Tarragon
Popular in Mediterranean
cuisines, it’s the primary
flavouring in Béarnaise sauce.
The leaves of French tarragon,
Artemisia dracunculus ‘Sativa’,
have a pungent liquorice-like
scent and
flavour, which
stimulates the
digestive
system.
How To
grow
✿ Best grown
in pots of gritty
compost on
a sunny patio.
Bring indoors
before the frosts.
Divide and repot
every 3-4 years to keep it robust.
Height 60cm, spread 45cm
Cooking Tip
✿ Try a little chopped and mixed
with butter or mayonnaise with
a hint of Dijon mustard to perk
up a potato salad, poached
salmon or a chicken casserole.GARDENING
oregano
Closely related to
marjoram, Oregano
vulgare has strong-
tasting leaves and is a
key ingredient of bouquet
garni and herbes de Provence.
How To grow
✿ Sow seeds in spring,
putting young plants outside
when the risk of frost is over.
Sunshine is essential for good
growth, although plants will
tolerate most soils as long as
they are not waterlogged in
winter. Height 15-60cm.✿ Gold-leaved and
variegated forms are
best grown in light shade to
prevent them from scorching.
They can be used as decorative
edging and in patio pots.
Cooking Tip
✿Perfect sprinkled on pizzas
and roast vegetables, or used
with olive oil and vinegar to
marinate halloumi cheese.Sweet cicely
The young leaves of Myrrhis
odorata have a sweet, aniseed-
like flavour, which subsides
soon after the plant flowers –
pinching out the growing
tips will prevent them from
flowering. The blooms are
a magnet for bees and look
stunning when planted with
cottage-garden flowers.How To grow
✿ Sow seed directly in situ
in autumn so they’re exposed
to a winter cold. They thrive
in cool, damp, fertile soil inlight shade. Height
1.2m, spread 45cm
Cooking Tip
✿ Try adding 2tbsp finely
chopped sweet cicely leaves
to 450g (1lb) stewed fruit such
as pears or peaches, or in pies.
It makes tart fruits sweeter so
you can add less sugar.Strongly lemon scented,
dried lemon verbena- Aloysia triphylla – has
mild sedative properties.
The leaves can be used to
flavour oils and vinegars,
drinks and puddings.
How To grow
✿ Grow it in a sheltered,
sun-baked position in
well-draining soil or
in containers filled
with gritty compost.
Routine picking
will encourage
new growth, which
can be picked and
used any time before
leaves start to wither
and darken. Height
and spread 3m.
✿ The leaves release
their refreshing scent
each time they’re touched,
so plant it within hands’
reach of sitting areas.
Cooking Tip
✿ Add some to gin and
muddle, instead of a slice
of lemon. Or add to
sugar syrup for a fragrant
lemon drizzle cake.✿GGold-leavedandokeepiitrobuusta
uCoriander
The leaves and roots taste sharp, aromatic
and slightly astringent – a sort of citrussy
herbaceous flavour, which some people
find a little soapy. Every part of coriander- Coriandrum sativum – is edible, and
often used in soups, beans and curries.
How To grow
✿ It is a bit tricky to grow
in UK gardens as it relies
on warm weather to
thrive. Height 60cm.
✿ When soil temperature
is above 7°C, sow seeds
directly into well-drained
soil in a sunny position. Do
not transplant this
herb, as that will
cause it to run
to seed quickly.
Cooking Tip
✿ Combine with
lime and chilli to
flavour grilled fish.
Sprinkle on curries and
soups and use to flavour
prawn noodle dishes.
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✿It likes poor, well-draining
soil and sun, but suffers in
cold winds and wet winters.
Height 30cm, spread 20cm.
✿ Use it to make a pretty
dwarf hedge or grow in
patio pots. Bees love the
pink-tinged white flowers.
✿Regular picking will
promote new growth and
stop it becoming woody.
Cooking Tip
✿ Add a pinch to
cheese scones, or mix
with garlic, olive oil
and lemon to flavour
pork or lamb chops.
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