Herbs A–Z — The Herbal Garden

Welcome to the world of herbs

Herbs have quietly shaped kitchens, medicine cabinets and gardens for centuries. Browse alphabetically, or simply follow your curiosity through the collection below — each herb with a photograph, a short introduction and a way to read more.

A

Agrimony

Agrimonia eupatoria

Slender spires of small yellow flowers held above softly toothed leaves. A quiet meadow herb with a long place in traditional country practice.

Aloe Vera

Aloe barbadensis miller

A sculptural succulent with thick, gel-filled leaves. Long grown in kitchen windows and glasshouses for its cool, soothing sap.

Angelica

Angelica archangelica

A tall, architectural biennial with domed umbels of pale green flowers. Loved by bees and prized in traditional confectionery.

Anise Hyssop

Agastache foeniculum

Soft violet flower spikes and aniseed-scented leaves. A gentle, aromatic herb that hums with bees from midsummer to autumn.

Arnica

Arnica montana

Bright, daisy-like yellow flowers held above soft green rosettes. A traditional mountain herb with a long place in the garden's history.

Basil

Ocimum basilicum

A tender annual with glossy green leaves and a warm, spicy-sweet fragrance. Pinch out the growing tips to keep it bushy and to delay flowering for a longer harvest of leaves.

Sacred Basil

Ocimum tenuiflorum

An aromatic basil traditionally valued in Ayurvedic herbal practice, with fragrant leaves and delicate purple flowers.

Bay

Laurus nobilis

A slow-growing evergreen shrub with glossy, aromatic leaves. A single leaf brings depth to slow-cooked dishes, and a clipped bay makes a handsome feature in a sheltered, sunny spot.

Bergamot Bee Balm

Monarda fistulosa

Shaggy scarlet flower heads and citrus-scented leaves. Bergamot draws bees and hummingbirds and fills a summer border with movement.

Bergamot Lemon

Monarda citriodora

Soft whorls of lilac-pink flowers above narrow leaves that release a bright lemon scent when brushed. A gentle, uplifting herb loved by bees and butterflies alike.

Black Cumin

Nigella sativa

Fine, thread-like foliage and pale flowers followed by seed capsules of small, peppery black seed. A quiet, ancient herb of the kitchen and apothecary.

Borage

Borago officinalis

Bristly leaves and star-shaped sky-blue flowers. Borage self-seeds gently and is one of the most-loved bee plants in the garden.

Burdock

Arctium lappa

Broad, rhubarb-like leaves and thistle-purple flowers that ripen into clinging burrs. A stately biennial with a long, deep root and an old country history.

Calendula

Calendula officinalis

Golden and apricot daisies that flower from spring to the first frost. A cheerful companion in the vegetable garden.

Caraway

Carum carvi

Feathery leaves and lacy white umbels give way to warm, aromatic seed. A traditional biennial of northern kitchen gardens and old rye breads.

Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii

Soft grey-green cushions topped with long-flowering lavender-blue spires. A generous, drought-tolerant edging that hums with bees all summer.

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Grey-green leaves and airy spikes of pale flowers. Cats aside, catnip is a soft, drought-tolerant edging in dry borders.

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla

Feathery foliage and small daisy-like flowers gathered for calming teas. Sweet-scented and self-sowing in warm, open ground.

Chervil

Anthriscus cerefolium

Delicate, lacy leaves with a soft anise note. A cool-season annual best sown in succession through spring and again into early autumn.

Chicory

Cichorium intybus

A striking perennial with brilliant blue flowers, traditionally valued for its edible leaves and roots, and long associated with both culinary and herbal traditions.

Chives

Allium schoenoprasum

Slender green quills and rounded lilac flowers. Chives are among the earliest herbs to return each spring and endlessly useful in the kitchen.

Comfrey

Symphytum officinale

Broad, hairy leaves and drooping bells of cream or violet. A generous garden plant traditionally cut for the compost heap.

Coriander

Coriandrum sativum

Feathery leaves early, then umbels of white flowers and warm, citrus seed. A cool-season herb best sown in succession.

Cumin

Cuminum cyminum

A slender annual with thread-like leaves and small white or pink umbels. Grown for its warm, earthy seed — a mainstay of many spice traditions.

Curry Plant

Helichrysum italicum

A silvery Mediterranean shrub with aromatic foliage and bright golden flowers. Despite its distinctive curry-like fragrance, it is primarily grown as an ornamental and traditional herbal plant rather than a culinary herb.

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

One of the world's best-known wild herbs, Dandelion has bright golden flowers, deeply toothed leaves and roots that have been valued for centuries in both the kitchen and traditional herbal medicine.

Dill

Anethum graveolens

Feathery blue-green foliage and airy yellow umbels. Dill self-seeds happily and draws beneficial insects to the vegetable beds.

