Commonly known as the 'Ice Plant' this tough little perennial has fat succulent like leaves and a trailing habit. In spring and summer the foliage is smothered with shaggy yellow daisy like flowers. Trim lightly after flowering. Loves the sun and well drained soil. Evergreen.

There are several forms of Garden Mint, the true variety being of bold, upright growth, with fairly large and broad leaves, pointed and sharply serrated (or toothed) at the edges and of a rich, bright, green colour. Cut back in Autumn for new winter growth.

A hardy perennial that is the Basil you have when you don’t have any Basil. Spreads easily so container planting may be a good option.

Add late in the cooking as the mint aroma fades quickly. Finely chop leaves and use them in salad dressings, marinades and sauces. Add to salads and vegetables for an exotic flavour. Tastes a lot like Sweet Basil so partners well with similar strong flavoured herbs.

Best grown in rich, moist soils in full sun to part shade. Adapts to a wide range of soils except dry ones. Large plantings may be sheared after bloom to remove flower spikes and stimulate new vegetative growth. Soil barriers may be used to restrain spread if plants are grown in borders or other areas where spread is unwanted.

Japanese emperor mint is a wonderful culinary herb, with a delicate flavour that goes particularly well in salads. It has a strong flavour and is very hardy, happily surviving frosts.

Also known as Vietnamese coriander, Cambodian mint and laksa leaf this has to be my favourite Asian herb. This perennial, which has striking pointed leaves, lime green in colour with dark inner markings. With purple stems the whole plant has a wonderfully strong citrus aroma with a taste to match.

Native to peninsular South-East Asia

Mentha arvensis is a species of mint with a circumboreal distribution. It is native to the temperate regions of Europe and western and central Asia, east to the Himalaya and eastern Siberia, and North America.

A showy ornamental grass. Foliage has a distinctive bronze autumn color. Tassel-like flowers which mature to silver appear in autumn, rising 30-50cm above the foliage. Dies down in winter, trim back before spring so new growth comes through nice and fresh. Deciduous. Hardy.

This ornamental grass is a compact perennial with narrow leaves, finely edged with white and pink-tinged tassels of flowers in autumn. Cut down old foliage in winter so new, fresh leaves will shoot in Spring.

The Chatham Island forget-me-not is a stunning perennial with large, glossy ribbed foliage topped off with bold clusters of brightest blue flowers in summer and spring. Grow in a sheltered shady spot. Must have protection from afternoon sun. If happy will form a large clump. Evergreen.