A native to Chile this plant is more compact than other basils, it is bushy with small leaves.

Growing up to 2’ this attractive plant has an intense lemon-citrus fragrance and flavour.  The grey-green leaves are excellent for fish, vinegars and salads. Likes room to spread and needs care when transplanting not to disturb the roots any more than necessary.

Originally from Thailand, this virile plant grows up to 20” tall with small dark green leaves and a very distinct zesty lime fragrance and flavour. Excellent for seafood, vinegars and salads.

1885. This beautiful basil has deep purple/red flat leaves and lavender flowers. Turns vinegars a warm red colour and is georgous in salads with its peppery flavour. A truly stunning 12-14” plant grows well in containers or your garden. Makes an intriguing border.

A European native brought to North America by the late 1700’s. About 18” tall Sweet Basil has been cultivated for centuries for fresh use and as a dried herb, leaves can be frozen (first paint both sides with olive oil).  The large lightly ribbed leaves of this bushy plant has a wonderful spicy fragrance, used fresh or dried in poultry, meat or fish recipes.  Used in pestos and Italian dishes it fills the kitchen with a delicious scent. Very productive with several harvests throughout the season.  Blooms with a pretty two-lipped flower, prefers well-drained soil, even moisture and full sun.

Borage was cultivated in gardens before 1440, primarily because it was believed to “make a man merry and joyful”, drive away sadness and melancholy, and give courage.  Known as the “Herb of Gladness” for its exhilarating effect. The leaves have a mild cucumber flavour and are very refreshing, add chopped young leaves to a salad. The round shaped, 2-3’plant has beautiful star-shaped flowers so pleasing it was often found in ornamental gardens. The flowers can be scattered over the top of a salad or used as garnish.  On a hot day try a glass of iced borage tea with honey and lemon juice for a refreshing cool down. Freeze the flowers in ice cubes for a special touch in any iced tea.  The plant develops soft prickles as it matures, will thrive in hot sun and poor dry soil.  Borage is very hardy and will continuously self seed so plant it where you want it, year, after year, after year!

Chives were recorded 4000 years ago in China and have traveled the world. Used in all types of cuisine these mild garlic flavoured leaves can be uses as regular chives, in stir-fries, rice dishes, soups, salads, with any meat or to flavour butter or cream cheese. Sprinkled on your food chives promote digestion. The pretty flowers, separated into florets, can be sprinkled on salads for colour and flavour.  In my backyard garden the chives are the first to flower and attract many bees; this is beneficial for the pollination of the rest of the garden. Easy to grow.

Primarily valued by the Greeks for its medicinal benefits it is now a classic in any kitchen. This versatile plant grows 12” tall and is perfect for a container herb garden near the kitchen, readily available to snip a few sprigs for any dish. A lush plant with dark green leaves with snowy white flowers. Excellent flavour and aroma this is a classic herb to be enjoyed fresh or dried.

This is the most popular Parsley used for garnish. The curly green leaves have a good strong flavour and aroma. Grow in full sun or light shade.

Introduced late 1800’s. This compact 10-12” Parsley has such tightly curled and crinkled leaves it does resemble moss. A vigorous plant with high yields of dark green leaves that have a mild flavour and a great aroma. The size of this plant make it a good candidate for a container garden or double duty in a decorative border.

c.1800, an old garden heirloom.  Petals used in rice dishes for a light saffron colour and a light tangy flavour, add to fish, meat soups, soft cheese, yogurt, butter, omelets, milk dishes or cakes. Used as an ingredient or garnish the leaves can be sprinkled in salads and stews.

Besides these uses the greatest benefit in my backyard garden is the ability of the Marigold to control nematodes in the soil by releasing a natural chemical. Nematodes are hair thin worm like organisms which attack plant roots. The scent of the flowers and leaves deter airborne intruders. It has been proven and well documented that repeated planting of Marigolds in the garden each year decreased insect infestations and increased the vigour and productivity of the plants while also reducing weeds. The stronger the scent of the Marigold the better job it will do, heirloom Marigolds tend to be strong scented. A must have in any garden they grow easily in any soil. I always have several in each garden, besides the benefits they are a pretty, long-lasting flower among the other plants.