Herbs are a wonderful addition to a garden. Whether growing them for culinary reasons, for attractive and fragrant borders, or to attract bees to the garden, herbs are often easy to grow and maintain. When landscaping a garden consider which herb is best suited for the function you want it to perform.
Kitchen Gardens
Using a freshly picked herb straight from your garden when cooking is hard to beat. There are many favourite varieties which are staples of a kitchen garden.
Basil is a classic summer herb, easy to grow in pots and a lovely garnish to many dishes. A herb particularly good with salads is chives, adding a mild onion taste to the bowl. The beauty of chives is nothing need go to waste as their flowers, bulbs and leaves are also edible. Further staples of a kitchen garden include parsley, rosemary, mint, thyme and sage, all adding their own unique flavours to your recipes.
Border Fragrance
The aroma generated from plants caught by the wind or as you brush past is one of the pleasures of our gardens. When landscaping borders incorporate an herb such as lavender, this will add lovely fragrance as they are known for their aromatic properties. A gentle breeze is all it needs to release the liquorice aroma of the anisse hysop, while anyone who has run their hand over a rosemary bush does not forget its distinct and lovely fragrance. Thyme, lemon balm and peppermint also add subtle aromas to a garden.
Bee Friendly
Herbs are excellent plants to help attract bees to your garden. Marjoram produces nectar-rich flowers which bees love, as does lavender. The yellow flowers of fennel will attract a variety of species of bee with the nectar and pollen they provide. You can plant varieties of basil to attract pollinators, too. African blue and magic mountain are varieties of basil which bloom all season, attracting bees to the garden through the year.
Container growing
Many varieties of herb can be grown in containers and pots, making them ideal for patios and smaller gardens. Your choice of container can be as quirky as you like, so long as you provide the plant with good drainage, plenty of sun and regular watering. Basil, thyme, oregano, rosemary and parsley all do well when grown in pots. With container growing you are not limited by the space or soil type of your garden, offering you continued access to fresh culinary ingredients.
Combination Planting
Planting a herb among your vegetables brings extra colour and fragrance to that particular area of your garden. Planting the right herb can also help keep pests away from your vegetables too. Planting basil next to tomatoes and pepper plants can help repel white flies and aphids. Dill can be good to plant near cabbage and lettuce, though should be avoided near carrots. A flowering herb will also attract the necessary pollinators to your vegetable plants, though you need to ensure you prune the herb when necessary to provide room for the other plants to grow.
An expert landscaper can design pathways and gardens that are interesting and colourful all year round, no matter the weather.
Our landscape team at Glorious Gardens is happy to discuss these ideas in planning your garden. If you’re considering a “re-do” of your outdoor space, we invite you to call us. We will brainstorm to find the right blend of elements to suit your tastes, your budget and your space.
