(1/2) Image of a variety of herb and spice plants with text on the left. By Lainie [All Rights Reserved, One Design License Agreement] (Photo Credits)
(2/2) Herbs and spice
Herbs and Spice Plants
CategoryMake your meals taste absolutely fantastic with the addition of home grown spices. As a culinary spice, there is virtually no such thing as an overdose and the spices are suitable for enhancing the flavour of a multitude of dishes. Fresh spices always taste better than the dried variety and offer many health-promoting benefits. Here are some of the more popular and hardy spices that are ideal for a kitchen garden.
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All General Herb Plants
Fruit Trees > Herbs and Spice Plants > All General Herb Plants
These are some of the more common Herbs that are grown throughout Australian Backyards.
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Chilli
Fruit Trees > Herbs and Spice Plants > Chilli
Capsicum sp.
Cultivated for thousands of years for the spicy flavour. When consumed, capsaicinoids bind with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are responsible for sensing heat. Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and release of endorphins.
Cultivated for thousands of years for the spicy flavour. When consumed, capsaicinoids bind with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are responsible for sensing heat. Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot. The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and release of endorphins.
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Coffee Tree
Fruit Trees > Herbs and Spice Plants > Coffee Tree
Coffea arabica
If you're one of those people who can't live without their cup of coffee in the morning then consider growing and producing your own. Easy to process and relatively problem free the Arabica thrives in the cooler climate and rich volcanic soil of Australia. In as little as three years the coffee tree will be covered with white, jasmine-scented flower clusters. The masses of green berries that follow mature to a beautiful cherry-red making this an inspirational and decorative addition to any garden. Ideal as an indoor, ornamental or hedging plant.
If you're one of those people who can't live without their cup of coffee in the morning then consider growing and producing your own. Easy to process and relatively problem free the Arabica thrives in the cooler climate and rich volcanic soil of Australia. In as little as three years the coffee tree will be covered with white, jasmine-scented flower clusters. The masses of green berries that follow mature to a beautiful cherry-red making this an inspirational and decorative addition to any garden. Ideal as an indoor, ornamental or hedging plant.
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Ginger
Fruit Trees > Herbs and Spice Plants > Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Fresh ginger is available in two forms, young and mature. Young ginger has a pale, thin skin that requires no peeling. It is very tender and has a milder flavour than its mature form. Mature ginger has a tough skin that must be carefully peeled to preserve the most delicate and tasty flesh just under the surface. The flavour is peppery and slightly sweet with a pungent and spicy aroma.
Fresh ginger is available in two forms, young and mature. Young ginger has a pale, thin skin that requires no peeling. It is very tender and has a milder flavour than its mature form. Mature ginger has a tough skin that must be carefully peeled to preserve the most delicate and tasty flesh just under the surface. The flavour is peppery and slightly sweet with a pungent and spicy aroma.
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Mushroom Grow Kits
Fruit Trees > Herbs and Spice Plants > Mushroom Grow Kits
Lentinula edodes
Mushroom kits allow you to produce a ready supply of these delicious mushrooms.
Mushroom kits allow you to produce a ready supply of these delicious mushrooms.
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Neem Tree
Fruit Trees > Herbs and Spice Plants > Neem Tree
Azadirachta indica
If you are visiting India and ask for the village pharmacy then you're likely to be pointed towards this tree. The discovery of its complex chemical pesticide qualities make it resistant to more than two hundred different types of insect, as well as various mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses . Although lethal to bugs it does not have an adverse effect upon humans, animals or birds. Weed Warning: This tree will not succeed in temperate zones and is far from a weed in most subtropical areas as it has a reputation for turning up its toes in through the winter in the subtropics, however in tropical climates it is much hardier and has been recorded to spread through large areas in Northern Queensland.
If you are visiting India and ask for the village pharmacy then you're likely to be pointed towards this tree. The discovery of its complex chemical pesticide qualities make it resistant to more than two hundred different types of insect, as well as various mites, nematodes, fungi, bacteria and viruses . Although lethal to bugs it does not have an adverse effect upon humans, animals or birds. Weed Warning: This tree will not succeed in temperate zones and is far from a weed in most subtropical areas as it has a reputation for turning up its toes in through the winter in the subtropics, however in tropical climates it is much hardier and has been recorded to spread through large areas in Northern Queensland.
Drumstick Tree ( Moringa )
$24.00 ($19.75-$49.00 choose a size)
Also known as the Horseradish tree or Tree of Life. Possibly one of the most useful trees in the world, it produces long green pods that have been compared to a cross between peanuts and asparagus. The peeled roots are used as a substitute for horseradish and the edible leaves make a highly nutritious vegetable. Claims are made that its tiny leaves contains 7 times the Vit C of oranges, 4 times the Vit A of Carrots, 4 times the Calcium of milk, 3 times the Potassium of Bananas, and 2 times the protein of yogurt. The roots have also been documented as useful in many folk remedies. It originates in India and has spread in popularity to many parts of Asia, Central and South America, Africa and the Pacific. In Africa it has been also called the Miracle Tree with so many uses. This tree has delicate foliage and attractive pale yellow flowers. The slender, semi -deciduous, perennial tree, to about 10 m tall with drooping branches. Best kept pruned under 2mts as its the leaves that is what is best used in cooking. Thrives in subtropical and tropical climates, flowering and fruiting freely and continuously. Grows best on a dry sandy soil. Makes an ideal shade tree with high drought resistance. (Source: Nutritive Value of Indian Foods, by C. Gopalan) The foliage is delicate on young trees, and our potted plants are known for their older leaves to turn yellow and drop during transport to conserve energy. This is not a problem long term. With care and acclimatisation they will bounce back
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Javanese Ginger
$19.75 ($17.75-$19.75 choose a size)
This species bears a striking similarity to Cape York Turmeric. It differs in that the flower bracts are a deeper pink/purple colour as is the dark strip that runs up the centre of the leaf. Often used medicinally, in Bali a delicious drink is made by cooking dried slices of rhizome in water with palm sugar.
