Wild Herbs

 At this time of the year these bushy green herbs grow well.

A huge sage plant

I'd never noticed this before and was right chuffed when I recognised the leaves, crushed one and smelled that sagey smell. 

I've taken some cuttings and have them in a mug of water hoping they'll grow roots. 

A hedge of rosemary and a prickly pear 

This is a wall of lavender

Unfortunately it has just been cut back and there were none of those beautiful purple flowers 

Another rosemary hedge entangled with a colourful vine

In the fields you can find, if you know where to look, wild asparagus and loads of wild greens.

I often see older women walking along the verges with a plastic bag and a knife to dig out their favourite greens. There are many types of greens and you need to be taught by one of these women. Like mushrooms, some are edible, some are not.

They boil the greens and eat them with oil and lemon juice. A Greek favourite.

They also gather chamomile to dry and keep for winter ills.  

The road I walked today was bordered by small chamomile flowers and the air was full of their aroma.

Later I will find several caper plants growing over rocky outcrops and walls.  The capers can be picked in July but the plants are so thorny I just haven't bothered.

Clumps of wild thyme and oregano appear in the dry midsummer heat too.