The most well known of this group is probably Lavender, which thrives on long sunny periods being a Mediterranean plant and from a gardening point of view has the added advantage of their being several varieties available, to give different form and colour of flowers.

   
There are also many other herbs that do well in sunny conditions. Sage, Salvia officinalis, that wonderful herb that is so essential for making the stuffing for a roast chicken is another that will oblige during the sunny period and provide deep mauve coloured flowers atop their silver/grey foliage. Another salvia that is well worth having in the garden is the Pineapple Sage, Salvia elegans, for its pretty red flowers and the delight of crushing a leaf as you walk past to get that delicious scent of pineapples.

Basil, from the Ocimum family, is another lover of heat and lots of sun and although the culinary herb varieties are not grown for their flowers there are others which are truly stunning at this time of year some with maroon/mauve foliage and white/maroon flowers to match. Also the indigenous Ocimum species, much loved by the bees, seems to be in flower all the time.

Two more that are worth having in the garden is Dill, Anethum graveolens, and Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, as both are tall (up to one metre) handsome foliage plants that bear clusters of pretty yellow flowers above the foliage, thus adding shape and colour to the garden.     

Plants Galore Garden Centre
Directions: Use the Limuru Road from Muthaiga and continue past the Village Market and the turning into Runda.  200 m beyond the Runda turning take the murram track on the right hand side, where there is a Plants Galore sign board. After the bridge over the river fork right; the Centre is 100 m on the right. You can’t miss it! Telephone: 0773 612589 or 0705 223298. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   Website: www.plantsgalore.co.ke