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Sugar Herb - Stevia
$17.75 ($17.75-$18.75 choose a size)
Stevia or the sugar herb is native to Brazil. The fresh or dried leaves can be used as a sugar substitute to sweeten cakes, drinks or desserts and are the only natural sweetener to have zero calories, carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. The leaves if eaten fresh have a distinct set of flavours, the first sensation on the taste buds is the sweetness, this is followed by a pleasant aniseed like flavour which is lost totally once the herb is dried. Stevia is best grown in a sunny or partly shaded position where it is protected from frost. Thrives in moist, well drained soils enriched with humus. Ideal for pots, herb and kitchen gardens.The flowers will emerge from the ends of the stems throughout summer, and it does die back in winter but the plant is perennial and will bounce back in spring. The foliage is delicate on these young herbs, and our potted plants are known for their older, lower leaves to turn yellow and drop during transport to conserve energy. This is not a problem long term. With care and acclimatisation they will bounce back.
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Rosemary
$12.90 ($12.90-$18.75 choose a size)
A woody perennial herb with aromatic fragrant needle like leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. Rosemary is a member of the mint family, the name rosemary comes from the Latin rosmarinus, meaning dew of the sea, apparently because they are often found growing by the sea.
Buy 1+ @$12.90ea usually:$14.90ea
Lemongrass
$14.90 ($14.90-$18.75 choose a size)
Lemongrass is one of the most versatile of herbs. It makes a delicious herbal tea, is often used in cooking, as an effective pest repellent and an almost impenetrable weed barrier. Tie the outer leaves in a loop and cook with food to impart flavour. Be sure to remove before serving. Incredibly fast to become established and drought tolerant. The fleshy, purple part of the stem is used in curry pastes and can be ground into a paste and added to marinades and sauces to impart a fresh, lemony flavour.
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Galangal
$14.90 ($4.90-$18.75 choose a size)
Galangal is a fantastic member of the ginger family. The plant has striking orchid-like blooms and is often found in subtropical and tropical gardens. The knobby root has a delicious exotic taste with a touch of pepper and ginger. Best known as Thai Ginger, Galangal is similar to ginger in appearance, but not in flavor or texture. There are two primary types, Greater and Lesser. Indian and Thai Curries make primary use of Galangal and it is a prime ingredient of the popular Bitters used in mixed drinks. Use ground Galangal with other spices such as Cumin, Coriander, and Thai chillies to season almost any food including soups, sauces, meats and fish, legumes, and dry seasoning blends. Shoots, flower buds & flowers can be eaten cooked, shoots are quite hot when raw.
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Turmeric - Orange
$9.90 ($3.90-$19.90 choose a size)
The thick, cylindrical rhizome or underground stem of a tropical plant belongs to the ginger family. Finely grated it adds many health benefits and a brilliant colour and earthy flavour to foods such as Indian curries, rice and vegetarian dishes. Fresh Turmeric is lightly aromatic and slightly peppery, the flavour is pungent and bitter. Turmeric is a primary ingredient of Curry Powder. Used heavily in Indian Cuisine such as legumes, beans, and vegetable dishes. That wonderful ballpark mustard also contains turmeric as a colouring. To make yellow rice, use one teaspoon to colour one cup of raw rice. In the garden, the luscious leafy plant produces a spectacular flower that will stop you in your tracks, making a great ornamental feature in a subtropical garden. The foliage will die back in the winter indicating it is ready for harvest.
Buy 2+ @$9.90ea usually:$19.90ea
Lemongrass - East Indian
$14.90 ($14.90-$18.75 choose a size)
Aromatic, tall, clump forming lemon scented grass, native to east India. It is a source of the essential oil for perfumery, culinary and medicinal purposes. It likes high rainfall and warm temperatures, and is not frost tolerant. It is more tropical than its cousin Cymbopogon citratus, with thicker, tougher leaves also. In agroforestry, it is well suited as a living mulch and can be cut regularly in the growing season. Vigorous, it can help contain running weeds from spreading when planted as a border. This plant does produce viable seed, so take care that this does not spread into native bushland or pasture
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Vanilla Vine
$29.00 ($24.00-$39.00 choose a size)
The fermented pod of this climbing orchid is harvested from the Vanilla Vine or orchid, an aromatic sweet scents used to flavour cakes, and perfumes. Must be hand pollinated. The only insect capable of pollinating the blossom is the Melipona, a bee (see video) , native only to Mexico so all plants must be hand pollinated within 12 hours of the flower opening. The pods take nine month to develop.
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Curry Tree
$19.90 ($18.90-$79.00 choose a size)
Fresh leaves from this tree are an indispensable ingredient in Indian cooking. The leaves are pretty much unknown in the West because they lose most of their flavour when dried. They have a distinct, spicy curry-like flavour and odour.Warning: The seeds are poisonous and should not be eaten
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Sage
$12.75 ($4.90-$12.75 choose a size)
A small, perennial, evergreen with woody stems, grayish leaves, and blue to purplish flowers. Native to the Mediterranean region. It has a long history of medicinal and culinary use, and in modern times as an ornamental garden plant. As a kitchen herb, sage has a slight peppery flavor.
