We carry a range of plants grown in bygone days, valued for period restorations and recreations as well as the many good qualities of the plants themselves. Box Buxus sempervirensand dwarf box B. sempervirens'Suffruticosa' are available to order, as are three distinct clones of Roman chamomile. Many of the plants in the main herb list are of considerable antiquity and often form the basis of historical gardens. The following list includes some key plants from the main herb list, the kitchen garden list and the aromatic / ornamental list together with additional period plants that we try to keep in stock.
As far as we are able to ascertain, dates of the earliest garden record or introduction to the UK are included in bold print. These are for your guidance only, don't take them as gospel! We are glad to have communications on date amendments and suggestions for further stock that we might grow.
Aconitum napellusACONITE, WOLF'S BANE P 995 Blue-flowered monkshood.
Ajuga reptans BUGLE P 1265 N. Irish stock of this indigenous herb.
Alchemilla mollis LADY'S MANTLE P 1874 The large 'pleated' leaves hold a dewdrop like a diamond. Frothy lime-yellow flowers. Several native species also available.
Allium sativumvar. ophioscordonGARLIC, TREE (ROCAMBOLE)
P Slender serpentine scape straightens as it produces bulbils
at the tip (for more onions see kitchen garden list)
Allium schoenoprasum CHIVES P 1375
Ancient culinary herb.
Allium triquetrum TRIQUETROUS GARLIC or THREE-CORNERED
LEEK P Nodding heads of white flowers. Good ground-cover.
For more Alliums see other lists.
Angelica archangelica ANGELICA P by 1551 Greatly favoured cure for the plague. Preserved angelica was known by the early 17th century and candied angelica was popular in the18th century.
Anthemis tinctoria DYER'S CHAMOMILE P Described in 1621, known at least from 1601. Frizzy aromatic foliage and all-yellow daisy flowers, useful for cutting and as a good border plant. Yields a fast yellow dye.
Aquilegia vulgarisCOLUMBINE P Medieval. Mixed colours of spurless kinds.
Buxus sempervirens BOX P 995 Slow-growing native evergreen, traditional for formal hedges (the preferred hedging from 17th century on) and topiary especially. Several types available, including dwarf box B. sempervirens 'Suffruticosa', and 'Aureovariegata'.
Campanula rapunculus RAMPION P Possibly
native, cultivated for the table in the 15th century.
---------------rapunculoides CREEPING BELLFLOWER P
Doubtfully native, grown in gardens for its attractive blue flowers.
Catananche caerulea CUPID'S DART P A 16th century favourite. Rosettes of neat greyish leaves and lovely blue flowers followed by papery seed heads.
Centaurea cyanus CORNFLOWER A Pre-1400
Wonderful blue-flowered native, used medicinally and a good cut flower.
Centaurea montana PERENNIAL CORNFLOWER P 16th
century. Very attractive.
Centranthus ruber RED VALERIAN P Grown
by Gerard (1545-1612). Of seaside cliffs and walls.
-----------------------"Alba" P Lovely white
form.
Chelidonium majus GREATER CELANDINE P 1200 Introduced pre-Anglo-Saxon times. Its bright orange latex was used as a wart cure and the herb was also used to treat eye complaints.
Chenopodium bonus-henricus P A truly historical vegetable - eaten in Neolithic times!
Convallaria majalis LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY P Heavenly scent, easy. A native plant used since ancient times, brought into gardens in mid -16th century.
Crambe maritima SEAKALE P A handsome native, brought into cultivation as a vegetable by the mid -18th century.
Cynara cardunculusCARDOON P Pre-1826
Spectacular for kitchen or flower garden. The unflowered stalks are traditionally
tied in sacking to blanch.
Cynara scolymus GLOBE ARTICHOKE P
1500 A standard kitchen garden item, grown for its edible flower
buds; another stately plant.
Dianthus caryophyllus CLOVE PINK P 1375 An all time favourite, probably introduced at the time of the Norman conquest, with references in the literature from the 14th century.
