Silverbeet is highly nutritious and can be used in the same way as spinach; it is particularly high in vitamin K. 

An herbaceous perennial to around 1m tall with branched stems bearing lemon-scented, greyish-green, scallop-edged leaves. Small purple-spotted white flowers appear from summer into autumn. This is a very hardy plant that is both drought and frost tolerant.

Monarda 'Donnerwolke' is a clump-forming perennial boasting masses of shaggy rich violet purple flowers that rest on a whorl of decorative bracts. Long flower period from mid summer to early autumn. Even after the petals have fallen, the seed heads can remain a feature into winter. The leaves are deep green and have a delicious mint fragrance and are used in teas.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a lemon-scented, perennial herb from the mint family. Growing to a height of 90cm, it has heart-shaped leaves and white/pale pink flowers. Lemon Balm has a delicate flowery lemon flavour. Its leaves are used in teas, culinary dishes, and for extracting essential oils.

Monarda 'Blue Stocking' is a clump-forming perennial boasting masses of shaggy violet-blue flowers that rest on a whorl of decorative bracts. Long flower period from mid summer to early autumn.

With their bright scented flowers, it is easy to see why Sweet Williams are a traditional cottage garden favourite.

Edible flowers add beauty, flavour and color to dishes like salads, desserts, and drinks. Some can be dried to enjoy in between seasons. They can be infused into teas, syrups, vinegars, and oils; they can also be candied for decoration on cakes and baked goods.

Eschscholzia californica makes an excellent ground cover. Not only is the flower pretty but so is its blue-green foliage. This plant is annual but will self seed for years to come. Height 40cm.

Add colour to your kitchen garden with these broad beans. This is a beautiful, rare heirloom (1788) variety known for its striking, vivid crimson-red flowers, making it ornamental as well as edible, producing tasty beans in pods.

The Brassica chinensis is a member of the cabbage family – mature plants form tight upright rosettes with broad white or pale green stems and large lush leaves.

The Flanders Poppy is a symbol of remembrance, inspired by the red fields of poppies that bloomed on the battlefields of France during World War I. For this reason I sow my seeds on ANZAC Day for flowers on Remembrance Day.

Eschscholzia californica make an excellent ground cover. This beauty is growing under my elephant garlic. It is also keeping the garlic roots cool and bringing in the beneficial insects.

Cornflowers may be an old fashion annual but it will never be out of fashion. These delicate papery flowers are a staple for cottage gardens and meadow gardens.

Cornflowers may be an old fashion annual but it will never be out of fashion. These delicate papery flowers are a staple for cottage gardens and meadow gardens.

Add a splash of colour to your kitchen garden with these peas.

Calendula officinalis is a necessity for an English cottage garden. They come in single and double forms. Colours range from yellow, orange, lemon and copper/pinks.

This is a very tough and easy to grow plant. It tolerates full sun and temperatures down to -10C. Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade; plants may need support.