Buy 1+ @$12.75ea usually:$17.75ea Aramex Free Freight
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Comfrey
$17.90 ($7.75-$17.90 choose a size)
This well-known showy plant is a member of the Borage and Forget-me-not tribe, Boraginaceae. A hardy perennial, its large leaves are rough and hairy all over. Comfrey thrives in almost any soil or situation, but does best in moist conditions. A useful plant it can be used with great success as a liquid manure, activator for compost heaps, a weed barrier or attractive understory plant.
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Thyme
$5.90
Holds its strong savoury flavour well - add at beginning of cooking. Thyme is the perfect plant for garden edges when it can be walked on to scent pathways and simply harvested. Sore throats benefit from a thyme gargle which is strongly antiseptic.
Buy 1+ @$5.90ea usually:$7.90ea
Tea Plant
$19.90 ($4.90-$19.90 choose a size)
Makes an attractive hedge with the added bonus of providing your own tea if you wish to dry the new leaf tips. The fragrant white flowers are an added bonus to this compact glossy leaved bush.
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Mint
$1.95 ($1.95-$3.90 choose a size)
Spreading perennial to 45 cm. Best in separate bed or pot. Pick and use at the last moment as mint aroma dissipates very quickly. Mint is commonly used combined with lamb, carrots, potatoes, peas, pork, yoghurt and in desserts, drinks and herbal teas.
Buy 8+ @$1.95ea usually:$3.90ea
Curry Myrtle
$21.90
The leaves have the sweet scent of curry, with eucalyptus overtones. Can be used fresh or dried or infused in oil. A shrub or small tree to 5 m with white flowers. Can be pruned to 2m. Native to rainforest of Qld and northern NSW
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Parsley Curly leaf
$2.95 ($2.95-$4.90 choose a size)
One of the essential kitchen herbs, parsley is easy to grow in pots, containers and window boxes where it can be kept close to the kitchen door. It also attracts many beneficial insects to the garden. As a biennial plants it will flower in it second years and should then be replaced.
Buy 4+ @$2.95ea usually:$4.90ea
Parsley Italian
$3.90
Flat-leaved parsley is preferred by some as it easier to cultivate, being more tolerant of both rain and sunshine and has a stronger flavour. Freshly chopped green parsley is used as a topping for soups, salads and as a flavouring for many dishes. In the garden parsley is attractive to beneficial insects.
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Echinacea ( Purple Cone Flower )
$5.95 ($4.75-$7.75 choose a size)
Echinacea is an important medicinal herb to have in your garden. Not only is it a pleasure to grow, its uses are limitless. The roots of Echinacea are said to stimulate the immune system and promote healing. Itsmost common use is to ward off the onset of the common cold and to alleviate the effects of a sore throat.As this is an herbaceous perennial, it will be non existant above the ground for winter.Echinacea flowers through spring, summer and autumn dieing down over winter then rise again in early spring.The root may be harvested when the plant is about 2-3 years old depending on how well you have looked after the plant.Echinacea will self seed or spread from underground roots.Plant out in an area that you wish to leave them undisturbed for many years. Water and mulch well but take care not to disturb the roots too much. Plant in full sun to partial shade.
Buy 4+ @$5.95ea usually:$7.75ea
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Aloe Vera
$14.75 ($14.75-$18.75 choose a size)
The healing powers of the Aloe Vera plant have been known throughout the civilised world for centuries. While considered by many to be a member of the cactus family it is actually a member of a family related to asparagus along with onion and garlic.It is a perennial herb with thick, succulent, pointed, basal leaves. The leaves are a grey-green to reddish colour and are sometimes spotted. The margins are slightly pink with pale teeth; flowers orange in terminal, elongated clusters.Currently known as Aloe barbadensis it is now agreed that Aloe vera can take precedence. That's much easier for us to remember and the vera distinguishes the more popular garden aloe from that of the A. maculata which is a much larger and more vigorous plant that has become naturalised in the eastern and southern parts of the continent.
Buy 1+ @$14.75ea usually:$19.75ea
Round Rooted Galangal
$23.90
Has beautiful variegated leaves and Crocus-like flowers which emerge after dormancy before the leaves. Young leaves are eaten raw or cooked also the root tubers can be eaten cooked and are quite hot.
Tea Plant - Pink
$19.90
Pink flowering form of Camelia sinensis that you can use to make your own brew of tea. New growth is a rich burgundy colour. Mix and match the Pink flowering form with the traditional white flowering Tea Plant. A compact shrub to 1m, perfect for hedging and specimen or container plants, growing best in pH 5.5 - 6.6 so an acidic mix is perfect. Grow them alongside blueberries! Partial shade and moist soil. Tea Plant - Pink will blossom during Autumn.
Sage - Pineapple
$7.90
Scarlet flowers and a pineapple aroma make this delightful grey-green sage a lovely addition to the herb garden. A herbaceous perennial it grows 1.2-1.5m tall. Attractive to birds and butterflies.
Pepper - Black
$29.00 ($29.00-$39.00 choose a size)
Cultivated for the fruit which is dried and used as a spice and seasoning. The fruits are dark red when fully ripe. Immature fruits can be picked as green pepper, black pepper is the fruit dried with the skin on and white pepper is the dried seed only. Black pepper is the worlds most widely traded spice.
