Lemon verbena - it's even more lemony than lemons! 2-3 leaves bruised with hot water makes a lovely tea and I use it in place of lemongrass (which didn't survive last winter...) and for anything that needs a good hit of lemon - it's very strong. Lemon balm is good but not as lemony. I also find lemon balm self-seeds all over the place. As a treat now and then I cut down a big bunch of lemon balm, push it into an old stocking (not one of mine I hasten to add!), drop it in the bath and turn the water on - lovely, and it aromatherapises the whole house!
If you do grow lemon verbena, it appears completely dad until about May then grows quickly once it gets underway. I chop all the stems back to 6" in spring to keep it under control.
And as said above oregano - lovely smell on a warm summer eve - it pop's up in just about every paving crack it can find and the smell always reminds me of Greece. I have oregano and marjoram - they're quite similar, but I find marjoram too floral smelling for most cooking.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
I have just bought a lemon verbena. Really lemony. A lovely looking herb too. I have read that they need protection in the winter though so I planted it in a pot so it can be moved into the greenhouse.
Thanks for the warning about winter protection. I need to keep this in mind I think when I plan the lay out so that I don't end up with a bare patch all winter! (I know the chives will need something interesting next to them so it wont be bare around that area).
Winters here seem very varied: last year we had it very mild in fact I think we only got two proper frosts but the year before we had a good thick layer of snow several times to ensure that we could impress the neighbours with our snowman building skills.
You must have Parsley! Both curly for salads and flat leaf for cooking. Did you forget? Maybe you should also smell that Rosemary more often. Great for memory enhancement apparently, and it is so lovely, to brush your hand up a branch and smell it as you wander off down the garden, mmmmmh.
Posts
Lemon verbena - it's even more lemony than lemons!
2-3 leaves bruised with hot water makes a lovely tea and I use it in place of lemongrass (which didn't survive last winter...) and for anything that needs a good hit of lemon - it's very strong.
Lemon balm is good but not as lemony. I also find lemon balm self-seeds all over the place. As a treat now and then I cut down a big bunch of lemon balm, push it into an old stocking (not one of mine I hasten to add!), drop it in the bath and turn the water on - lovely, and it aromatherapises the whole house!
If you do grow lemon verbena, it appears completely dad until about May then grows quickly once it gets underway. I chop all the stems back to 6" in spring to keep it under control.
And as said above oregano - lovely smell on a warm summer eve - it pop's up in just about every paving crack it can find and the smell always reminds me of Greece.
I have oregano and marjoram - they're quite similar, but I find marjoram too floral smelling for most cooking.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Is this the one you're referring too Pete?
http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/aloysia-citriodora/326.html
I have just bought a lemon verbena. Really lemony. A lovely looking herb too. I have read that they need protection in the winter though so I planted it in a pot so it can be moved into the greenhouse.
Oh Lindylou your German Shep is beautiful!
Thanks for the warning about winter protection. I need to keep this in mind I think when I plan the lay out so that I don't end up with a bare patch all winter! (I know the chives will need something interesting next to them so it wont be bare around that area).
Winters here seem very varied: last year we had it very mild in fact I think we only got two proper frosts but the year before we had a good thick layer of snow several times to ensure that we could impress the neighbours with our snowman building skills.
You must have Parsley! Both curly for salads and flat leaf for cooking. Did you forget? Maybe you should also smell that Rosemary more often. Great for memory enhancement apparently, and it is so lovely, to brush your hand up a branch and smell it as you wander off down the garden, mmmmmh.
Is this the one you're referring too Pete?
http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/aloysia-citriodora/326.html
That's the one!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Someone might have said it, but for me Coriander is the top of the list, just love it
Totally agree, so jummy and never have enough!
Thanks Clarington. She is our baby.
With regards to taking a cutting Philippa, I have been thinking about doing just that. Do they root easily?
Ok thanks Philippa. One more job for tomorrow