New Ways to Include Herbs in Your Landscape

Add a little zip to your garden and meals by planting herbs.

Annuals like parsley and basil can be used as yearly additions and accents in the vegetable and flower garden. I like to use parsley and alyssum as an edge around my own garden. The alyssum provides a wonderful fragrance and the parsley is a nice flavorful contrast.

Consider using sage, chives, oregano, and other perennials as permanent members of your edible and ornamental gardens. Tuck perennial herbs and vegetables in the corner or end of your annual gardens safe from the tiller or spade when mixing them with annual plantings. Or better yet mix them with perennial flowers. Their texture and color make an attractive and edible addition to any flower garden.

Most herbs prefer full sun and well-drained soils. Harvest them as needed throughout the growing season. This will keep the plants looking good and provide you a steady supply of flavor.

A bit more information: Be careful when adding mint and other aggressive plants to any garden. I like to plant these hard-to-handle plants in a container on my patio or balcony. You can sink the container into the ground to reduce the need for watering. The container slows down the vigorous mint and makes it easier to keep under control in the landscape.