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Cinnamon Tree
$31.95 ($27.00-$59.00 choose a size)
Highly ornamental tree and the source of cinnamon spice. The beautiful red new growth is highly distinctive. The spice itself is the inner bark that is peeled from the branches after 2 years. Scrape the outer bark, then peel the inner bark, leave for a day so that the inner bark curls into cinnamon sticks as it dries. They are distinctive in the many layered quill they produce that, when crushed, will shard rather than snap. Cinnamon is a very elegant and useful aromatic, much kinder to the palate than other spices. It imparts a distinctively sweet flavour when used. The leaves themselves are higher in clove oil than cinnamaldehyde, the active component of the sweet aromatic scent of cinnamon. Weed Warning: Can be invasive in tropical areas
Cardamom
$27.00 ($27.00-$39.00 choose a size)
A pungent, aromatic, herbaceous perennial. The green three sides seed pods are popular in Indian and Asian cooking and can be used whole or ground into a spice.The flowers are white to lilac or pale violet, produced in a loose spike 30 to 60 cm long.
Star Anise
$29.00 ($29.00-$49.00 choose a size)
Star Anise Tree is a small to medium, rounded, evergreen tree with glossy foliage. Flowers are small and greenish white to pink or purple with a central boss of stamens which are followed by aromatic seed pods that open out into a star shape when ripe. The essential oil and the ground spice, star anise, are extracted from the brown pods and the seeds. The oil primarily contains anethole. The spice is used in Chinese and northern Vietnamese cooking and is one of the ingredients in five-spice powder. It can be used as a substitute for anise and is frequently used to flavour liqueurs such as Pernod. It is also used to give an aniseed flavour to confectionery and is an ingredient in some cough mixtures.Requires a tropical or subtropical climate. Older trees need a sunny position but young plants will grow best if given some shade. Prefers a light, moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered position. Trees take about 6-8 year to produce a crop but a long lived and can continue to be productive for 80 years or more.
Allspice
$34.95
Allspice takes its name from its aroma. The dried berries smell like a combination of spices, especially cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. The evergreen tree that produces the allspice berries is indigenous to the rainforests of Central America.It is a member of the Myrtle family, growing as an attractive tree of dense foliage reaching 12m in tropical conditions. It produces small flowers followed by the hard woody reddish/brown berries. While male and female plants are required for pollination to set fruit, the tree is often grown for ornamental purposes and leaf harvest. Female trees are known to occasionally produce some male flowers, thereby setting fruit.Shade and regular water is required for young plants. Even though flowers contain both types of reproductive organs, most trees produce flowers with only one set of functional reproductive organs ("female flowers" produce infertile pollen and "male flowers" sterile eggs).
Bay Tree
$19.75 ($14.90-$79.00 choose a size)
This handsome pyramid shaped tree makes a superb tub specimen, hedging plant or topiary sculpture due to its positive response to pruning. The leaves of the bay are used as a popular culinary seasoning used in all types of cooking.
Clove
$29.00
Trial Product, Daley's is currently trialling this product, but we will not have them available for sale in the foreseeable future. If you are interested in this item please request the email notification from this page, but at this stage we cannot give you an estimated time of availability. Clove is an aromatic spice that is derived from the dried flower buds of this ultra tropical tree.
Tamarind
$29.90 ($19.75-$79.00 choose a size)
Of all the fruit trees in the tropics the Tamarind fruit tree is the most widely distributed and appreciated as an ornamental. The sour and fruity taste merges well with the heat of chillies. It gives many South Indian dishes their hot and sour character and their dark colour. In India the tamarind is mostly combined with meat or legumes eg. lentils, chickpeas or beans. The pulp is sold dry and must be soaked before usage. Only the water is then added to the food. Alternatively tamarind extract may be used with the same effect. The tamarind is a slow growing but long lived tree reaching up to 30 metres. It is highly wind resistant with strong graceful branches with rough fissured bark. The fruits look like beans and are borne in great abundance along the new branches. They range from 5-20cm in length and can be from 2-3cm in diameter. The leaves, too, are edible and enjoyed in salads, curries and chutneys. They are known as Chinta chiguru on the Indian subcontinent where they are much loved
Walking Onion
$19.75 ($18.75-$19.75 choose a size)
The easiest to grow of all onions, these onions are also known as Egyptian and top-setting onions. They grow in any soil with reasonable drainage, but if you want big fat bulbs then dig in compost and horse, cow or sheep manure a few weeks before planting. Grow from bulbs planted with just the top poking out of the soil, or from single bulbils planted just under the surface of the soil, in a position with full sun. Space plants about 40cm apart and they will grow to be about 60cm tall. Bulbs can be dug up about 5 months after planting. Save some bulbs for replanting or just replant the bulbils and eat the bulbs. There seems to be some variation in flavour of the bulbs, some being more mild and sweet and others stronger. There are also types with more red than brown skins. Both bulbs and bulbils have similar onion flavours and make an excellent substitute for brown onions in any dish.
