Top 10 Plants Anne-Marie Owen

2 Onion ‘Rose de Roscoff’

This heirloom variety from Brittany, once sold here by Breton ‘Onion Johnnies’, also goes by the name of ‘Keravel Pink’. Sets can be hard to find, although Pennard Plants sells seed. “They are worth hunting down because of their amazing character and flavour,” says Anne-Marie. “We use them for French onion soup.”

4 Kale ‘Westland Winter’

Kale is superb in cooler months and ‘Westland Winter’ especially so – in fact, its leaves sweeten after a frost. “It’s such a reliable plant. It has a rich, bitter taste, with a hint of sweetness.” notes Anne-Marie. Enjoy it steamed or eat baby leaves raw in salads. Sow in spring and early summer for a September-to-April harvest.

3 Runner bean ‘Czar’

Runner beans offer a bounty in late summer. They also make a fine decorative element when trained up obelisks or arches with other climbing plants such as squashes, cucumbers, sweetpeas and Cobaea scandens. White-flowering ‘Czar’ is no exception: AnneMarie advises eating these when they’re young and green.

5 Potato ‘Yukon Gold’

“These are a great all-rounder for us here at Le Manoir. The kitchens use them for roasting, chips and sautéing,” says AnneMarie. This second early is originally from Canada. It has slightly yellow flesh that’s on the waxy side, but it is also dry enough for baking. Try potatohouse.co.uk for seed potatoes.

6 Carrot ‘Early Nantes’

Successional sowing will keep you in carrots into autumn. Most need protection from carrot fly, and ‘Early Nantes’ is no exception, so ideally use netting or grow it in a raised container. “It’s easy to grow and nurture,” declares Anne-Marie. “It’s crunchy, sweet, and fresh.” Try Mr Fothergill’s and D.T. Brown.

7 Leek ‘Jaune de Poitou’

“This French variety develops beautiful yellow-green leaves and thick, tasty stems,” says Anne-Marie. It is ideal for harvesting in early autumn if it is sown at the beginning of the year. It isn’t as frost-hardy as other leek varieties such as ‘Musselburgh’, so it’s best not to leave it standing. The Real Seed Company can supply.

9 Tomato ‘Coeur de Boeuf’

Meaty oxheart tomatoes are evocative of warmer climes and their large fruits, up to 500g each, will benefit from a greenhouse to ripen in this country. “These are a great size and shape and have the most incredible taste – they work well stuffed,” observes AnneMarie. Try Mr Fothergill’s and D.T. Brown for grafted plants.

8 Beetroot ‘Chioggia’

Classic beetroot such as ‘Boltardy’ have their place, but a candystripe variety is unrivalled. “The colour and markings are amazing. ‘Chioggia’ has white flesh and pink concentric rings and is used at Le Manoir for many dishes,” notes Anne-Marie. ‘Chioggia’ is as easily grown from a direct sowing as more conventional varieties.

10 Chicory ‘Witloof’

It takes some application to force chicory for winter leaves but the results are worthwhile. According to Anne-Marie: “It’s bitter, nutty and so versatile.” Sow ‘Witloof’ in open ground from midsummer. In autumn lift the roots and replant in a container. Exclude all light to develop characteristic sweeter, blanched leaves.

Japanese cherry, Prunus ‘Matsumaeusugasanesomei’ has lilac-tinged blossom that’s outstanding in spring.

Ephemeral Bliss

The exquisite spring show put on by Japanese flowering cherries is fleeting, but these lovely trees work well in the garden all year round, as Matthew Hall of Batsford Arboretum explains