We recommend two alternative herb seed suppliers in the UK, each having a long pedigree in the seeds business:

• Thompson & Morgan
• Dobies

Thompson & Morgan have a number of interesting seed selections as well as individual species and varieties. The first of their collections that I’ve chosen to highlight is a selection of very different herbs which have in common that they are often grown in pots on the kitchen windowsill so as to be readily available for cooking, hence the label Herbs for Windowsills. It includes packets of five herbs: Bush Basil, Sweet Marjoram, Parsley Clivi, Fernleaf Dill and Chives. Each has its distinct role in the kitchen and can, of course, be grown outside as well as indoors. To read further details or to purchase click on the picture above.

The picture on the right (also from Thompson & Morgan) is of a range of Basil varieties: Basil Cinnamon, Basil Lettuce Leaf, Basil Greek, Basil Purple Delight, Basil Lemon and Basil Ararat. Even though all of them as Basils each has not only its own distinctive appearance but also its own unique flavour. The selection includes a packet of seeds for each of the six varieties, collectively labelled Basil: The Spice Boys Collection. Click on the picture for more information or to purchase.

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Dobies also have an extensive range of herb seeds. Most, at the time of writing (January 2009), are priced at under £1 per packet. However one, somewhat more expensive, variety is I think worth highlighting - five plants of Basil Siam Queen, with its purple stems and green leaves that provide a delicious aroma of liquorice especially when the leaves are cooked or used to make basil tea.

Finally for this page, the polythene planter above can provide a very convenient mini-herb-garden just outside the kithchen door. They come in packs of two. Click on the picture above for more details.

A range of other planter options is illustrated on our herb garden kits page.