Citric Shrub

LEMON VERBENA IS A DOUBLE THREAT, ADDING COLOUR AND FRAGRANCE TO THE GARDEN AND A CITRUSY ZEST TO FOOD

- Melissa King

Pick, crush and sniff a lemon verbena leaf and you’ll want to savour it all day, so intoxicating is the lemony scent that gives it its species name, citriodora.

It’s one of those invaluable plants that give you double the joy — in both garden and kitchen — with pretty lime green leaves that can be used to make an invigorating tea, to flavour poultry and fish dishes or to jazz up a dessert.