Good smelling herbs
Aromatic herbs: 10 scented herbs to include in your garden
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
Aromatic herbs appeal to many of our senses, and are both decorative and practical. They can enhance any garden with their fragrant, colorful, flavorsome and textural foliage and flowers.
Alongside their visual and culinary appeal, the fragrance of scented herbs can have an impact on our emotional wellbeing, too. For instance, lavender is believed to help relieve stress and promote relaxation, while uplifting, fresh mint is used to improve focus.
Versatile plants, there are aromatic herbs for most growing conditions and so there are many ways to include them in your garden ideas – whether that is among ornamental plants in beds and borders, planted in a dedicated herb garden, lining pathways or filling containers.
How to grow aromatic herbs
Position aromatic herbs where you can fully appreciate their beautiful fragrance. ‘The great thing about scent is it is very evocative,’ explains herb expert Jekka McVicar VMH of Jekka’s Herb Farm .
Most aromatic herbs like a sunny spot, but some, such as mint, lemon balm or chamomile, will tolerate partial shade. 'Many herbs are native to the Mediterranean and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil,' advises gardening expert Melinda Myers .
For the best way to enjoy fragrance from scented herbs in your backyard, ‘plant them close to paths, or in elevated positions where you catch their scent as you brush past; in a sunny, sheltered courtyard to fill the air with their aroma; in a pot by the back door, or on a windowsill,’ advises Heather Birkett, senior gardener at the National Trust’s Acorn Bank in Cumbria.
Aromatic herbs generally prefer free-draining soil, although the likes of mint will survive in damp soil. ‘The soil can be ameliorated to create more or less free-draining conditions,’ says Heather, for example either by digging in horticultural grit if it’s heavy clay soil, or adding in organic matter to sandy soil.
There are many herb garden ideas to try, and you can also grow tender plants in pots to bring undercover over winter.
For potted scented herbs ‘use a soil-based compost, which holds water better in summer,’ adds Jekka.
10 of the best aromatic herbs to grow
'Scented herbs are particularly engaging and accessible for anyone to have a go at growing and therefore provide a brilliant way into gardening,' explains Heather Birkett.
There is more choice among aromatic herbs that like a position in full sun, but there are those that will thrive in light shade, too. 'Plus half the fun of gardening is trying things out and learning about what works in your own garden,' says Heather.
1. Lemon verbena – Aloysia citrodora
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
Lemon verbena forms an elegant shrub that can grow up to 6 feet tall and wide. Its leaves release their refreshing fragrance each time they are touched, so beside a pathway is a good spot for planting.
This herb likes full sun and fertile soil with excellent drainage, and is good for container growing, too, so one to add to the list of herb planter ideas.
'Lemon verbena is one of my favorite aromatic herbs,' says Jekka McVicar. 'It smells of lemon sherbet candy, and you can have a leaf in your pocket all day and it will lift your spirits. It is exceptionally good and makes the most extraordinary tea,' she adds.
2. Mint – mentha sp
(Image credit: National Trust Images / Robert Morris)
Mint plants cope well in sun or light shade and can tolerate moist soil. They have a characteristic strong fragrance in the leaves and stems and can produce beautiful flowers of purple spikes, although regular harvesting may reduce flowering.
'There are many varieties of this aromatic herb to choose from – chocolate mint, orange mint, eau de cologne mint, apple mint, grapefruit mint, Moroccan mint, ginger mint, spearmint, and so on, and each has a subtlety different fragrance,' says Heather.
'Mint can be invasive and should be contained to prevent it from tasking over your garden,' she adds, so make sure you know all the ins and outs of how to grow mint before adding it to your garden.
3. Rosemary – Salvia rosmarinus
(Image credit: Jekka McVicar)
If you have a small garden, the upright, arching habits of Salvia rosmarinus, a small to medium woody shrub, are much easier to grow.
Jekka McVicar recommends 'Rampant Boule', while Heather also champions Salvia rosmarinus ‘Foxtail’, 'which will gracefully drape itself over the sides of a round pot. It produces silvered fragrant leaves, with each stem clothed with white, pink or purple flowers in May to June.'
Choose a sunny spot for growing rosemary , and it is fairly drought tolerant once established, although it can be vulnerable in very cold winters.
'This scented herb is only perennial in zones 8 to 10, but potted rosemary can be taken indoors in the winter in colder regions, then brought back outside when the weather warms,' say the experts at Bonnie Plants .
'The lovely thing about rosemary is it can also have a second flowering in fall, so is not just beneficial to our sense of wellbeing, but also to bees, especially bumblebees, as it is a late nectar plant,' adds Jekka.
