These hardy, but short-lived perennial plants are usually grown as annuals. Grows to 5–60 in (13–152 cm) tall, with alternately branching, glaucous, blue-green foliage. The leaves are divided into round, lobed segments. Blooms are solitary...
These easy-to-grow annual flowers are also known as English marigolds or pot marigolds. Calendula repels a number of bad nematodes in the soil, but may attract slugs. Plant with tomatoes and asparagus. Please continue reading...
Here we will examine how to grow Bellis perennis English Daisy from seeds. Bellis is a versatile, low-growing, carpet-forming perennial plant with appealing pom-pon like flowers. It looks spectacular once it has naturalized into lawns.
This evergreen perennial bears the slightly misleading common name Basket of Gold Alyssum. Remember that the common name Alyssum is a bit misleading. This Basket of Gold Alyssum is actually Aurinia saxatilis, and Snow Cloth Alyssum is...
Douglas Asters are somewhat inconspicuous plants until they burst into bloom at the end of summer. This perennial is an important food source for skipper butterflies and many other late season pollinators.
When transplanted seedlings are 10-15cm (4-6″) tall, pinch back the growing tip to encourage multiple flowering points. Asclepias tuberosa prefers dry, sandy conditions or any average garden soil in full sun. Plants grown from seed bloom...
False Queen Anne’s Lace or Bishop’s Weed are common names for this attractive, naturalistic looking annual flower. Ammi grows stiffly upright stems topped by umbelliferous flowers that are attractive to pollinators and predatory insects....
Alyssum is an easy-to-grow annual that is both decorative and useful. It plays a key role in companion planting and can be used as a cover crop to attract insects, smother weeds, and increase...
Agastache is very attractive to bees. Plant a row away from the garden to lure cabbage moths away from Brassica crops. Do not plant near radishes. Agastache is a hardy perennial also known as...
African Violets have been much loved as houseplants since Victorian plant hunters first encountered them growing in Tanzania. They are incredibly diverse, but excellent for indoor growing. They are generally undemanding and thrive best...
How to grow Shiso from seed. Shiso is a strongly flavoured member of the mint family. Its leaves have a tangy flavour of cumin, mint, nutmeg, and anise combined. In stature it resembles a...
Thyme, like other woody-stemmed herbs, tends to grow very slowly, and benefits from an early start if grown from seed. Unlike basil and other annual herbs, you shouldn’t count on harvesting thyme in the...
Stevia is native to South America. The greatest challenge with Stevia is germination. Sweetleaf is famously difficult crop from seed. Once plants are established, they will grow well in hot weather, and are good candidates for summer...
Summer savory is a half hardy annual. Winter savory is perennial. Both are well suited to container growing. All savories prefer full sun and well-drained, rather poor soil. Summer savory wants a warm, protected...
It’s nice to have one big, reliable sage bush at the corner of the garden. One plant usually provides enough herb for most households, and its flowers are strongly attractive to wild and domesticated...
Rosemary is not quite as simple from seed as many other herbs, but it can be achieved by novice gardeners if they take certain precautions. It is a woody perennial that grows slowly, and...
No organic kitchen garden is complete without parsley. Both curly and flat-leaf parsley are loaded with flavour and productive over a long period in the garden. Parsley is cold hardy and can even be...
Greek oregano is one of the most desirable of the many varieties of oregano for cooking. This herb dries well, and retains its strong flavour and aroma if stored in an airtight container. It thrives in patio containers,...
This fast-growing member of the marigold family can be started indoors or by direct sowing in the garden. Continue reading below for more tips on how to grow Mexican tarragon from seed.
The genus Mentha includes about 24 species and cross pollination is difficult to control, so many sources suggest that mint will not come true from seed. Our mint seeds are grown in isolation and bred with...
Marjoram is the milder cousin of oregano, with a very similar flavour profile but gentler impact. Sprinkle some freshly cut marjoram over an omelette or baguette for a savoury treat. Marjoram can be grown as...
Lovage has been used since the time of the ancient Greeks as a remedy for stomach upsets, and to aid digestion. As herbs go, this is a massive plant, so you may only want...
The roots of this shrub have been harvested for centuries as a medicine and flavouring for sweets. Liquorice is easy to grow and manage once it is established, but it should probably be left...
Lemon balm’s Latin name is taken from the Greek word for bee (Melissa), and from the ancient belief that a swarm of honeybees could be attracted to an empty hive simply by placing sprigs...
