|  | |  | Meet Auntie Beryl!
Our very own gardening expert amongst her own herb garden. See below for tips on maintaining all the plants, flowers and herbs that we supply. |  |
Auntie Beryl's Plant Tips
AGERATUM (Purple)
This compact flower produces dense clusters of purple fluffy flowers throughout summer. Keep well watered and prefers full sun.
ANGELONIA (Serena White)
This late summer annual continually produces mini snap-dragon like blooms. Likes full sun and keep moist. No need to dead-head.
ASTER (Michaelmas Daisy)
This late-summer through to autumn flowering herbaceous perennial prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Keep well watered and dead-head or cut flowers regularly to encourage new growth
BEGONIA
A popular bedding plant, producing large glossy flowers. Likes sun or partial shade and should be fed weekly with a liquid feed to encourage continual flowering. Remove leaves that interfere with flower development.
BUGLE (Ajuga)
A robust and evergreen plant producing rosette-like foilage with a purple hue. Needs moist soil and partial shade. Produces spikes of blue flowers in autumn / spring.
BUXUS - Box
Tolerates sun or partial shade and should not be allowed to dry out. To keep shape, clip little and often, but avoid clipping in early autumn when new shoots need to harden before the winter. Single-handed sheep-shears are ideal for this purpose. Feed with liquid fertiliser after trimming. Leaves may become scorched in fierce winters but new shoots should appear in spring.
CHRISTMAS CACTI
A tropical cactus with fabulous vibrant flowers produced from November through to Spring. Deadhead dying flowers to encourage new buds. Prefers a cool temperature, avoiding draughts and heat / direct strong sun. Water as needed (when top of soil starts to dry). Can be moved outside in late spring / summer.
CUPHEA
A compact and bushy plant that flowers from summer through to autumn. Keep moist in a sunny or partially sunny position. Remove faded flowers to encourage further flowering.
CYCLAMEN
This autumn/winter miniature flower prefers partial shade in fertile, moist, well drained soil.A neat freely blooming tuberous perennial with silver marbled foilage is a great addition to containers at this time of year.
CELOSIA (Venezuela)
Eye-catching purple feathery plumes, will brighten up a container. Prefers sunny or partially shaded position. Water regularly and dead-head to prolong flowering.
CINERARIA MARITIMA
This winter bedding plant has lovely deep-cut silver leaves. Happy in sun or shade in well drained soil. Small flowers that form should be removed.
CHRYSANTHEMUM - Annual
Needs a sunny position and should not be allowed to dry out. After flowering, cut back by half to promote growth and keep growing during winter. Bring indoors or into the greenhouse to protect from frost.
DAHLIA
Should last well into autumn. Consider "pinching out" growing shoots once reached desired height, to encourage sideshoots. Feed at regular intervals. By late autumn, the plant will have made a tuber, this can be lifted and stored for replanting in Spring.
DIANTHUS (Picotee)
A compact plant producing an abundance of cherry flowers with a picotee edge. Likes full sun and plenty of air in a well drained soil.
FRENCH MARIGOLD
Requires a sunny position and will tolerate dry conditions. Feed every couple of weeks with liquid fertiliser. Dead heading is not necessary but will improve growth of plant.
FUCHSIAS - Dorset Dreams (Elsie Maude) and (Doctor Judith)
Needs a sunny or light shade position. Do not allow to dry out. Feed regularly throughout the growing season with Fuchsia Food or alternatively use diluted TomatoRite. Bring indoors or into the greenhouse to protect from frost.
GAULTHERIA (Checkerberry)
Winter interest with this evergreen shrub which is compact and low growing. White flowers appear in summer, with red berries from autumn through to early spring. CARE: Berries are poisonous, do not eat. Lime-hating plant needs acid based feed / ericaceous compost.
GAZANIA
Requires full sun; the blooms close up in the evening. Protect from frost and keep fairly dry during winter. Ideal for seaside gardens.
GERANIUM (Pelargoniums)
Needs full sun. Water freely during growing season but do not over water during winter as plants could rot. Bring indoors or into the greenhouse to protect from frost.
HEBE
With evergreen foilage and summer flowers, Hebe's are a favourite shrub. "Katrine" is a small compact variety which enjoysa sunny position in moist and well drained soil. Protect from cold and winter winds.
HEUCHERA (Mocha / Silver Scrolls)
A hardy perennial producing low mounds of colourful leaves and tiny flowers on upright wiry stems in early summer.Will tolerate sun or shade in moist but not waterlogged soil.
IMPATIENS (Busy Lizzies)
Easy and reliable annual, doing well in full sun or partial shade. Keep soil moist.
MARGUERITES
Needs full sun. Feed regularly with liquid fertiliser and dead head as and when necessary. Water freely during summer but keep almost dry during winter.
OSTEOSPERMUM (Cape Daisy)
Requires full sun. Drought tolerant but water moderately in summer. Feed monthly with liquid fertiliser during flowering season. Dead-head regularly for prolonged flowering. Protect from frost.
PANSEY
Thrives in sun or partial shade. Do not allow to dry out. Dead-head regularly to maintain a succession of blooms. Feed every two weeks during summer and every four weeks during winter for a continuous display.
PETUNIA
Prefers a sheltered sunny position. Feed every couple of weeks and dead head plants regularly. Do not allow to dry out. Bring indoors or into greenhouse to protect from frost.
PIERIS japonica
A great container evergreen shrub which changes colour throughout the year. Produces flowers early spring, then young colourful shoots appear and in autumn/winter further flower buds. Compact and neat so little pruning needed. Needs ericaceous soil / humus-rich feed and must be kept moist at all times. Protect from cold winds and frosts.
