Fennel

Pick up a copy of this month’s Gardens Illustrated, and you’ll bag a packet of bronze fennel seeds as well. It’s no secret that we love this plant, and not just as a herb. Try growing it in your herbaceous borders as a backdrop to strongly coloured flowers such as poppies, or with bold-leaved ligularias. And use it with fish dishes or as a garnish to vegetable dishes.

The seeds are used by some people as a toothpaste substitute, and provide a strong, liquorice-like flavour. Don’t overuse it in a dish, as you may feel as though you’ve just visited the dentist…