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1Rhubarb 'victoria' HR1
Each household should have one!   This variety is great for the home garden, with strong, healthy, upright growth.   The broad, thick, green- and red stalks are delicious stewed or in pies, jams or jellies.I have also heard that if you wipe tools with the leaves it will keep them rust free!

2Rocket Eruca sylvatica
Arugula-Italian Wild Rustic P HR2
Very finely cut, deeply indented dark green leaves followed by pretty little yellow flowers that make spicy edible garnishes.   Its tangy spicy flavour adds a real 'zing' to salads.   It holds well in the garden.   Cultivated since ancient Rome.    3-4 per pot.

1Rocket Eruca sativa A HR3
Younger leaves have a pungent ‘nutty’ taste and are excellent in salads or as a garnish.

ROSEMARY
Greatly underrated as a hedging plant, rosemary requires little maintenance and will thrive in hot sun, exposed sites and poor soil, as long as drainage is good.   Amongst its many uses, rosemary was used to decorate halls and churches, as incense to purify the air for the sick, and at funerals to symbolise remembrance.   Esteemed in herb gardens from Elizabethan times as a herbal hedge.   It likes sun, and open situation, and a limey, stony soil.   Evergreen.
'As for rosemary I lette it runne over my garden walls, not onlie because my bees love it, but because it is the herb sacred to remembrance and to friendship.' Sir Thomas More.

Rosemary Golden Rain HR4
Strikingly gold-splashed foliage which does not revert to green.   Shrubby in habit for a less formal look, growing to a dainty height of just 60 cm.   An excellent variety for a focal point in a tub or as a low hedge.

3 Rosemary Tuscan Blue Rosmarinus officinalis HR5
A popular cultivar of the common upright Rosemary, with richer green foliage and bright blue-violet flowers.   Rigid, upright branches grow from the base of the plant.   Evergreen.   1.3 x 1m.

3 Rosemary Blue Lagoon HR6
Graceful, cascading rosemary, with bright blue flowers. Deep green, aromatic leaves. Lovely ground cover.   .   45 cm.

4 Rosemary Mrs Jessops Upright HR7
Vertical growth, with a conical or tapering outline.   Much finer in leaf than other rosemarys, and excellent for hedging.   Pale blue flowers.

3 Rosemary Blue Spears HR8
Bright green, healthy foliage and largish, wedgewood blue and white flowers.   Vigorous grower, suited for hedging.

4 Rosemary Arp HR9
The best cold-hardy rosemary from Arp in Texas.   Lance-shaped, grey-green leaves, and pale blue flowers in Summer.   Upright, bushy habit.   Culinary and medicinal uses.   1.5 m x 90 cm

4 Rosemary Majorca Pink HR10
This is a very appealing form, with masses of clear pink flowers and bright green, healthy foliage

3 Rosemary Lady in White HR11
Pure white flowers, with no hint of blue, on this rare form. Slower growing to start, but easy once established.

3Rosemary ForestiiRosmarinus   forestii P HR12
This rosemary stands out amongst the others in this collection with its bright blue flowers and green foliage.

3 Rosemary prostrate Rosmarinus lavandulaceus P HR13
An extremely useful, low-growing rosemary, forming a dense, prostrate mat, studded with blue flowers. Use it to cover banks, drape over rocks and walls, grow alongside paths or in containers.   Quick growing, easy and constantly in flower.   Full sun, good drainage and loose soil, not too rich.   Evergreen.   30 x 70 cm.

3 Rosemary Lockwood de forest P HR14
Prostrate mounding form, trails well with rich blue flowers.

1 Rue 'Herb of Grace' Ruta graveolens P HR15
Very ornamental in the herb garden, with attractive blue green foliage. Valuable tonic and aromatic stimulant. Use with care.
Avoid skin contact in full sun.
                                                                                S
SAGE
'Why should a man die who has sage in his garden?'
Ancient Proverb.
Highly valued throughout history, for its health-giving properties. The name 'salvia' comes from Latin 'salvere', meaning to be in good health, to cure, to save. Amongst its wide medicinal uses, sage tea has been used as a tonic to soothe and prevent coughs and colds, and it is antiseptic and antifungal.   A staple culinary herb, sage is well known as an aid to digesting rich and fatty dishes, both sweet and savoury.   A splendid border plant, the attractive flowers, leaf forms and colours provide contrast and interest in the garden.   Sage is adaptable in most positions, but grows best in a light, well drained, soil, in a sunny, sheltered site.   It dislikes heavy soils and wet, cold Winters.   Cut back in Spring to encourage bushy growth.
NOTE:   See also 'Salvia' under Cottage Plants.

