Hunny Corner Cottage Plants

Hunny Corner Cottage Plants

Herbs

I’ve tried to give a reasonable indication of the things that herbs are or have been used for, I am quite sure that a kind and loving Creator, knowing in advance the state mankind would get itself into, would provide medicines in nature, but cannot guarantee that all these herbs will do what it’s thought they can do.

Prices

these vary according the size and type of herb, but generally prices are mainly £1.80 to £2.80,up to a very few at £3 to £4.

Allium fistulosum	Welsh onion	Eat as you would chives, but forms a much larger plant, these have the advantage of staying green later into winter, and have larger white flowers. HP
Allium schoenoprasum	chives	Provide ornamental edgings to beds and borders. Chop fresh leaves and use them in salads, sandwiches, omelettes and other cheese dishes. Produces violet, edible flowers. HP
Allium ursinum	Garlic, Wild Ransoms	An increasingly popular herb. The leaves are used in cooking. HP. Comes from the moist woods of temperate Europe. It send up flat heads of white, stry flower, about 25cm/10" high, above two broad, shiny leaves, rather like those of Lily-of-the-Valley. As they seed an multiply readily, they soon form a carpet, very attractive in open woodland.
Aloe vera AGM	Aloe vera	The gel obtained by breaking the leaves is a remarkable healer. Applied to wounds it forms a clear protective seal and encourages skin regeneration. It can be applied directly to cuts & burns and is immediately soothing. Tender.
Aloysia triphylla	Lemon verbena	The Rolls Royce of lemon-scented plants. Half-hardy, deciduous perennial. A tea last thing at night is refreshing and has mild sedative properties; it can also soothe bronchial and nasal congestion and ease indigestion. HS
Anethum graveolens	Dill	A hardy annual plant growing to 90cm, with yellow flowers. Pick the foliage as you need it. Harvest the seeds in summer and use when the supply of fresh leaves has ceased. HA
Angelica archangelica	Angelica	Angelica stems are candied for cake decoration, and the fragrance of the leaves may ease travel sickness. HB but self sows
Anthriscus cerefolium	Chervil	An easy to grow herb, in shade, part of the French fines herbes, or use as parsley, but easier. HB Self sowing
Armoracia rusticana	Horseradish	HP. H 60-90cm 2-3ft. It will tolerate all but the driest soils. Likes a light, well-dug, rich moist soil in a sunny position, or light shade. Can be invasive, so plant in a buried dustbin, with drainage holes. Dig up between April and September to use fresh. Preserve in vinegar.
Artemesia absinthium	Wormwood	A bushy shrub grown for its fern-like silvery foliage. It has tiny yellow flowers. Strongly aromatic with a bitter taste. Suitable for light soil in sun. Ideal for tubs and pots. H 90cm 3ft. Use as a moth repellent
Artemesia dracunculus	Tarragon, French	This is among the Rolls Royces of the culinary herb collection. Its flavour promotes appetite and complements many dishes - chicken, veal, fish, stuffed tomatoes, rice dishes and salad dressings. HHP
Borago officinalis	Borage	Grown for its attractive edible blue flowers and cucumber flavoured leaves. HA
Calamintha	Calamint	The powerful fragrance arises from tiny flowers for many months in summer. HP
Calendula officinalis	Pot marigold	Easy to grow , self-seeding annual herb, grown for its edible and soothing flower petals. HA/HP
Carum carvi	Caraway	Grown mainly for the distinctive flavour of its leaves. HB
Centranthus ruber	Red valerian	A very drought tolerant plant grown for its attractive red or white flowers, loved by bees. Will grow happily on banks or in walls. HP
Chenopodium giganteum	Tree spinach	The unusual plant produces bright pink leaves which age to green. The leaves can be eaten like spinach. HA
Chervil	Chervil
Echinacea purpurea	Purple coneflower	The leaves and root of this very attractive plant are reputed to boost the immune system. HP