4. Chamomile – Chamaemelum nobile
(Image credit: National Trust Images/ James Dobson)
With its low-growing, spreading habit, chamomile forms a mat of pretty yellow and white daisy-like flowers, so is good for pavement cracks. 'The fragrant leaves release the scent when rubbed or trodden on, and cope with occasional foot traffic,' says Heather.
Believed to have calming and soothing properties, chamomile is widely known for use in tea. These aromatic herb plants like sun or light shade and make a great addition to small vegetable garden 'to attract beneficial insects and pollinators to boost harvests and keep veggies healthy,' say the experts at Bonnie Plants.
5. Lavender – Lavandula
(Image credit: Jekka McVicar)
Lavender is one of the most quintessential aromatic herbs for the garden, and fantastic for bees and butterflies.
There are many varieties to choose from, but if you have a smaller garden, Jekka McVicar advises angustifolia and intermedia varieties.
Lavandula angustifolia grows to about 23 - 27 inches (60-75 cm) in diameter, whereas intermedias grow to about 40 inches (1 meter).
For success in growing lavender it need the correct conditions. 'It is best grown in light soil which is well drained and free from damp soggy winters. Adding sand or gravel can help improve the soil . Pick a dry, sunny and open position. The shrub can be grown from seed sown in spring but is also a great herb to grow from cuttings and layering as well as root division,' explains Flora Scott, head gardener and trainee herbalist at Herbs for Healing .
Lavender also needs careful pruning. 'Cut it back by an ⅛ in the 8th month,' advises Jekka McVicar. 'Stay within the green and don’t go into old wood. This is so important to do, as now we often have deluges of rain and if you have left the old flower heads on the plant, the heavy rain will split the plant in half. By pruning it, you make the plant into a dome shape, which helps to protect it.
'
6. Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare
(Image credit: National Trust Images / Stephen Robson)
Fennel is a short-lived, herbaceous scented herb.
'Each year it will produce statuesque stems about 6ft (180cm) tall carrying large umbels of small soft yellow flowers, and the stem, leaf and seed all smell strongly of aniseed,'' says Heather Birkett.
Grow fennel in a sunny position, in fertile but well drained soil. 'If planted in a spot where it is happy, it will self seed – providing new plants to continue forward with,' says Heather.
Although many gardeners enjoy growing fennel as a tender perennial in zones 6 to 10, it is usually grown as an annual, says the experts at Bonnie Plants.
7. Lemon balm – Melissa officinalis
(Image credit: National Trust Images / Robert Morris)
Lemon Balm has a highly fragrant leaf and produces small white or pale purple flowers.
'This herbaceous perennial copes well with regular harvesting thanks to its vigorous growth habit, and there are golden-leafed and variegated forms available which light up a garden border,' says Heather.
This aromatic herb does well in sun or partial shade, in fertile, well-drained soil. It is particularly good for flavoring teas, lemonades and syrups.
'Lemon balm can be propagated from seeds, cuttings or by dividing in the spring. Seeds can be sown indoors from early spring into plug trays, and covered with perlite and then potted on,' says Flora Scott.
8. Garlic chives – Allium tuberosum
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A rarity among the family of scented herbs, garlic chives grow from a bulb as opposed to seeds.
'The herb has distinctive flat leaves instead of round, and beautiful white spherical flowerheads in late summer to fall – later than most alliums,' says Heather.
Garlic chives need moist but well drained soil in full sun.
9. Dill – Anethum graveolens
(Image credit: National Trust Images / Stephen Robson)
An annual aromatic herb, dill is easily grown from seed each year.
'It has aromatic grey green leaves with umbels of small yellow flowers and a wonderful strong aniseed scent,' says Heather.
Make sure you do your research beforehand so you know how to grow dill. It likes to be grown in well-drained soil in a sunny position and should be planted in spring, or fall in frost-free climates, say the experts at Bonnie Plants.
10. Lemon thyme – Thymus 'culinary lemon'
(Image credit: Jekka McVicar)
With its faintly lemon scented aroma and attractive foliage, lemon thyme makes a lovely addition to the garden.
It is easy to get to grips with how to grow thyme , and this variety in particular is 'fantastic to cook with and use with fish, chicken and vegetables,' says Jekka McVicar.
Not only is this aromatic herb attractive to us, but lemon thyme is also wonderful for bees and butterflies, who are drawn to its tiny flowers.
It is ideal for forming a groundcover, or planted along the edges of a path or patio.
What are the most aromatic herbs?
