HERBS USED DIFFERENTLY May 2009

People tend to grow herbs in with their vegie patch or make a separate herb garden. Well, a way of getting an added bonus from your herbs, besides the fact you can eat them, is to use them in and particularly bordering your garden. This way you can utilise the forms, colours and textures of your herbs as well as still having them close at hand for picking.

The fabulous yellow-green of the Golden Oregano (Oreganum vulgare ‘Aureum’) will add striking colour as a bordering ground cover. Further ground covers could be Winter Savory (Satureja montana) with it’s pretty white flowers, or any of the many types of Thymes (Thymus sp.) with their purple flowers. A prostrate (creeping) form of Rosemary can hang down rock walls or also border gardens.
The soft silver foliage of the Curry Bush (Helichrysum italicum) brings contrast to garden. Its roundish ball shape is beautiful and the smell is even better if brushed up against. Clumps of brilliant green Parsley (Petroselium sp.) curled or Italian are showy next to the silver backdrop and purple leaved herbs such as Purple Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurea’) or Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘purpurescens’) extend the colour palette once again.
Nasturtiums creep around and through these bushes and produce splashes of bright orange colour all year round.
The strappy growth of Chives or Garlic Chives is decorative in mass plantings and in a row, and with flowers they are just stunning!
Many herbs are water wise, particularly the ones of Mediterranean origan (Rosemary, Thyme, Savory, Oregano, even Parsley) which are adapted to similar climates like here in SE Queensland.
For more information:
OUTSIDE – garden design