2Clary SageS. SclareaB HS1
A large, handsome biennial, with long, grey, hairy, pebbled leaves, and a strong, fruity scent when crushed.   In the second year a lovely head of blue and white flowers with pinkish bracts unfurls.   The large, black seeds germinate readily and are used medicinally to clear the eyes, hence the Latin name sclarea 'clear eye' sage.

2Clary Sage, WhiteNEWS. sclarea turkestanica albaP HS2
A showy, white flowering form of Clary Sage, with the same medicinal and culinary uses.   White flowers, opening from hop-like buds, make a long-lasting Summer feature.

1    Common or Garden SageS. OfficinalisP HS3
Adair Genge, holder of the NZ Salvia Collection, says of common sage,
"There is nothing common about this or any of the 'officinalis' group of Salvia.   When in flower their beauty is unsurpassed".
Grey-green leaves of rough texture. Most widely used culinary sage. Mix with onions for stuffing, and use with rich, fatty meats - pork, duck, sausage. Combine with strong flavours, such as cheese, liver, omelettes. Beautiful, purple-blue flowers in late Spring and Summer, loved by bees.   60 cm.

3Dwarf SalviaS. officinalis alba nana HS4
A very compact white flowering version of the common sage A useful and attractive herb for a smaller garden.

2Golden SageS. officinalis 'Aurea'P HS5
Attractive edging plant. Leaves are chartreuse yellow, with dark green areas around the veins. Milder flavour than common sage. 30 cm.

2Lyreleaf SageS. LyrataP HS6
Purple-blue flowers and cleft, dandelion-like leaves, with attractive crimson markings.   An American folk remedy for cancer, hence the name, 'Cancerweed'.   Indians used the roots for sores and the tea has been used for colds, coughs and nervous conditions.

2S. MiloticaP HS7
Collected on Mount Kenya in Africa, this new import has the most delicious smell of menthol Dainty foliage, enhanced by compact spikes of pale blue flowers.   Hardy,   60 cm.

2Pineapple SageS. ElegansP HS8
Light-green leaves with a delightful, pineapple scent. Use in drinks, teas, chicken, cheese, jams and jellies.    Attractive, bright scarlet flowers in late summer.   Large bush to 1.5 m.

2‘Purple Prince’NEWS. ‘Purple Prince’P HS9
Attractive form of lyreleaf sage, with deep burgundy leaves followed by small, white flowers.   Best colour in full sun.   30 - 40 cm.

2Red/Purple SageS. officinalis 'Purpurea' P HS10
A good herb to plant going into Winter.   Strongly flavoured leaves can be infused to make an excellent sore throat gargle - with a little honey for the palate!   Plum coloured leaves and dark blue flowers provide attractive contrast. 90 cm.

2 Tri - colour SageS.officinalis 'Tricolour' P HS11
A bright, decorative addition to the garden.   The impressive pink, green and cream foliage is sure to be noticed.   Prefers a rich soil and sunny position.   Not as vigorous as other sages.   Needs a warm, well-drained site.   60 cm.

2White SageS. ApianaP HS12
Beautiful, aromatic shrub with 8 cm long, grey-green, almost white, felty foliage.   Pinkish-lavender or white flowers on long, curving flower spikes.   Important ceremonial herb among Californian Indians, used for purification.   Roots were used to heal after birth and to clean the womb.   Leaves were smoked, taken as tea or used in sweat lodges to cure colds.    Excellent bee plant.   1 m.


2 Salad Burnet Sanguisorba minor P HS13
A decorative herb, growing to around 30 cm. Leaves have a delicate nutty, cucumber-like flavour, very refreshing in salads, herb butters, dressings or cooked with soups and sauces. Once used for healing, staunching wounds and as a tonic.