Some of the most aromatic herbs are included in the list above, including rosemary, thyme, mint, lavender and fennel.
The trick with getting the most from scented herbs is to position them carefully in your backyard so that you can enjoy their aroma as you walk past, or when you are sitting out and enjoying the sunshine on a patio or terrace.
Consider, too, using scented herbs to line pathways leading to your front door, or position them in pots either side of your door so that visitors can enjoy their fragrance as well.
Which scented herbs also produce beautiful flowers?
There are some aromatic herbs that are also admired for their beautiful flowers. The following are suggested inclusions from Flora Scott.
Red Bergamot (Monarda didyma) – large red flowers grow in whorls with a spicy aroma. The flowers dry a beautiful maroon color and make a good edition to potpourri.
Fennel Flowers (Foeniculum vulgare) – large flat umbels of small bright yellow flowers that smell like aniseed. The aromatic seeds can be saved and dried to use in the kitchen.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) – frothy clusters of creamy white flowers that smell strongly of sweet almonds and honey.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) – tall spikes of strongly peppermint scented mauve flowers growing in clusters around stem.
How do I dry scented herbs?
Perennial and shrubby herbs can be dried for use through the year.
Harvest sprigs in bunches, in the morning, lie them down in a dry, well-ventilated space for a few days, such as a greenhouse, then tie together in bunches and hang them upside down to completely dry out. Store the dried herbs in clearly labelled glass jars.
'If want to dry lavender, do so just before the flowers open, not when they are open, as if you pick them when they are open the flowers will fall off,' advises Jekka McVicar.
Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.
com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors. She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.
13 most aromatic herbs to grow
Herb gardens – both indoor and outdoor – are rapidly gaining popularity with both novice and experienced gardeners. Many people choose to grow herbs as indoor container plants or outside in their garden to give them fresh culinary herbs to use in recipes.
But the truth is, growing aromatic herbs has many benefits beyond their use in the kitchen.
Fragrant herbs can attract bees and other pollinators to the garden when grown outside and repel nuisance insect pests helping neighboring plants in both instances. Their aromas can also relax you by creating a calming effect, or they can invigorate your mood just by their scent.
What makes herbs so aromatic?
Some plants are naturally more aromatic than others, but why does that happen? Aromatic plants contain natural chemical components known as essential oils{: target="_blank" rel=“noopener”}, which are responsible for their noticeable scents. These highly volatile compounds are found in the leaves and sometimes stems and are released when the leaves are disturbed or chewed.
{: width=“1440” height=“1000”}Lavendar is widely regarded as one of the best smelling herbs to grow.
The enthusiast's guide to herbs
We’re proud to present our new e-book, The Enthusiast’s Guide to Herbs! Learn everything you need to know about growing and caring for herbs indoors, including in-depth info cards for the 35 most commonly grown herbs.
Click the link below to find out more!
Find out more
The 13 most aromatic herbs
If you’re looking for the most aromatic plants to grow in your herb garden, you can’t go wrong with any of the following. Since many plants need to be disturbed or the leaves crushed to release their scent, it’s great to plant herbs next to gates or along walkways where you will brush against them.
Lemon balm (
Melissa officinalis)With a delicious lemony taste, the lemon balm plant leaves are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Use it in place of lemon peel to flavor sauces and vinegars, or add it to your homemade pesto for a bright, citrusy flavor.
Lemon balm loves a home on a sunny windowsill in your kitchen, where it can get at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. The pot can be moved outside to enjoy the beautiful weather during the summer months in warmer climates. When the leaves are rustled, they release their aroma, which acts as a natural mood booster.
Mint (
Mentha spp.)One of the most common herbs grown, mint{: target="_blank" rel=“noopener”} plants, come in many different types that vary slightly in their characteristics, including flavor. There are about two dozen species and over seven thousand varieties, but the two main types that are grown are peppermint and spearmint. All types have broad leaves in green shades that release a distinctive, albeit minutely different, menthol-based scent when bruised or crushed.
Mint can be a nuisance plant in your aromatic garden, taking over any free space it can infringe, which is why it’s a great herb to grow indoors as a container plant. The container forces it to stay in its area and keeps its growth in check.
Lavender (
Lavandula spp.)One of the quintessential herbs and known for its revered scent, lavender{: target="_blank" rel=“noopener”} is grown as a small, perennial shrub in most parts of the United States.
There are five main types of lavender grown: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Lavandin, a hybrid. It can be challenging to grow, though, as it prefers hot, arid conditions. This means it is very temperamental when given too much water or grown in high humidity.
