If you’re partial to a nice brew, there are a few plants you can grow yourself to make a refreshing drink, says Jim Cable

ea plants are a type of camellia and if you can grow ornamental camellias in your garden, you can grow Camellia sinensis, the one harvested for tea. However, since only the shoot tips are used for tea, you’re unlikely to become self-sufficient unless you have acres of space! Even the Tregothnan estate in Cornwall, where

Tthe first ornamental camellias were grown, blend their homegrown tea with Assam and Darjeeling. You’ll need to be patient too, as it’ll be five years before your first proper harvest and then if you want a black, rather than green tea, the leaves require slow drying and fermentation. But there are other plants that are easily grown to make a very

tasty cuppa!