Herbs for Wellbeing

Fennel is a brilliant herb and would grace any garden on looks alone. But it has style and substance; tall delicate stems and wispy leaves are topped with vivid yellow umbels of flowers in late summer and its subtle flavour is prized in all manner of culinary dishes. It’s very easy to grow and vigorous too, enjoying fertile, moist, free draining soil. On a patio or balcony, grow in a deep pot to give the tap root plenty of space.  Fennel is very vigorous but will be ok in our pot on a sunny windowsill to begin with.  

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It’s not a question of whether to grow lavender in your herb garden, it’s which ones? Hidcote is an English lavender (rather than French) and is the most widely grown variety in the UK, with good reason. It’s super tough – hardy, drought resistant and positively enjoys rubbish soil, it can also take a severe crew-cut if necessary. Hidcote is an early flowering lavender and is a magnet for bees and butterflies. This variety is known for producing high quality essential oil.  Lavender Hidcote will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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If you’ve ever been lucky enough to drive through Provence in mid-summer and stopped to admire the view, your senses would have been pummelled by the unforgettable sight, smell, sound and even taste of the lavender fields. This is likely the variety you saw. Grown for it’s higher than normal oil content and stronger fragrance, Lavender Provence will adore full sun and free draining soil – in pots or as a hedge along a south facing wall. Relax and enjoy the heady perfume and soporific droning of bees.  Lavender Provence will be happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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Marjoram is Oreganos sweeter, milder twin sister. They’re often confused but once you get to know them, you’ll appreciate their subtle differences. Marj is a real sun worshipper- she can’t get enough rays and will be happy in a south or bright west facing position, in fertile free draining soil. Equally at home lounging in a pot on a warm windowsill, her leaves have a delicate flavour and are heaven scattered onto a pizza fresh from a woodfired oven (along with her mate, Basil).  Marjoram will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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Garden Mint aka Spearmint (it’s rapper name) is a friendly, sweetly scented perennial which is virtually unkillable. In fact, it can be a bit too friendly and in the right conditions can get out of hand, so is best grown in a pot. It’s fast growing, so you can regularly pick refreshing leaves for desserts, sauces, cocktails and baking. The soothing and decongestant qualities of mint are well known, it’s also extensively used in skin care products.  Your mint will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on.  

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The scent and flavours of mint and citrus combine wonderfully in this variety. It’s also as attractive as mints go, with bronze tinged leaves and burgundy stems and veins. With a distinct, zesty lime smell and taste, it’s a great variety for desserts, drinks and cocktails. Easy to grow with the potential to get out of hand if left unchecked, plant in fertile, moist, free-draining soil, somewhere in dappled sunlight or light shade.  Mint Lime will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on.

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Even if you’re death to plants, you should be ok with Peppermint. It’s a cool, laidback herb – happy to chill in most aspects and soil types. Unlike its mates from the Mediterranean herb brat pack, it enjoys rich moist soil and dappled shade. You’ll know if it likes you as it will try and spread everywhere, so is best grown in a pot to restrict the runners. Peppermint has a sharper, more intense flavour than garden mint, making it excellent for teas, cocktails and desserts.  Peppermint will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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If there were a Champion’s League of Herbs – oregano would be in it every year, one of the old Italian giants…Napoli maybe? It’s a wonderful culinary herb and is really easy to grow if you treat it well. Oregano loves being in the sun, where the rays will concentrate the essential oils, scent and flavour of the leaves. It prefers light, free-draining soil like other herbs from the Med and hates soggy roots, especially in winter.  Oregano will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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Curled parsley is said to be milder than its flat leaved sibling and makes a great garnish used fresh. It likes rich, moist soil and prefers dappled shade to glaring sun – especially in pots which can dry out and encourage bolting. Pop a parsley plant on a kitchen windowsill to give you a handy supply of leaves, you’ll want to grow several and harvest in rotation to spread the load. Although parsley’s a biennial most people grow it as an annual as in year two, the leaves are more sparce and it sets seed.   Parsley will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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If curled leaved parsley is the best for a garnish, then flat is best for cooking. It has a slightly stronger, peppery flavour and is a lot quicker and easier to clean. It’s easy to grow but does enjoy rich, moist soil in a sunny position. Great indoors on a windowsill, in a conservatory or greenhouse, just make sure it doesn’t dry out. Harvest the leaves regularly and more will follow but you’ll probably need a few plants if you’re a heavy user.  Parsley will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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Rosemary Barbeque has been specifically bred for its culinary benefits. Its as vigorous as rosemary goes and has squat bushy habit producing thick stems which are a delight smoking on the BBQ. All rosemary prefers a sunny position in fertile well-drained soil and hates sitting in the wet – this one’s no exception. Grow in a large pot on a sunny patio or make it the centre of attention in your Mediterranean herb bed.  Rosemary will be happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until it needs potting on. 

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Rosemary is a totally under-rated shrub. The aromatic, evergreen leaves can be enjoyed all year round, bees and pollinators are drawn to the small, light blue flowers, it’s got loads of culinary uses and is full of health benefits. Miss Jessop’s Upright has a taller, less spreading habit than other varieties. She’ll enjoy most conditions in a sunny sheltered spot – pot, container, in the ground, she’s not fussy but likes fertile, well-drained soil. Miss J will be really happy growing in our pot on a sunny windowsill until she needs potting on. 

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