Echinops ritrio GLOBE THISTLE P Handsome native species with silvery prickly leaves and steel-blue spherical heads.
Fragaria vesca WILD STRAWBERRY P 995. Red and white fruited forms.
Galanthus nivalis'flore-pleno' SNOWDROP P The old double-flowered snowdrop.
Galega officinalis GOAT'S RUE P Pre-1568 A former medicinal and culinary herb. Eye-catching white/pale blue "pea" flowers.
Galium odoratum WOODRUFF P A native plant, cultivated in gardens by 995. Pretty ground-cover plant with gleaming leaves arranged in neat whorls and white flowers. When dried, the scent of new-mown hay is released.
Genista tinctoria DYER'S GREENWEED P 9th century Delightful small broom with yellow pea flowers, which give a good yellow dye.
Geranium phaeum DUSKY CRANESBILL P 16th century. A superb mound of foliage, studded with subtle maroon flowers.
Geum urbanum HERB BENNET P A native, cultivated by 1265.
Glycyrrhiza glabra LIQUORICE P 1375 Introduced in the 14th century, extensively cultivated in Yorkshire by the 17th century.
Hesperis matronalisSWEET ROCKET, DAMES' VIOLET P 1375 White or mauve flowers, sweetly scented, especially at night and formerly cultivated as a pot plant.
Hieracium auranticum ORANGE HAWKWEED, GRIMME THE COLLIER P 1600 A medicinal herb with stunning burnt orange flowers.
Hypericum perforatum ST JOHN'S WORT P
by 1375 Native medicinal herb then and now.
H. androsaemum TUTSAN P 1375
A former medicinal herb.
Hyssopus officinalisHYSSOP P Introduced very early, known in Medieval times as a strewing herb because of its aromatic foliage. Naturalised on the walls of Beaulieu Abbey. Pink, blue or white flowered forms available.
Inula helenium ELECAMPANE P 995 A native used in Medieval times. Majestic habit with huge yellow daisy flowers. Cottage garden herb with medicinal properties. The scented roots were formerly used for cordials and candied for sweetmeats.
Iris foetidissima GLADWYN P Native
(1300) and a strong smelling novelty of 18th century gardens.
Iris florentina ORRIS P 1200
The root is the source of violet-scented orris powder, used as a fixative
in perfumes and pot pourri.
Iris germanica GERMAN IRIS P 995
Probably the oldest cultivated European iris.
Iris pseudacorusYELLOW FLAG P Native,
recorded in English gardens by 1200
Isatis tinctoria WOAD Bi 995 Greyish green leaves and sprays of cheerful yellow flowers followed by black bead-like seeds. An important dye-plant, yielding blues.
Laurus nobilis BAY, TRUE LAUREL P 995 Culinary and medicinal, architectural specimen, hedging.
Lavandula angustifolia LAVENDER, ENGLISH P Pre-13th
century The lavender of Mediterranean mountains and English gardens.
Superior scent to many cultivars.
Lavandula stoechas FRENCH LAVENDER, STICKADOVE P
15th century medicinal species. Eye-catching and aromatic.
Leonurus cardiaca MOTHERWORT P Medieval Traditionally a heart tonic, also used for "women's complaints". Lovely foliage.
Lobelia syphiliticaBLUE LOBELIA P pre-1665 Attractive tall perennial from N. America with long spikes of bluish flowers. Medicinal herb.
Malva moschataMALLOW , MUSK P Native to parts
of British Isles. Finely divided foliage, silvery pink flowers, musky scent.
Malva sylvestris WILD MALLOW P 995
Native with mid-pink flowers with dark stripes. An old healing herb.
Monarda fistulosaWILD BERGAMOT P 1637
Introduced from America by John Tradescant the younger. Pale purple
flowers, aromatic foliage.
