Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)

A refreshing citrus aroma Lemon verbena is an aromatic shrub known for the distinctive lemon-like fragrance of its leaves. Originally native to parts of South America, it is now cultivated in many regions of the world for its aromatic foliage and use in herbal infusions. Its fresh citrus aroma makes it a popular ingredient in … Read more

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

An aromatic herb with a long history Sage is one of the best-known aromatic herbs of the Mediterranean region. Valued for its distinctive fragrance and flavour, it has been used in traditional cooking and herbal preparations for generations. Its textured leaves and characteristic aroma make it a recognisable member of the mint family. Beyond its … Read more

Mountain Tea (Sideritis perfoliata)

A characteristic plant of the Mediterranean Mountain tea is a common name used for several aromatic plants belonging to the genus Sideritis, part of the mint family, Lamiaceae. These plants are associated with Mediterranean botanical diversity and have a long history of use in traditional herbal infusions. The genus includes numerous species distributed across the … Read more

Growing lavender from cuttings in the Mavronero nursery

Growing new plants does not always begin with seeds. Many Mediterranean herbs can be propagated from cuttings, allowing a single healthy plant to become many. During the summer of 2026, several cuttings of true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) were planted in the nursery at Mavronero Farm. The cuttings were kindly shared by a friend of one … Read more

Parsley: harvesting seeds for future generations

Parsley is one of the world’s most familiar culinary herbs, yet its complete life cycle is rarely observed. During the summer of 2026, we documented the harvesting of mature parsley (Petroselinum crispum) seeds at Mavronero Farm. After flowering in spring, the plants gradually produced dry seed heads that are now providing the next generation of … Read more

Harvesting resilient mediterranean herbs during the peak of summer

Even during the hottest weeks of the Mediterranean summer, several native herbs continue to thrive. At Mavronero Farm, we harvested fennel seeds, yarrow and mountain tea, demonstrating the remarkable resilience of Mediterranean flora and the importance of understanding each species’ natural seasonal cycle. The Mediterranean summer is still full of life The peak of the … Read more

From wildflowers to natural skincare: how we make herbal creams at Mavronero Farm

Even the simplest wild plants can become valuable natural skincare ingredients when prepared with patience and care. At Mavronero Farm, we create small batches of herbal creams using flowers that grow naturally around our Mediterranean farm. Rather than relying on synthetic ingredients, we combine traditional herbal knowledge with our own organic extra virgin olive oil … Read more

Fennel seeds ready for harvest at Mavronero

From summer flowers to aromatic seeds Throughout spring and early summer, the wild fennel growing around the farmhouse at Mavronero filled the landscape with bright yellow flower umbels, attracting bees, hoverflies, butterflies and many other beneficial insects. As summer progresses, those flowers gradually complete their life cycle. The vibrant blooms dry naturally, and the characteristic … Read more

Wild thyme (Thymbra capitata)

The beginning of thyme honey season One of the unmistakable signs that Mediterranean summer has arrived is the flowering of wild thyme. Across the rocky hills surrounding Mavronero, the first blossoms of wild thyme (Thymbra capitata) have begun to open, covering the landscape with delicate pink-purple flowers and a distinctive aromatic fragrance. Although small in … Read more

Preparing traditional arbaroriza liqueur at Mavronero

Traditional food and drink preparations often begin with locally available plants and knowledge passed down through generations. At Mavronero, a small batch of traditional arbaroriza liqueur has recently been prepared using freshly harvested leaves from arbaroriza (Pelargonium graveolens), continuing a practice that has long been part of Mediterranean household traditions. The preparation began with the … Read more