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MARSHMALLOW (Althea officinalis)
Perennial
Height: up to 6’
This was the original source of the confectionery but the original
has little in common with the sugary cubes of today. However the plant
has several uses: the leaf is decorative and is added to posies, the seeds
can be sprinkled onto salads, the flowers are edible, as are the leaves.
The root and the leaves also have cosmetic and medicinal properties.
MULLEIN (Verbascum thrapsus)
Biennial
Height: can grow up to 5’
A very striking plant with some medicinal uses, now generally grown
as an interest herb. Among other things, it is called Aaron’s Rod and Witch’s
Taper.
OREGANO (Origanum vulgare)
Perennial
Height: 6” – 2’
Of the same family as the Marjorams and Golden Oregano. It has many
culinary uses and is especially popular in Italian cooking.
GOLDEN OREGANO
Perennial
Height: 1’6”
Handsome golden variety of Oregano (Oreganum vulgare) which is of the
Marjoram family with the same uses. The striking colour of the plant adds
a bright splash to the herb bed and also makes an excellent edging plant.
OREGANO WEBB’S WHITE
CURLED PARSLEY (Petroselium crispum)
Biennial
Height: 10”
Parsley is one of the ‘fines herbes’, a constituent part of bouquet
garni and is a must in any kitchen. All parts of the plant are useful and
beneficial in medical and cosmetic uses as well as its invaluable uses
in cooking. Chewing Parsley freshens the breath after eating garlic.
PINEAPPLE SAGE (Salvia rutilans)
Perennial
Height: 2’ — 3’
This is a member of the Sage family but its leaves smell strongly of
pineapple and it has no real culinary uses except for putting the leaves
in summer drinks. Despite this, it remains a very popular herb.
POPPY, OPIUM (Papaver somniferum)
Annual
Height: 2’
This is a very beautiful poppy. It should only be used by trained medical
staff, for it is dangerous except, however, the ripe seed which can be
used in curries, bread or cakes.
PRIMROSE (Primula vulgaris)
Perennial
Height: 3” — 6”
The primrose, is a real favourite, it is a beautiful flower used in
both jams and cosmetics. The flowers can also be eaten raw in salads. Both
flower and root can be used in pot pourri and can be infused to make a
cough remedy. The leaf makes a medicinal tea.
POT MARIGOLD (Calendula officinalis)
Annual
Height: 12” — 20”
A very popular and well used herb with various uses — the flowers give
colour and a light tangy flavour to all sorts of dishes; dried they add
colour to pot pourri and in an infusion they aid digestion. The leaves
are used in salads and soups.
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