Betony
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Steeped in history and surrounded by centuries of folklore, Betony is one of Britain's most treasured old-fashioned herbs. Long before formal flower borders became fashionable, this elegant perennial could be found growing in monastery gardens, medieval physic gardens and the cottage plots of country villages, valued as much for its beauty as for its place in traditional herb lore.
From early summer onwards, slender stems rise above a rosette of rich green leaves, carrying vibrant spikes of rosy-purple flowers that sway gently in the breeze. These striking blooms are a magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, making Betony just as valuable in today's wildlife gardens as it was in the gardens of centuries gone by.
Its upright habit and natural charm make it a wonderful addition to cottage gardens, prairie-style borders and heritage herb collections, where it pairs beautifully with lavender, sage, thyme and yarrow. Easy to grow and returning reliably year after year, Betony brings a touch of timeless elegance and a fascinating connection to Britain's gardening heritage.
Vital Stats
- Botanical name: Stachys officinalis
- Common names: Betony, Wood Betony
- Plant type: Hardy perennial herb
- Height: Approximately 45–60 cm
- Spread: Approximately 30–45 cm
- Position: Full sun or partial shade
- Soil: Moist but well-drained soil
- Flowering period: June to September
- Wildlife friendly: Excellent for bees, butterflies and other pollinators
- Aromatic foliage: Lightly aromatic
- Supplied as: One healthy, established herb plant in a 9 cm pot
Delivery Information
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Sage is a kitchen garden classic, with a delicious musky flavour that is best known as a staple of a great Sunday Roast!
It is evergreen and quite architectural. It looks great through the winter months and will take the worst that the winter can throw at it. We think that the grey foliage looks spectacular on a frosty morning.
It will struggle in waterlogged conditions so please ensure that this variety is in free draining conditions.
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Delivery options explained
Pre-order delivery option
From January to March, customers are able to pre-order herbs for delivery later in spring, to ensure that you receive the unusual varieties that you desire. We begin dispatch of pre-orders from late March, once all items in your order are available for dispatch in one delivery, as some varieties will be available a little later in the year than others. You will receive notification when this dispatch takes place along with tracking information but if you would like an estimated delivery date after placing your pre-order, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Order Now delivery option
From late March to autumn, herbs will be available for immediate dispatch subject to their availability. We dispatch our fresh potted herbs Monday-Wednesday each week to avoid postal delays over the weekend. We aim to dispatch all fresh herb orders in less than seven days, i.e. an order placed Thursday-Sunday would likely be dispatched the following Monday/Tuesday. Orders placed Monday-Tuesday we would aim to dispatch by the Wednesday of that week. We do not dispatch on bank holidays.
If you have a specific dispatch date that you would like us to aim towards, please do not hesitate to let us know. We can't guarantee a particular date but will strive to do our best for you.
Dispatch information
All orders are dispatched via a next day courier, ensuring that your herbs reach you promptly and in good health. For customers in the Highlands, Channel Islands and Northern Ireland this is a 48-hour delivery service.
Please note that we do not offer a collection service. Our site is not suitable to receive visitors and this is a rule that we have to apply universally out of respect to our neighbours and family.
Packaging
We aim to reuse packaging as much as possible. Your herbs will be delivered in taupe recyclable pots. We are moving over to using plastic blister cell packaging which contains at least 90% recycled content and is itself 100% recyclable. These things are important to you and are important to us.Customer satisfaction
Occasionally due to circumstances beyond our control, problems can arise. If you are not satisfied in the condition of your plants upon reaching you, please contact us as soon as possible providing pictures so that we can deal with your enquiry and feedback to our courier service. We will endeavour to ensure a resolution is reached that leaves you satisfied.