When growing your own lavender, it almost appreciates being neglected to a certain degree. Allow the top one or two inches of soil to dry out before watering, and go easy on the fertilizer.
{: width=“1440” height=“1000”}Chamomile is known for its benefits as a tea but it also has a pleasant fragrance.
Chamomile (
Matricaria chamomilla)Growing chamomile indoors not only extends your outdoor growing season, providing you with fresh herbs all year round, but the beautiful white blossoms bring a touch of spring into your home. Chamomile grows very quickly, filling containers with full blooms in about ten weeks.
Keep the potting soil moist at all times, and place pots where the plant receives full sun during the day.
They aren’t picky about the types of containers as long as they have adequate drainage in the bottom. It is crucial to make sure the pots are heavy enough they won’t tip over when plants start growing tall.
Rosemary (
Salvia rosmarinus)Rosemary is typically grown outdoors as a highly aromatic evergreen shrub but can be grown as a container plant indoors if given enough light. Ensure plants receive 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily, and be careful not to overwater them, causing root rot. For the hardiest plants, choose standard green rosemary over the decorative, variegated varieties.
When rosemary sprigs are harvested, its strong flavoring pairs well in meat dishes such as lamb, pork, and veal. The flat, needle-like leaves dry down incredibly well, so you can store the herb for later use.
Basil (
Ocimum basilicum)Known for its essential role in Italian cuisine, basil{: target="_blank" rel=“noopener”} is the key ingredient in pesto, and it is also paired often with tomatoes and used in a wide array of pasta dishes.
Basil plants enjoy the conditions of summertime – hot with full sun. Put plants in a sunny windowsill or a garden spot where they received a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. In the fall, when day lengths shorten, growth decreases, so it may be helpful to supplement plants with a grow light throughout the winter.
Basil is very sensitive to cold temperatures, so it’s essential to keep plants away from draft windows in the winter or air conditioning vents in the summertime.
Pineapple sage (
Salvia elegans)While all sage plants are known for their aroma – which reminds many of elaborate home-cooked Thanksgiving dinners – pineapple sage adds a unique, exciting scent to your herb garden. The fresh leaves are used in summertime beverages or fruit salads.
Pineapple sage plants bloom in the late fall, displaying scarlet-red, tubular flowers revered by hummingbirds. Compared to many of the other 700 cultivars of sage, the foliage on pineapple sage is lighter in color, closer to a yellow-green or greenish-yellow instead of the darker green.
This adds excellent contrast when grown next to vibrantly green herbs.
Bay laurel (
Laurus nobilis)Grown as an evergreen tree or shrub, bay laurel’s leaves are typically used to season many slow-cooked dishes like casseroles and stews. Shrubs are hardy and incredibly easy to grow, requiring little care. Growing them in containers outdoors restricts their overall size, keeping them smaller and more manageable.
Bay laurel grows well in containers – whether indoors or outside – as the containers restrict their overall growing habit, keeping plants shorter and more manageable. When grown indoors, regularly prune plants, so they don’t exceed more than 5 or 6 feet in height. Keep plants in a brightly lit spot in your home, so they receive a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
{: width=“1440” height=“1000”}Flowering Catnip
Catnip (
Nepeta cataria)Also known as catmint, catnip is a hardy perennial herb belonging to the mint family.
It can be used by both cats and humans, giving you plenty of reasons to add this plant to your list of fragrant herbs to grow. There are many reasons to add catnip plants to your indoor herb garden with uses for both cats and humans.
Catnip contains the essential oil nepetalactone{: target="_blank" rel=“noopener”}, which mimics a specific feline pheromone, triggering brain receptors and the associated euphoric side effects. If catnip is consumed, it acts as a sedative for your cat; if sniffed, it acts as a stimulant. In humans, it doesn’t induce the same euphoric responses but has many medicinal uses.
Thyme (
Thymus vulgaris)One of the popular culinary herbs, thyme bears heady aromatic leaves on a low-growing evergreen plant. The flavor varies slightly depending upon the specific variety grown; thyme is usually used to season soups, stews, and meat dishes.
When grown in a container, plant thyme in a clay pot to let the soil dry out between waterings; it hates having soggy roots, preferring the soil to be a touch on the dry side.
Regularly pinch the tops off your plants and prune back woody stems to encourage fuller, bushy plants full of new growth. When grown outside, it makes an excellent ground cover.
Marjoram (
Origanum majorana)Native to the Mediterranean, marjoram{: target="_blank" rel=“noopener”} is well suited for growing indoors in containers since this tender perennial loves warm, sunny, arid climates. Plants spread like ground covers, so they grow best in wide, shallow containers with plenty of room for the trailing stems.