Cinnamon - Cassia
$29.00 ($29.00-$49.00 choose a size)
Grown for thousands of years in China for both culinary and medicinal purposes and the source of the preferred cinnamon spice in North America, the flavour is stronger and is suitable for both sweet and savoury dishes. Trees are coppiced every 2-3 years and the inner bark is harvested and rolled into quills. The flower buds are also used as a sweet flavouring. Cassia cinnamon is distinguished from true Cinnamon by the thickness of the harvested quills and by the scent of the leaves. These are high in cinnamaldehyde, the source of the cinnamon scent, whereas true Cinnamon leaves smell like cloves. An attractive tree. Weed Warning: Can be invasive in tropical areas
Wasabi - Mazuma
$24.00 ($19.75-$24.00 choose a size)
Extremely strong pungency that is akin to hot mustard, wasabi produces vapours that stimulate the nasal passages more than the tongue. Generally used as a sauce that makes sushi or other foods more flavourful by adding spice. Use the stem sparingly and finely grated. Grows naturally along stream beds in cool mountain rivers valleys of Japan. Challenging to grow in Australia. Requires cool, moist, shaded conditions to thrive. It takes about 18 month - 2 years for plants to mature, in the meantime use the leaves and the leaf stems in salads, curries and pickled accompaniments.
Tamarind - Sweet
$79.00
The Tamarind fruit tree is the most widely distributed and appreciated as an ornamental throughout the tropics. This grafted variety was selected from a seedling Sweet selection with very sweet pulp. Tamarind gives many South Indian dishes their character and their dark colour. The tamarind is a slow growing but long lived tree reaching up to 30 metres. It is highly wind resistant with strong graceful branches with rough fissured bark. The fruits look like beans and are borne in great abundance along the new branches.
Lemon Verbena
$14.75 ($14.75-$18.75 choose a size)
A deciduous shrub native to South America. It is an attractive plant with beautiful lemon scented leaves that can be used to flavour sweet and savoury dishes as well as making a refreshing herbal tea. Lemon verbena grows best is a sunny position in free draining moist soil. It does not tolerate frost but can be grown in a pot and protected on frosty nights. The attractive, delicate and fragrant white/mauve flowers are also used in teas and other culinary concoctions.
Bay Tree - Baby Bay
$19.75
Baby Bay is a dwarf form of Bay Tree, with a handsome shape and perfect size for a growing in pots. Easily kept to 1m, it can be planted as a low hedge or miniature topiary due to its positive response to pruning. The leaves of the bay are used as a popular culinary seasoning used in all types of cooking. Suited to small herb gardens and loves full sun
Garlic - Elephant
$18.75 ($1.30-$18.75 choose a size)
This is not a true garlic but forms a bulb consisting of very large, garlic-like cloves. The flavour of these, while not exactly like garlic, is much more similar to garlic than to leeks. The flavour is milder than garlic, and much more palatable to some people than garlic when used raw as in salads. The mature bulb is broken up into cloves which are quite large and with papery skins and these are used for both culinary purposes and propagation. There are also much smaller cloves with a hard shell that occur on the outside of the bulb. These are often ignored, but if they are planted, they will the first year produce a non-flowering plant which has a solid bulb, essentially a single large clove. The plant, if left alone, will spread into a clump with many flowering heads. These are often left in flower gardens as an ornamental and to discourage pests.
Caper Bush
$24.00
The edible flower buds of Caper Bush are a delicacy in Mediterranean cooking and its use has spread all over the globe. Flower buds are salted and pickled to create the well known condiment. The fruit is also edible, raw or cooked. Widespread throughout the Mediteranean, Middle East and into the Indian subcontinent. The plant thrives in rocky, dry conditions from sea level to over 3000m above sea level but also adapts to areas of higher rainfall and humidity. Young plants may be sensitive to frost and heat but harden up with age. This is a small spiny shrub, well suited to pruning. It has an extensive root system which lends it drought tolerance, it also develops mycorrhizal relationships and has a preference for slightly alkaline soils but can adapt to others
African Nutmeg
$29.00
Valued for the aromatic seed, resembling the spice nutmeg when ground to a powder. The fruit can reach up to 20cm x 15cm and the white pulp has a sweet scent. The tree is ornamental with large, orchid-like, scented flowers. It originates in Tropical Africa in the west and east of the continent. It is dry-season deciduous but in leaf has a lush crown, growing from 10-35m in height and a large trunk diameter. In the tropics in can be found at elevation so could be worth trialling in the sub-tropics as long as it is protected from frost. Pollination is aided by native insects so in Australia hand-pollination may be needed. Trial Product Only not yet available for sale
Ruby Saltbush
$9.75
A low growing perennial, drought and frost tolerant native bushfood with small succulent edible berries that range in colours of green, yellow and red. Grows in a variety of soils, preferring well drained, sandy soils.
Yanang
$27.00
A vinous plant found throughout Thailand and Vietnam where it used to make teas and refreshing iced drinks (Nam Yanang) soup bases (Kaeng No Mai, Samlar Machu) and a type of Jelly called Suong Sam. Essence is extracted simply by rubbing the leaves together in water until this turns deep green. Superior flavor and processing time than Mesona Chinensis, which is a plant in the mint family used to make Grass Jelly. Delicate when young, the plant should be encourage up supported wires in part shade to some full sun. The plant is dioecious, meaning either male or female, but its not necessary to have more than one as the primary part for harvest is the leaf.
Luffa - Smooth
$14.90 ($7.90-$14.90 choose a size)
Grown as an edible vegetable they can be cooked and eaten when the size of a zucchini. Matured and left to dry they are using in the bath as an exfoliating sponge. Pick fruit regularly to encourage regular cropping. To prepare the luffa break off the stem and peel away the skin, when dry it cracks and comes off easily. Tap the seeds into a bowl. Soak in soapy water overnight and jet clean. Makes a planet friendly sponge in the kitchen, laundry and bathroom Great for growing over fences and as a screening plant. Requires lots of water to thrive.
