Weeds, flowers or herbs?

[ElyElyOy]

Has anyone any idea what these two plants are. The first one has odd bulbs that look like strange potatoes. The second one is quite widespread and probably needs digging out but it smells quite strong so I’m guessing a herb (and maybe I could dry it after chopping it out?)

[goldengummybear]

The second one looks like sage.

[chemenger]

The second one is sage. The first could be a hellebore or possibly a peony?

[MaudAndOtherPoems]

First one is a paeony and second is sage. As a gardening pedant I must point out that it’s possible for a plant to be all three things at once!

[gokartdillydilly]

Lovely! The first one pic is peonies - the bulbs like being on the surface so don't cover them up. They are gorgeous flowers and will keep coming back every year with no looking after needed.

The second pic is indeed sage as ggbear has stated. I just let mine grow until it needs cutting back when too big. Tasty!

[ElyElyOy]

Ah wonderful thank you everyone, I will certainly let them stay then (it’s like garden X factor at the moment, with such a limited plot to work with I’m being ruthless!)

@MaudAndOtherPoems I suppose I never really thought of it like that to be honest. Although I used to have a lovely plant in my old garden that I was really proud of with how hardy it was and how lovely the flowers were: although an actual Gardener told me it was technically a weed that most people wanted to get rid of. I suppose it’s all a matter of perspective

[MaudAndOtherPoems]

Yes, exactly that! Another gardener’s maxim is that a weed is simply a plant growing in the wrong place.