Question:
How do I use herbs in the garden?
Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile.
Chamomile is a prostrate, perennial with finely cut deep green apple scented foliage and white daisy blooms.
Aspect and Soil Type: Full sun .Free draining soil.
Uses:
Chamomile tea releaves stress. As an aromatic lawn.
Good varieties:
For attractive blooms look for a double flowered type.
The variety "Treneage" is the non- flowering type to use for a chamomile lawn
Catmint: Nepeta.
Excellent grey foliage and spikes of blue flowers. Catmint looks wonderful planted at the front of the border, where it can spill over onto the lawn.
Cats adore this plant and can often be found sunbathing in the middle of it or even rolling all over it just for fun! This does not seem to harm the plant and the added advantage is that the local Tomcat will ignore all your other plants just to get to his favourite!
Aspect and Soil Type:
Full sun; Moisture retentive, but free draining soil.
Uses:
Flowers make a good ingredient for pot-pourri.
Good varieties:
Nepeta "Blue Wonder": Dark blue. 12" tall.
Nepeta grandiflora "Dawn to Dusk": Blooms are soft pink with a contrasting purple calyx. 3 ft tall.
Nepeta racemosa "Six Hills Giant": Amongst the largest at almost 3 ft tall. lavender-blue blooms.
Nepeta racemosa " Snowflake": A more compact type with small white blooms. 1 ft tall.
Bergamot: Monarda didyma.
A very a attractive herbaceous perennial flowering plant. Showy whorls of hooded flowers and aromatic foliage. Plant near a path where the lemon scent will be released as you brush past.
Scent is said to resemble the Mediterranean Bergamot Orange.
Aspect and Soil Type:
Full sun / semi shade. Moisture retentive soil.
Uses:
Foliage is used in tea to releive nausea. Flowers and foliage can be used, sparingly as an addition to the salad bowl.
Good varieties:
Cambridge Scarlet: Bright red flowers. 3 ft tall.
Croftway Pink: Rose pink blooms. 3 ft tall.
Loddon Crown: Deep burgundy coloured flowers. 3 ft tall.
Schneewittchen: Pure white. 3 ft tall.
Lemon Balm: Melissa offinales.
Lemon scented foliage and tiny yellow flowers that the bees find hard to resist. A perennial that grows to around 3 ft tall.
Aspect and Soil Type:
Full sun , free draining soil.
Uses:
Foliage will add flavour to fresh fruit salads and drinks.
Good varieties:
Melissa officinales "Variegata": Beautiful green and yellow variegation.18 inches tall.
Melissa officinales "All Gold": Excellent bright golden foliage. 2 ft tall.
Herbs As Ornamental Plants.
Medicinal plants and herbs have been grown since time immemorial. Nowadays,many of the plants are highly decorative and would earn themselves a place in the garden on looks alone.
Planting need not be confined to the kitchen or herb garden as many herbs can look good as part of the mixed border, in patio containers, the cottage garden, rock garden and herbaceous border.
Chives: Allium shoenoprasum.
A beautiful perennial edging plant aswell as a multi- purpose culinary herb. Tufts of grassy foliage with a mild onion flavour and lilac flowers. It is often recommended that the blooms be removed to prolong the season of use. If, like me, you cannot bear to do this, enjoy the flowers and use some as a garnish or as a colourful addition to the salad bowl.
Aspect and Soil Type:
Full sun; Moisture retentive, but free draining soil.
Uses:
Add the leaves to salads, pizzas soups or simply add to a cheese sandwich!
Good varieties:
Allium shoenoprasum "Forescate" : Deep rosy mauve blooms. 1 ft tall.
English Garden Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of having a greenhouse?
What is the English Cottage Garden style of gardening?
Which are the best Hardy annuals?
Which are the best rock garden shrubs?
How do I plant a hanging basket?
How do I plant annual beds in the Victorian style?
What are the best winter blooming hardy shrubs?