M. didymaSCARLET BERGAMOT, OSWEGA TEA P 1745
Medicinal culinary and showy aromatic
Oenothera biennisEVENING PRIMROSE Bi Early 17th century Tall spikes of yellow flowers with primrose scent. The primrose tree of Virginia.
Phlomis fruticosa JERUSALEM SAGE P 1596 A grey-leaved shrub with mustard flowers in whorls that dry well.
Plantago major'Rosularis' ROSE PLANTAIN P 1596 Tudor favourite with bizarre green leafy "flowers".
Polemonium caeruleum JACOB'S LADDER P 16th century A handsome clump-forming native plant with showy racemes of blue flowers.
Primula veris COWSLIP P 995
A culinary and medicinal herb. Native N. Irish stock available.
Primula vulgarisPRIMROSE P 1375 Native
N.I. stock available of this charming ornamental and medicinal herb.
Pulmonaria officinalisLUNGWORT, SOLDIERS AND SAILORS P 15th century A classic exemplar of the Doctrine of Signatures, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Reseda luteolaWELD, DYER'S ROCKET Bi A native, known and used since ancient times as a medicinal plant and dye-herb; yields a range of good fast yellows and greens.
Rosaspp ROSE P Several old and species roses are often available: Rosa rubiginosa, SWEETBRIAR, R. gallica officinalis, R. mundi, R. alba, R. glaucaand many more from time to time.
Rumex sanguineusvar. sanguineusBLOODY DOCK P A striking narrow-leaved dock with red veins. Coming back into popularity for flower-arranging.
Ruta graveolensRUE P 995 Medicinal and culinary. Care is needed when handling to avoid dermatitis, which can be severe in strong sunlight.
Salvia sclareaCLARY Bi 1375 A handsome biennial with deep blue flowers.
Santolina chamaecyparissusCOTTON LAVENDER P 1550's Useful dwarf hedging (eg knot gardens) or specimen plant.
Saponaria officinalisSOAPWORT P 1200 Sprawling stems, pale pink flowers. A solution from the leaves is used to clean textiles.
Sempervivum tectorum HOUSELEEK P 1200 A remedy for skin complaints. Traditionally gave protection against fire and lightning
Tanacetum balsamitaALECOST (COSTMARY) P
995 Tall herb with minty scent formerly used for flavouring beer.
Tanacetum vulgareTANSY P 995 A popular
defence against various bug problems since Medieval times. One of
the bitter herbs.
Teucrium chamaedrysWALL GERMANDER P
Small shrub with glossy dark green leaves and purple flowers. By 1200.
Teucrium scorodoniaWOODSAGE P A native herb,
recorded in gardens from 1260.
Teucrium scorodonia'Crispum marginatum' CURLY WOODSAGE
P A fascinatingly frilly foliage plant for the border.
Thymus serpyllumWILD CREEPING THYME P 995
Mat forming aromatic that was also used as a culinary and medicinal herb.
Thymus vulgarisCOMMON THYME, GARDEN THYME P 1200
Aromatic, culinary and medicinal with attractive bushy habit, narrow grey-green
leaves and mauve-pink flowers.
Tragopogon porrifoliusSALSIFY Bi 1727 A delicately-flavoured root described as vegetable oyster. Striking shaggy mauve flowers in the second year.
Trifolium repens'Purpurascens Quadrifolium' 16th century Crimson-purple leaves of predominantly 4 leaflets. Pretty groundcover, good for tubs or pots -- and for luck.
Verbena officinalisVERVAIN P 995 Delicate spikes of palest mauve flowers. Wards off evil, it is said (including the plague).
Veronica gentianoides P 1784 Quite lovely spikes of sky blue flowers and glossy foliage in spring. Associates well with peach and coral colours and glaucous foliage.
Viola odorataSWEET VIOLET P 995 Heart-shaped scented leaves and scented purple flowers. Some cultivars are also often in stock.
P = Perennial, Bi = Biennial, A = Annual
© Copyright B. Pilcher 2005