New this year – Milk Thistle

Boss — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:29:39 +0000

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

A new plant for us in 2012 - Milk Thistle is a tall annual or biennial plant with large spiny leaves mottled with white, and purple thistle type flowers in summer.

Milk Thistle is a native plant of North America and has been used by centuries by the American Indians for its health benefits.

The name “milk thistle” derives from two features of the leaves; they are mottled with splashes of white and they contain a milky sap.

Leaves stems and roots can all be used for medicinal purposes, however commercial Milk Thistle extract is made from the seeds of the plant.

Buy Milk Thistle plants here

Salad Burnet

Boss — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:52:00 +0000

Our Salad Burnet plants are looking good now.

Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba Minor) is a clump forming evergreen perennial herb with soft green pinnate leaves and small crimson flowers on long stems in summer.

It grows best on a chalky soil with plenty moisture, but is drought tolerant due to its long tap root. The leaves have a mild nutty / cucumber flavour and can provide a supply of greenery for salads throughout the year.

For maximum leaf production the flower stem needs to be cut off as soon as it appears.

Salad Burnet also combines well with other herbs such as tarragon and rosemary, as a flavouring in casseroles etc.

To buy Salad Burnet click on the image