Cotula, Strong Aroma and Herbal Teas

Cotula (Anthemis cotula) is a annual plant native to large parts of Europe and Northern Africa. You will typically find it growing within meadows, along roadsides and grassy verges. You may know it by a number of other names including mayweed, stinking mayweed and stinking chamomile. The colloquial names of this plant hint at its […]

Coriander, Warming Spice with Citrus Undertones

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) refers to the seeds or ‘fruits’ of the plant from which cilantro leaves are also obtained. Both coriander and cilantro are harvested from the same plant. However in some countires, for example the UK, coriander refers to the whole plant. Coriander seeds are native to North Africa, Southern Europe and parts of […]

Costmary, An Old Herb with a Hint of Lemon and Mint

Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita), otherwise known as alecost, balsam herb or bible leaf, is a perennial herb. It was once native to large areas of Europe (particularly the Mediterranean), and Western Asia. However you will now find it growing wild in many areas worldwide. In North America you will commonly see it as a roadside weed. […]

Cilantro, Flavorful Cuisines and Notably Nutritious

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is an annual herb with a bushy structure and distinctive flavor. It is referred to by different names worldwide, including coriander (in the UK), and Chinese parsley. It was originally native to parts of Southern Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. You will now find cilantro growing throughout the world, in herb […]

Chives, Nutrient Rich with Delicious Flavor

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) are a perennially growing herb. Originally native to most of Europe and parts of Asia. You can now find them growing wild in many parts of the world. Seeds and plants were transported across countries for their culinary and medicinal value. They have a deliciously mild onion like flavor, with their closest […]

Chamomile, Infused Teas and Soothing Properties

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is an annual plant native to Western Europe and Asia. You can now find it growing across the world in gardens and occasionally in the wild. This is due to its escape from cultivated fields. It can now be find growing in meadows, roadsides and particularly sunny grasslands. Other common names for […]

Cayenne, Delicious Heat and Ornamental Value

Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) is a chilli plant where the fruits are used to create a popular spiced powder called cayenne pepper. They are native to South America and as far North as the North American border, however you will find cayenne growing around the world. North America and India have a large cayenne cultivation industry. […]

Comfrey, Nutritious Fertilizer and Charming Flowers

Comfrey (Symphytum) is a shrub that can be found growing in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. The comfrey family contains a variety of species and hybrids that have been widely used for culinary and herbal purposes. The species commonly called ‘blackwort’ has a particularly extensive history of being used as a herbal remedy. […]

Cicely, Soft Foliage and Sweet Flavoring

Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) is a herbaceous perennial plant, once native to the mountainsides and woodlands of Southern Europe. The plant has since spread, and you will now find it growing in woodlands, roadsides and along streams in the majority of Europe. It is currently quite abundant in Northern Europe, particularly Scotland. You may know Cicely […]

Chervil, French Cuisine and Feathered Foliage

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is a flavorful herb once native to Eastern Europe. It could be found growing on the hillsides of Romania and Azerbaijan. You will now find it growing wild across most of Europe. It spread throughout the Roman Empire because of its perceived medicinal and culinary values. You can also find it growing […]

Catnip, Relaxing Teas and Playful Felines

Catnip in flower.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a herbaceous, perennial, and member of the mint family. You may recognize it by other names including catswort, catmint, and catwort. It was originally native to Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Central Asia. However, you can now find it growing in many locations including North America and New Zealand. […]

Caraway, Dainty Foilage and Flavorful Seeds

Caraway (Carum carvi) is a member of the Apiaceae (carrot and parsley) family. You may recognise caraway from a number of other common names, including Persian cumin and meridian fennel. It is a biennial plant native to Europe, parts of North Africa and also Western Asia. The Carum family many species, however Carum carvi is […]

Calendula, Bright, Sunny Flowers and Valuable Remedies

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a bright and beautiful herbaceous, perennial, otherwise known as pot marigold. A number of common names include desert marigold, ruddles, corn marigold and marsh marigold. It is native to large areas of western Europe, including the Canary Islands and Cape Verde and also southwestern Asia. You can usually find them growing […]

Calamint, Floral Ground Cover and Menthol Aromas

Calamint (Calamintha nepeta) is a herbaceous and perennial plant native to many parts of Europe. It usually grows to a height of approximately. You can now typically find it growing wild in many areas across the world, from woodlands to highway edges. However it was once native to mountain slopes, valleys and outcrops. The shape […]

California Bay, Roasted Seeds and Fragrant Leaves

California Bay (Umbellularia californica) is an evergreen, hardwood tree native to the Western coastline of America, from Oregon to California. Its distribution can be as far inland as the Sierra Nevada mountains, appearing in redwood forests, woodlands and pine forests. These hardwood trees can grow up to 30m tall with a trunk width of approximately […]

Burnet, Nutritious Leaves and a Herbal Healing History

Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) is a herbaceous, perennial plant native to temperate areas including many parts of Europe, Northern Africa, and South West Asia. Over time it has now become naturalized across most of Europe and North America. Growing to a maximum height of 90cm, you can usually find it growing in dry grassy, meadows and […]

Borage, Fresh Flavors and Star Shaped Flowers

Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual, herbaceous plant native originally to the Mediterranean. You may also know borage as ‘starflower’, named for its beautiful 5 point star flowers. You can now find it growing throughout Europe, from Denmark to the UK. As a particularly hardy plant, you can find it growing in a number of […]

Bee Balm, Dainty Flowers and Herbal Remedies

Bee balm (Monarda didyma), also known as Wild Bergamot and Horsemint is a herbaceous plant from the mint family. Native to North America, you can find bee balm growing in a number of areas, from hedgerow edges to woodland. You will find bee balm growing typically to a maximum height of 90cm, with long, slender […]

Bayberry, Aromatic Leaves and Wax Candles

Bayberry (Myrica), a group of aromatic species known to many as bay-rum tree, candleberry, wax myrtle and sweet gale. You can find many bayberry varieties growing across most continents, excluding Australia. You can usually find it growing in damp areas, like stretches of coastline or swampy woodland. The scientific name of Myrica is derived from […]

Bay Leaf, Victorious Wreaths and Rich Flavoring

Bay (Laurus nobilis) is a small evergreen tree or shrub. You can find it growing in mountains and fields of the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. You may recognise it by other common names include bay tree, sweet bay, true laurel, Grecian laurel and bay laurel. It has distinctive smooth, narrow, deep green leaves in an […]