Zaatar
$7.90
A perennial herb, a relative of oregano, native to the Mediterranean. Has attractive soft greying-green leaves with a spicy smell and flavour, combining sweet marjoram, thyme, and oregano. It can be used to flavour hummus, dips and soups. It does well in pots.
Curry Plant
$19.75 ($18.75-$19.75 choose a size)
The young shoots and leaves are stewed in Mediterranean meat, fish or vegetable dishes until they have imparted their flavour, and removed before serving. It grows on dry, rocky or sandy ground around the Mediterranean region. The stems are woody at the base and can reach 60cm or more in height. The clusters of yellow flowers are produced in Summer, they retain their colour after picking and are used in dried flower arrangements.
White Kunzea
$14.75
Fine leaved, medium sized shrub, profusely bearing delicate white flowers through spring. Leaves are traditionally used as tea or strong spice for cooking. Prunes well and is adaptive to many soil types. It is well suited to gardens similar in climate to it's native East Coast range and regular trimming after flowering give the bush a more compact structure. Works well as a hedge or screen.
Achiote - Bixa
$19.75 ($4.95-$19.75 choose a size)
Also known as Annatto or the Lipstick tree, originates from South America and has spread in popularity to many parts of Asia. It is very popular in Philippine cooking. Grows and a dense small tree or shrub. The heart shaped fruits are brown or reddish brown at maturity, and are covered with short stiff hairs. When fully mature the fruits split open exposing the numerous dark red seeds. While the fruit itself is not edible, the orange-red pulp that covers the seed is used as a commercial food colouring and dye (similar to turmeric). The achiote dye is prepared by stirring the seeds in water, and is popular in South America and Asia to colour rice, desserts, butter, cheese, and many other foods. In the Philippine Islands the seeds are ground and used as a condiment. Tree is extremely beautiful in full flowering and fruiting. Can be grown in a container, prefers a frost-free climate.
French Tarragon
$18.90
A perenial herb that is used to flavour chicken, egg and fish dishes. Aromatic and full of flavour French tarragon can be infused in oils and vinegar. This plant happily tolerates neglect and is drought hardy. Must be grown from cuttings as seeds revert to the inferior Russian variety.
Snake Jasmine
$14.90 ($14.90-$18.75 choose a size)
An erect, multi-branching shrub to 2m. It is commonly cultivated for its medicinal properties, as a hedge plant to protect against soil erosion. It is also planted as an ornamental. It thrives best on moist, well-drained soils, but it is also found in much drier habitats such as rock crevices. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil[
Chaya - Spinach Tree
$14.90
Young leaves and the thick, tender stem tips are cut and boiled as a spinach. It is a tasty vegetable, and is exceptionally high in protein, calcium, iron, and vitamin A. However, raw chaya leaves are toxic as they contain a glucoside that can release toxic cyanide. Cooking is essential prior to consumption to inactivate the toxic components and must be cooked before being eaten. Traditionally leaves are immersed and simmered for 20 minutes and then served with oil or butter. Cooking for 20 minutes or more will render the leaves safe to eat. Chaya leaves can be harvested continuously as long as no more than 50% of the leaves are removed from the plant, which guarantees healthy new plant growth.Caution: Toxic unless simmered for at least 20 minutes.
Native Nutmeg
$49.00
Handsome, tropical rainforest tree with fruits that open to reveal the kernel encased in a bright red aril. Height from 8-12m, bird and butterfly attracting. The kernel can be ground to produce a subtle spice related to culinary Nutmeg. The aril can be dried and used as a native Mace. Plants are either male or female, so advisable to plant at least 3 to be sure of one female. Use spices from the nutmeg genus in moderation due to toxity.
Tomato - Santorini
$4.90
Santorini tomato plants bear more fruit than ordinary tomato plants, matures earlier in the year, maintains its deep red colour with much greater consistency than other cherry tomatoes and requires no watering, an important attribute for Aegean islands, where water is often in short supply. And, of course, it tastes like a real tomato, unlike all those coloured cardboard varieties you find on the market.The island of Santorini is rightly renowned for its dramatic setting. Volcanic flows and scatterings of ash mark the countryside with their strange shapes and intensity of colours while the steep walls of the caldera, hundreds of feet high, are dotted with white villages that perch over the calm blue waters of the Aegean. Less known are some of the agricultural products of the island, most of which seem to be associated one way or another with the volcanic soil. One of these is the diminutive waterless tomato. Although it is often called cherry tomato, the Santorini fruit actually belongs to a different species, and it comes in two varieties. There is the so-called authentic type, where the rounded sides of the tomato are fluted vertically, giving the impression of a segmented fruit, and there is the type that does not have any flutings. Both varieties are smaller than ordinary tomatoes, but somewhat larger than the real cherry tomatoes.As if these benefits were not enough, scientific analysis has revealed the Santorini product bears yet more advantages over the larger and more prevalent kind of tomato (designated the GS67). Tested at two different stages of maturity, the islands variety has been found to have more ascorbic acid (another name for Vitamin C) and more soluble phenols. It has also been shown to contain the largest amount of lycopene in any known fruit or vegetable.
