Artichoke is a PERENNIAL vegetable growing to 1.5m. The plant is quite big and statuesque, with long, arching, deeply lobed, silvery, glaucous-green leaves. When the flower buds (the vegetable) are allowed to open into flowers, they are very attractive to bees and bumblebees. The plant prefers well drained soil in most soils (tolerant of saline soils) in a sunny position. The flower buds are known as a gourmet vegetable and the whole plant has medicinal applications. Leaves yield a dark grey dye.
Perennial vegetable. A productive and high quality green glove artichoke that produces 6-8 mature buds averaging 10cm on a bushy plant in the first season from seed.
Artichoke is a PERENNIAL vegetable growing to 1.5m. The plant is quite big and statuesque, with long, arching, deeply lobed, silvery, glaucous-green leaves. When the flower buds (the vegetable) are allowed to open into flowers, they are very attractive to bees and bumblebees. The plant prefers well drained soil in most soils (tolerant of saline soils) in a sunny position. The flower buds are known as a gourmet vegetable and the whole plant has medicinal applications. Leaves yield a dark grey dye.
A PERENNIAL herb found wild throughout the Balkans. Highly fragrant. It has been gathered since ancient times as a condiment and for tea. Masses of white or light pink flowers are very showy and bee attracting.
A flowering PERENNIAL growing to 70cm with lemon scented leaves similar looking to mint and in summer small, nectar-rich flowers appear.
Prefers well-drained soil in a full sun or semi-shaded position.
Leaves are edible and medicinally it is commonly used household remedy as both a tonic herb and for its soothing, anti-anxiety actions.
An ANNUAL growing to around 70cm, purple basil is a cultivar of Sweet Basil, and has oval dark purple leaves, reddish stems and purple flowers. Used much in the same way as common basil, it has a stronger flavour and its pretty leaf colour makes it an appealing herb to add to salads or as a fresh garnish.
Holy basil is an erect SUBSHRUB that grows up to 60cm. Many branched, hairy stems carry simple ovate green leaves with slightly toothed margins. Flowers are purple.
It is cultivated for religious and medicinal purposes and herbal tea and common to the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia. The plant is revered as the elixer of life.
An ANNUAL growing to 60cm with bright green lemon-and-basil-scented leaves and white flowers. Used fresh in salads or as a garnish, with its lemon flavour it pairs beautifully with fruit dishes.
Sweet basil is an ANNUAL growing to around 50cm with oval green leaves and white flowers. It can be grown as a PERENNIAL in warm climates, but dislikes the cold and will succumb to frost. Basil prefers well-drained moist soil in a full sun position away from cold drafts.
Leaves are edible and used fresh or cooked, or dried in various dished, notabley Italian cooking. Pairs well with tomato dishes, garlic, eggplant or peppers. Seeds are edible too.