Anethum graveolens

Also known as dill weed, dill, Anethum graveolens, is a commonly used herb, native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It's a dark green herb with wiry, thread-like leaves and a strong, distinctive taste. It was once used as an ingredient in recipes to treat coughs and headaches. These days it's mostly used in fish dishes.

Dill is easy to grow. Sow seed under cover in spring, in plug trays or pots rather than seed trays, as plants tend to bolt if their roots are disturbed when transplanted. Plant out the plugs after all risk of frost has passed, in a sunny, sheltered spot.

As well as its culinary and medicinal use, dill is a fantastic plant for wildlife. Bees, hoverflies and butterflies all feed on its nectar and pollen, and caterpillars of the beautiful European swallowtail butterfly, Papilio machaon, which has recently started breeding in southern Britain, eat its leaves.