Summer herbs and edible flowers

Summer is on the way, and there’s no better time to be making fresh salads, tasty dishes and summer drinks for relaxing afternoons in the sun. Add some flavour to your season and plant a combo of herbs and edible flowers to pick for your creations!

MINT

Planting tips
Mint is quick and easy to grow, and is happy in either sun, shade, pots (a great way to grow if you need to contain it) or garden beds. Just make sure the soil is moist for mint to flourish.

Enjoy me...
Add a few mint leaves to your salads paired with grated ginger and lemon zest, the flavour combo will add a zingy, fresh flare to your favourite salad. The classic mojito wouldn’t be complete without a few sprigs of mint or simply add it to water or juice for extra freshness.

PARSLEY

Planting tips
Parsley needs deep, well-drained, moist soil in a sunny or partly shaded position and will grow happily in pots and containers. One or two plants should supply a household for around a year if harvested regularly.

Enjoy me...
Fresh parsley flavour is delicious raw in salads, sauces, or finely chopped for use in dishes such as tabbouleh along with cucumber, tomatoes, mint, lemon juice, olive oil and bulgur wheat.

BASIL

Planting tips
Basil is a relatively easy to grow herb, but it doesn’t enjoy having wet feet or cold damp weather. A sunny spot in the garden or on the windowsill is best for basil.

Enjoy me...
Basil will add life to salads, salsas and pastas, and pairs especially well with tomatoes, lemon, garlic, onion, and balsamic vinegar.

LAVENDER

Planting tips
Lavender is relatively easy to grow – with a sunny spot and good drainage it happily thrives for several years. The best edibles are English lavender varieties.

Enjoy me...
Crush garlic cloves and a few lavender sprigs in a bowl with olive oil to enhance your roast meats, and lavender syrup, grapefruit juice and some fresh lavender sprigs combine for a refreshing cold drink. Lavender is also a fun addition to shortbread!

ROSEMARY

Planting tips
Rosemary is a quick growing shrub that prefers full sun, and well drained soil. Once established, it will cope with long dry periods, so perfect for summer.

Enjoy me...
Rosemary pairs especially well with lamb or roast meats, and for a tasty dipping sauce mix with olive oil and sea salt for your platters.

CORIANDER

Planting tips
Coriander will be happy to grow in almost any well-dug soil, in both sun and shade. Coriander plants do have a delicate root system so don’t like to be disturbed, and they’re perfect for pots and containers.

Enjoy me...
Coriander pairs well with avocado, lime, tomatoes and red onion, so a perfect addition to your salads and guacamole for a flavour punch.

EDIBLE FLOWERS

Use colourful blooms to brighten up your food! Get creative and try using edible flowers in your kitchen - add them to ice cubes for refreshing drinks, in hot and cold herbal teas or sprinkle a selection over your next salad or cheese platter for a delicate touch.