Foeniculum vulgare purpureum	Fennel (bronze)	Easy to grow herb with a strong aniseed flavour. Good in salads or cooked with fish. Makes a good foil for other garden plants. HP
Fragaria vesca	Strawberry (wild)	The only strawberry to contain iron. Makes an attractive ground cover, in sun or shade, and on a variety of soils. Hardy evergreen perennial
Galium odoratum	Sweet woodruff	Another good low growing, ground cover plant for shade, bearing dainty white flowers in spring. Used in mediaeval times as a strewing herb, making use of its fragrant leaves, smelling of new mown hay when dried. Hardy evergreen perennial
Hypericum perforatum	St. John’s Wort	A pretty native plant reputed to have anti-depressant properties. HP
Hyssopus officinalis	Hyssop, Blue	A pretty sun loving plant. The leaves are used with strong meats, and, medicinally as a gargle, amongst other benefits. Hardy evergreen perennial
Iris pseudacorus	Flag iris, Yellow	A vigorous British native plant bearing pretty yellow flowers in early summer. Popular with wildlife. HP
Laurus nobilis	Sweet bay	A useful sun-loving plant which may be topiarized. Leaves can be used in cooking or potpourris. Hardy evergreen perennial
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’	Lavender ‘Hidcote’	Fragrant, sun-loving herb, useful for low hedging or path edging. It’s fragrant oils are thought to promote relaxation. Hardy evergreen perennial
Levisticum officinale	Lovage	Use fresh young leaves in salads. An essential member of the culinary herb collection. Adds a meaty flavour to foods, and is used in soups, stews and stocks. HP
Lythrum salicaria	Purple loosestrife	A native plant for the water margin, or in moisture-retentive soil. HP
Meconopsis cambrica	Poppy, welsh	A very pretty native plant, attractive to wildlife, prefers shade. Will flower all summer if kept dead headed. HP
Melissa officinalis	Lemon balm	Grown for its lemon scented leaves, which can be made into a tea, reputed to improve memory. Cut back to the ground after flowering in mid summer to stop self-seeding, and to produce a flush of fresh new foliage for the rest of the season. HP
Melissa officinalis aurea	Lemon balm golden	As above
Mentha piperata	Peppermint chocolate	Makes a really good peppermint tea. Leaves smell of peppermint. It is not as invasive as garden mint, and I find the attractive rich plum colour of the reverse side of the leaves shows up well in the flower border. HP
Mentha piperata citrata	Mint, Eau de cologne	Purple/mauve flowers in summer. A delicious scent that has been described as lemon, orange, bergamot, lavender, as well as eau de cologne. It is vigorous grower. Use in fruit dishes with discretion. Best use is in the bath, to scent the whole house. HP
Mentha piperata f. citrata ‘basil’	Basil mint	HP. Purple-mauve flowers in summer. The scent is unlike any other, a sweet and spicy mint scent that combines well with tomato dishes especially pasta.
Mentha pulegium	Pennyroyal	Mauve flowers in summer. Bright green leaves, very strong peppermint scent. A vigorous low growing plant which forms a carpet of mid green leaves. Prefers partial shade and a moist soil. Ideal for tubs and pots. H4" A hot infusion is good for colds as it promotes sweating. Use sparingly in cooking as the flavour is very strong, in peppermint water icing, mint sauce etc. Makes an excellent insect repellent, and can be used to divert the path of ants. HP
	Chocolate peppermint	Makes a very good tea
Mentha spicata	Mint, Garden; spear mint	Hardy perennial, Ht 18-24", spread indefinite. Purple/mauve flowers in summer. Green pointed leaves with serrated edges. The most widely grown of all mints. Good for mint sauce, mint jelly, mint julep.
Mentha spicata ‘Moroccan’	Mint, Moroccan	HP. White flowers in summer. Rich green leaves with an excellent mint scent. Recommended by Delia Smith for use as a garden mint. A clean mint flavour and scent, lovely with yoghurt and cucumber.
