Its powerful fragrance goes well with lamb and chicken. Add to tomato soup, stews and, finely chopped, to fresh cooked peas. The tea is said to help headaches, colic and colds.

Sow from late winter to early summer in John Innes Seed Compost. Do not cover the seed with compost. Make sure that the compost is moist but not wet and seal in a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 12-40 days at 16C (60F).

Transplant when large enough to handle into 8cm (3in) pots. Later plant out 60cm (2ft) apart into well drained soil in a sunny sheltered site,