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Over the course of the year we have over a hundred
different plants available to send as presents. However we only send fresh
plants in season so only about a quarter out of this list are available at any
particular time.
If you want to view only the plants available now please
click here
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Potted Plants available for delivery throughout the UK by Post or Courier
Annual Plant List
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African Violet
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Saintpaulia ionatha
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Although called a 'violet' it is a bolder bigger version of the native woodland flower.
Deep blue and purple flowers with white margins
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In this country the african violet is strictly a houseplant. They like lots of light, warmth and moisture.
The name SaintPaulia comes from Baron Walter von Saint Paul St Claire, who discovered it in the Usambara Mountains in South Africa in the late 19th century.
If you look after them well and pick out dead leaves and flowers, they will reward you with flowers for months
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Aloe Vera
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Aloe Vera
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The name Aloe Vera or True Aloe probably stems from the Arabic word Alloeh meaning "Shining bitter substance".
No fruit or flowers
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These plants are very easy to care for and can develop over years into sizeable indoor plants. As they mature they will also self-propagate, developing small plantlets alongside the parent plant.
Most botanists agree, and historical evidence suggests, that the Aloe Vera plant originated in the warm, dry climates of Africa. Many believe that a Sumerian clay tablet, found in the city of Nippur, written around B.C.E. 2200, was the first document to include Aloe Vera among plants of great healing power. The first detailed discussion of Aloe's medicinal value is probably that which is found in the Papyrus ebers, an Egyptian document written around B.C.E. 1550.
Current medical research suggests that aloe vera has been greatly underestimated in modern medicine. Aloe vera is now being used as effective alternative treatment for everything from toothache to acne, to IBS to oral herpes. In the home, snap the leaves and dab the sap on burns
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Amaryllis
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Amaryllis
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Large trumpet shaped scarlet, white or pink flowers
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Supplied in bud, these bulbs will quickly flower producing huge, lilly like flowers in succession. Once flowering they don't need much light and make a dramatic show wherever they are placed indoors.
Amaryllis were originally imported from South Africa and were first brought to the UK in the early 18th Century
Amaryllis are associated with pride, beauty and poetry.
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Apple Tree
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Malus domestica
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Malus comes from the greek word for melon covers a range of fleshy fruit trees including crab apples. 'Domestica' refers to the group of cultivated apple trees with large sweet fruit that we consume today.
Apple blossom in early spring is a beautiful sight, masses of pink tinged flowers emerge at the same time as the new leaves
Sweet round fruit, in a range of colours from green to yellow to red. |
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Apple trees have been cultivated for their fruit for thousands of years. They grow best in temperate climates and are widely grown in Asia, Eastern and Northern Europe and Turkey
Originating in Asia, the wild apple tree (malus sylvestrii) has been around for several thousands of years. Apples were important in the diet of romans and other early civilizations and 100s of cultivars have been developed over the centuries. Fruits of the apple tree also feature in numerous myths, famously adam bites on the forbidden apple from the garden of eden but apples are also associated with aphrodite and several norse myths. In the UK, apples are widely grown across the south west and kent and are one of the most popular of all fruits.
Apples we use to do generally fall into 2 categories, eaters and cookers. Sweet apples can be eaten fresh and raw whilst the sharper cooking varieties are best stewed or baked. Apples are also widely used to make ciders and different varieties produce varying levels of sweetness.
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Arabian Jasmine
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Jasmium Sambac
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Highly scented white star shaped flowers
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A unique perfume - a jasmine to inspire poetry.
Cultivated in india for hundreds of years, this is a really highly scented jasmine associated with weddings and romance.
Very highly scented flowers used in asian weddings
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Azalea
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Azalea indica
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Azalea means 'dry'.
White, pink, or red showy flowers
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Azaleas are easy to care for - just keep them cool and watered.
Azaleas are the national flower of nepal and are mentioned in ancient chinese medical texts dating back to the 8th century. A Chinese folktale says that a long-ago king was assassinated and turned into a cuckoo. Because of the king's violent death, the cuckoo sang so bitterly that blood came from his bill. April is the time of the cuckoo's cries and brilliant red azalea blooms, thus the legend says the cuckoo dyed the flowers red.
However the varieties that we keep as houseplants in the UK actually originated in Japan and have been bred and developed by the Dutch horticultural business into the hybrid 'easy care' varieties we see today
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Ball Cactus
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Echinocactus grusonii
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Also known as Golden Barrel cactus or Mother in laws cushion
Small yellow flowers when fully mature
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Easy to care for cactus that like warm sunny conditions
Originally from Mexico these cacti plants have been cultivated in botancial collections for hundreds of years
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Balloon Flower
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Platycoden Grandiflorus
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Also known as Chinese Bellflower, balloon flowers are so call for their round air filled flower buds
Blue bell-shaped flowers in a variety of sizes.
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Easy going annuals that will flower on and on for several weeks.
Cultivated in China for hundreds of years as a food crop in the UK it makes an attractive patio and houseplant.
It's roots are also cultivated for use in chinese cooking and has a unique bitter flavour
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Banana Plant
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Musa Valentino
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Otherwise known as Japanese Red Banana
Under the right conditions these bananas will produce small sweet bananas |
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Banana trees are attractive indoor plants when young, and just need warmth and water and light. They will do well in a light room or a frost-free conservatory. This variety is suitable for a very sheltered spot in the south west, just protect the trunk from frosts with sacking or other insulation.
Did you know commercial bananas do not have seeds? The sweet yellow bananas we know and love are a mutant strain of the red and green cooking bananas or plantains common throughout africa and asia.
To encourage growth and eventually fruit, keep in warm light room or conservatory, repot regularly and water well. Plants will need to grow to at least 6 foot before they will fruit. To control growth keep your plant cooler and restrict it's pot size
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Basil
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Ocimum basilicum
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The derivation of the name Basil is uncertain. Some authorities say it comes from the Greek basileus, a king, because, as Parkinson says, 'the smell thereof is so excellent that it is fit for a king's house,' or it may have been termed royal, because it was used in some regal unguent or medicine. One rather unlikely theory is that it is shortened from basilisk, a fabulous creature that could kill with a look.
Small purple flowers in Summer
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Needs warm and water to build the strong aromatic flavour.
It is excellent in tomato-based dishes. It can also be used in cream cheese for sandwiches, dips, and pasta dishes. Basil is the main ingredient in pesto. In fact how could you cook without it?
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Bay Tree
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Laurus Nobilis
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Sometimes also known as the 'bay leaf tree' for obvious reasons.
Small white flowers in spring
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Young bay trees will be happy inside on a kitchen window sill but once they grow larger they will look great on a patio or planted into the garden. Bay trees are traditional topiary trees and can be clipped and shaped into a great variety of shapes.
Bay laurel has been used through history to symbolise strength and victory from the first olympians to roman emperors. Its magical powers are said to include protection from witches and lightening...