Marjoram is drought resistant, so allow the potting soil to dry out before watering your plant. Too much water causes root rot and encourages both insect pests and disease problems. When plants are six inches tall, begin harvesting from the plant’s tips to keep it bushy and full.
Oregano (
Origanum vulgare)Oregano seasons many Mexican and Mediterranean and dishes and is gaining popularity in indoor herb gardens.
Plants are perennial, coming back year after year when grown outside. Indoors they prefer light, well-drained soils and little to no fertilizer. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. When grown outdoors, it acts as a perennial plant, coming back every spring.
The more you harvest oregano, the fuller the plant will be, continuing to put out new growth. The subtly flavored purple to white flowers should be removed from the plants as soon as they appear – instead of throwing them away, use them as a topping for salads.
Anise hyssop (
Agastache foeniculum)With a flavor comparable to anise, the herb anise hyssop is confusing as it is neither anise seed nor hyssop, and it isn’t even a blend of the two. A member of the mint family, it adds a mild, minty, licorice flavor to vegetable dishes and salads. The seeds are used as a substitute for anise when baking; the leaves are used either fresh or dried to make herbal tea.
Anise hyssop grows well as a companion plant with most other herbs.
Impressive spikes of lavender-colored blooms add a beautiful touch to your herb garden, whether indoors or out.
Join our email club—get printable info cards free!
Sign up to receive our newsletter and get access to 10 printable plant info cards from our e-book for free. Also receive:
- $4 discount code for our Guide to Herbs e-book
- Semi-weekly plant inspiration & bite-size tips and tricks
Find out more
Strong-smelling flowers, herbs, shrubs for the garden and summer cottages: Aromatic herbs in the garden, tips for choosing and planting
The spring-summer fragrance of herbs and flowers outside the city is intoxicating. And every time we rush to nature in order to breathe, breathe, breathe ... But it's one thing to feel the difference between the air quality in the city and at the exit from a suburban train, and another thing is to specifically think about how to fill your garden with aromas and which ones.
We figure out if there is at least some practical sense in aroma gardens.
Annie Benkovic
What smells?
Strange question - flowers, of course. In fact, everything is not so “linear”. Indeed, the main source of vegetable odors in the garden are strongly smelling flowers. The nectar formed in the flower with a strong smell is designed to attract pollinating insects (and sometimes also birds and animals). The peculiarity of the aroma serves as an "encrypted message" for pollinators that are most suitable for this species.
Interested in landscape design?
Let's select a performer according to your criteria
Kaleria Katkova
However, not only buds exude odors: leaves and stems, sap and resin of plants also have a pronounced aroma (they smell due to the aroma oils that the plant releases). In some strongly smelling plants, these smells are especially strong. They, along with flowering species, are used to aromatic filling the garden.
Because, unlike flowering, which lasts a limited, often quite short period of time, "green" smells surround us throughout the warm season.
KLUMBAShop Kameneva Natalia and Gavrilova Anastasia
Which plants to use to create an aroma garden
Species with a distinct smell can be found among all plant forms. Use them to form a multi-faceted garden rich in aromas at all levels, from the top tree layer to the bottom surface layer.
Trees
Of the species growing in our country, conifers are leaders in terms of content of essential oils: spruce (Picea) , Pine (Pinus) , Fir (Abies) , Juniper (Juniperus) . They give a strong, fresh, slightly bitter resinous smell, regardless of the size and form of growth. Do not forget about flowering trees, although their flowering time is short. Alder (Alnus) , Aspen (Populus tremula) , Bird cherry (Prunus padus)
SEE ALSO…
A good question: How to save trees on the site during house construction
Putney Design
Elena Veselova
The most characteristic aromatic shrubs need no introduction - these are lilacs (Syringa) , mock oranges (Philadelphus), roses and wild rose (Rosa) , weigela (Weigela) , Caragana (Caragana) , Hawthorn (Crataegus) , Hydrangea (Hydrangea).
Please note that only small fruit flowers smell in hydrangeas - varieties that practically do not have them are also devoid of aroma. Smelling garden shrubs with rather modest flowers - sucker (Elaeagnus) and barberry (Berberis) - have a strong spicy aroma.
SEE ALSO...
Ornamental shrubs: 12 reasons to plant them in your garden
Lidia Zitara
Lianas
Among the species for vertical gardening plants with a strong aroma are honeysuckle honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium) and actinidia kolomikta (Actinidia kolomikta) 90. Hops (Humulus) also have a bright smell - especially when heated in the sun.
