Even the most experienced gardeners are sometimes intimidated when it comes to growing herbs. They shouldn’t be. Growing herbs is no different than growing any other flower or vegetable.
Herbs come in annual and perennial varieties and can be started from seed or from purchased plants. They need to be matched with the proper growing conditions just like other flowers. Some need hot, dry spots to thrive; others do best in moist, shady areas. They range in size from tiny ground huggers to seven or eight feet tall. Like other flowers, herbs can be featured as accent plants, used in beds and borders and grown in containers.
You don’t need to designate an herb garden to grow herbs. They will mix just fine in any other garden or flower bed. Plant a row of basil seeds next to the carrots in the vegetable garden. Tuck a couple parsley plants between the tomatoes and scatter a few dill seeds behind the cucumbers.
The flower bed is where herbs get a chance to really shine. Echinacea, or purple coneflower, is an herb that is increasingly popular especially among those who are going for native landscaping. Yarrow is a tough plant with yellow, dark red or white flat-topped flowers atop strong stems. Tansy is a little taller than yarrow and has yellow button-like flowers. Both yarrow and tansy have finely cut ferny-looking leaves. Echinacea, yarrow and tansy bloom mid-summer to fall.
Lavender is a sweet smelling perennial for a sunny, well-drained area. Flower colors range light purple to the deepest violet. Lavender looks especially nice in rocky areas, but can also be grown scattered throughout a flower bed or as a border plant. The pleasing smell of lavender emanates from the entire plant and is most noticeable on humid days. Weeding among lavender plants is actually a pleasant task because of the fragrance.
Chives are easy-care, useful and beautiful as well. They are perennial plants that grow in sunny spots. Chives can be snipped with a scissors and used in any dish as a substitute for onions. Their leaves are grassy looking and the flowers are pretty lavender-rose colored balls.
Bee balm, also called bergamot or monarda, is another perennial herb that fits easily in the flower garden in the sun or part shade. The plants grow 2-5 feet tall and the scarlet or lilac tubular flowers grow in a whorl giving the plant a shaggy appearance reminiscent of a Sesame Street muppet. The plant releases a sweet, spicy scent when touched. Hummingbirds love mid-summer blooming bee balm.
German chamomile is an annual for the flower bed or vegetable garden. The flowers look like tiny daisies and grow on fine stems 24-30 inches tall. The flowers have an apple scent which grows even stronger when dried. Chamomile attracts bees to the garden and has been called a nurse plant since these beneficial insects are important for pollination of many other fruits and vegetables. Chamomile re-seeds itself easily once planted.
Plant an herb or two this year. You’ll be glad you did!
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