Bay leaves provide a lovely savoury flavour in stews, casseroles and soups, add one or two whole leaves during cooking and remove before serving.
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Blue Agave
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Agave tequiliana
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Also known as american agave, blue agave mezcal or tequila agave
Wild agave tend to flower at about 5 years old, producing tall flower spikes and thousands of seeds at which point the plant dies. However it is extremely rare for culitvated agave to flower and even when they do this can take as long as 50 years!
Agave don't produce a fruit as such, it is the flesh that is harvested for tequila. |
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Agave plants have been cultivated in Mexico for hundreds of years for the fleshy hearts of the plants which are the basis for the powerful tequila drink
Mezcal wine - tequila's grandparent - was first produced only a few decades after the Conquest that brought the Spaniards to the New World in 1521. No one has ever come up with an exact date, but it was likely around 1535. It was variously called mezcal brandy, agave wine, mezcal tequila and finally, after a couple of centuries, one variety was simply called tequila - appropriately named after Tequila, a small town in a valley west of Guadalajara, in Jalisco state, Mexico.
These prickly plants make great easy care houseplants and eventually at 12 years old the large heart of the plant can be harvested and fermented to produce tequila
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Blueberry
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/growfruitandveg_growingblueberries1.shtml
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Blueberries are sometimes also called Bilberries.
Small pale green flowers.
Clusters of blue juicy fruit every summer. |
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Blueberries have fine shallow root-systems so you need to make sure they don't dry out. The soil needs to be peaty (acid - ph of 4 to 6)
Blueberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Eat them fresh from the bush, or use them in fruit salads, pancakes and muffins.
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Bonsai
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Bonsai refers to the method of training rather than a botanical family and is a practice that originated as pun-sai in china over a thousand years ago
varied
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The pruning and manipulation of trees in small pots was first started by the chinese and there are many examples in ancient manuscripts. Their popularity spread across Japan in the 12 century and eventually much later they were admired and introduced to the west in the 1800s
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Bougainvillea
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Bougainvillea
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Apparently bougainvillea was discovered by a french naturalist visiting brazil in 1768 he named it 'Bougainville' after his close friend and ships captain and the name has stuck ever since
Pink, purple and rose bracts
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Bougainvilleas grow widely across southern europe and Africa and are a great reminder of sunny holidays. In the UK they are surprisingly easy to grow in a warm sheltered spot. Because the colourful blooms are actually bracts they are very long lasting and after the first flush of summer, the plant will continue to put on new coloured leaves again and again.
Native to Brazil, bougainvillea was imported to the Northern Europe in the 18th Century where Kew gardens and European nurseries introduced it to countries across the globe. These colourful plants have quickly established themselves in peoples hearts and gardens right across southern europe, africa and asia, creating natural hybrids and an increasing number and range of colours.
Beautiful flowering and climbing plant that will bloom all summer long in a sunny spot
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Broad-leaved thyme
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The name Thyme, in its Greek form, was first given to the plant by the Greeks as a derivative of a word which meant 'to fumigate,' either because they used it as incense, for its balsamic odour, or because it was taken as a type of all sweet-smelling herbs. Others derive the name from the Greek word thumus, signifying courage, the plant being held in ancient and mediaeval days to be a great source of invigoration, its cordial qualities inspiring courage.
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Easy herb indoor and out. Outdoors it needs the sun, and shelter from winter winds. Keep cutting back to avoid it getting leggy. These hardy spreading variety of thyme has a good flavour and is slightly hardy in the shorter days of winter.
The antiseptic properties of Thyme were fully recognized in classic times, there being a reference in Virgil's Georgics to its use as a fumigator, It was employed by the Romans to give an aromatic flavour to cheese (and also to liqueurs) and was certainly commonly cultivated in England before the middle of the sixteenth century.
The basis, with bay and parsley of the bouquet garni in every stockpot and casserole. Thyme is an essential and versatile herb in any kitchen. It's aromatic flavour goes well with meat and game dishes
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Butterfly Lavender
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Lavendula Papillon
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Papillon is french for butterfly
red to purple delicate wings.
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Lavender delights the nose as well as the eyes, and is quite easy to grow, being hardy in most parts of the country. It thrives best in mediterranean conditions - well drained sunny positions in the garden. If you keep it in a pot, don't forget it needs regular watering in the summer.
Lavender has been in use for more than 2500 years - in ancient times it was used for mummification and for perfume in the great civilizations of the east.
Lavare, the latin verb to wash, is the root of the name of this plant. The dried flowers and leaves keep their scent and provide essential oil which is used as a gentle and distinctive perfume. Dried lavender flowers make a great addition to pot pourri around the home and can used in cooking for a delicate flavour in baking.
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Calamondin
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Citrus mitis
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A hybrid of Citrus reticulata and Fortunella species
Small white flowers
Small orange edible fruit. |
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This is ideal for citrus beginners as it is a very undemanding citrus plant producing fruit and flowers all year round.
Originally from South East Asia. This species is known to us only as an ornamental citrus plant, while in Japan it is cultivated for it's fruit.
Although the fruit of this tree is a little bitter to be eaten alone it makes a delicious addition in the place of orange or lemon in baking, goes fantastically with duck and can be sliced as unique and tasty garnish for cool drinks and cocktails.
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Calla Lily
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Zantedeschia aethiopica
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Also known as 'arum lillies', easter lillies. calla lillies are not actually true lillies.
Yellow, pink or white trumpets
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Long lasting bulb flowers similar to tulips or daffodils but a little more dramatic. Will bloom for several weeks before turning green and eventually dying back ready for next year. Easy to care for, if it droops you know it is time to water it.
Calla lilies were first imported from South Africa to Europe in the 1600s and have been cultivated since then as cut flowers, pot plants and border plants. The waxy iconic blooms and spearheaded leaves of the calla lily stand for radiant beauty and sophistication. Today the Calla Lillies we see are manmade hyrbids but still beautiful.
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Camellia
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Camellia Japonica
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Also known as Common Camellia or Japanese Camellia
Winter flowers in shades of white, pink or red
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Camellias are easy to grow inside in a cool room or outside and they can grow into sizeable bushes. They prefer acid soil and preferably a site where frost will not spoil the winter flowers.
Some Japanese camellias, around the emperor's palace in Japan, are known to be more than 500 years old. Camellias were imported to the UK from asia in the last century and were very popular with the Victorians. Great gifts to celebrate the birth of a child as they do live so long and flower each year around the same time. There are literally hundreds of camellia varieties including those with single flowers, double flowers and blooms with a peony form. In terms of colour, modern hybrids vary in colour from creamy-yellow through pinks to rich scarlet reds.
Great permanent gifts to mark an anniversary or birth
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Cape Primrose
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Streptocarpus
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The plant that will flower all summer.
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Cherry Tomatoes
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Lycopersicon esculentum
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Yellow flowers.
Small bright red fruits |
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The 'Pick-aTom' variety is a heavy-cropping compact tomato that will be happy in a pot on the windowsill or patio.