Mentha spicata var. crispa	Mint, Curly	Hardy perennial. Ht 18-24", spread indefinite. Light mauve flowers in spring. The leaf is bright green and crinkled, it's serrated edge slightly frilly. Flavour very similar to spearmint (garden mint) so good in most culinary dishes.
Mentha suaveolens	Mint, Apple	HP. Mauve flowers in summer. Roundish hairy leaves. Gets its name from its scent, which is a combination of mint and apples. More subtle than some mints so good in cooking.
Mentha villosa var. alopecuroides	Mint, Bowles	Considered by some to be the best mint. Come to my stall and try them all out to see which one you like best! In my experience, this stays green longer than the others into winter.
Myrrhis odorata	Sweet cicely	Use instead of sugar to sweeten stewed fruit. Pretty cow parsley flowers in Spring. Hardy perennial. Happy in shade.
Myrtus communis	Myrtle (plain or variegated)	Fragrant white flowers from spring to mid-summer. Brides carried it in their bouquets or wore wreaths of it at weddings to symbolise love and constancy. Every part of the shrub is highly aromatic and can be used dried in potpourris. Leaves can be added to pork for the final 10 minutes of roasting, or to lamb when barbecuing. They have a spicy flavour. After drying, the berries can be ground and used like juniper as a spice for game and venison. Hardy evergreen perennial
Nepeta cataria	Catnip	HP. Beloved by cats. Pretty pink flowers at the end of trailing stems
Nepeta faassenii	Catmint	Six Hills Giant. Very cottage gardeny. Grow in a hanging basket if the cats won't leave it alone. Hardy evergreen perennial
Nepeta racemosa (mussinii)	Catmint	Six Hills Giant. HP. Very cottage gardeny. Grow in a hanging basket if the cats won't leave it alone. Hardy evergreen perennial
Ocimum basilicum	Basil, Sweet	Likes plenty of sun in well drained soil, or on a window sill. Water well in dry weather. Pinch out tops of branches to produce more leaves. Use fresh leaves in many Italian dishes and in pesto sauce. Freezes well. Plant as a companion to campanula, the pair will attract white fly away from neighbouring plants, thus protecting them. Then destroy infested plants. Repels flies. Tender annual
Origanum majorana	Marjoram, Sweet	Bears the authentic flavour of Mediterranean oregano. Half hardy evergreen perennial
Origanum vulgare	Oregano	Hardy evergreen perennial sun lover. Use to flavour tomatoes, beans, aubergines, poultry, fish and shellfish.
Origanum vulgare aureum AGM	Marjoram, golden	HP. Aromatic, with a warm aromatic flavour when used in cooking, combines well with vegetables.
Petroselenium crispum	Parsley	HB. Fresh or dried leaf used in sauces, as a garnish for salads, vegetables and potatoes. Ingredient of bouquet garni. Rich in vitamins A and C. Use in casseroles and marinades.
Polemonium caeruleum	Jacob’s ladder	HP. bears spikes of blue flowers. Likes shade and damp soil. Looks good in a container. Flowers look good in salads and pot pourris
Primula veris	Cowslip	Hardy evergreen perennial, with tight clusters of fragrant, tubular, yellow flowers produced on stout stems in spring. A tea from the flowers is a simple remedy for insomnia, nervous tension and headaches. Use flowers in cowslip wine and salads.
Rosemarinus officinalis	Rosemary	Evergreen hardy sub-shrub. Height and spread 30" (2ft 6"). Blue flowers in early spring to early summer and then sometimes in early autumn. Leaves are highly aromatic. It is one of the most useful of culinary herbs combining with meat, especially lamb. Put rosemary twigs on the barbecue, or onto a wood-burning stove, they give off a delicious aroma. Use an infusion in the final rinse of dark hair to make it shine.
