Herbs bring more to a garden than just flavouring for food. They also make fantastic garden plants, as they’re scented, attract pollinators and are low maintenance.
A herb garden can be any size in the garden, or grown in a container.
Herbs grow happily in free-draining soil, in a sunny sheltered position, and herbs planted from potted plants will benefit from the addition of some bone or fish meal to promote strong root growth. If you are planning a more formal herb garden surround the area with a low hedge of Rosemary or Lavender
For a more relaxed look simply mix your plantings using your favourite herbs. Water well once planted and, when established, regularity trim the herbs to keep the fabulous fragrances, flavour and colour. When picking herbs, always pick the tip of each stem, just above a pair of leaves as new shoots will grow from the stems, creating a bushier plant.
Thyme is a versatile herb, drought tolerant and easy to grow, perfect for edging a herb garden. It’s available in many flavours, and the lemon Thyme is divine!
Wild Garlic (Tulbagia) is a drought tolerant, indigenous herb that is happy in the garden or a container.
Coriander, you either love or hate this herb with its distinctive taste and scent and it can run to seed quickly, although if you let the flower remain it will attract butterflies.
Chives are great in salads and for flavouring different recipes. Parsley is very low maintenance, available in a flat leaf (Italian) variety, which is slightly stronger flavoured than the curly leaf variety.
Basil is a very popular herb with a strong flavour and scent. Mint is a must-have herb, available in various flavours but needs to be grown in a container as it tends to go rampant!
Bronze Fennel and Angelica, a biennial herb, will add height to the design. Once your fragrant, flavourful herb garden is established you can add more varieties of herb.