3 Cook’s Scurvy Grass Lepidium oleraceum. P Maori: nau) HS14
Voted New Zealand native plant of the year 2005    One of the plants Captain Cook famously used to prevent scurvy.
A low spreading native herbaceous perennial with fleshy, tender leaves. A seashore plant that is now very rare in the wild. Closely related to garden cress. NEW

SAVORY   'THE BEAN HERB'Satureja
Delicious, hot, peppery and aromatic herb. Complements tomato dishes, smoked meats, fish and especially all kinds of beans. We love it with lentils, our favourite casserole!    Also infused as a tea, to stimulate appetite, ease digestion and as an antiseptic gargle. Use as a companion plant with beans and onions, in sun and a light, rich soil.

1 Creeping SavoryS. RepandaP HS15
Attractive, low growing, rock plant, with small, shiny, evergreen leaves. Has lovely, large white flowers appearing late in the season. Very aromatic plant. 15 cm.

3Savory LemonSatureja bifloraPm HS16
A savoury from South Africa, with an intense, lemon scent and flavour.   Quite unlike other savouries! Try it in tea and with baked fish Easily grown in well-drained soil with an occasional trim.   Protect from hard frost. Rare.

2Summer Savoury 'Aromata'S. hortensis 'Aromata'   A HS17
An improved strain for commercial leaf production.   Produces up to 40% more leaf and 4% more essential oil.   2 per pot.

1    Winter SavouryS. MontanaP HS18
Perennial mountain plant, with smaller, greener leaves, and white flowers. Attractive as a low bush or edging plant. Strong, pungent flavour.

2    ScullcapBACKScutellaria laterifoliaP HS19
AGAIN
Strong medicinal herb containing 'scutellarin'. Use with care.

3Baikal scullcapScutellaria baicalensis HS20
Huang quiP
Important Chinese medicinal herb.   Prescribed for fevers, colds, hypertension, insomnia, headaches, hepatitis, diphtheria, shingles and other ailments.   Many of the traditional uses are supported by research.   Produces showy, 'scullcap' flowers.   Easy and hardy provided drainage is good. 40 cm.

2    Selfheal Prunella vulgaris P HS21
'Heart of the Earth'. Medicinal favourite as a wound herb and for sore and ulcerated throats etc.

2. Selfheal Prunella Deep RoseP HS22
Lovely pink flowering variety of the above

2    SoapwortSapanaria officinalis P HS23
A lovely garden herb, surprisingly hard to find.   Yields a soapy sap, used to wash and revitalise fabrics, shampoo hair and soften water.   To make up:   Cover in rain or soft water and boil 30 minutes to make soapy liquid.   The deliciously raspberry-sorbet scent of the flowers will fill the air on summer evenings.   Spreads by runners.   Sun or light shade.   Moist, fertile soil.   45 cm - 1 m.

2Solomon’s SealPolygonatum HS24
multiflorumP
Attractive woodland plant, well-known for its beautiful, arching foliage and drooping, bell-shaped, white flowers.   Not so well known for its numerous medicinal uses and cosmetic applications.   A healing and restorative mucilaginous tonic, also good in inflammation of the stomach and bowls, for piles and chronic dysentery.   A history of use for consumption, bleeding of the lungs and excess menstruation.   Powdered roots make a poultice for bruises, piles, inflammations and tumours.   And here is a surprise - in Turkey the young shoots are boiled and eaten like asparagus!
Of cosmetic uses, Culpepper says
‘the diluted water of the whole plant used to the face or other parts of the skin, cleanses it from freckles (really?), spots or any marks whatever, leaving the place fresh fair and lovely, for which purpose it is much used by the Italian ladies…’
Best as a bold clump under tall trees.   90 cm      WD.

SORREL

2 'Blonde de Lyon' Rumex acetosaP HS25
Esteemed in France for making sorrel soup.   Also used to season vege soups, omelettes, lamb and beef dishes.   As a vegetable, always remove midrib and stalk.   Cook on its own, or with spinach, lettuce or cabbage - gently in a little butter.   Large broad, sap-green leaves with an intriguing, sharp   acidic flavour which develops as the season progresses.   Remove flowering tops to encourage tender leaves.   Perennial clumps can be divided in Autumn.