How do I plant a herbaceous border?
Which are the best patio plants?
Which border carnation varieties were grown in the past?
How do I use herbs in the garden?
Which plants should I avoid planting?
Which plants have the best perfume?
What annuals were grown during the Victorian era?
Which old fashioned flowers were popular 100 years ago?
Which are the best English Roses?
How do I prepare a Hardy Annual border.
What are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
Why do Snowdrops never establish in my garden?
What is the best hardy vine for my garden?
which are the best ornamental grasses?
Which are the best scented shrubs?
What are the best orange colored , late summer bulbs.
My climbers/vines are not climbing.
Why are my two year old ivies refusing to climb.
What is the idea behind the mixed border?
What are the best uses for ornamental grass?
what are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
which annuals did the Edwardians grow?
Is the cottage garden style suitable for a modern style house?
What should I do to pretreat my tulips for forcing?
Are all English Roses everblooming?
Are larger sized plants better?
Can I take cuttings of my "mother-in law´s" tongue plant?
Someone gave me an orange blossom, what does that mean?
How deeply should I plant Lilies?
Can I grow English Roses in pots?
What is the advantage of pots?
Which herbaceous plants should I choose?
What can I plant on the wall behind my herbaceous border?
I prefer perennials, which ones sport dark colored flowers?
How do I treat Rose Rust disease?
What were Victorian Bedding Schemes?
How much water does my garden need?
What do I need for forciong bulbs?
How do I look after my Hyacinth bowl?
Is there an easy way to sow seeds?
What are the best types of roses for Small gardens?
How can I make my cut flowers last longer?
What do I look for when buying Christmas Plants?
What are the best rose types for pots?
Which are the best plants for the rear of the herbaceous border?
Which are the best climbers for my garden?
Which Bedding Plants Did The Victorians´ use?
Which were the most popular bed shapes during the Victorian Era?
Are all English Roses tall growers?
How do I plant a herbaceous border?
What can I plant to cover an ugly shed?
What , exactly is a biennial plant?
How do I grow a weeping standard Rose?
Can you suggest any landscaping ideas for bodies of water?
What would be a good slow growing evergreen hedge?
How do I know when to sow different types of beding plants?
How do I choose the best real Christmas tree/
How do I choose a suitable climber for my garden
What is the best dogwood for my garden/
How do I prepare the soil for a new rose bed?
I love Cherry blossom. what are the best small cherries?
How do I force Hyacinth bulbs?
When can Iplant a bare root vine
What conditions do Hostas need?
What is the Easy Care method of pruning roses?
My garden looks bare in winter, what plants should I add?
How do I look after a Cyclamen?
What are the best small trees?
What is the best type of tray to use for growing bedding plants?
What are the best types of double begonia?
Is there an easy way to grow Begonias?
What bulbs can I plant in my shaded garden?
Should I buy large sized pots of herbaceous plants for instant impact?
What are the best berried shrubs to plant in the garden?
What can I grow in my unheated greenhouse in winter?
What are the best types of roses to grow as a hedge?
What bulbs canI plant in my rock garden?
What is the best rose type for garden display?
How can I make a simple and efficient cut flower garden?
What if it´s past the best time to plant bulbs in my area?
Are there any climbing English Roses?
Why do you cut off the dead flowers on Roses?
Are supermarket roses worth buying?
How do I train exhibition quality Sweet peas?
How do I identify Rose Rust disease?
How do I prevent Rose diseases
Why does my Forsythia never flower?
How do I store my Dahlias over winter?
Which are the best yellow hybrid tea roses?
Which are the best mid - range plants for my herbaceous border?
What is a good evergreen climber?
Why are my Ericas, bare in the middle and what can I do?
How do I store Dahlias for Winter?
Can I grow Climbing roses on a north wall?
How do I look after a Christmas Cactus?
What is the name of the Phlox of the year for 2002?
Which are the shortest miniature roses?
