Botanical Infusions Plants – Collection

Fancy a grow-your-own cuppa? Then this should be your cup of tea! Botanical Infusions Plants is a collection of four exotic herbs for home-brewing your own herbal and medicinal teas. Revive yourself with a mug of Jiaogulan tea, the ‘Immortality Herb’ of Chinese folk medicine, or enjoy a cup of Aztec Sweet Herb from ancient Mexico. However you take your tea, this collection will delight curious tea-lovers!

Botanical Infusions Plants Collection comprises 3 super plugs of each of the following varieties:

• Herb of Life (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) – Also known as Immortality Herb, Jiaogulan or Sweet Tea Vine, Herb of Life is a vigorous climbing vine of the cucumber family which has been used in traditional folk medicine. The leaves make a naturally sweet, aromatic herbal tea. Ideal for a shady corner of the garden, Herb of Life is borderline hardy, so should be planted into large patio containers or in a sheltered corner. The exotic foliage makes an excellent summer display and would be ideal for quick-growing screening or wall-covering. Height and Spread: up to 4m (13′).
• Mint Marokko (Mentha spicata) – A compact and hardy spearmint to brew your own delicious Moroccan tea. Height & Spread: 60cm (23”)
• Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) – A deciduous sub-shrub with intensely lemon scented leaves which can be used in herbal teas or desserts. Bears lance-shaped leaves and spikes of white or pale lilac flowers. This half-hardy shrub needs to be in a sunny, sheltered position with some winter protection or grown in a container and moved to a frost-free place over winter. Height and Spread: 2.5m (8’2”).
• Aztec Sweet Herb (Lippia dulcis) – Used since the Aztec Civilisation as a natural, sugary flavouring, Aztec Sweet Herb can be used to sweeten tea, fruit salads or cold desserts without the calories of sugar! Its green leaves, sometimes purplish, have a sweet, minty scent and contain compounds called hernandulcin which give them their intense, sugary taste. The roots have a liquorice flavour. It also produces small white flowers in the summer. Trailing and ground covering, it can be grown in a border or container. It looks especially good in a hanging basket where its long tendrils can dangle for easy picking. Height and Spread: 30cm (12”).

Culinary Herb note: Some parts of these plants are edible and can be used as herbs to add flavour and colour to your meals. For more details about edible flowers click here.