Coriander - Thai
$4.90
A low growing plant with a rosette growth habit. The leaves are stiff, long and deeply toothed: the flowers are spiky. The leaves are used in curries, salads, chutneys and salsa. It has a stronger flavour than coriander and retains its flavour when dried. It grows well in pots. Hi
Lemon Balm
$4.90
Lemon balm is a pretty plant that prefers rich moist soil and partial shade. It can tolerate direct sunlight but plants grown in shade tend to be larger and more succulent. It is related to mint in appearance, but it is not as invasive and easier to control. A clump-forming herbaceous perennial with heart shaped, deeply veined leaves that are covered with stiff hairs. Chopped fresh leaves can be used to add zest to sweet or tangy dishes. It combines well with allspice, bay leaves, mint, pepper, rosemary and thyme. A wonderful addition to fruit salads, green salads, herb butters, fruit drinks, sorbets. It can also be used in egg dishes, custards, soups and casseroles. It works well in stuffings for poultry,lamb or pork. Its subtle flavour is a perfect for sauces and marinades for fish.
Basil - Sweet
$5.90
Regularly, the more you harvest the more it will produce. If kept warm and harvested often you may even get 10 months worth of Basil leaves. Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil, amend with well-rotted manure or compost. Basil Sweet, originally from India, is best known as a culinary herb prominently featured in Italian cuisine, and also plays a major role in the Northeast Asian cuisine of Taiwan and the Southeast Asian cuisines of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Depending on the species and cultivar, the leaves may taste somewhat like anise, with a strong, pungent, often sweet smell.
Vietnamese Mint
$3.90 ($3.90-$5.75 choose a size)
This herb is not a member of the mint family despite the familiar appearance and scent. Commonly eaten fresh in salads, soups and stews. A perennial plant that grows best in tropical and subtropical where it likes a moist position.
Dill
$3.90
A perenial herb with soft delicate leaves, it is commonly used to flavour fish dishes. Successful cultivation requires warm to hot summers with high sunshine levels; even partial shade will reduce the yield substantially. It also prefers rich, well drained soil.It is attractive to beneficial insects in the garden.
Society Garlic
$4.90
The leaves are used chopped in sauces, soups, salads and as a garnish. The flower buds steeped in vinegar give it a mild garlic flavour and can also be used as a garnish. It is an attractive edging plant for herb and vegetable gardens, the cut flowers last well in water and are also edible, adding a spicy bite to salads.
Wild Rocket
$5.95
A short lived perennial that has a sharp peppery flavour used mostly for salads and stirfry's. It is a very useful kitchen herb that will self sow and branch easily for a continual supply. It has a narrower, deeply lobed leaf shape compared to regular Rocket. Growing to 40cm in height, |a very useful kitchen herb that will self sow and branch easily for a continual supply.
Coriander
$3.90
Frost hardy annual to 50 cm high x 30 cm wide. Prune off all flower stems to produce more leaves. Use all parts - leaves, stems and roots. Seeds can be ground and used in curry.Dainty white flowers attract beneficial predators (ladybirds, lacewings) into the garden.
Peppermint
$3.90
Mainly used for herbal tea and for traditional recipes such as mint sauce. To dry your home grown herbs, cut the stems before flowering begins and hang in bunches in a cool dry place. Perfect for containers mint is a pleasure to have in the garden when its aromatic leaves can be enjoyed.
Sweet Marjoram
$3.90
A perennial herb with sweet pine and citrus flavours. Marjoram is indigenous to the Mediterranean area and was known to the Greeks and Romans as a symbol of happiness. Marjoram has a more mild and sweet flavour than oregano.
Mexican Tarragon
$3.95
Easy to grow perennial herb. Bright yellow flowers appear in cluster in the summer. the leaves are long and narrow with a distinct aniseed scent and flavour. Use sparingly in any recipe calling for French tarragon to which it is similar. It also makes a great herb vinegar for use in salad dressings.
Mint - Apple Variegated
$2.95
Ornamental and aromatic, this is both beautiful and useful. Perfect in fruit salads and summer drinks or it can be used to make apple mint jelly. Hardy and easy to grow, preferring full sun to lightly shady conditions. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds.
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Yuzu - Grafted
$49.00 ($49.00-$99.00 choose a size)
Native to China, the Yuzu has been used and cultivated in this region for thousands of years. The fruit is tart, resembling a grapefruit with mandarin overtones. It is rarely eaten as a fresh fruit but is used to makes sauces, preserves and a popular yuzu vinegar. In Korea thinly sliced fruits are combined with sugar and honey to make a thick marmalade like syrup. Yuzu kosho is a spicy Japanese sauce made from green or ripe yellow yuzu zest, chillis and salt. The yuzu is more cold tolerant than most other citrus, being able to tolerate to -5 degrees
Buy 1+ @$49.00ea usually:$59.00ea
Drumstick Tree ( Moringa )
$24.00 ($19.75-$49.00 choose a size)
Also known as the Horseradish tree or Tree of Life. Possibly one of the most useful trees in the world, it produces long green pods that have been compared to a cross between peanuts and asparagus. The peeled roots are used as a substitute for horseradish and the edible leaves make a highly nutritious vegetable. Claims are made that its tiny leaves contains 7 times the Vit C of oranges, 4 times the Vit A of Carrots, 4 times the Calcium of milk, 3 times the Potassium of Bananas, and 2 times the protein of yogurt. The roots have also been documented as useful in many folk remedies. It originates in India and has spread in popularity to many parts of Asia, Central and South America, Africa and the Pacific. In Africa it has been also called the Miracle Tree with so many uses. This tree has delicate foliage and attractive pale yellow flowers. The slender, semi -deciduous, perennial tree, to about 10 m tall with drooping branches. Best kept pruned under 2mts as its the leaves that is what is best used in cooking. Thrives in subtropical and tropical climates, flowering and fruiting freely and continuously. Grows best on a dry sandy soil. Makes an ideal shade tree with high drought resistance. (Source: Nutritive Value of Indian Foods, by C. Gopalan) The foliage is delicate on young trees, and our potted plants are known for their older leaves to turn yellow and drop during transport to conserve energy. This is not a problem long term. With care and acclimatisation they will bounce back
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Javanese Ginger
$19.75 ($17.75-$19.75 choose a size)
This species bears a striking similarity to Cape York Turmeric. It differs in that the flower bracts are a deeper pink/purple colour as is the dark strip that runs up the centre of the leaf. Often used medicinally, in Bali a delicious drink is made by cooking dried slices of rhizome in water with palm sugar.
