On 5/8/06 21:56, in article , "tresco"
wrote:

Adam Wrote:
Hi Everyone

I'm mostly going to be planting fairly traditional herbs: parsley,
sage,
rosemary, thyme (isn't there a song in there somewhere?), chives, that
sort
of thing. Maybe some more unusual ones as well (I'm open to
suggestions!)



Many thanks

Adam

Even within the traditional herbs there can be quite a variety. For
example, try Blackurrant sage - the leaves smell wonderfully of
blackcurrants and the flowers are a zingy red/pink. Here in my
Buckinghamshire garden it makes a bush of about 3 feet, and survives
several winters - if it doesn't then just replant it.

There's also a lovely pineapple sage.

Also try lemon
verbena (NOT lemon balm, which is a terrible coarse weed) which has the
most gorgeous lemon scent. Grow it in a pot, and don't be dismayed if it
appears dead in spring, it takes a long time to leaf up.

This is known as Aloysia triphylla but used to be Lippia citrodora. It can
succumb to frosts, so might need some protection in colder areas. It has
lemon-scented leaves which can be used to make a tea, put in the bottom of a
cake tin to flavour a sponge or dried and put into little bags to scent the
linen cupboard. In previous houses, I've always grown it by the front door,
so that every time people go in and out they can brush its leaves and get
that lovely smell on their hands. It's one of my very favourite plants and
here's some info on it from the Plants for a Future database:
"Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves.
Edible Uses: Condiment; Tea.
Leaves - occasionally cooked as a spinach[177] but more commonly used as a
flavouring in salads, fruit salads etc[14, 21, 104, 183]. A delicious
lemon-like flavour, it is adored by most people who try it[K]. A delicious
and refreshing tea is made from the leaves[14, 21, 103, 183]. The dried
leaves will retain their lemon aroma for many years[4].
Medicinal Uses
Antispasmodic; Aromatherapy; Febrifuge; Sedative; Stomachic.
An undervalued medicinal herb, lemon verbena contains a strong lemon-scented
essential oil that has calming and digestive qualities[254]. The plant has a
gentle sedative action and a reputation for soothing abdominal discomfort.
It has a mildly tonic effect upon the nervous system and helps to lift the
spirits and counter depression[254]. The leaves and the flowering tops are
antispasmodic, febrifuge, sedative and stomachic[4, 7, 238, 240]. A tea made
from the leaves has a deliciously refreshing lemon flavour and is used
mainly in treating digestive disorders[4] such as flatulence, indigestion
and acidity[244]. Some caution is advisable though, since prolonged use or
large internal doses can cause gastric irritation[268]. The herb is also
useful as a stimulant for treating lethargy or depression[244] whilst it is
also used to treat feverish colds[238]. The essential oil is used in
aromatherapy in the treatment of nervous and digestive problems and also for
acne, boils and cysts[238].
Other Uses
Essential; Insecticide; Pot-pourri; Repellent.
An essential oil obtained from the leaves is extensively used in
perfumery[7, 61]. An average yield of 0.5% is obtained[7]. There is some
evidence that the use of this oil can sensitise the skin to sunlight and so
its use has been largely replaced by the tropical plant lemongrass,
Cymbopogon spp.[238]. The dried leaves retain their fragrance well and so
are used in pot-pourri[238]. The growing plant repels midges, flies and
other insects[201]. The essential oil is an effective insecticide in 1 - 2%
concentration[240].
Scented Plants
Leaves: Crushed Dried
The leaves are very aromatic with a strong lemon scent."
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(email address on website)