Many people think of herbs as functional but boring--mounds of foliage that, while succulent and fragrant, nevertheless don't do a lot for garden design. But herbs can actually be highly ornamental. If you make the right choices, you can make your herb garden not only practical but also beautiful.
Herb gardens originated when the monks in early monasteries found it necessary to plant culinary and medicinal herbs. Gradually they began replacing the unattractive varieties with ornamental types. This early association of culinary and ornamental herbs paved the way for modern ornamental herb gardens. Today, herbs have been bred to offer both flavor and show. There are dozens of variegated types (thyme, oregano, sage and others) and better flowers, and you don't have to worry about losing herb flavor when you choose to let some flowers bloom.
Suggested Uses for Ornamental Herbs:
- Tuck them into existing flower borders, vegetable beds, or decorative pots.
- Pots of herbs can provide green accents for balconies, patios, or the kitchen windowsill.
- Use selected ornamental varieties:
- Salvia officinalis (purple, golden, and tricolored sage)
- Origanum 'Kent Beauty', 'Aureum' and 'Herrenhausen' (ornamental oregano)
- Thymus 'Silver Posie' and 'Golden Lemon' (thyme)
- Rosmarinus 'Prostrata' (prostrate rosemary)
- Chamomile
- Myrrhis odorata (Sweet Cicily or garden myrrh)
- Myrtus communis 'Microphylla' or variegated (common myrtle)
- Basil
- Allium senescens subsp. montanum var. glaucum
- Achillea tomentosa (woolly yarrow)
- Helichrysum petiolare, species or 'Limelight' (licorice plant)
- Lavandula angustifolia (lavender)
- Lavandula stoechas (French lavender)
- Satureja montana (winter savory)
- Bronze fennel
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