1Buckler leaved R. ScutatusP HS26
'True French'
This uncommon, French sorrel has small silver-streaked, arrow-shaped leaves, which have a mild lemony zest - a 'more grateful' acidity, than broad leafed sorrel. It is preferred by the French for sorrel soup, and young leaves can be eaten raw in salads.

2SteviaStevia rebaudianaTP HS27
Cultivated for the leaves, which contain the herbal sugar substitute steviaside.   Just nibble a leaf and you will see!   Leaf powder can be used in place of sugar in drinks. baked goods, desserts, preserves etc.     Try the fresh leaves for sweetening your herbal tea blends.
.60cm

1 Alpine Strawberry Yellow   F.vesca semperflorens P HS28
Uncommon, yellow-fruited variety. Large yellow berries, borne on compact, runner-less plants. Delicious! They are not attacked by birds, and are suitable for pot culture. 30 cm

1Alpine Strawberry - CreepingF. VescaP HS29
A variety of Alpine Strawberry that sends out creeping tendrils, gently colonising an area.   A good groundcover in sun or shade, with the bonus of yummy fruit - this time in red.

2Strawberry ‘Lipstick’Frageria ‘Lipstick’ HS30
Bright cerise pink flowers which are followed by juicy ,sweet fruits.   An excellent productive groundcover or tempting basket plant.

2Strawberry ‘Pink Temptation’P HS31
These surprised me by producing the most deliciously sweet large strawberries from pink flowers20 x 60 cm.

2    Sweet Milfoil Achillea ageratumP HS32
Aromatic leaves form a fast-growing, dense groundcover, with 30 cm, bright yellow flower heads. Used herbally in pot pourri, sweet bags and bathing. Best in full sun, but will grow almost anywhere.

1Sweet Rocket Hesperis matronalis B HS33
Lovely, old-fashioned border plant, bearing sweet-scented, purple, mauve or white flowers, especially fragrant in the evenings.   Flowers can be tossed in salads or used to decorate desserts.   Once used for preventing and curing scurvy.   Prefers a rich, loamy soil in full sun or light shade.   1 m.   Seed grown - mixed colours only.

2Sweet WoodruffAsperula oderata P HS34
Charming groundcover plant with small, white flowers, for edging a shady path. Contains 'coumarin', which is used as an air freshener.

Southernwood (See Artemisia)
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2    TansyTanacetum vulgareP HS1
Attractive, long-lasting, bright yellow flowers. Used as an insect repellent, in pot pourri and other scented articles.    Hardy perennial, to 1.3 m. Spreads by rhizomes, so often kept in a tub by the back door as a fly repellant.

2Tansy 'Jackpot'T. niveum 'Jackpot'P HS2
Superb new insect-repellent variety from England.   Soft, woolly, grey leaves become literally covered in a cascade of white flowers.   Very ornamental and also has the same insect-repelling qualities as tansy, but without being invasive.   Bound to be a hit!

3    Tarragon - French Artemisia dracunculus P HS3
Very sought-after.   If it is not, then it should be! - The true culinary tarragon. Subtle, warm, anise-like flavour diffuses quickly through foods. Used to make tarragon vinegar, bernaise, tartare and hollandaise sauces, and with chervil and parsley to make 'fines herbes'. Delicious with fish, chicken and egg dishes. Requires sun and shelter, and a well-drained, sandy soil in order to overwinter without root rot.

2 Teasel Dipsacus fullonumB HS4
The true hooked spine teasel, used to tease the nap of woollen cloth for hundreds of years. A gaunt thistle form with large serrated leaves. Globular flowerheads are attractive dried. Medicinal uses.

