, ground elder and couchgrass. Yellow daisy-like flowers from August to October. Height in flower 2m +.
Mibuna

Brassica rapa var. japonica
Long narrow leaves that can be regularly cropped throughout the season. Add to salads and stir fries. Annual.
Milk Thistle Dark pink thistle flower up to 1.5m tall. Attractive large prickly leaves, green veined with white. Medicinal herb. Annual.
Mint See special page for Mint
Mitsuba Cryptotaenia japonica
Japanese parsley. Grows large and is more like a vegetable. Heart shaped leaves. Unique oriental flavour for salads and soups. Hardy perennial.
Mustard
Red Frills
 
Attractive feathery red frilled leaves. Mustard flavour for spicy addition to salads or stir fries. Annual.
   
Nasturtium
climbing or
trailing
Tropaeolum majus
Orange flowers all summer. Leaves and flowers for adding to salads. Seed pods can be saved and pickled in vinegar. Annual.
Nigella
Miss Jekyll
Delicate ferny leaves and stunning dark blue flowers. The aromatic seeds can be used as a condiment or as a spice to flavour cakes or curry. Also as a moth repellent. Annual.
Okahijiki Salsola komarovii
Traditional culinary Japanese herb. Long crunchy succulent leaves. Rich in vitamin A, calcium and potassium. Grows well in UK climate. Six weeks from seed to harvest. Annual.
Painted
Sage
Salvia hornimum
Not normally for culinary use. Grown for blaze of mixed colours in the garden - dark purple, white, dark pink, pale pink. Height 50cm. Annual.
Parcel Apium graveolens
A celery that looks like parsley. Excellent for flavourings or as a salad garnish.
Parsley
Darki
Petroselinum crispum
Compact dark green variety. Long stems and a heavy yield. Hardy biennial.
Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium
Semi-evergreen. Height 25cm. Mauve flowers in late spring. Very strong peppermint scent. Keeps insects away, especially ants. Hardy perennial.
Perilla
Green Shiso
Perilla frutescens var. crispa
Flavour a bit different from the red variety but also delicious. Green leaves. Annual.
Perilla -
Red Shiso
Perilla frutescens var. crispa
Warm aromatic scent of leaves used in Japanese cookery. Cultivate like Basil. Beautiful dark red leaves with frilly edges. Can be used as a bedding plant! Annual.
Purslane A green summer-grown purslane with small fleshy leaves for crunchy taste in salads or for cooking.
Ramsons
wild garlic
Allium ursinum
Clusters of white flowers in spring. Leaves becoming popular in salads and soups, and for garnishing. Hardy perennial. Best autumn-sown - order in August
Rocket
Olive
Leaved
Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Rocket with rounded leaves. Gives real interest to a green salad. Annual.
Rue Ruta graveolens
Hardy evergreen perennial. Height 60cm. Attractive round blue-green leaves and yellow flowers. Can cause allergic reaction when handled. Generally only taken under medical supervision.
Safflower Carthamus tinctorius
Chiefly used for dyeing silk, giving various shades of rose and scarlet. Seeds yield oil used in cooking. Also useful cut flower for fresh or dried. Click on Dye Herbs
Seakale Young leaf stalks and flowering stems are cooked rather like asparagus. These are sometimes blanched in early spring. Silvery blue-green leaves and white flowerhead. Perennial.
Self Heal  
Clusters of blue-purple flowers all summer. Height in flower up to 30cm. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial.
Shoofly Nicandra physalodes
Reputed to keep flies away when sown among vegetables. Makes a beautiful patio plant when planted into a large pot. Lots of blue flowers and seedpods like pale Chinese lanterns. Annual.
Sorrel
Red Veined
Attractive bright green leaves contrast sharply with the red stems and red veins. Leaves have sharp and tangy Sorrel flavour. Good in mix of salad leaves. Hardy perennial.
Sorrel
Sheep's
Wild form of cultivated Sorrel. Hardy perennial.
Sweet Violet Viola odorata
Highly scented violet. Edible flowers can be sugar-frosted. Hardy perennial. Best autumn sown - order in August.
Tansy Tanacetum vulgare
Yellow button flowers in late summer. Aromatic leaf for repelling insects. Flowers used for flavouring sponge cakes. Ht. in flower 1m. Medicinal herb. Perennial.Click on Dye Herbs
Tarragon - French See special page for French Tarragon
Thyme
Broad
Leaved
Thymus pulegioides
Pink/mauve flowers in summer. Very decorative thyme. Dark green leaves that are larger and rounder than other thymes. Strong flavour. Very good for culinary use. Hardy perennial.
Thyme
Creeping
Purple
Thyme with a creeping habit, forming mats 10cm tall. Very ornamental purple flowers, loved by bees. Edible but not the thyme that is normally grown for culinary use. Perennial.
Thyme
Orange
Spicy orange scented thyme, delicious in stir fry dishes. Pale pink flowers in summer and narrow grey-green leaves. Hardy perennial.
Tree Onion See special page for Tree Onion
Turkish Rocket This is the true Turkish Rocket although it is not what is usually referred to as Rocket. It is a much taller and wider plant and is a hardy perennial, 60cm tall. Very nutritious and can be eaten raw or steamed in water. Can be forced like Seakale.
Valerian Valeriana officinalis
True Valerian. A spectacular plant in flower. Pale pink scented flowers in umbels. Height in flower 2m in moist shade, 1m in sun. Medicinal plant. Hardy perennial.
(Valerian)
Centranthus
ruber
Often called Valerian. Seeds itself on dry walls. Grey-green fleshy leaves. Hardy perennial. The red/pink variety.
(Valerian)
Centranthus
alba
As above but white.
Water-
cress
Nasturtium officinale
Dark green round leaves, rich in minerals and vitamins. Salad crop. Hardy perennial. Can be pot-grown if kept well watered.
End of Extra List of Herbs
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS ON EACH PACKET