The Herbs

1 9 7 0 - 1 9 7 2 (UK)
40 x 15 minute episodes

With the magic word "Herbidacious" the gate to the garden of Sir Basil and Lady Rosemary would open revealing such wonderfully named characters as Dill the Dog, Sage the Owl (who was always falling out of his nest), Aunt Mint, Constable Napweed, Tarragon the Dragon, Signor Solidago, Mr Onion the Schoolteacher and his pupils the Chives, Bayleaf the Gardener, Pashana Bedhi and Belladonna (an evil witch). 

The most famous of them all was a large headed lion by the name of Parsley, who proved such a hit that he was spun off into his own series (The Adventures of Parsley). 

Created by Michael Bond (of Paddington Bear fame) and transmitted in the Watch With Mother lunchtime timeslot, the puppet series was directed by Ivor Wood who had previously worked on The Magic Roundabout.

Parsley's Tale Region 2 (UK) DVD

The Snake Charmer Region 2 (UK) DVD