Newsletter: 16th August 2026
Never the Same Herb Garden Twice
One of the joys of Jekka's Herb Garden is that no two visits are ever quite the same. From the first signs of growth in spring to the abundance of summer, the garden is constantly changing as different herbs emerge, flower and set seed.
As we move through August, the garden is entering another stage in its journey. This month, we're taking a closer look at how Jekka's Herb Garden changes through the seasons and inviting you to experience its next chapter at our September Open Days & Plant Sale.
Jekka's Herb Garden: Never the Same Garden Twice
Jekka's Herb Garden was created in 2022, and since then we have photographed its development throughout the seasons. What began as newly planted beds has grown into an established garden filled with hundreds of culinary, medicinal and ornamental herbs.
Each season brings something different. Spring is filled with fresh growth, early summer brings an abundance of flowers and pollinators, while later in the season the garden develops a completely different character as plants mature, seed heads appear and late-flowering herbs take centre stage.
Our Jekka's Herb Garden Timeline follows this transformation and provides a fascinating look at how the garden has developed and changed over the years.
From High Summer to September
Late summer brings its own stars to Jekka's Herb Garden. While some of the familiar sights of early summer are beginning to fade, other herbs are reaching their best and bringing colour, scent and structure to the garden.
This is the time of year when plants such as Rock Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus), Harts Pennyroyal (Mentha cervina), Siberian Chives (Allium nutans), Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) and Sea Kale (Crambe maritima) really earn their place. Many late-flowering herbs are also invaluable to wildlife, providing nectar for bees and butterflies when other sources of food are becoming less abundant.
It is one of the things we love most about growing such a diverse collection of herbs: there is always something new to discover. A plant that might have gone unnoticed earlier in the year can suddenly become the star of the garden.
Discover Jekka's Top 10 Herbs for Late Summer and some of Jekka's favourite plants to look out for as summer progresses towards September.
Rock Hyssop, (Hyssopus officinalis subsp. aristatus)
Experience Jekka's This September
Tickets for our September Open Days & Plant Sale are released today, and we'd love to welcome you to experience the garden for yourself.
Explore Jekka's Herb Garden and Jekka's Herbetum, hear a seasonal talk from Jekka McVicar VMH, and speak to Jekka's team about growing and caring for herbs in your own garden.
There will also be the opportunity to browse Jekka's herb collection, enjoy homemade refreshments in the café and spend time discovering the extraordinary diversity of the herb world.
Whether you're visiting Jekka's for the first time or returning to see how the garden has changed since your last visit, there will always be something new to discover.
Siberian Chives (Allium nutans), Jekka's Herb Garden in August and Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)
Cultivating flavour, creating experiences.