How to make a Herb Garden

A herb garden can be an interesting feature in a normal garden, or you can turn your whole garden over to a herb garden.

There is no mystique about growing herbs. They are plants that are to be found in most gardens these days. Many herbs are now grown for their ornamental use in the garden, and not for their herbal qualities.

Lavender, Rosemary, Bergamot, Hypericum, Salvias, Foxgloves and Evening Primroses are just a few of the herbs that are to be found growing in many gardens for their ornamental use, without any thought being given to their herbal qualities.

For the widest range of plants and colours throughout the year, a more informal garden tends to be the norm. Informal herb gardens normally allow for greater choice of size shape and seasonal colour. With the formal herb gardens, one is normally restricted to smaller herbs - and perhaps fewer varieties to use.

You may have already decided whether or not the whole garden is to be turned into a herb garden, or just a section of it. For the most part, it will be just a matter of choice of what herbs to grow. However, there are a few design criteria to adopt, whatever the plot!

If the herb garden is to act as a source of culinary material for everyday cooking, then the edible herbs are best nearer to the kitchen - maybe even in pots, so that they can be bought to hand dependent upon the season. Sages for the winter cooking, whilst basil and chives are normally summer fares. Herb gardens in pots are the best way in which to have herbs to hand in season.
Smaller plots can either be formal shapes, or random shapes. There is no set rule. Draft Plans to follow
For maximum interest, a large area should be targeted for turning into a herb garden.
Do not be afraid to use herbs in non-herb designated areas. For instance, the flowering Salvias are to be seen in many herbaceous and shrub borders and are invaluable for prolonging the flower season well into late autumn and beyond - dependent upon climatic conditions.
Plan the herb garden carefully. Many herbs normally grow in dry, sunny conditions. Planting in rich garden soil can increase their normal growth rate, and may allow lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
Be daring. Herb gardens do not have to be without flower or foliage colour for much of the year. older herb gardens tended to be based upon those herbs suited for cooking, or perhaps medicinal use. There are many colourful herbs available these days, so be adventurous. Maybe even a few of the Mediterranean herbs can be used.
Think in terms of herbs to use as hedges. Lavender, Rosemary (Jessups Upright) and hyssop are favourites for small hedges, but Bays (Laurus nobilis) can bake a good clipped hedge at any height - and so very aromatic!
Many herbs are deciduous, with very little in the way of interest. Some are evergreen - such as Lavender, Rosemary, Sages (Icterina and Tricolor) Thymes. List at bottom.

Many herbs in common use are annuals - they have to be grown from seed each year. Look on the labels and go for perennials where needed. This is something to be borne in mind when you make a herb garden. Together with this, some attractive herbs such as purple Basil, are not winter hardy outdoors, so can either be bought in during the winter or forfeited!

A herb bed, with Thymes, Basil and Angelica

A classic Herb Garden - RHS Wisley Garden 2008

Tall Herbs

Bergamot, Angelica, Bay, Inula, Verbascum, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Salvias, Dill, Foxglove (NOT culinary) Comfrey

Medium Herbs

Basil, Salvias, Lavender, Rosemary, Alliums, Oregano, Calendula, Phacelia, Borage,

Low herbs

Thymes assorted, Oreganums - low types such as Thumbles Variety, Sedum, Dwarf Mint, Parsley, Echeveria.

General Advice on how to make a herb garden.

Back to A-Z of Herbs