Echinacea

Echinacea purpurea

Sturdy pink cones held high above rough green leaves. Echinacea draws bees late into summer and stands beautifully into winter.

Elder

Sambucus nigra

Frothy cream flowers in early summer, followed by inky autumn berries. A hedgerow tree with a long place in cordials and country cooking.

Elecampane

Inula helenium

A statuesque perennial with large, felted leaves and ragged yellow daisies. A traditional monastery herb grown for its aromatic root.

Evening Primrose

Oenothera biennis

Pale yellow flowers that open at dusk and glow softly through summer evenings. A quiet biennial that seeds itself around the garden.

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare

Tall bronze or green fronds and wide golden umbels. An anise-scented herb loved by pollinators and useful from leaf to seed.

Fig

Ficus carica

A beautiful Mediterranean tree with distinctive lobed leaves and sweet, honeyed fruit. Long treasured for both its culinary uses and traditional herbal value, the fig is as ornamental as it is productive.

Feverfew

Tanacetum parthenium

Small white daisies with sunny yellow centres, held above pungent, ferny leaves. A cheerful self-seeder along paths and walls.

Garlic

Allium sativum

One of the world's oldest cultivated herbs, Garlic is prized for its distinctive flavour, culinary versatility and long history of traditional medicinal use. Easy to grow, it is an indispensable addition to both the kitchen and herb garden.

Ginger

Zingiber officinale

Grown here in a warm, sheltered pot for its lush cane-like foliage and knobbled aromatic rhizome. A tropical herb of long culinary history.

Globe Artichoke

Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

Great sculptural rosettes of silver-grey leaves and vivid thistle-purple flowers. A statuesque perennial as ornamental as it is edible.

Gotu Kola

Centella asiatica

Small fan-shaped leaves on softly creeping stems. A gentle, low-growing herb of warm, moist ground with a long place in traditional Asian gardens.

Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea

Tall wands of soft yellow flowers late in the season. A native-style perennial that draws bees and hoverflies into early autumn.

Hops

Humulus lupulus

A vigorous twining climber grown for its papery green flower cones. Elegant on a rustic frame and a traditional brewing herb.

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana

Broad, coarse leaves above a fiery white root. A hardy perennial best given its own quiet corner where it can settle in undisturbed.

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis

Narrow evergreen leaves and vivid blue flower spikes. A traditional monastery herb that clips beautifully into low, informal hedges.

Jelly Burn Plant

Bulbine frutescens

Slim succulent leaves filled with clear gel, topped by slender spikes of starry yellow flowers. A cheerful, sun-loving plant for a dry, sheltered corner.

Lady's Mantle

Alchemilla mollis

Softly pleated leaves that catch beads of dew and frothy sprays of chartreuse flowers. A generous, gentle perennial for the edges of paths and borders.

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Silver leaves and violet spires loved for scent, stillness and bees. A sun-loving shrub that thrives on lean soil and light pruning.

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis

Fresh, lemon-scented leaves on a soft, spreading plant. Cut hard through summer to keep it lush and to enjoy the new growth.

Lemon Grass

Cymbopogon citratus

Tall, arching blades with a bright, true lemon scent. A tender grass grown here in a warm, sheltered pot and lifted under cover for winter.

Lemon Verbena

Aloysia citrodora

Slender leaves with the truest lemon fragrance in the garden. Tender in cold winters — grown in a pot and brought under glass.

Liquorice

Glycyrrhiza glabra

A slender legume with soft pinnate leaves and pale flowers. Grown here for its long, sweet root — a traditional herb of confectionery and cordials.

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

A statuesque perennial with celery-scented leaves and hollow stems. One of the tallest, greenest presences in the herb border.

Marjoram

Origanum majorana

Small, soft leaves and knotted flower buds. A sweeter, gentler cousin of oregano and a mainstay of the summer kitchen garden.

Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Tall grey-green stems, softly downy leaves and pale pink flowers. A traditional wetland herb with an old confectionery history.

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Frothy cream flowers with a honeyed almond scent above deeply veined leaves. A graceful damp-ground perennial once strewn across summer floors.

Mint

Mentha spicata

Bright, upright stems and cool, familiar leaves. Best grown in a sunken pot to keep its wandering roots contained.

Mugwort

Artemisia vulgaris

Tall, silvery-backed leaves on wine-dark stems. A quietly aromatic perennial with a long place in traditional midsummer garden lore.

Nasturtium

Tropaeolum majus

Round leaves and jewel-toned flowers in orange, scarlet and cream. Peppery, generous and one of the easiest herbs to grow with children.

Olive Plant

Santolina rosmarinifolia

A compact Mediterranean shrub with finely divided, aromatic, olive-like silver foliage and cheerful yellow button flowers. Loved in dry borders and knot gardens.

Orange Balm

Melissa officinalis 'Orange'

A gently citrus-scented balm with a warmer, orange-peel note. Soft green leaves that release their fragrance at the lightest brush.