SEE ALSO
Treat Me Gently: Planting Climbing Fences, Gazebos, and Pergolas
Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design
Lidia Zitara
Flowering herbaceous plants
Includes a large number of perennial and annual species with strongly scented flowers.
Among perennials, the most common in our gardens are peony (Paeonia) , lily (Lilium), phlox (Phlox) , multi-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) , loosestrife (Lythrum) . Meadowsweet (Filipendula) , cloves (Dianthus) 9 have a strong aroma0030 , clover (Trifolium) , milkwort (Asclepias) .
Annuals and biennials include many aromatic species: levkoy (Matthiola) , sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) , sweet clover (Melilotus) , sweet tobacco ( Nicotiana suaveolens ) , marigolds There are many of them among spring-flowering plants: hyacinth (Hyacinthus) , muscari (Muscari) , narcissus (Narcissus) , tulip (Tulipa) , lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) - good smelling flowers.
SEE ALSO…
Garden for the lazy: perennials, easy to care for
Missouri Botanical Garden
Aromatic herbs
Due to their high content of essential oils, all parts of the plant emit essential oils due to their high content of essential oils.
Essential oils are produced by absolutely all representatives of the flora, but some produce volatile substances in especially high concentrations - such species are called essential oil. Many of them bloom intensively, however, their leaves and stems are also a source of aroma. Essential oils obtained from these plants are used in perfumery and medicine. Herbs in the garden include thyme (Thymus) , lavender (Lavandula) , sage (Salvia officinalis) , catnip (Nepeta) , hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) 90iana030 , valerian 9002 (Valerian 9002) Many of them use in cooking: mint (Mentha) , Basil (Ocimum Basilicum) , Coriander (Coriandrum Sativum) , Dill (ANITHUM GRAVELENS) , Rosemary (Rosmarinus) vulgare) .
Read also ...
It is useful to know: 8 main taboos when growing spicy herbs
Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens
strategy in the garden
1.
Unity of odor
is selected the main aroma, which is selected that the main aroma is selected, which will dominate the area. This strategy largely coincides with the approach of mono-species design of the site. But, unlike a really narrow species specialization, it allows the use of other plants, but with a less pronounced aroma. In many ways, this approach repeats natural biosystems with a pronounced prevalence of one species. Similar local zones with a concentrated aroma are found, for example, in coniferous forests or in eucalyptus groves in the south. In a mono-aromatic garden, it can be used as flowers with a rich aroma, such as roses (Rosa) and strongly smelling herbs. But aromatic herbs, as well as conifers (among trees) are more suitable for this concept, as they have a long-term effect, not limited by the duration of flowering.
Elena Katsan / Family garden
2. Time approach
In each period, one aromatic plant is in the lead.
This approach is associated primarily with the use of flowering species. Flowers are chosen that smell delicious - with a bright recognizable aroma. It can be complemented by a luxurious appearance, but this is not at all necessary. Plants with modest but strong-smelling buds shade with large flowers without a pronounced aroma. The lifespan of a flower is also not required. The main thing is to choose species with successive flowering. The strategy is still the same as when creating a garden of continuous flowering. A short flowering period is only at hand, as it will allow the use of a variety of aromatic scenarios.
Breeze Garden Design
3. Territorial approach
Zones with individual scent scenarios are created in the garden. This strategy is applicable not only in large areas, as it might seem at first glance. The wind is the main diffuser of fragrances. By placing aromatic zones in places protected from the wind, you will ensure their isolation.
Of course, we are not talking about completely preventing the spread of smells, but this will be enough to ensure the dominance of certain notes. The house will also act as an excellent delimiter. This principle works well in areas with clear territorial zoning: borders, fences, hedges and technical buildings will create separate aromatic "rooms" with their own atmosphere.
Uyutovo Landscape Design Studio
Ann-Marie Powell Gardens Ltd
4. Naturalness
Aromas flow into each other. This is an approach without an approach, the now popular imitation of natural landscapes. It involves the use of mixtures of plants, the aromas of which complement and support each other. The advantage of this strategy is the main property of the natural environment - it is never the same. Mixtures of aromas subtly change, combine in various combinations, are carried by the wind. In order for the atmosphere to be harmonious, be observant.
Nature itself will suggest compatible combinations of species - plant the same aromatic plants nearby in the garden that you see as companions in the natural environment.