3Tea TreeMelaleuca alternifoliaP HS5
Tea tree oil is one of the few oils which can be applied directly to the skin.   Long used by Australian aborigines for skin infections.   Now recognised for its proven antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties, which make it invaluable for skin infections, burns, bruises, cuts, herpes, warts and yeast infections, among others.   Attractive, small tree with aromatic, bright green leaves.   White flowers in Spring.   Tolerates heavy pruning and can be used as a low hedge.   You can distil the prunings to make your own tea tree oil.   Tolerates some frost but prefers a warm climate.
$7.50

THYMEThymus
Thymes originate from the Mediterranean, and thus produce best flavour and fragrance in the sun and well-drained soils.   The name Thymus comes from the Greek 'thymon', meaning courage. The Greeks used thyme oil for massage, and to 'smell of thyme' was indeed high praise. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme water to give themselves vigour. Thyme was also used by the Egyptians for embalming, due to its antiseptic and preservative properties. It is still used today to preserve herbarium and anatomical specimens, and to protect paper.   The 100 or so species of thyme all derive from T. praecox-articus (T. serpyllum), or wild thyme, sometimes called 'Mother of thyme'. These versatile plants are used as decorative, aromatic border plants, and for culinary and medicinal purposes. The upright varieties are ideal as a useful edging or low hedge.   Creeping thymes are useful in the rock garden, along pathways, between paving stones, or with alpines.    Prune hard at the end of each growing season to rejuvenate growth.

CARPETING THYMES'A thyme for all Seasons.' HS6
Excellent and versatile groundcover, low mat-forming growth used to great effect for rockeries, to fill gaps in crazy paving, to clamber over walls and rocks, or even to make a flowering and fragrant lawn.

2'Anderson's Gold'P HS7
Dwarf and compact with very bright, golden foliage all Winter.

2    Bergamot ScentedP HS8
Fine, hairy, ground-hugging leaves, with a bergamot scent, and tiny pink flowers.

2'Bressingham Pink'P HS9
A cultivar from Blooms Nurseries in Bressingham, UK.   Prostrate, filmy foliage with pink flowers in Summer.   Good for a thyme lawn.

2    CarawayT. Herba-baronaP HS10
Semi-prostrate, with rose flowers, arching branches and dark green leaves, genuinely scented with caraway. Use with beef, steaks, hot vegetables, fruit salads and jams. Try with cabbage! Ideal in rock gardens and hanging baskets.     10 cm.

2'Carnea'T. 'Carnea'P HS11
Mat-forming, pretty, gold-tinted foliage with deep rose flowers.

2'Coccineus'T. serpyllum 'coccineus HS12
Almost red in flower Dark green foliage, with very deep pink, almost red flowers.   Striking.

2'Golden Spreader'P HS13
Pink flowers in Summer and golden leaves for warm Winter colour.   An all seasons combination.

2Thyme 'Highland Cream' HS14
syn ‘Hartington Silver’
Of the variegated thymes we have seen, this new release is my favourite.   Very prostrate, light green foliage is distinctively edged in creamy yellow.

2'Minor'T. 'Minor'P HS15
Tiny foliage forms a tidy, weed-suppressing mat.   Studded in pink flowers in Summer.

2‘Mother of Thyme’T. SerpyllumP HS16
syn ‘Wild Thyme’
Considered the parent of many cultivated varieties.   Creeping, broad-leaved variety.   Long trailing branches of broad aromatic leaves root where they touch the ground.   Rose pink flowers in Summer are popular with bees.   Medicinal uses.

2‘Orange Peel’NEWT. NitidusP HS17
A new thyme with a strong orange peel aroma.   Mat-forming habit, suited to thyme lawns, seats, paving and steps.   Likes a hot, dryish, sunny site.

2    'Pink Chintz' Carpet Thyme P HS18
Lovely, rose-pink flowers, over tiny hairy, deep-green leaves, which form a carpet.   Always popular.

2T. PolystrictusP HS19
Large, shiny leaves and pink flowers, very similar to T. serphyllum.   Strongly scented.

2'Purple Robe'P HS20
One of my favourites - chosen for the magnificent, intense purple flowers in mid-Summer.   A striking colour in the rockery or thyme lawn.   Vigorous grower.

1    Rainbow FallsT. serpyllum 'Rainbow Falls' P HS21
Cream variegations with a crimson colour in summer. Flowers are a lilac purple.   Vigorous, growing into a tight, flat mat.

1 WhiteT. serpyllum alba P HS22
Creeping thyme, with tiny, bright green leaves, and masses of small white flowers in summer.   Vigorous, quick groundcover.   Popular.

