When space is at a premium, as it is on a boat, it becomes necessary to be selective when choosing what is essential to bring aboard. Of course, what actually constitutes 'essential' is subjective and I would argue that, for me, at least one pot of plants is essential. Who could say no to a few beautiful flowers and herbs? For those who are lucky enough to live aboard to take care of your plants, then, you can really enjoy growing a real roof garden. The rest of us have to select carefully which plants can survive a little neglect if we are away from the boat. If you are enjoying a few weeks' holiday then it might just be a beautiful display of flowers you want, although, in this case, 1 would always add a few essential herbs. Buying ready-potted herb plants is a quick and simple solution when planting up containers and herbs can be as pretty as any bedding plant. Mint and thyme both have lovely purple or pink flowers to attract bees and butterflies. Eau de Cologne mint has the most lovely citrus scent and purple-tinged leaves with the added advantage of also having some insect repellent properties! Coriander not only tastes wonderful, but if it should run to flower, which it is prone to do if the weather is hot and conditions are on the dry side, has umbels of pretty pinky white flowers which can be left to set into edible seeds. Another very handy plant is Lemon verbena - Aloysia citriodora, not so exciting to look at until it produces spikes of pale pink flowers. Lemon verbena is a green-leafed shrub that can grow up to 2.5m, but, as a young plant, just to have the strong lemon-scented leaves which make a delicious tea, as well as being a mosquito repellent, this plant is certainly in my top ten essential plants to grow.
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