PORTULACA
A succulent jointed half-hardy annual. Has a low trailing habit with bright coloured flowerheads. Flowers July - October and needs as much sun as possible.
PRIMULA (Primrose / Polyanthus)
This hardy perennial brings colour in autumn/winter as well as spring.Requires moist conditions in sun or shade. Care - a favourite for slugs and snails.
SCUTELLARIA "Texas Rose" Alpine
This perennial alpine produces bright pink flowers from summer through to autumn over a low mound of dark green glossy foilage. Prefers sun or partial shade in a well drained soil. Protect from hard or prolonged frosts.
SKIMMIA
Glossy green leaves with red flower buds add interest to the winter container. A hardy evergreen that prefers a shady position with well-drained moist soil.
WALLFLOWER (Erysimum)
An early winter bedding plant producing masses of fragrant flower spikes in assorted colours. Prefers full or part shade and feed regularly. |
Auntie Beryl's Herb Tips
BAY
Can be trained as a standard or trimmed to a shape. Needs protection during winter. Use horticultural fleece or move into Greenhouse. Feed occasionally during summer. Use leaves fresh or dried for flavouring fish, stews, also milk puddings. Traditionally used in bouquet garni.
CHIVES
Place in a sunny or partially shaded position. Do not let plants dry out, and feed occasionally. Pick young leaves off at base to avoid unsightly die-back. For continuous supply for culinary use, remove flowers which can be used to decorate salads. Leave flowers on if you prefer the display. Add chives to dishes just before serving to preserve flavour. To freeze chives, chop leaves and pack into ice-cube trays with water. Great topping for grilled tomatoes or add to mash potatoes with butter and mustard.
COTTON LAVENDER
Hardy shrub for a sunny position. Prune regularly for a neat compact plant, or leave to flower, then prune to shape. A few sprigs in a jar on the kitchen windowsill will act as an insect repellent or grow a small pot in the greenhouse to keep white fly away from your tomatoes.
FRENCH LAVENDER
Hardy evergreen shrub for a sunny position. Feed during flowering season with liquid fertiliser. Trim after flowering but do not cut into old wood. Tie lavender flowers in muslin and hang over hot tap when running your bath, alternatively make little muslin bags, fill with lavender flower heads and place in your wardrobe to deter moths. Plant lavender near roses to help keep away greenfly.
LEMON BALM
A mint-like hardy herbaceous perennial which produces white tubular flowers from July to September. Chopped leaves can be added to salads and sauces accompanying fish. Add to iced summer drinks for a refreshing kick. Dried leaves are used in pot-pourris.
MARJORAM & OREGANO
Oregano is the stronger flavouring of these two mediterranean herbs. Add to end of cooking or chopped as garnish. Dries well. Popular on pizza's and in pasta sauces or use as garnish for rich stews. Add to homemade meatballs too.
PARSLEY (flat leaf / curly)
Place in a sunny or partially shaded position. Do not let plants dry out. Pick stems when small to
promote more young leaves. Use parsley to flavour fish and add to salads, also used as a garnish. To freeze parsley, chop leaves and pack into ice-cube trays with water.
ROSEMARY
Needs a sunny position. Can be trained as a standard or pruned to shape. Feed after flowering. Use fresh sprigs to flavour lamb, pork, chicken and fish. To dry leaves pick several sprigs and tie loosely and hang in an airy position, the dried leaves can then be stored and used as for fresh.
SAGE
An attractive herb for a sunny position. Do not allow plants to dry out. Tubular blue-purple flowers appear during June and July. Trim after flowering to stop plant becoming leggy. Fresh or dried leaves are used in stuffings for pork and chicken. Fry in a little oil for crispy leaves as a garnish.
TARRAGON
Needs a sunny position. Do not let plants dry out. Pick the young leaves before flowers appear.
Chopped leaves are an essential ingredient to fines herbes mixes. Used in sauces, butters and soups.
THYME
For a sunny position requiring little attention. If it becomes straggly, can be pruned to keep a tidy appearance. Leaves can be used fresh or dried in most dishes and is an essential part of bouquet garni. Add some chopped leaves to the batter for Toad in the Hole. |
Cooking with Herbs - Autumn's Top Tips!
BAKED CHEESE WITH HERBS
Bake a whole soft cheese with rind, in it's box (discard any wrapping) in a medium oven for 15 minutes. Take off lift and cut a large cross through the top. Peel back the quarters of rind and sprinkle over a handful of chopped CHIVES, THYME & PARSLEY. Serve with pitta or breadsticks.
CHEESY AUTUMN MUSHROOMS
Stuff large field mushrooms with a combination of crumbled blue cheese, chopped walnuts, THYME and a couple of knobs of butter. Cook for 10-15 minutes in a medium oven and serve with rocket leaves or salad of your choice.
CHICKEN WITH COCONUT TARRAGON CREAM
Fry chicken breasts or thighs in 1 tbsp of chopped TARRAGON with large knob of butter. Cook for 5 minutes each side until golden. Add small carton of coconut cream and cook, covered over a moderate heat for 5 - 10 minutes (or until cooked), turning once and basting occasionally. Season and add another 1 tbsp of chopped TARRAGON for garnish.
PANCETTA AND SAGE WRAPPED CHICKEN - Lay out 2/3 slices of smoked pancetta, slightly overlapping, top with a few SAGE leaves and season. Lie the chicken breast at one end and wrap in the pancetta tightly. Saute in a hot pan until pancetta crispy and chicken cooked in middle.
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