066-915 0530 || 
I urgently need readers to submit more questions which have not been dealt with already. Please send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text to the below number and you will be in with a chance of winning the €15 plant voucher.
The winner of this month’s draw for €15 herb voucher is Iain from Slea Head.
We want to start a small herb garden outside (about 1.5 metre by 1 metre). What herbs will do well in Ireland? We do not want to have herbs that just live for 1 year, preferably 2 years or longer. We already have Rosemary, Thyme and Chives.
Jessica Van Esch, Annascaul
There is quite an extensive list of perennial (grow for many years) herbs and this includes decorative varieties of the common version of subjects such as Sage and Thyme. There are purple, gold & tricolor leaved Sages, orange and lemon Thymes, all will add scent, colour and interest to your raised bed. Most may be used in cooking but require a well drained soil. To prevent rot add some silver sand otherwise the wet Kerry winters will kill them. Likewise Lavender varieties require similar conditions but once established will thrive! Lemon balm has a tremendous fragrance and survives well as does Oregano. These also have colourful, variegated family members! There are many wonderful mint varieties which should be grown in pots as they are highly invasive. Sorrel, Salad Burnet and Wild Rocket are also easy to grow perennial salad herbs. Green or Bronze Fennel will add a lovely touch of delicacy with its feathery foliage! Many herbs will vagrantly self-seed so you may end up with more than you want! To prevent this, rapidly remove dead flower-heads. Lastly there is Lovage, a very large, impressive herb, if space is restricted you may grow it in a large pot or keep it divided if you wish to contain it within your raised bed. Be adventurous!
Which Geranium produces the rose scented oil?
Deirdre Daly, Dingle
The scented Geraniums belong to the Pelargonium Genus. They are natives of South Africa and were introduced to Europe in 1600 and were very popular in Victorian times. They are a broad, diverse group of interesting plants which unlike other family members are grown for their strongly scented leaves not their flowers. They are very important plants in aromatherapy both Pelargonium graveolens and P capitatum produce rose scented oil. The variety of P capitatum ‘Attar of Roses’ was awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) so I would suggest you aim to get seeds of this variety. If you purchase plants from specialist growers in Ireland or the U.K you can easily and quickly increase your stock by taking cuttings in May to July. Scented Geraniums are extremely vigorous and make hypnotic, patio plants with their intoxicating aromas. Fragrances include coconut, peppermint and pine among many citrus scents. Ensure however to move pots indoors before winter strikes and gradually reduce watering as daylight decreases and temperatures slide.
Greta McCarthy,O'Brien qualified in Amenity Horticulture at Botanic Gardens Dublin in 1983 and has been growing herbs in Annascaul for over 10 years.
Herb Nursery, Back Road, Annascaul opens Thursday to Sunday 2-6pm other-times by appointment. Greta’s Herbs are also available at Dingle Market every Friday morning & various other outlets. Lovely variety of bedding & container plants also available. Contact Greta 086-3169716 www.gretasherbs.com