Tomatoes, like potatoes, belong to the Solanaceae family and were brought to this country from South America.
They are now one of Europe's favourite 'vegetable' - although they are actually a fruit!
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Chilli Pepper
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Capsicum annum 'Apache'
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Annual chilli pepper.
Small white flowers
Small spicy green fruit will ripen to a rich red |
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Will provide an ample harvest with surprisingly little care.
Chilli peppers are native to South and Central America where there is evidence of their consumption as far back as 7500 BC . They were introduced to South Asia in the 1500s and have come to dominate the world spice trade. As well as playing an essential role in South Asian food chillies have entered superstitions and rites, particularly in the south of India. The potency of chillies are firmly believed to have a supernatural element. It is customary to hang a few chillies with a lemon over the threshold of a residence to deter evil. Chillies are also used to ward off the evil eye.
Generally with chillis, the smaller the fruit the hotter the taste. These small spicy chillis can be sliced fresh into cooking or left on the plant to sun dry before harvesting and storing in an airtight container.
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Chinese Bellflower
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Abutilon
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Chives
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Allium Schoenoprasum
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From the onion family
Small mauve flowerheads.
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Hardy perennial with narrow grass-like leaves which are hollow and grow in clumps. Plant in sun and good soil - suitable for patio tubs.
Chopped chives are great in salads, soups and egg and potato dishes. Try using the purple flowers as decorations in summer salads.
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Christmas Cactus
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Schlumbergia
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Nick named Christmas cactus for their propensity to flower in the run up to christmas, there are also very similar varieties that flower at easter.
Bright pink flowers glow with colour in the darkest months of the year.
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Christmas cactus like a constant environment with plenty of light. Unlike other cacti they do need watering and even appreciate misting in hot dry summers
Technically these plants are epithytes, plants that grow in trees and they originate in brazillian forests rather than the deserts normally associated with cactus. Bred as a houseplant in Northern Europe for well over a hundred years these easy plants should reflower each year.
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Citrus Feed
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When citrus trees are grown in a pot they need extra nutrients and trace elements to keep them healthy. This specially formulated citrus feed from Plants4Presents does just that.
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Coffee Plant
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Coffea arabica
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Small white flowers
Round red berries |
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Coffee plants do best in wet tropical conditions.
According to legend, Kaldi an ethiopian goatherd first noticed the affects of coffee on his herd as they feasted on the red berries. Later arabian muslims roasted the beans produce the first 'bean broth'. As the Islamic religion and trade in commodities spread so did the taste for coffee and by the 17th century coffee was being drunk across Europe.
The dried and roasted berries are used to make coffee one of the great world wide luxuries
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common name
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latin name
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name desc
flower desc
fruit desc |
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cultivation
history
uses
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Common Primrose
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Primula Vulgaris
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Primula means literally "First of Spring"
Pale Creamy flowers.
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Water twice a week and remove dead flowers for a lovely display that will last for weeks.
Primrose day is celebrated on the 19 April, when primrose flowers are placed on Benjamin Disraeli's statue in Westminster Abbey. They were his favourite flower, and Queen Victoria regularly sent him bunches of flowers from Windsor and Osborne House. After his death in 1881 Primrose Day was inaugurated and the custom has continued ever since.
Primroses are woodland plants that flourish in the spring sunshire. Native to this country, the humble primrose has a number of traditional uses from primrose wine to crystallised cake decorations… recipes coming soon!
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Coriander
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Coriandrum Sativum
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Also called Chinese Parsley
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Unique spicy flavour to the leaves. The seeds are more like caraway.
Used for both its leaves and its seeds.
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Corn Salad or Lambs Lettuce
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Valerianella locusta
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Its two common names remind us how tasty these tender leaves are in early spring salads.
Pale lilac, forget-me-not like flowers among mounds of small green leaves.
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Water well before planting out. Frequent cutting will help promote plenty of young leaves. Although an annual, the plant will seed itself in a garden.
A well known source of vitamins when there is not much out in the vegetable plot.
The leaves have a sweet buttery taste and make an excellent salad.
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Cranberry Plant
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Vaccinium macrocarpon
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Some people believed the word to be a corruption of 'hyacinthus' while others considered that is was named after the cow (vacca in Latin).
Small white flowers
Deep red oval berries in autumn |
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Cranberry plants are a low creeping vine. They do best in acid soils and as a low growing creeper work well in rockeries or in pots on the patio
The use of cranberries has been documented in Europe from the 17th Century and the use of cranberries by the native americans was also noticed by early settlers to the Americas.
Cranberry berries are used for making juice and jellies are are dried as a snack and for use in cooking. Rich in Vitamin C they are also prized for their anti-oxidant effects and much research has been done on the benefits of cranberries to the liver, kidneys, digestive tract and for treating urinary infections
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Curry Plant
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Helichrysum italicum
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Curry plant is so called because of it's strong curry fragrance it's taste however is quite different!
Small fragrant yellow flowers in spring/summer
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A native of Turkey the curry plant's brilliant yellow flowers can also be used in pot pourri.
Its unusual flavour is quite strong and well suited to egg and chicken dishes or mixed with mayonnaise it makes a fabulous dressing.
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Cyclamen
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Cyclamen Persicum
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The name Cyclamen comes from the Greek kyklaminos, meaning circle. It may be a reference to the spiraling habit of the seed stem or the round corms. In the language of flowers, Cyclamen is a gracious way to say goodbye.
Cultivars come in a vast range of colours from white through purple, red and pink
The florist cyclamen is derived from Cyclamen persicum, a Mediterranean plant. In nature it goes dormant during the summer months, comes into growth as cooler, damper weather starts, flowers in autumn, winter or spring. |
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Cyclamen are very easy to care for indoors, the cooler the room, the longer the flowers will last. They need little water and if possible prefer a dry room to a humid bathroom. Ventilation is important to prevent fungal infections and any grey mould should be picked off early to maintain healthy plants and blooms.
Cyclamen were put to many medicinal uses during the first few centuries A.D. according to Pedacio (or Padanius) Dioscorides, a Greek military surgeon and naturalist of the first century.
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Daffodils
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Narcissi
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Daffodils and their latin name narissi originates in the greek myth of Narcissus a beautiful youth who pined away staring at his own reflection and was turned into a flower by the gods
Bright yellow and cream 5 petal flowers with a distinctive central trumpet
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Daffodils are bulbs that lie dormant most of the year, bursting into life in March to welcome the spring.
Daffodils have been cultivated for centuries. The greek philosopher Theophratis makes the first known attempt to classify these pretty flowers as early as 300BC and they have been feted throughout the ages for their dramatic spring blooms.
William wordsworth is perhaps the most famous daffodil lover and he immortalised them forever in this ode to Daffodils written in the lake district in the 1800s
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed---and gazed---but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
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Dwarf tree fern
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Blechnum gibbum
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A well-behaved houseplant suitable for a conservatory or somewhere with plenty of light.