1WoollyT. lanuginosus P HS23
(syn.pseudolanuginosus)
Carpeting thyme, with very hairy, woolly, grey leaves, and pale pink flowers. Ideal for crevices, paving etc.   Vigorous carpeter.

LEMON CARPETING

1'Doone Valley'T. pulegioides 'Doone Valley'P HS24
Creeping evergreen, with bright green and gold variegated leaves, with a lemon scent. Purple flowers in summer are loved by bees and butterflies.   Vigorous carpeter.

1 Lemon Curd T. serpyllum 'Lemon Curd' P HS25
Carpeting thyme, with pink flowers and narrow, sweet lemon scented leaves.   Vigorous.

1Lemon SpreaderT. x citriodorus 'Lemon HS26
Spreader'P
Lemon scented as for 'Lemon Curd', but grows longer stems and spreads more quickly.   Excellent carpeting thyme.   Looks great over walls.

GARDEN GROUP       T. VulgarisP HS27
Indispensable. Used to flavour a great variety of dishes, marinades, stuffings, sauces and soups. Mix with parsley and bay in bouquet garni. Delicious with foods cooked slowly in wine. Aids digestion of rich foods. Try a pinch with creamed potatoes. Always use sparingly. Pungent flavour easily overpowers more delicate flavours.

1 English (German or Winter)P HS28
Most popular variety for culinary use. Broad, dark green leaves. Robust growth.

2English Thyme - WhiteT. VulgarisP HS29
White flowered form of English Thyme.

1French SummerP HS30
Narrow leaves, distinctly greyer and sweeter than English.

2'Silver Posie'T.vulgaris 'Silver Posie'   P HS31
Green and silver leaves, with small, pinkish flowers. A lovely accent plant. Use as for English thyme.

LEMON GROUP
Delightful lemon flavour and fragrance. Less strong and therefore ideal for dishes in which garden thyme is too strong. Excellent with fish, lamb, chicken, in salads, and for tea. Adds a special tang to fresh fruit dishes. Use in potpourri, perfumes and soap, also as mouthwash.

2    LemonT. x citroidorus P HS32
Small. upright, bushy habit, with bright green leaves.

2 Variegated Lemon HS33

3Golden LemonT. x citriodorus 'Aureus'P HS34
Attractive foliage contrast with gold variegated leaves. Sharply defined gold colour varies throughout the seasons. Identical in habit to lemon thyme, with the same, tangy-lemon flavour.

2'Silver Queen' T. 'Silver Queen'P HS35
syn ‘Lemon Queen’
Delightful, lemon-scented, grey-green leaves with attractive, cream margins.   Dotted with pale pink flowers over Summer. 30 x 30 cm.

OTHER VARIETIES.

2Chicken ThymeT. 'Westmoreland'P HS36
Selected form of thyme, particularly suited for poultry.   Use also in pot pourri, herb butter, teas, soups and sauces.   A low growing perennial with pink flowers.   25 x 30 cm.

2T. CiliceusP HS37
Quite unlike other thymes.   The greyish-green leaves are long and narrow and covered in white hairs.   Flowers deep lavender-pink.   10 cm.

1 Golden T. vulgaris 'Aureus' P HS38
Golden leaves when planted in full sun. Edging plant.    12 - 15 cm.

2 OrangeT. FragrantissimusP HS39
Delightful orange scented thyme. Similar in appearance to T. vulgaris, but with narrower leaves, blue grey. 40 cm.

1 Pizza ThymeT. NummulariusP HS40
Introduced from North America by Peter Brass of Evandale Gardens. A rare combination of the flavour of thyme and oregano makes this the ideal herb for pizzas, lasagne, meatballs or any Italian dish. (Tried and approved!).   Attractive, vigorous plant, with masses of small, rose-pink flowers in late summer. Suitable for banks, rockeries and terracotta pots.

2 Porlock ThymeP HS41
Strong growing, upright thyme, with grey-green leaves.   Suitable for rock gardens.   One of the earliest to flower, sporting attractive, large, pink flowers.

SPECIAL: THYME COLLECTION: State 'Carpeting', 'General' or a mix of both.
    Five selected varieties (my choice) for only $14.00