Herbs for Wildlife

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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Lemon Balm has been used for thousands of years to ease digestive problems and as a feel-good mood lifter. It’s an undemanding, easy to grow herb thriving virtually anywhere in the garden, in sun or partial shade. Bees love the pretty flowers, but it’s the leaves which pack a lemony, minty punch and have a delightful citrussy aroma. In cooking, it’s an interesting lemon alternative – especially in fruit cocktails, desserts, cakes and marinades.  Lemon balm will be really 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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