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Early Clematis
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Clematis 'Early Sensation'
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Clematis Cirrosis 'Early Sensation' so named for its sensational cream flowers towards the end of February
Masses of cream cup shaped flowers, this evergreen clematis is a real show stopper
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Let it flower in its pot this season and then plant it in a sheltered position for early spring interest every year.
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Etrog Tree
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Citrus Medica
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Known as Etrog or Esrog trees
White flowers
Large Lemon like fruits |
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Grown like other citrus trees in the UK these trees do need protection from frost. Please note these trees are grafted trees and are grown for us by a specalist nursery in Scicily. We don't know of any suppliers or sources of ungrafted etrogs in the UK but we will keep looking for next year
Etrog trees and fruits feature in many ancient documents including the koran and the fruit of the etrog tree is traditionally used in the feast of tabernacles and sukkot blessings
Used in jewish ceremonies and blessings the fruits are surprisingly light as they have such a think rind. This rind can be preserved, used in perfume and candied and the juice can be used as a normal lemon in drinks and desserts
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Eucalyptus
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Eucalyptus Gunni
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Also known as the cider gum tree
White flowers in late summer
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This variety is native to Tasmania and does surprisingly well in the UK. Eucalyptus Gunnii is hardy down to -14C and for that reason is one of the most popular Eucalyptus trees for UK gardens. The immature round leaves eventually give way to the longer oval foliage as the tree matures
Eucalyptus wood, oil and sap have been harvested by the australian aboriginals throughout their history.
Oil from Eucalyptus trees is used in aromatherapy, as a mosquito repellant and in a number of herbal remedies for treating everything from the common cold to rheumtism. The young foliage is particlarly prized by florists as the evergreen stems keep their colour well over time.
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Fig Tree
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Ficus carica
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This bonholm figs are also sometime known as norweigian figs and the spelling is often corrupted to bornholm or even bornhelm.
Technically the fruit of the the fig is the flower!
Juicy sweet figs in Autumn |
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Figs are a delicious fruit cultivated in Europe and the east for centuries, Adam and Eve are often portrayed with fig leaves preserving their dignity. The earliest evidence of fig cultivation is several thousand years BC and they were important crops in roman, greek and medieval civilizations.
Fig trees can grow to full size trees in the UK in a sunny sheltered spot, producing attractive foliage as well as crops of sweet figs. They do not need much fertilization and will produce most fruit in poor soil with constricted roots, making them great container plants.
Figs are probably more familiar in their dried form but they are also delicious fresh with cream or ice cream, for making cakes and even syrups and drinks. Known to have a laxative effect they are very useful as a homepathic remedy for constipation.
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Flamingo Flower
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Anthurium
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Anthurium's common names include painter's palette, flamingo flower and tail flower
Flowers are actually bracts and come in many shades of red, white and pink
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The bright spathes last three weeks or more. The bracts are fleshy and quite easily bruised - take care when transporting or arranging these fabulous flowers and protect from cold.
Anthurium's were originally imported from Mexico and have been propogated as houseplants for several 100 years.
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French Golden Oregano
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Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'
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Sometimes also known as 'wild marjoram'. The name Origanum is derived from two Greek words, oros (mountain) and ganos (joy), in allusion to the gay appearance these plants give to the hillsides on which they grow.
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Oregano is really a native of Greece, but is hardy enough to thrive in the open air in England, in a dry soil and will do well indoors all year round.
The sweet, spicy scent of oregano was reputedly created by the Goddess Aphrodite as a symbol of happiness. At a later stage, Romans started to use oregano and eventually it became the essential ingredient in Italian cooking.
We are all familiar with oregano on pizza but also use it to enhance cheese and egg dishes such as omelets, quiches, and flans. It can be added to yeast breads, marinated veggies, roast peppers, tomatoes and pasta dishes for a delicious mediterranean twis
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French Marjoram
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Origanum onites
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'Though marjoram is often confused with its cousin oregano, it gives a more subtle earty flavour. Also known as 'sweet marjoram' or 'knotted marjoram' referring to the 'knots' of small white flowers
Whitish flowers attractive to butterflies
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Tough herb that is easy indoor and out. It needs the sun to bring out its flavour.
Native to Portugal used in medicine in the 1800s in poultices and as a salve to sooth sprained limbs.
Marjoram is good in marinades since its antioxidant properties prevent the growth of bacteria. Its flavour is similar to thyme, but milder. It goes wonderfully with red meat, poultry, stews, stuffings
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French parsley
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Petroselinum Crispum
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A plain leaf, more strongly flavoured than the common form. Popular in Mediterranean region.
Rich in Vitamin A and C and in iron, calcium and potassium, use it fresh and use it lavishly. Chopped leaves can be used in green salads, soups, sauces, vegetables. Parsley sauce goes well with fish.
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French Tarragon
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Artemisia dracunculus
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The name Tarragon is a corruption of the French Esdragon, derived from the Latin Dracunculus (a little dragon), which also serves as its specific name. It was sometimes called little Dragon Mugwort and in French has also the name Herbe au Dragon. Its name comes from the belief that 'who carries a branch of tarragon need never fear snake nor dragon'. Thus, dragon, in medieval Latin, became "tarragon."
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A hardy plant that will add flavour to salads and dressings all year round. Can be overwintered indoors.
Tarragon is more common in Continental than in English cookery, and has long been cultivated in France for culinary purposes
With its peppery, slightly anise-like flavour, tarragon is indispensable in rich creamy sauces.It marries well with veal and other white meats, lobster and fatty fish. Can be made into tarragon vinegar
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Garden Mint
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Mentha Spicata
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The herb mint belongs to a large family with over 30 species,ÿt he most common being peppermint and spearmint.ÿGarden mint used for general cooking and drinks like other mints contains the volatile oil menthol, which gives mint that characteristic cooling, cleansing feeling
Lilac flowers in summer.
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This well known perennial has dark neat hairless leaves.
Native to the Mediterranean and western Asia, mint is part of Greek mythology and according to legend - "Minthe" originally a nymph, and Pluto's lover angered Pluto's wife, Persephone, who in a fit of rage turned Minthe into a lowly plant, to be trod upon. Pluto, unable to undo the spell, was able to soften it by giving Minthe a sweet scent which would perfume the air when her leaves were stepped on - the aromatic herb Mint.
Used to make mint sauce, adds flavour to potatoes, peas, carrots but can also be used in fruit salads and fruit drinks - or even tea.
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Geranium Basket
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Pelargonium
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Easy to care for in a sheltered spot outside on a sunny windowsil in any area of the UK, Geraniums are a great summer plants.
Geraniums are made up of two main varieties, scented and unscented geraniums. Unscented geraniums are bred to have larger flowers and provide a brighter bolder impact. Scented geraniums have scented, frilled leaves and smaller more delicate flowers.
