The rocky slopes and alpine meadows of the Caucasus is where these tufted and mat-forming alpines live, making a low mat of slender leaves, to 10 inches or so across, with short stems holding heads of dainty, frilly, white or pink flowers. ... Learn More

Tall, strong stems hold inflorescence of many flowers, with smaller inflorescences branching off lower levels of the stem, each flower being cream or greenish-white with six curly, lily-like tepals. Each blossom has six white stamens with large brown anthers, and when the flowers fall away, they leave the fruits, which are green capsules containing black seeds. Rare and little known, even in the wet boggy places it inhabits in its northern California and southern Oregon home, this fascinating plant will baffle even the keenest plantsman or plantswoman. With a pale and unassuming beauty, it is ... Learn More

This absolute smasher is probably the hardiest and most reliable of the ginger family, and is ideal for giving a tropical appearance to a UK garden, as unlike so many others in the genus, it flowers quite reliably, very valuably and very late, before the onset of winter, in September. Its delicate, and sweetly-scented, creamy-white to pale yellow flowers have a coral apricot-pink colouring towards the base, and are held high on the flower spike, about 3-4 feet above ground level. It makes seed readily, and when ripe the bright green seed capsules burst open to reveal attractive orange linings ... Learn More

Snow-white, exceedingly fragrant flowers have a faint greenish-yellow tint to the base, and prominent white or off-white stamens. This rarely-offered Indian native, with big, bold, banana-like leaves, is very easy to grow from seed, and is one of the very tallest of all Hedychium species growing anything up to ten feet (3m) or so tall. Superb for a large garden in a warm climate, or a warm sheltered garden or even a large container elsewhere. ... Learn More

This ever-popular plant is an evergreen perennial flowering plant producing its large, waxy white flowers on short stems with thick shiny leaves in the middle of winter. These make superb cut flowers when all else is still underground asleep! ... Learn More

Heracleum sphondylium, is a robust, herbaceous biennial or perennial native to Europe and Asia. It features large, deeply lobed green leaves and produces flat-topped umbels of tiny white flowers from late spring to mid-summer. These flowers are a magnet for pollinators, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. The plant’s towering structure makes it an imposing presence in naturalized areas, meadows, and wildlife gardens. Thriving in full sun to partial shade and moist, fertile soils, Heracleum sphondylium is a hardy plant that tolerates a variety of growing conditions, i ... Learn More

A dwarf, compact variety of basil which is perfect for a kitchen herb garden or container box as it is one of the easier varieties to grow but also produces attractive, delicate white flowers. With a slightly sweet milder flavour, it is great to use with vegetables, cheese and in salads. ... Learn More

This popular herb has attractive white edged hairy leaves which are tender and juicy and can be used in salads and drinks. Delicate star-shaped blue flowers (perfect in cold drinks!) appear all summer long. An intriguing talking point whether in the herb or flower garden. Also known as "The Starflower", it is an annual herb originating in Syria, but naturalized throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as Asia Minor, Europe, North Africa, and South America. ... Learn More

Also known as meridian fennel, or Persian cumin, this ancient plant is native to western Asia, Europe and Northern Africa. Very similar in appearance to other members of the carrot family, it has finely divided, feathery leaves with thread-like divisions, whilst the main flower stem bears umbels of white or pink flowers. The seeds (or more correctly, fruits), usually used whole, have a pungent, aniseed-like flavour and aroma that comes from essential oils, mostly carvone and limonene and they are often used as a spice in breads, especially rye bread. It is also used in desserts, liquors, casse ... Learn More

This attractive herb produces pretty white flowers with yellow cone-shaped centres and light green feathery foliage. The flowers give off an apple-like fragrance when crushed and this gives the herb its name - chamomile comes from the Greek for "earth-apple". It is widely used in herbal medicine, often as an aid to sleep and a remedy for digestive problems. Rarely seen in the wild nowadays, it has been widely used since historic times for treating a wide spectrum of disorders. One of the oldest aromatic herbal plants, the flower and essential oils have long been shown to exhibit anti-inflamma ... Learn More

This is a quick-growing, rather attractive annual Mediterranean herb in the parsley family, having finely divided leaves and clusters of small white or pink flowers. Cumin leaf has a new and unusual flavour but is rarely used in day-to-day cooking. Cumin seeds have a warm flavour, rather similar to caraway, and a strong, pungent aroma which added to dishes whole lends them a smoky note. They add a nutty and peppery flavour to chilli and other Mexican dishes as well playing an important role in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. To harvest your own, it is easy to grow fresh seed, which is far s ... Learn More

The broad, flat leaves of this versatile herb are perfect to use as ordinary chives, whilst its bulbs can be fried like an onion. The fragrant white flowers are capable of perfuming a whole room and can also be added into salads. ... Learn More

This medium-sized short-lived perennial has small white, yellow-centred flowers which open from April to June, and are followed by long green seed pods. One of the easiest ways to identify this plant is by crushing its fresh green, heart-shaped leaves that smell of garlic. As the flowering stems bloom they elongate into a spike-like shape. Plants are often found growing along the margins of hedges, hence one of its common names. It has deeply-growing, thin, white tap roots that are scented like horseradish. The chopped leaves are used for flavouring salads and sauces such as pesto, and sometim ... Learn More

This pretty mint relative bears aromatic spikes of small white flowers much loved by bees, which arise above lemon scented foliage. Plant it where you can brush against it and enjoy the perfume, or pick it to make lemon tea or add to soups, sauces or salad-dressings. The large, lemon scented green leaves are also excellent for flavouring salads, summer drinks, stuffings, poultry and fish. Well known for its medicinal value, the leaves can be infused with honey and water to energise, revive and calm the nerves. It really is quite a useful plant overall! ... Learn More

This sweetly-smelling, aromatic foliage is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine and is perfect sprinkled on lamb or pork before cooking. Also known as Pot Marjoram, it makes a useful, addition to the herb garden, the flowers produced in summer and autumn being used for flavouring after they have been dried. The strong aromatic flavour is perfect for rich meat dishes, grilled fish and for flavouring oils. ... Learn More