Organic Gardening Tips and Methods A Brief Guide To Herbs Part two Section Two Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Hardy to frost hardy, evergreen shrub with dense, needle-like leaves and pale blue flowers in spring and summer or, in mild regions, all year round. Grow in sunny, well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil. May be grown as an informal hedge. The leaves, which have a strong, resinous aroma, are used in meat dishes, especially with lamb, and to make pot-pourri and hair rinses. The flowers may be added to salads. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves and flowers as required for immediate use. Gather sprigs for drying during the growing season. Propagation; By seed sown in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Variants; Cultivars with flowers in various shades of blue, pink, and white are available. The vigorous, erect cultivar Miss Jessopps Upright is suitable for hedging; Severn sea has bright blue flowers and a dwarf, arching habit that is ideal for containers. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), Hardy, upright perennial that needs sun or semi-shade and moist soil. Prolong leaf production by removing flower spikes. Protect with cloches for a winter supply. The sour-tasting, young leaves are used in salads, soups, and sauces. Harvesting and sowing; Pick young leaves before flowering occurs, for using fresh or freezing (may be frozen). Propagation; By division in either spring or autumn, or by seed sown in spring. Related species; The low-growing species, French, shield, or buckler-leaf sorrel (Rumex scutatus), has small, fine-flavoured leaves. Rue (Ruta graveolens), Hardy, evergreen subshrub with divided, grey-green foliage and greenish-yellow flowers in summer. Thrives in a hot dry position. An excellent plant for borders or low hedges. Handling rue on sunny days may cause a skin rash. Use the pungent leaves with discretion in salads, sauces, and to flavour cream cheese. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves as required for immediate use, protecting hands with rubber gloves on sunny days. Propagation; By seed sown in spring or by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Variants; Some cultivars have cream-variegated and blue leaves, for example, Variegata and the compact Jackmans Blue. Sage (Salvia officinalis), Hardy, evergreen subshrub with grey-green foliage. Grow in sunny, well-drained, rich soil. An excellent plant for shrub borders and rose gardens. The aromatic leaves are used in stuffings, meat dishes, to flavour cheese, and in herb teas. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves as needed to use fresh. Gather leaves before the flowers open for drying. Propagation; By seed sown in spring, softwood cuttings in spring and summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in early autumn. Variants; Cultivars include purple sage (Salvia officinalis Purpurascens) with strongly flavoured, purple leaves, and the less hardy Tricolor, with white margined, pink-flushed leaves. Cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus), Hardy, evergreen subshrub with silver-grey leaves and, in summer, masses of yellow flower-heads. Grow in sun and well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil. Good as a low hedge, it also provides a contrasting colour in knot gardens. Add the scented leaves to pot-pourri, and dry the flowers for decorative purposes. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves for drying in spring and summer. In summer, gather flowers as they open for drying. Propagation; By cuttings of semi-ripe sideshoots in late summer. Winter savoury (Satureja montana), Hardy, evergreen subshrub with tiny, white to pink flowers in summer. Grow in sunny, well-drained soil. Use the aromatic leaves in bean and cheese dishes. Harvesting and storing; Pick any time for using fresh. Gather leaves to dry or freeze as flower buds form. Propagation; By seed sown in spring, by division in spring or autumn, by softwood cuttings in summer, or by layering in spring. Related species; Creeping savoury (Satureja spicigera) is a low species ideal for containers, edging, and rock gardens. The annual summer savoury (Satureja hortensis) has lilac flowers and a fine flavour. Alecost (Tanacetum balsamita), Hardy perennial which requires semi-shade and well-drained soil. The leaves have a citrus-mint fragrance, they should be used sparingly in cooking, and may be added to pot-pourri. Harvesting and storing; Gather fresh leaves in spring and summer for using fresh or for drying. Propagation; By division, seed, or basal cuttings in spring. Variants; Subsp balsametoides is camphoraceous. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), A hardy, semi-evergreen perennial with long-lasting, daisy-like flowers in summer and autumn. Grow in a sunny, well-drained soil in borders and containers. Use the pungent leaves in sachets to deter clothes moths. The aromatic flowers are added to pot-pourri. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves and flowers in summer for drying. Propagation; By seed sown in spring or autumn, by division in spring or autumn, or by basal or stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer, self-sows freely. Variants; There are cultivars varying in height and foliage, with single or double flowers. Highly recommended is the golden-leaved Aureum. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Hardy, evergreen, low-growing subshrub with tiny leaves and in summer, pale lilac flowers. Grow in sunny, well-drained soil. May be grown as an edging for borders, between paving stones, and in containers. Add the aromatic leaves to bouquet garni, stuffings, sauces, soups, stocks, and meat dishes. Harvesting and storing; Pick leaves at any time to use fresh. Gather flowering tops for drying, stripping leaves and flowers from the stalks when quite dry. Fresh sprigs may also be infused in oil or vinegar. Propagation; By seed or by division in spring, by layering in spring or autumn, or by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Related species and variants; There are many species and cultivars, varying in height, foliage, and flower colour. Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a low, mat-forming plant with mauve flowers, Thymus serpyllum Snowdrift and Thymus Coccineus Group have, respectively, white and magenta flowers, and Thymus Doone Valley has scented foliage with gold markings. Thymus x citriodorus has lemon-scented leaves and lilac flowers, Thymus vulgaris Silver Posie produces silver-margined leaves. Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Tender, deciduous perennial needing sun or semi-shade and well-drained soil. The thick, tuberous rhizome is highly aromatic and is used in baking, preserves, confectionery, chutneys, sauces, and many Oriental dishes. Harvesting and storing; Dig up young rhizomes and peel them for using fresh or preserving in syrup. For drying, dig up the rhizomes as the leaves turn yellow. Propagation; By division of rhizomes as they start to sprout. NOTE; All information given coincides and complies with the guidelines of The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).....
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 12:47:33 +0000
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