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Gin and Lemon
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Special offer
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Available whilst stocks last
Please note that this gift includes a free miniature bottle of Gordons gin (5cl) with each tree. This offer has now cash alternative and is subject to recipients and customers being over the age of 18 at the time of purchase.
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Grape Hyacinths
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Muscari
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There are at least 5 bulbs (in bud) in each pot, and three pots in the trio
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Grape Vine
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Vitis Vinifera
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Bunches of sweet red, white or purple grapes |
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Commercial vineyards are becoming increasingly common in the south of England demonstrating how successfully grapes can be grown in the UK, either outdoors in a sheltered spot or indoors in an unheated conservatory.Grape vines are vigorous and fast growing climbers who appreciate cool roots but warm sunshine on their leaves and fruit.
Grape vines have been cultivated in Europe and the East for at least 6000 years and their cultivation is closely tied to the history of winemaking which was a huge industry in Ancient Greek and Mesoptian times. The ancient greeks also believed that Grapes, Wine and Grape sap had healing properties and indeed homepathic medicine is rediscovering some of the medicinal benefits of these plants.
As well as their most popular use in making wine, Grapes are delicious straight from the vine or in summer desserts. Stuffed vine leaves are also a delicious mediterranean delicacy and all the better for being made fresh.
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Grapevine
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Vitis Vinifera
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Bunches of sweet red, white or purple grapes |
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Commercial vineyards are becoming increasingly common in the south of England demonstrating how successfully grapes can be grown in the UK, either outdoors in a sheltered spot or indoors in an unheated conservatory.Grape vines are vigorous and fast growing climbers who appreciate cool roots but warm sunshine on their leaves and fruit.
Grape vines have been cultivated in Europe and the East for at least 6000 years and their cultivation is closely tied to the history of winemaking which was a huge industry in Ancient Greek and Mesoptian times. The ancient greeks also believed that Grapes, Wine and Grape sap had healing properties and indeed homepathic medicine is rediscovering some of the medicinal benefits of these plants.
As well as their most popular use in making wine, Grapes are delicious straight from the vine or in summer desserts. Stuffed vine leaves are also a delicious mediterranean delicacy and all the better for being made fresh.
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Hawaiian Palm
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Brighamia insignis
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Although called a palm this is in fact a succulent.
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For each plant sold, a donation will be made to the World Conservation Union to support its work and the conservation of Brighamia insignis and other threatened plant species in the Hawaiian Islands.
In earlier times the leaves were dried to make shelters and the flowers were used as garlands.
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Hazel Tree
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Corylus avellana
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The English name for the tree and its nut is derived from the Anglo-Saxon haesel knut, haesel meaning cap or hat, thus referring to the cap of leaves on the nut on the tree.
Distinctive catkins are abundant in Spring
Sweet round nuts in autumn |
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Hazels grow well in a range of soils from quite chalky through to rich peat.
Hazel trees are native to the UK and have grown here for thousands of years. Druid and celtic history is full of folklore and examples of the use of hazel saplings and nuts. The supple young branches were traditionally used to weave everything from fences to baskets.
Today hazel nuts are still very popular, they are a good source of protein and store well for everyday eating or cooking.
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Hibiscus
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Hibiscus rosa sinensis
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Rosa Sinensis means "Chinese Rose".
Beautiful Large colourful trumpets open up when warm and light.
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This is a tropical plant, which means in the UK we keep it indoors, or on a summer patio. Just keep watered and in a sunny room or a conservatory.
Despite its common name, no-one really knows if it came originally from China. It was cultivated in Moorish Spain as early as the twelfth century.
Each flower lasts only a day or two, so savour their unique shapes and colours, but flowers are produced one after each other so a single plant can flower for several weeks.
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Hyacinth
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Hyacinth
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According to Greek mythology hyacinth got its name when a young boy named Hyacinth was killed by a discus hitting him in the head during a game. A hyacinth sprang from the cut in his head as he lay in the arms of the god Apollo, who was wailing in grief. Wild hyacinths have letter-like patterns on their petals which look like the Greek "A" and indicate the sound of wailing.
Pink, White, Blue and Yellow scented flowers
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Hyacinths are an easy bulb to raise. Once they are in bud they just need plenty of water.
Hyacinths came to Europe from Turkey. A German doctor named Leonhardt Rauwolf, collected samples of hyacinths when he visited Turkey in 1573. By the early 1700s hyacinths were very popular with several hundred varieties available.
All hyacinths have a beautiful scent but blue varieties are usually the most fragrant.
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Hydrangea
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Hydrangea macrophylla
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Mophead
Blue, pink, white.
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Hydrangeas are woodland plants but will also flower well in a cool room or conservatory with plenty of water.
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Indoor Rose bush
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Compact double flowers.
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These are quality roses which have been bred to flourish indoors and they will bloom for several weeks with the right care. Once they have finished flowering they can be planted out in the garden.
Roses have been cultivated in the UK for hundreds if not thousands of years for their beautiful flowers and scent.
Red roses are a symbol of love, white a symbol of innocence, yellow for friendship and pink for thanks and appreciation
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Kaffir Lime
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Citrus hystrix
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The Kaffir lime also known as Kieffer lime, Makrut, or Magrood is a Southeast Asian citrus plant with very pungent leaves.
Small fragrant white flowers
The green lime fruits are small (4cm) and have a bumpy exterior |
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The glossy evergreen leaves are easily recognised by their hourglass shape and pungent smell. These plants are easy to care for and vigourous growers. Regular pruning will maintain a compact bush but it is not necessary for plant health.
Widely used across Asia, Kaffir Lime Leaves and fruits have been prized for centuries for their fragrant and unique flavour as well as their antiseptic and cleansing properties.
Kaffir lime leaves are precious to many Thai dishes, from soups and salads to curries and stir-fried dishes. In soupy dishes, add the leaves whole or torn into smaller pieces, using them as one would bay leaves to flavor broth or stew. In salads, stir-fri
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Kiwi Fruit
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Actinidia sin 'Jenny'
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Also known as the Chinese gooseberry, the hardy kiwi vine actually doesn't come from New Zealand originally but was imported from China to New Zealand around the turn of the century were it quickly established itself as a commerical crop
Large white fragrant fruit
'Furry' sweet fruit, rich in Vitamin C |
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This variety Delicosa 'Jenny' is a delicious self-fertile variety and is adapted to do well in our shorter UK growing season. This vigorous vine can grow several metres a year and produce fruit from it's second year. Best trained up a wall or fence kiwi vines are decidious.
The kiwifruit is native to the Yangtze River valley of northern China and Zhejiang Province on the coast of eastern China. The first seeds were brought out of China by missionaries to New Zealand at the turn of this century. Early nurserymen in New Zealand, such as Alexander Allison, Bruno Just, and Hayward Wright, recognized the potential of the fruit and it soon became a popular backyard vine.
