Unusual Herbs

[Chive]

I am enjoying reading all the tips on the forum and wondered whether any of the herb gardeners would mind letting me know of any unusual herbs they might be growing.

I have just bought a Pineapple Sage which smells brilliant, although I don't know what to use it for, and I know you can also get orange scented thyme.

Does anyone know of any other unusual ones, especially the lovely smelling ones?


Thanks for reading and best wishes,
Chive

[lettucegrow!]

Chocolate mint and lemon basil are as exotic as I have ventured this year but the mint is lovely,smells just like after eight mints! yum!

[Chive]

Thanks for your reply,

The chocolate one sounds lovely, but what do you use this herb for? Would you use it in sweet or savoury dishes?
I like the sound of lemon basil too.

As you can tell I am just a beginner with herbs. I am hoping to buy a herb book to find out more.

Best wishes,
Chive

[murphy99]

Lemon Verbena(the herb) it smells like lemon sherbets you can use it in desserts in place of lemons but the smell in the garden is great anyway.

Mine didn't survive the winter and I am looking for a replacement now!

[Snadger]

My favourite is Bergamot which is doing particularily well this year. Orange flavoured leaves and wonderful pink spider shaped flowers!

[lettucegrow!]

I use the mint in salads or for mint tea- just add boiling water to a sprig of mint and let it sit for a couple of mins. The basil is still growing so will let you know what I do with that.

[lainey lou]

I have some blackcurrant sage and tangerine sage, they both smell gorgeous and have beautiful flowers, also I have successfully managed to propagate from cuttings which is an extra bonus.

[selfraising]

I've got orange thyme, feverfew and sweet woodruff

[Wren]

I have wormwood

[Rabidbun]

Growing lime basil again this year - it seems to be a pain to get started off (keeps trying to flower) but smells absolutely lovely! Also loving the orange mint and the lemon thyme (though less unusual that last one I think).

[Flummery]

I'm partial to hyssop. Great for adding to hot water so breathe in with a towel on your head to shift a bunged up nose. Also good cooked with roast beef.

[lotthedrinkeroftea]

I'm growing Basil mint which really does taste of basil!

[annacruachan]

I grow southernwood, or lad's love, which is not for eating but smells deliciously of pear drops when you brush against it or run it through your hands.

Another favourite is lovage, an old, old herb which does not seem to be grown much nowadays. It tastes like wonderful in salads, filling your mouth with a sort of warm, perfumed celery flavour - well, that's the nearest I can get to it! Have not used it to cook with, but can't see why it wouldn't be good in stir fries and the like.

[maddles]

I love pineapple sage too; it flowers in the winter which is unusual for herbs. I also have chocolate mint, moroccan mint, cotton lavender, angelica, jasmine, evening primrose, clary sage amongst others.

I grew cinnamon basil, thai basil and greek basil last year which were all lovely.

My apothecary's rose is in flower now and although the pink is a bit garish for me, the scent is lovely.

Also love lemon balm just to sniff or have as a tea-very relaxing!

[TonyF]

My favourite is Bergamot which is doing particularily well this year. Orange flavoured leaves and wonderful pink spider shaped flowers!

It's the flavouring traditionally used for Earl Grey tea. I bought a couple of plants at a foire bio at the weekend, been looking for it for ages.