New Herb Patch

With herbs dotted around the garden in various borders and flower beds I thought it was time to plant a dedicated herb patch.

Having moved the hen pen in a few feet we made up a seating area with a few beds on either side bordered with timber.

We decided to plant the usual Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme which I use daily in cooking. I also wanted to try out a few different types of herbs that I had not used before.

Hyssop I got some lovely Hyssop plants which is a hardy evergreen perennial with pointed leaves and lovely blue flowers. The herb patch is in full sun which is what it requires and Hyssop is also good for pots and containers. It flowers in early summer to early Autumn and reaches a height up to 24 ins. Looking forward to adding it to soups salad lamb stewed fruit tarts and pies

Creeping Thyme apparently is great for rock gardens banks and all garden edges. I have only used the upright plants previously so I bought the creeping variety one in white and one pink and looking forward to seeing it spread over the ground. Just love the smell of Thyme after a shower of rain. Like a lot of herbs these are also ideal for pots and tubs and look good with trailing over walls and lawns . They flower from early to midsummer and frequent cutting will encourage new growth. Height 4 ins

I will be using it in stuffing and meat dishes soups Thyme is particularly attractive to butterflies and bees

Woodruff is a perennial woodland ground cover herby plant used to flavor wine and leaves and flowers and makes a delicious tea .. also used for pot- pourri and when dried produce the scent of new mown hay. Its a very pretty plant with really nice foliage and I am really looking forward to seeing it mature. I didn't plant it in the sunny herb patch as Woodruff requires a shady position so its gone into a shady patio. Flowering time late spring to early summer

Parsley I planted lots of parsley as I use loads in cooking I just love it!

It is a hungry plant and likes a good deep soil not too light or too acid if leaves turn yellow cut back to promote new growth Good to grow in pots on kitchen window.

The leaves are good for garnishimg and to flavor sauces stuffings and all kinds of savoury dishes and apparently Parsley is also a breath freshner. Its good to chew after a night drinking and you have to be close up and personal on the following day !

Bronze Fennell looks great in the herb garden with its feathery leaves flowering time late summer and has an aniseed smell Leaves and stalks can be cooked with fish pork or veal and seeds can be used in fruit pies.