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Myoga Ginger
$18.75 ($14.90-$19.90 choose a size)
a native of Japan where it is grown commercially for its delicious spring shoots and young flower buds produced in autumn. Myoga flower buds are used in soups, tempura, pickled and as a spice. Like most gingers it is an understory of forests and so grows best under some shade. It can get sunburned leaves which will reduce its vigor if grown in full sun. In winter the top growth dies back and it regenerates in spring from the underground rhizomes.
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Ginger QLD
$19.75 ($3.00-$19.75 choose a size)
Hardy ginger variety, very popular in a range of cooking. Aromatic perennial plant with a pungent rhizome that is used as a spice, flavouring, food, and traditional medicine. In cool climates can perform very well as a pot plant and is easy to harvest all year round by digging fresh tubers as you need them. Young rhizome is pink skinned and the texture is much softer. The leafy stems of ginger grow about a metre high and lend a tropical feel to gardens. Provide good amounts of organic matter and keep well watered right through the growing season for best production
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Sugar Herb - Stevia
$17.75 ($17.75-$18.75 choose a size)
Stevia or the sugar herb is native to Brazil. The fresh or dried leaves can be used as a sugar substitute to sweeten cakes, drinks or desserts and are the only natural sweetener to have zero calories, carbohydrates and a zero glycemic index. The leaves if eaten fresh have a distinct set of flavours, the first sensation on the taste buds is the sweetness, this is followed by a pleasant aniseed like flavour which is lost totally once the herb is dried. Stevia is best grown in a sunny or partly shaded position where it is protected from frost. Thrives in moist, well drained soils enriched with humus. Ideal for pots, herb and kitchen gardens.The flowers will emerge from the ends of the stems throughout summer, and it does die back in winter but the plant is perennial and will bounce back in spring. The foliage is delicate on these young herbs, and our potted plants are known for their older, lower leaves to turn yellow and drop during transport to conserve energy. This is not a problem long term. With care and acclimatisation they will bounce back.
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Rosemary
$12.90 ($12.90-$18.75 choose a size)
A woody perennial herb with aromatic fragrant needle like leaves, native to the Mediterranean region. Rosemary is a member of the mint family, the name rosemary comes from the Latin rosmarinus, meaning dew of the sea, apparently because they are often found growing by the sea.
Buy 1+ @$12.90ea usually:$14.90ea
Lemongrass
$14.90 ($14.90-$18.75 choose a size)
Lemongrass is one of the most versatile of herbs. It makes a delicious herbal tea, is often used in cooking, as an effective pest repellent and an almost impenetrable weed barrier. Tie the outer leaves in a loop and cook with food to impart flavour. Be sure to remove before serving. Incredibly fast to become established and drought tolerant. The fleshy, purple part of the stem is used in curry pastes and can be ground into a paste and added to marinades and sauces to impart a fresh, lemony flavour.
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Galangal
$14.90 ($4.90-$18.75 choose a size)
Galangal is a fantastic member of the ginger family. The plant has striking orchid-like blooms and is often found in subtropical and tropical gardens. The knobby root has a delicious exotic taste with a touch of pepper and ginger. Best known as Thai Ginger, Galangal is similar to ginger in appearance, but not in flavor or texture. There are two primary types, Greater and Lesser. Indian and Thai Curries make primary use of Galangal and it is a prime ingredient of the popular Bitters used in mixed drinks. Use ground Galangal with other spices such as Cumin, Coriander, and Thai chillies to season almost any food including soups, sauces, meats and fish, legumes, and dry seasoning blends. Shoots, flower buds & flowers can be eaten cooked, shoots are quite hot when raw.
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Turmeric - Orange
$9.90 ($3.90-$19.90 choose a size)
The thick, cylindrical rhizome or underground stem of a tropical plant belongs to the ginger family. Finely grated it adds many health benefits and a brilliant colour and earthy flavour to foods such as Indian curries, rice and vegetarian dishes. Fresh Turmeric is lightly aromatic and slightly peppery, the flavour is pungent and bitter. Turmeric is a primary ingredient of Curry Powder. Used heavily in Indian Cuisine such as legumes, beans, and vegetable dishes. That wonderful ballpark mustard also contains turmeric as a colouring. To make yellow rice, use one teaspoon to colour one cup of raw rice. In the garden, the luscious leafy plant produces a spectacular flower that will stop you in your tracks, making a great ornamental feature in a subtropical garden. The foliage will die back in the winter indicating it is ready for harvest.
Buy 2+ @$9.90ea usually:$19.90ea