The fruits of the kiwi vine are delicious fresh or in a range of desserts
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Kumquat
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Fortunella japonica/margarita
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The latin name of this citrus plant was given to it by the British plant collector Robert Fortune who discovered the plant in China in 1847 and brought it back to Europe
Small white scented flowers
Kumquats are small orange fruit with edible peel |
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The Kumquats growth is slower than that of other citrus plants so it is well suited to growing in pots. Like all citrus plants it is happiest in a light cool room.
In Asia these fruits have been cultivated for thousands of years but they only really entered UK popular culture in the 60s.
Great raw, in fruit salads or as a marmalade. The fruit is eaten with the peel intact and the sweet peel provides an interesting contrast to the slightly bitter fruit flesh.
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Lemon 'Four Seasons'
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Citrus lemon
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Called 'four seasons' because it can flower and fruit all year also known as 'Eureka' lemons this is a good fruiting variety for the uk
Fragrant white flowers
Full sized tasty yellow lemons, just as you would buy in the supermarket |
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Like all citrus, make sure your lemon tree gets plenty of light and keep cool in the winter. Will produce fruit and flowers all year round in a light room or conservatory.
Lemon trees have been cultivated in Asia for thousands of years and in europe for hundreds. This hybrid lemon is a particularly good variety for the UK as it tolerates our lower light levels very well.
The fruit are perfect for slicing in cold drinks or for use in cooking and make a fabulous lemon souffle - recipe coming soon!
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Lemon 'Lipo'
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Citrus Paradisi x Citrus Limon
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Also known as an 'Imperial lemon' this is a cross between a grapefruit and a lemon
large white waxy perfumed flowers
Slightly sweeter, good size lemons |
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These attractive lemon trees have a more bush like shape than some, with tasty fruit and heavily scented flowers. They tend to crop reasonably heavily once or twice a year and can have fruit and flowers at the same time.
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Lemon 'Meyer'
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Citrus limon x sinensis
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Meyer lemons are named after the explorer Frank N Meyer who introduced them to the USA in 1908
Fragrant white flowers
Juicy, sweet tasting fruits, slightly smaller than your average lemon, they will ripen to a deep almost orange yellow and have a thin fruit - great for cooking |
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Often touted as the most robust variety. Lemon 'meyer's will cope well with cool conditions but will react quite quickly to a lack of light. It will often flower and fruit more than once a year producing ripe fruit in a variety of conditions not just a greenhouse!
Lemon Meyer is the chefs choice, sweeter than commercial lemon varieties, this juicy fruit can be used in cooking, drinks, marmalade or even for traditional lemonade.
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Lemon Thyme
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Thymus x citriodorus
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The name Thyme, in its Greek form, was first given to the plant by the Greeks as a derivative of a word which meant 'to fumigate,' either because they used it as incense, for its balsamic odour, or because it was taken as a type of all sweet-smelling herbs. Others derive the name from the Greek word thumus, signifying courage, the plant being held in ancient and mediaeval days to be a great source of invigoration, its cordial qualities inspiring courage.
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Easy herb indoor and out. Outdoors it needs the sun, and shelter from winter winds. Keep cutting back to avoid it getting leggy. Varigated Lemon thyme keeps its foliage better in the winter, though is generally considered to be not as hardy as the common
The antiseptic properties of Thyme were fully recognized in classic times, there being a reference in Virgil's Georgics to its use as a fumigator, It was employed by the Romans to give an aromatic flavour to cheese (and also to liqueurs) and was certainly commonly cultivated in England before the middle of the sixteenth century.
The basis, with bay and parsley of the bouquet garni in every stockpot and casserole, Thyme is an essential and versatile herb in any kitchen. As a warm aromatic flavouring thyme goes well with meat a
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Limequat
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Fortunella Japonica x Citrus Aurantifolia
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Sometimes called Citrofortunella floridana. This is a cross between a lime and a kumquat
Small white perfumed flowers.
Limequats are small yellow/green lime-like fruit with sweet edible rind. |
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A hybrid cross between a Mexican lime and a kumquat developed in 1909 by Dr. Swingle, the limequat has a shape like a kumquat and a flavor similar to the Mexican Lime. Limequats are more hardy than lime trees however and are one of the easiest of the citr
Use these unusual fruits to replace lemons and limes in recipes or as a edible garnish for sophisticated desserts and cocktails. The fruits can be preserved in brandy or sliced to add a zing to a gin and tonic.
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Madagascar Jasmine
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Stephanotis
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Not a true Jasmine, but called Jasmine because of the white perfumed jasmine-like flowers. Sometimes known as 'Bride's flower'
Pure white.
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Usually grown as an indoor plant in the UK. Need an even temperature. Keep moist but not waterlogged. Avoid cold draughts or hot radiators.
In victorian times Stephontis flowers were often incorporated into bride's bouquets as a symbol of happiness in marriage. Since then it is often known as 'Bride's flower'
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Mandevilla
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Dipladena Sanderii
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called both Mandevilla and Dipladenia
Deep velvet-red trumpets
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A plant-lovers plant, but not difficult in the right conditions and rewards you with flowers all summer long.
The original original dipladenias were a very pale pink flower and it was discovered in the highlands above Rio de Janeiro. History indicates that perhaps only one plant was found and it is not found growing in nature down there now
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Mandevilla 'Alice Du Pont'
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Mandevilla Bolivensis
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Marguerite
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Chrysanthemum frutescens
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White daisy flowers with yellow centres
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Easy to grow and long lasting. Just keep it watered.
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Mexican Lime
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Citrus aurantifolia
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Also known as west indian lime, mexican or key limes
Scented white star shaped flowers
Tasty round limes used for drinks and cooking |
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These limes are not quite as hardy as the tahiti lime and need to be kept above 10C all year round.
Native to South East Asia, these lime trees have been cultivated across Asia and the middle east for centuries. They are widely grown in California and the key ingredient in key lime pie.
These limes eventually ripen to a bright yellow but are commonly used green in a range of drinks and desserts. They are slightly more aromatic and sweeter than the persian or tahiti lime but otherwise the fruits are very similar.
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Mizuna
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Brassica juncea var crispifolia
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Also called Japanese Salad
Hardy annual. Green very serrated leaves with small yellow flowers in summer.
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Easy herb which can be started indoors and then used in the garden for a 'cut and come' salad.
Used in many salads, and also added to the end of stir fry dishes. They combine well with chicken, mushrooms and beansprouts
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Money Plant
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Crassula Ovata
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Known as the money plant, jade plant or friendship tree, these plants are believed to bring good fortune and wealth to their owners.
Pale pink flower clusters under the right conditions
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Money plants are succulents and don't need a lot of water. They do best in well drained soil and are on of the easiest houseplants to grow in the uk
Money plants are native to south africa and grow in abundance in the warm rocky soil and were adopted by chinese bonsai growers as they are so easy to grow indoors.
Commonly given as a good luck gift to a new home or to celebrate a new home, these plants are thought to bestow luck and wealth.