The Plant Place Nursery
This approach is an excellent basis for creating regional stylings. Fragrances allow them to embody no worse than just the shape or color. Combine species characteristic of the selected region, and if they do not grow with us, replace them with plants with a similar smell. In the sphere of smells, as nowhere else, associations are important. Therefore, there is no need to repeat a specific flavor. Listen to your feelings, try to formulate the character, the mood of the natural smells of the selected region - associations are often based on mixtures and combinations. Tart and spicy, fresh and invigorating, tender and soft. Try to pick up the main notes from other plants.
Read also ...
Replacement: how to replace the species that we do not grow
Agawa-M Landscape design of your site
and the missing smells can be made in dried mixtures-eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus ) , juniper (Juniperus) and other conifers, for example, preserve it perfectly.
It is enough to hang twigs and dried leaves in the path of the wind, or use the bark and needles as mulch.
SEE ALSO
Natural Farming: Mulching and turfing “for the lazy”
Missouri Botanical Garden
The location of the aroma garden on the plot will help you select several scents 900 features of the distribution of odors. They can be used separately or combined.
1. Use the sun
The fragrance develops more in the sun. This is especially true of aromatic herbs, which contain high concentrations of volatile compounds. When heated, essential oils evaporate more actively, and the smell is felt more intensely. Place plants in open areas, especially since most of these species prefer to grow in the sun rather than in the shade.
CG Designer Gardens
2. Trust the wind
Air currents carry pollen and scents.
Use these lines. Observe the main directions of air movement in the area and place flowering plants in the path of the wind so that the fragrance reaches the areas where you spend the most time.
3. Collect scents
Concentrate scents inside an enclosed space. This technique is the opposite of the previous one - by placing an aroma garden inside a bosquet, a space surrounded by a hedge or a high curb, you will limit the rate of dissipation of the smell and make it more saturated. You have probably noticed this effect when entering a greenhouse or going out into an open forest clearing surrounded by trees.
Prairie Blue Landscapes
4. Unleash the fragrance
The green scent intensifies when the plant is damaged. Every time you do aroma therapy and aroma design when mowing the lawn. This can be used, for example, by placing aromatic herbs between paving slabs (thyme is especially good here) or tightly along the edges of a narrow path.
By stepping on and touching the leaves as you pass, you will activate an additional flow of aroma.
SEE ALSO…
Freedom for bindweed: Decorate the stairs with plants and you won't recognize your garden
CYAN Horticulture
Idea: create aroma lawns built on the same principle. Incorporate aromatic herbs into your lawn mix that will release an odor when you mow them.
However, meadow lawn or ground cover plants - an alternative to a mowed lawn - are suitable for aromatic design of the site, filling the garden with smells even without mowing: during flowering or on their own.
Sarah Greenman
Where to set up an aroma garden
1. Special areas for recreation
The formation of a well-thought-out aromatic scenario will create a special atmosphere in recreation areas. Surround armchairs, deck chairs, or gazebos with brightly scented plants.
So you isolate the territory for relaxation and communication, create a suitable mood, and generally expand the range of pleasant sensations. To create relaxation areas on the site, all strategies for using aromas are perfect. Bosquet and closed zoning will add backstage, and taking into account air flows will allow you to control the intensity and composition of aromas.
Landscape design studio "Uyutovo"
2. Walking routes
This is a traditional recreational technique used in the creation of sanatoriums and resorts. On your own site, it can be implemented on a smaller scale. Let it not be a cypress or eucalyptus alley - even small paths can be given their own special aroma by planting their own set of aromatic herbs on each of them.
3. Near the summer dining room
As with the recreational areas, here aromatic plants will help create an atmosphere. But it is worth considering the specifics of the place.
It is good to place spicy herbs near the dining area and summer kitchen - in the beds or in flowerpots. They will not only whet the appetite, but also come in handy for cooking.
Aromatic herbs and insects
Many plants repel insects. Elder (Sambucus) , tansy (Tanacetum) , black cohosh (Actaea cimicifuga) , marigolds (Tagetes) are famous for this. But such plants usually have an intense and peculiar smell. However, other species with a high content of essential oils also help in scaring away blood-sucking insects. However, to expect that they will completely rid the site of mosquitoes and flies, of course, is not worth it.
Brightly scented plants attract insects at the same time. Paradox? Not at all. Pollinators flock to them (aromatic herbs in the garden are useful!). Brightly colored butterflies, bees and predatory insects will also pollinate fruit plants and help reduce the number of pests.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
The healing effects of aromatic herbs
Essential oils have been used in medicine since ancient times. And in our time they are used in pharmacology. They have bactericidal and antiseptic properties. Of course, in a volatile form, they do not manifest themselves as strongly as in a concentrated solution, but aromatic plants will certainly have a slight healing effect on the atmosphere.
