Looking for some variety in your landscape? Consider herbs. Aside from their culinary use, herbs have many medicinal and nutritional benefits.
Herbs are versatile, practical, and wonderfully fragrant plants — think Spanish lavender and Mexican mint marigold — that add ornamental interest to your landscape.
Basil, for instance, has numerous varieties with different leaf colors and textures. Some herbs boast beautiful blossoms, adding an unexpected punch of color. Others, like rosemary, have become a go-to plant for landscapers who use them as shrubbery because they’re evergreen, fragrant and drought-tolerant.
When choosing herbs for your landscape, keep the following plant requirements/characteristics in mind:
- Light exposure – Oregano or thyme require full sun, whereas mint and lemon balm do better in partial shade.
- Productive season – Know when herbs are at their peak; rosemary thrives year-round while cilantro is at its best from November to March.
- Herb care – Pruning, pinching, deadheading, and keeping soil moisture consistent helps ensure healthy plant production.