Oregano

Origanum vulgare

Small dark leaves and clouds of pale pink flowers loved by bees. A sun-loving, drought-tolerant carpet at the front of the border.

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

Curled or flat-leaved, parsley is one of the most useful herbs in any kitchen garden — bright, green and quietly generous through the season.

Pineapple Sage

Salvia elegans

Bright green leaves with a true pineapple scent and scarlet late-season flowers loved by bees. A generous, tender perennial for a warm corner.

Pyrethrum

Tanacetum cinerariifolium

Fine grey-green foliage and clean white daisies on wiry stems. A traditional garden companion plant with a quiet, old-fashioned charm.

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

Grown here as a herb as much as a fruit — its leaves have a long, traditional place in gentle garden teas alongside the summer canes of berry.

Rose

Rosa gallica officinalis

The apothecary's rose — deep pink, richly scented and long-flowering. One of the oldest garden herbs, gathered for petal, hip and perfume.

Rose Geranium

Pelargonium graveolens

Softly lobed leaves that release a warm rose-and-citrus scent at the lightest touch. A tender perennial grown in a pot near a favourite seat.

Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

An evergreen companion — woody, resinous and enduring. One of the great Mediterranean herbs and a constant in the garden's borders.

Sage – Clary

Salvia sclarea

A stately biennial with broad, softly hairy leaves and tall spires of lilac and cream bracts. Beautifully architectural in a sunny border.

Sage – Green

Salvia officinalis

The classic kitchen sage — soft grey-green leaves that clip into rounded mounds and flower quietly in early summer.

Sage – Purple

Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'

A deep-toned form of common sage with dusky purple new growth. Beautifully coloured through winter and just as useful in the kitchen.

Sage – White

Salvia apiana

Softly felted, silver-white leaves with a resinous, ceremonial scent. A tender Mediterranean shrub for the driest, sunniest corner.

Salad Burnet

Sanguisorba minor

Neat rosettes of finely toothed leaves with a gentle cucumber freshness. An old cottage-garden herb that stays green through the coldest months.

Selfheal

Prunella vulgaris

A low, spreading perennial with short violet flower heads. A quiet meadow herb long gathered in traditional country practice.

Skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora

A slender perennial with small hooded blue flowers held along fine stems. A quiet, traditional herb of shaded, moist corners of the garden.

Sorrel

Rumex acetosa

Arrow-shaped leaves with a sharp, lemony bite. One of the earliest fresh greens to return each spring and a much-loved kitchen herb.

St John's Wort

Hypericum perforatum

Bright yellow flowers scattered with tiny translucent dots. A traditional midsummer herb with a long place in country practice.

Summer Savory

Satureja hortensis

A delicate annual with narrow leaves and small pale flowers. Warmly peppery in the kitchen and a traditional companion to summer beans.

Tansy

Tanacetum vulgare

Flat golden button flowers on tall, ferny stems. A vivid late-summer perennial best given plenty of room to spread.

Tarragon

Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa (French Tarragon)

Best known for its aromatic, anise-like flavour, French Tarragon is one of the finest culinary herbs. Although several forms of tarragon exist, this page focuses on the classic French variety, prized for both cooking and traditional herbal use.

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris

Tiny, aromatic leaves on wiry evergreen stems. Thyme thrives on lean, sunny ground and hums with bees when it flowers.

Turkish Sage

Phlomis russeliana

Bold sage-green leaves and tiered whorls of soft butter-yellow flowers on upright stems. Its seed heads stand handsomely through winter.

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Grown here in a warm, sheltered pot for its broad tropical leaves and vivid orange rhizome. A traditional culinary and dye herb of the tropics.

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

Soft heads of pale pink flowers on tall, hollow stems. Sweetly scented in summer and long grown for its quiet, calming roots.

Vervain

Verbena officinalis

Slender branching stems carrying tiny pale lilac flowers. A gentle, unassuming herb long associated with folklore, ceremony and quiet gardens.

Wall Germander

Teucrium chamaedrys

A low, evergreen sub-shrub with glossy dark leaves and small rose-pink flowers. A traditional knot-garden herb that clips beautifully into edges.

Water Avens Chocolate Root

Geum rivale

Nodding, dusky pink bells on wiry stems above soft green rosettes. A gentle streamside perennial with a warm, cocoa-scented root.

Wormwood

Artemisia absinthium

Deeply cut silver leaves and small yellow flowers. Beautiful in a dry border and one of the great, storied herbs of history.

Woundwort

Stachys officinalis

Upright spikes of soft magenta flowers above neatly veined leaves. A traditional meadow herb long grown in country and monastery gardens.

Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Flat white or soft pink flower heads over feathery, aromatic foliage. A tough, wildflower-tough perennial for meadow-style plantings.

Herbs A to Z