Would an ornamental Crabapple grow too big for my tiny back garden?
Which are the best mid - range plants for my herbaceous border?
What are the best front of the border plants?
Are the once flowering types of English Roses worth growing?
How do I identify Rose powdery mildew disease?
What can my child give as a gift that is inexpensive?
What is the best new roses on the market?
What plants have a chocolate scent?
What is the history of the Tulip?
Which chemicals should I use to combat Rose diseases
What are best container grown or bare root roses?
Which bulbs can I plant in my rock garden?
Which are the hardiest Ceanothus?
Is there a small tree that grows in wet soil?
I need to move my favorite rose bush to my new house. How do I do it?
How do I move an established conifer?
When is the best time to move conifers?
how do I grow Double Begonias?
Which are the best pale pink hybrid tea roses?
Are there some annuals or tener perennials in black I can grow?
What are some unique variegated plants?
Are their variegated plants in colors other than green and white?
Are there trees or shrubs that are dark colored?
How do I prevent Rose diseases?
What can I plant on the wall behind my herbaceous border?
What can I plant in my patio tubs for winter color?
Are there any Antique Coleus varieties still around today?
Are there any home remedies for greenfly on my roses?
I have read about carpet bedding, what is it?
What is the best climbing ivy?
What summer flowering rock garden shrubs can I grow?
What is the best type of Rose for my garden?
What plant can I grow that is vanilla scented?
How do I identify insect pests on my roses?
How do I prevent Rose diseases
How Do I Prune My Mock Orange?
What do I do with my marguerites for winter?
How do I choose and look after a Poinsettia?
How do I get my Poinsettia to bloom again?
What is best, pottery or plastic, wooden or concrete planters?
What is the best scented climber?
Is there a winter flowering climber/vine?
Are summer bulbs easy to grow?
Is there a long-flowered scented evergreen shrub?
How do I care for an Amaryllis?
What are the best standard roses?
How do I prevent Rose diseases
Can you tell me the names of some annual dark colored foliage?
what are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
What are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
How do I create a natural fence?
When should I prune apple trees?
What are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
I prefer bulbs, are they available in dark colors?
How do I grow Livingstone Daisies?
How do I grow Livingstone Daisies?
Why did florists grow auriculas?
How do I care for my Fuchsias in winter?
Is there a silver foliage heather?
When Do I Prune My Broom Shrub?
How do I look after the Indian Azalea pot plant?
Do I cut my herbaceous border back in spring or fall?
What type of fertiliser should I use on my foliage house plants?
How do I prune an old dogwood?
Is there a good silver foliaged shrub for my rock garden?
Which are the best large-flowering Gladioli?
What are the best ways to prevent seed problems?
Which are the best red and yellow bicolour hybrid tea roses?
which seeds Can I sow indoors during April?
Is there a rose with variegated foliage?
What are the best plants for shady pots and containers?
How do I Identify blckspot disease of roses?
How do I identify and treat rose blackspot disease?
What are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
What are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
What are the best autumn herbaceous border plants?
Is dark colored foliage available as a perennial?
How do I treat Rose powdery mildew disease?
How do I identify insect pests on my roses?
What plants can I grow from seed outdoors?
Is there a scented early blooming rock garden shrub?
When can I prune my Clematis montana?
I have no idea of color combinations, what are the rules
When do you sow biennial plants?
How do you look after pot Fuchsias in winter?
Is there an alternative way of storing Fuchsias in winter?
How do I prune my hardy Fuchsias?
How do I look after a Fuchsia in winter?
Do I deadhead all types of Roses?
How do I look after a winter Cherry plant?
How do I Apply a foliar feed?.
Do floristry traditions remain to this day?
Do Auriculas make good garden plants?
What are the best Begonias for my hanging baskets?
Which seeds can I sow in my greenhouse?
Which exhibition plants were grown in the past?
Do all English Roses have big double blooms?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Kristle Jones |
