herb containers
Parsley is an essential garnish, and the more you
pick it, the better the plant
BACK DOOR BEAUTY With so many herbs in this pot, daily watering may be essential. Nasturtium ‘Red Wonder’ offers a splash of red at the front of the container, while to the left is parsley. Parsley is an essential garnish, and the more you pick it, the better the plant. Although a biennial, it is often grown as an annual, and if growing from seed, don’t be surprised if the plant takes three to four weeks to germinate. The tallest plant in the pot is French tarragon (milder in flavour than the Russian form). Tarragon rarely flowers in the UK, but you are not missing out as the flowers are inconsequential.
POT CONTAINS: Artemisia dracunculus French (French tarragon) Nasturtium ‘Red Wonder’ Rumex scutatus (Buckler-leaved sorrel) Mentha spicata ‘Tashkent’ (mint) Petroselinum crispum (parsley) Allium tuberosum (garlic chives)
In the kitchen You can freeze parsley if you have a glut. Parsley is one of the best sources of vitamin C, so if you need a boost when gardening, take a nibble.
RIGHT Don’t be tempted to overfeed containers featuring nasturtiums, or you will end up with the foliage swamping the flowers.
The Cottage Herbery The nursery is not generally open to the public but does regularly feature at shows and plant fairs. To buy seeds by mail order or find out more, visit www.cottageherbery.co.uk or tel: +44 (0)1584 781575.
Spring 2014 the english garden 85