HERBS have a long history. In ancient times they were not only valued for their fragrance and food-enhancing flavours, but also for their health and medicinal properties, so it’s no wonder herb gardens are just as popular today as they were centuries ago.
As flavourings in our favourite dishes, herbs are a must. They enhance the natural flavours of meats, fish, soups, sauces and vegetables, can lift a salad from the ordinary to the extraordinary, and edible oils can be taken to a whole new level via an infusion of complimentary herbs.
Culinary basics to consider when setting up a herb garden are chives (both the onion and garlic varieties), basil, rosemary, thyme, sorrel, mint and sage. And don’t forget garlic, which is not only prized for its wonderful flavour and versatility, but also for its well-documented medicinal qualities.
But all herbs are rich in medicinal and health-supporting elements to varying degrees, which is another good reason to establish a thriving herb garden for home use.
Herbs with edible flowers include bergamot, marigold, nasturtium, rose and violets, all of which make a colourful and tasty addition to salads, and if looking for choices for dried arrangements, some of the most popular are sweet bay, cornflowers, any of the lavenders, marjoram, thyme and yarrow.
One popular dual-purpose use of herbs is to plant them between paving stones, use them as path borders and/or grown in clumps around garden statuary and seating.
They are fragrant, attractive and close enough at hand to harvest for use in the kitchen.
Herbs like lavender, rosemary and sweet bay are also popular choices for creating very attractive borders and hedges.
If space is an issue, herbs will grow happily in pots, which makes them a great choice for small courtyards and balconies, hanging baskets, or even containers placed down a set of steps, and they are ideal for window sills and window boxes.
Just ensure the pot or container is going to meet the needs of the plant. It should be large enough to suit the size of the plant, which will allow for good air and water circulation and in hotter areas, opt for non-porous containers like ceramic or plastic, as these will be very helpful in preventing the plants from drying out too quickly.
Herbal lawns are another interesting option, but are most successful when done on a smaller scale, like in a small courtyard or an area of the yard that could do with a visual lift.
Herbal lawns can safely be mown and walked on, and will release their lovely fragrance as you go.
Herbs that produce small flowers are popular for herbal lawn areas, as they provide colour, interest, and look so attractive. Herbs can also be added to existing lawns, and are especially useful as an alternative solution where areas of existing lawn are looking a bit patchy.
The choice is fairly open, but those most recommended include chamomile, a creeping thyme, pennyroyal and common yarrow.
Thyme and chamomile are both flowering herbs, and if it’s not mown, yarrow will produce flowers too.
Want to know more? There are many excellent publications extolling the virtue of herbs and the local nursery, community garden and online sites are also good sources of information.
But whether grown for their looks, their fragrance or the cooking pot, a herb garden is an excellent addition in any setting.
