Growing Herbs in the Garden: Design, Cultivation & Culinary Beauty Combined

Herbs in the Garden

Herbs = surging recent interest. Fortunate (neglect made attractive plants unavailable — nurseries don't propagate unsellables). Logical (dual roles = useful in limited space). Nomenclature clarity: botanically, herb = herbaceous (dies to ground yearly, non-woody). Vernacular: culinary/medicinal/aromatic/historical/folk-use plants. Range far beyond parsley, thyme, sage, mint, marjoram.

For non-enthusiasts (herb growing → consuming interest unless controlled), recommend herbs combining economic uses + visual appeal. Many exist; this site focuses on design/plants in gardens → concentrate on these.

Native Habitat Clues

Many aromatic herbs = native to hot, dry Mediterranean hillsides. Scented pungent leaves = grazer deterrent (ineffective — Grecian sheep champ, herb-impregnated chops delicious). To gardener: max sun, perfect drainage (especially winter). Thrive in thin chalky/limestone soils (despair of many) — capitalize there.

Herb Garden Design

Conventional herb garden = enclosed formal beds — still valid, charming. Shrubby herbs (sage, rosemary, lavender, savory, santolina species) = admirable dwarf hedges. Easy propagation: August cuttings in sandy soil under cloche → rooted for spring hedge (1 ft apart). Enclosed space: less striking but interesting herbs, or solid low-shrub ground cover (17th-century parterre style). Purple/variegated sage = magnificent. Dilemma: let purple flower (sea of color) or keep young foliage? Two plants/beds = answer.

Separate herb garden not always possible, but all admirable (given needs) edging terrace, lining path, in bays fronting higher shrubs. Small scale: lift 3–4 terrace flagstones = adequate, comprehensive herb garden. Extend: chequer-board paving = easy-maintenance herb bed. Stone soon covered by growth; access for weeding/gathering always easy, even wet. Plants spread far — admirable in raised beds tumbling over edges. Window box = surprising herb amount.

Herbs for use + ornament: convenience key. Kitchen windowsill window box + herb bed near kitchen door = desirable (if sun).

Raising Plants

Shrubby herbs = easiest group. Others need specialist treatment.

Hardy annuals / treated as such: borage, summer savory, dill, coriander, nasturtium, parsley. Sow in situ spring. Worth growing even if need uncertain (borage for wine-cup — how often used?). Parsley = continual need, impossible to have too much. Curled (decorative) + plain-leaved (flavour) = good edgings. Succession: spring + late summer sowing. Germination = depressingly slow.

Basil: Most difficult, extremely desirable. Tropical annual = cold-susceptible. No home-raised/bought plants out before June. Splendid purple-leaved forms = true aromatic peppery flavour, worth effort.

Umbelliferous herbs (carrot/parsley relations) = striking: Angelica — cake decoration (replaced by green plastic strips). Great spherical lime-green flower heads = statuesque weeks, dry beautifully. Green/purple fennels = filigree leaf mass all summer. Happy in moist/shade.

Reverse encouragement needed: Horseradish = exclude unless sauce addict + hard-work glutton. Mints = invasive but essential. Constant moisture for tender growth. Control: plant roots (rhizomes) in large plastic pots/sleeves, plunge rims just above soil. Controls clandestine running. Enables pot → warmth for early spring taste. Window box only? Variegated apple mint = less mint shoots, won't swamp others.

Variegation = visual dimension for herbs. Golden marjoram = splendid tussocks (scorches full sun). Thymes = silver/gold-edged forms. Even variegated horseradish.