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Moth Orchid
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Phalaenopsis
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Pronounced FAL-A-nop-sis, the latin name means "resembling a moth". Early collectors thought the light flowers in the gloom of the forest looked like clouds of moths.
Variety of different shades in pink, white and yellow
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The easiest to care for of all the orchids, phaleanopsis can flower for several weeks and even months. The cooler the room the longer the blooms will last although they will cope with central heating much better than other orchids. Orchids are sensitive to ethylene gas
Orchids are also rumoured to have aphrodisiac properties and in ancient times were an important ingredient in love potions.
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Mulberry
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Morus Nigra
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The black mulberry or Chinese mulberry
Pale pink flowers in Spring
Delicious large berries, similar but juicier than blackberries |
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These easy to grow bushes will mature into a medium sized tree and make a fantastic feature tree that will live up to a hundred years
Imported over 500 years ago as a source of mulberries before discovering that silk worms only eat white mulberries, these delicious fruits were welcomed to UK gardens and folklore. They feature in the famous nursery round, here we go round the mulberry bush but have never been commerically exploited because they simply don't travel well
A very ornamental tree in their own right. The sweet dark fruit drop as soon as they are ripe and are absolutely delicious fresh, or made into pies, jams or even icecream!
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Myrtle
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myrtus communis
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Myrtle probably comes from the ancient greek 'myrtus' as do many other european common names.
white flowers in spring/summer
small blue bitter tasting berries |
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easy to care for shrub that can be pruned to keep a symmetrical shape. Useful for pots as topiary but can also be planted out.
Originating in eastern europe, myrtle has been cultivated for centuries and is referred to in the old testament.
Medicinally an infusion made from the leaves is said to ease flatulence and colic and to help chest infections when taken with honey. In eastern europe and italy, myrtle's aromatic leaves are used in cooking to add flavour to meat and stews
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Olive Tree
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Olea Europa
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Small green powdery flowers
Dark green fruit |
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Indoors or out these young trees require little care, simply ensure they have enough sunlight, water when the soil feels dry and protect from frost.
The mediterranean olive has been around for thousands of years and it has been used throughout history for its fruit, oil and wood. Traditional the symbol of peace, it's a great way to sorry - or just to remind you of that mediterrenean holiday...
Although the same species as olives found in the supermarket, you should expect the fruit to be much more bitter. Even olives from mature mediterranean trees need to be cured properly before consumption to get rid of this bitter taste.
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Orange Tree
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Citrus Sinensis
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The true or 'sweet orange' is Citrus Sinensis and there are many varieties including 'Washington Navel' and 'Valencia' amongst others
Sweet white blossom
Large sweet orange fruit |
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Oranges grow best in warm sub tropical conditions and require plenty of light to thrive. In the UK they do need protecting from cold temperatures and should be kept indoors in the winter months. However in a light room or on a summer patio they do surprisingly well.
The sweet orange is thought to have originated in china and to have been cultivated there for thousands of years. It was introduced to Europe in the 1400s and is now produced in huge quantites for fruit and juice in America and across Southern Europe and Turkey
The sweet fruit is a good source of vitamin C and are eaten fresh and used as juice across the world. The peel can be candied and used in perfume and oil from the flowers is also prized for perfume.
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Oregano (French)
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see above
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Pansy Orchid
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Miltonia
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Keep them indoors in a warm room and give them good light and plenty of water.
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Parlour palm
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Chamaedorea elegans
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cultivation
Known for it's air cleaning properties these easy going house plants are great in offices.
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Parsley
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Petroselinum crispum
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sometimes called Petroselinum vulgare
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Deciduous plant best treated as an annual or biennial. Keep it on a sunny windowsill and water well.
This is the traditional curly parsley, your mum used to make Parsley sauce. It has a good strong earthy flavour.
Rich in Vitamin A and C and in iron, calcium and potassium, use it fresh and use it lavishly. Chopped leaves can be used in green salads, soups, sauces, vegetables. Parsley sauce goes well with fish.
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Passion Flower
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Passiflora caerulea
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Originally called 'Passion' because the flower is a reminder of the crown of thorns, this plant is now used to symbolise passion in the romantic sense.
The flowers are of a unique, delicate and intricate design, and truly exquisite.
small round fruit with a tough leathery outer concealing a juicy pulp inside. |
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Passion flowers are vigourous climbers that will do well in a bright room or conservatory. 'Some varieties like 'Lavender Lady' are hardy in the UK outside.
First discovered in South America in the 16th Century. Jacomo Bosio, a scholar, lived in Rome in 1609 was working on a treatise upon the crucifixion when an Augustinian friar of Mexican birth showed him drawings of a remarkable flower. He included this 'Passion Flower' in his work, interpreting the complex structure of the flower as a representation of Christ's suffering. The unique corona represented the crown of thorns. The ten sepals and petals represented the Apostles (except Judas and Peter, who both distanced themselves from Christ prior to the crucifixion). The five anthers were the five wounds on Christ's body, and the three stigmas the nails. The leaves were the spear that pierced His side, and the tendrils the scourges that flayed His flesh.
Once the exotic flowers have faded they are replaced with passion fruits which are prized for their juicy pulp, rich in vitamins A, B1 and C.
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Patio Rose
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Rosa
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All colours of pink, red, white and yellow roses.
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These are quality roses which have been bred to flourish in a sheltered spot outside. Ideal in pots on a summer patio or even inside in a cool room.
Roses are one of the nations favourite flowers and have been cultivated in this country for hundreds of years. There are a huge range of roses available including scented and unscented, single and double petalled. Varieties are named for everything from the nursery where they are first cultivated to occasions such as 'Happy Silver Wedding Anniversary".
Roses petals can be used as confetti, to make rose water, in perfumes and even crystalised as cake decorations.
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Peace Lily
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Spathiphyllum
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The name 'Spathiphyllum' comes from the greek for blade, 'spathe' and 'phyllon' a leaf and is a reference to the shape of the flower spike and spadix.
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Famous for being low maintenance. Peace lilies will thrive even in very little light and survive where other house plants may struggle. Peace Lilies are originally marsh plants and do drink a lot of water. However they handily remind you when they are thi
Peace Lilies have been shown to be one of the healthiest house plants. They are particularly good at absorbing toxins and chemicals in the air and boosting oxygen levels.
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Persian Violet
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Exacum
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Pineapple Plant
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Ananas comosus nanus
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anana means 'excellent fruit'
Pineapples are low-growing succulents that thrive in tropical climates.
The fruit are smaller than you would normally find in the supermarket but sweet and juicy to eat. |
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These are surprisingly tough plants which just need water, warmth and light. They will be more than happy on a sunny windowsill where the fruit will slowly ripen ready for eating. Once the first fruit has been harvested it can take up to 3 years for another flower spike to develop, flower, fruit and ripen ready for harvesting.
