Reflect your passion with an herb garden design theme. The herb gardens described here are easy to maintain, easy on the pocketbook, and best of all, they make a statement about you.
In keeping with the “easy to maintain” concept, container-planting is the way to go. You’ll need potting soil, pots with drain holes, and organic fertilizer. With the exception of what you plant to reflect your theme, that’s about it.
If you love to barbeque, a barbeque theme garden might be just the thing to support your passion. Since decks and patios are where outdoor cooking happens, locate your barbeque theme close by. You can fit all the herbs mentioned in three containers all about 24 inches diameter in size. In one container, plant tomato with a cage or trellis, with basil, thyme, dill and parsley. In a second, plant peppers (red and habanera) and another tomato plant close together so both can use the cage, and add mint and some more basil. In a third container plant rosemary, chives and oregano. To add a final touch, have the artist in your family decorate the containers to reflect your theme.
Tea drinkers love to experiment with different tastes, and having fresh herbs to make their favorite brews makes the taste even better. A tea garden not only supports this passion, but it can be a place to entertain or to spend quiet time. Chamomile would look great in a fancy tea kettle, and you can add large cups and saucers to continue the theme. Make sure you drill holes in anything you’re going to plant in so you will have adequate drainage. “”Easy to grow herbs” in your tea garden are any of the mints, lemon or lime balm, scented geraniums, and-of-course chamomile. Many other herbs make great teas as well, so have fun, experiment, and enjoy a variety of brews.
Another theme that creates an interesting fragrance is a citrus theme garden. You might consider a Meyer lemon tree as a focal point or a dwarf navel orange tree. Now add herbs that will continue the citrus theme like lemon or lime balm, and orange mint will work too but it’s a bit invasive. To complete this theme, add citrus colored flowers such as marigolds, zinnias, calendula, chrysanthemums, and (although not a flower) margarita sweet potato vine.
If you’re into home remedies, a medicinal theme garden can be functional as well as beautiful. There are so many choices in this category that you would need a farm to grow them all. Some of the more common medicinal herbs are aloe vera, chamomile, tea tree, summer savory, dandelion, feverfew, saw palmetto, passionflower, and avocado.
Create an herb garden theme that resonates with your particular interest. If that’s Shakespearian, for example, plant herbs mentioned in his writings. A formal herb garden can transport you back to another time in old England; or try a biblical theme with herbs mentioned in the bible. And if you’re an Italian food lover, create a pizza herb garden in the shape of a pie.
Creating a theme garden that reflects your passion invites conversation, provides fragrance and flavors you like, and best of all it’s just plain fun to do.
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Our names are John Schepper and Maggie Guscott and we’ve been herb garden enthusiasts for many years. For more information on herb garden plants and more, please visit http://www.herbgarden4beginners.com and be sure to sign up for our free 10-lesson mini eCourse, Herb Garden 4 Beginners.