Lemon verbena

With a spear-shaped leaf, Aloysia citrodora is a delicious and lemony herb with a hint of ginger, which flowers from June to November and can be planted directly outdoors from April after the last frost. Start with a purchased plant or a cutting and plant in a 30cm pot. Grow it in full sun or partial afternoon shade, making sure to water well throughout the summer and feed every two weeks. To harvest, cut just above a pair of leaves. Cutting prevents the plant from becoming ‘leggy’; it grows better with regular pruning and remains a compact shape in the pot. Cut back to half its size in the autumn. Keep the pot in a sheltered place in winter; some protection may be needed as it is a tender plant, so doesn’t deal well with freezing temperatures.

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