Rumex scutatus	Sorrel, Buckler leaf	HP. The bright green leaves have a delicious sharp lemon flavour, lovely in salads or to make sorrel sauce with fish.
Salvia elegans	Sage, scarlet pineapple	TP. Carries unusual red flowers in late summer and autumn. Crush the leaves to get the authentic smell of pineapple chunks. I find they flower all winter if kept in a bright frost-free place.
Salvia officinalis purpurascens	Sage, purple	Hardy evergreen perennial. Just as useful in the kitchen as green sage, but very decorative also in the flower garden where it makes a lovely foil for pink, purple or white flowers. Likes sun and well drained soil. Makes a really effective gargle for sore throats, and sipping an infusion all day can help reduce hot flushes. Good for stress.
Santolina pinnata ssp. neapolitana ‘Edward Bowles’	Cotton lavender ‘Edward Bowles’	Hardy evergreen perennial. This one has especially pretty creamy-yellow button flowers from mid-Summer to early autumn. Silver coral-like aromatic foliage. H60cm 2ft. Likes sun and well drained soil. Uses: lay in drawers, under carpets, and in closets to deter moths and other insects, or make a herbal moth bag.
Satureja hortensis	Savory, Summer	HHA.The Bean Herb Widely used in bean recipes for it’s flavouring and to prevent flatulence. It can also replace both salt and pepper in other dishes, so is very useful in a salt free diet. Its flavour is hot and peppery so add sparingly to salads.
Satureja Montana	Savory, Winter	Hardy evergreen perennial. Combines well with vegetables, especially courgettes, pulses and rich meats. It stimulates the appetite and aids digestion. Its flavour is hot and peppery so add sparingly to salads. Useful as it provides fresh leaves into early winter.
Scutellaria laterifolia	Skullcap Virginia	HP. Prefers shade and well-drained, but moisture-retentive soil, but it is tolerant of quite dry soils too. Pretty purple and white flowers in summer. Used in the treatment of nervousness, anxiety and depression.
Symphytum ibericum (grandiflorium)	Comfrey, Dwarf	HP. A very good ground cover for shade. Bears pretty pink and white flowers in spring before hardy perennials grow up around it.
Symphytum officinale	Comfrey, wild or common	HP. White or purple flowers in summer. This is thought to be the best medicinal comfrey and can also be employed as a liquid feed for fruiting and flowering plants. Also very good for composting as it helps the rest to break down.
Tanacetum parthenium	Feverfew	HP, height 45 cm. White single flowers in Summer. Add a small amount to food to cut grease. Medicinal use to treat migraine, eat leaves in a sandwich. Attracts insects
Tanacetum vulgare	Tansy	HP. An insect repellent. Rub on pet's fur to repel fleas. Can be very vigorous so grow in part shade, and/or poor soil. Bears yellow button flowers
Thymus pulegioides ‘Bertram Anderson’	Thyme	HP Evergreen. Thyme needs to be hard grown to improve its flavour, so poor stony soil on a slope, facing the sun is an ideal position. Shelter from cold winds is important. Uses: Add to meat before roasting, also to kebabs, poultry, salads, cheese dishes, marinades, vinegar and oil.
Thymus vulgaris	Thyme	HP. Evergreen. Thyme needs to be hard grown to improve its flavour, so poor stony soil on a slope, facing the sun is an ideal position. Shelter from cold winds is important. Uses: Add to meat before roasting, also to kebabs, poultry, salads, cheese dishes, marinades, vinegar and oil.
Valeriana officinalis	Valerian; all heal	HP. The clusters of small white flowers are deliciously fragrant, and are often tinged pink. Medicinally, it is a well-known sedative and, combined with other herbs, makes a good remedy for insomnia and restlessness.
Viola odorata	Violet, sweet	HP. Evergreen. This is the truly fragrant violet, often flowering on and off all winter and into Spring. Spreading plant, forming a mat in light shade.