The Pineapple originated in South America and was introduced to the west by Christopher Columbus in 1843. In Victorian England it was a rare and exotic treat served as the crowning glory in many a royal feast.
Fresh pineapple cannot be beaten, serve au natural, with yoghurt, cream or icecream.
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Pink Asiatic Lily
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Lilium 'Farolito;
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There are three bulbs in every pot and they are delivered in bud. The blooms last a couple of weeks and the bulbs will flower again next year in the right conditions.
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Plumbago
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Plumbago capensis
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Light blue
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Will remind you of sunny holidays. Don't let it get too hot or too cold. A tender plant but rewarding.
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Poinsettia
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Euphorbia pulcherrima
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'The Latin name means 'very beautiful'. They are now named after Joel Roberts Poinsett who imported them when he was the first United States Ambassador to Mexico.
'Flowers are actually bracts, and they come in all shades of red, white and green
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'Keep poinsettias away from warm or cold drafts, from radiators and open doors and windows.
Montezuma, the last of the Aztec kings, would have poinsettias brought into what now is Mexico City by caravans because poinsettias could not be grown in the high altitude.
Poinsettias are sometimes called the 'christmas rose' use there rich red and green colours to bring natural festive cheer into the home.However the real Christmas Rose is actually the white hellebore which flowers at Christmas!
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Primula
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Primula acaulis
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Primula Hybrids
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Some modern hybrids have been reared to suit indoor conditions to bring early colour to your spring window sill.
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Purple Sage
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Salva
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Sage comes from the latin 'salvare' herb of medicine.
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A plant that thrives in warm summers and hates cold wet winters. Kept in doors over the winter it will do fine, just remove any yellowing leaves and allow to rest.
In 1597 the herbalist John Gerard said that it was "singularly good for the head and quickeneth the nerves and memory." Whatever its healing properties it has a fabulous flavour.
In Italy, fresh sage leaves are fried whole and eaten with gnocchi, potatoes and veal dishes. Focaccia is frequently studded with fresh sage leaves or why not try fresh sage chopped with coriander.
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Rose Bay
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Nerium Oleander
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Yellow, pink and white small trumpet flowers
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Nerium oleander is native to northern Africa, the eastern Mediterranean basin and southeast Asia. Oleander prefers dry, warm climates but is quite happy in a sheltered spot or on a sunny patio in the UK.
These fast growing plants can grow up to 2m tall in the right spot and have handsome dark evergreen leaves, as well colourful flowers. Leaves and flowers contains toxins which may be harmful if eaten by pets or small children.
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Rosemary
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Rosemarinus officinalis
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There are many old names for Rosemary, including compass weed and polar plant. An old French name for it was Incensier whilst the Spanish revered it as one of the bushes that gave shelter to the Virgin Mary in the flight into Egypt and call it Romero, the Pilgrim's Flower.
Attractive blue flowers
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This hardy shrub will survive in almost any conditions and can grow up to 1m if allowed. In a small pot indoors its growth will be contained but it will continue to thrive all year round.
The Ancients were well acquainted with Rosemary, which had a reputation for strengthening the memory, because of this it was also associated with fidelity for lovers. At weddings, it was entwined in the wreath worn by the bride, being first dipped into scented water. Anne of Cleves, we are told, wore such a wreath at her wedding. As well as weddings, rosemary was also used at funerals, for decking churches and banqueting halls at festivals and as incense in religious ceremonies. In modern times rosemary is used in aromatherapy to promote untroubled sleep.
Rosemary goes fabulously with meat dishes and adds a depth of taste to a traditional Sunday roast. Poke sprigs of rosemary into scores cut into lamb, beef or pork roasts. Its fragrant leaves add a lovely flavour to casseroles and soups.
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Salad Rocket
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Eruca vesicaria
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Off-white flowers with purplish veins
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Needs a rich soil and a sunny site. Suitable for patio pots. Can grow up to 2ft hight.
Leaves were used in herbal medicine as mild stimulant.
Now a favourite salad herb in France and Italy
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Scarlet Star
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Guzmania lingulata
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Guzmania is a Bromeliad, from the family of plants which include the pineapple.
The bright flower stalks come in orange, red, pink and yellow
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These plants are quite tough and long lived. Avoid touching the centre 'flower' because it will turn brown. Otherwise keep in medium light and water occasionally. Remember this plant came from tropical jungles, so should be kept warm.
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Tahiti Lime
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Citrus latifolia Tan.
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An alternate common name is Persian lime.
Scented white flowers
Sharp, good sized limes with few pips, are ripe when they start to turn yellow-greem |
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Tahiti Limes are hardier plants than the small mexican limes that we generally buy from the supermarket. They are moderate growers and can eventually reach heights of 15ft with long sweeping, mostly thornless branches.
It is believed that the Tahiti was introduced into the Mediterranean region by way of Iran (formerly called Persia) and from there portugese traders took it to South America. In the 1800s it was then spread to Europe, America and Australia where it has been in commercial production in the States ever since.
Tahiti Limes can be used just like the Mexican limes and are great in drinks and cocktails as well as salsa, fish and mexican dishes.
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Tea for Two
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Camelia Sinensis
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A member of the Camelia family the 'Tea Plant' suprisingly enough is named after the drink that it's leaves make. 'Sinensis' is latin for 'Chinese' and Chinese tea plants are used to produce some of the most popular teas.
Neat dark green foliage and tiny white flowers in early summer
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Tea Plants are quite slow growing but they can grow up to 3m high and produce heavy crops of the savoury leaves they are famous for. They are hardy and although they need some protection when young can be grown outside in the UK.
Tea has been drunk in China as a medicine since 2500BC and was introduced to Japan from there and finally to Europe in the 17th Century where Britain began it's love affair with Afternoon Tea. Normally the buds and the top 2 or 3 youngest leaves are harvested for tea making, they are then processed in various ways to produce either green, black or oolong tea.
Green Tea is the easiest to make at home, the young leaves are picked, steamed, rolled and then used fresh or dried in a strainer to produce a delicous refreshing drink. To produce a more traditional tea, the leaves should be brusied and then allowed to oxidise in the sun (until they turn black) and then steamed, rolled and dried.
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Watercress
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Nasturtium officinale
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A plant that loves water.
Neat dark green foliage and tiny white flowers.
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A creeping aquatic perennial which thrives in streams and bogs and damp areas.
Used as an aphrodisiac in ancient times.
The leaves have a pepper taste and can be used in salads, soups, or as a garnish.
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White Jasmine
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Jasmine Polyanthum
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Also known as 'pink jasmine', 'winter jasmine' and 'chinese evergreen jasmine'
Pink or white buds open into waxy star-shaped flowers
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A native of china, this vigourous evergreen vine can grow up to 20ft in the right conditions. Whilst indoors it will do well in cool conditions providing flowers and fragrance through the winter months.
Jasmine is widely used in the perfume industry because it is both fragrant and related to sexual allure. It is part of the Chanel No. 5 blend of scents.
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