Essential oils also affect the nervous system - they have a calming, relaxing or invigorating effect.
In the field of aromas, personal associative factors are especially strong, associated with the individual reaction of the body, memories and emotions associated with specific smells. Therefore, of course, you can look at the lists of essential oils, find out the spectrum of their action, but it is much more reliable to listen to your own feelings and reactions: which plants with a pleasant aroma do you like the most.
Only with this approach, with the help of aromatic herbs, will you really control the atmosphere in your own garden.
Jay Sifford Garden Design
Tip: Be careful when creating an aromatic garden. Be aware that some aromatic flowers, herbs, trees and shrubs can cause allergies. Especially often, the flowering alder (Alnus) , IVA (Salix) , Birch (Betula) , Topol (Populus) (Artemisia) (Matricaria) , Pizhma were guilty. (Tanacetum) , quinoa (Atriplex) , nettle (Urtica) , cereals (Poaceae) . In addition, some plants have a specific or too strong aroma, which is not pleasant to everyone. Barberry (Berberis) , mountain ash (Sorbus) , hawthorn (Crataegus) , elderberry (Sambucus) and bird cherry (Prunus padus) smell ambiguously when flowering.
TELL US...
Do you plant aromatic plants in your garden? What strong-smelling garden flowers and herbs do you choose? Do you see any practical effect?
TOP 7 aromatic herbs | GreenMarket
Plants are grown in the garden for a reason.
Some of them have wonderful colors that delight the eye and inspire love for beauty! Others provide us with useful and tasty fruits - or maybe not fruits, but leaves, roots and rhizomes. Others plant only to create a holistic and harmonious composition, to give the garden landscape elegant forms, cozy corners and the desired comfort.
However, for whatever purpose a plant is present on the site, there is one thing that is invisibly perceptible to a person, even if we discard bright flowers, lush greenery and a sprawling canopy of the crown. Smell. This ancient feeling immediately awakens a lot of emotions and thoughts. You don’t need to focus on it, you don’t need to look with your eyes or touch it - it will find you, if you are just nearby! Undoubtedly, plants, famous for their smell, should be devoted to a separate discussion.
Mint (
Mentha ) Named after a nymph, mint really has a magical effect on the taste buds and the sense of smell! A cocktail of essential oils and menthol make mint a favorite ingredient for everything from smoothies and tinctures to potions and ointments.
And the smell of mint is considered uplifting, easing breathing and clarifying thoughts!
Mint in a garden landscape
Drying mint leaves
Undemanding, drought tolerant and shade tolerant, mint is well within the power of beginner gardeners, or even just housewives who decide to diversify their home comforts. Combining it with other cultures will bring special notes to the aroma hovering over it.
You can read more about the types and varieties, agricultural practices and uses of mint in the article " Mint - a refreshing taste of summer ".
Rosemary (
Rosmarinus )Evergreen rosemary known for its aromatic camphor properties since ancient Rome! Not difficult to grow, but a great option for decorating the site, rosemary is able to take your culinary research to a new level!
A classic spice, it is widely grown throughout the tropics and eaten throughout the world. Broth or salad, fish or meat, spicy cheese or mushrooms for a snack - it is customary to add dried rosemary leaves everywhere.
You don't need to prepare a complex dish to enjoy the freshness of its smell - the perfumery possibilities of rosemary will manifest even if you just leave some greens on the table in the room!
Rosemary sprigs
Rosemary essential oil
Health benefits are undeniable: the same fragrant essential oils that will fill your garden and kitchen with a fresh aroma will help get rid of bacteria in the air, and when eaten, improve blood circulation and lead to in order nerves.
You can learn about the properties of rosemary from the article “ Rosemary is a versatile spice with a bright aroma ”.
Tarragon (
Artemisia dracunculus )An ordinary plant, but with unusual properties. An almost universal seasoning for any meat and any fish, a welcome guest in the kitchen. The mass of varieties allows you to find one that will suit you with both taste and smell. Yes, yes, not every tarragon is really a fragrant herb in a living, growing state!
It is usually grown from seedlings in advance, in winter or early spring.
In a bright sunny place, a healthy tarragon will not bother you with frequent diseases or pests - perhaps thanks to the same fragrant alkaloids and essential oil.
Tarragon flowering
Dried tarragon leaves
In a container
But tarragon allows you to collect valuable raw materials with a full life several times a season! These greens can also be dried, if just for adding to cooking, and immediately used - as an ingredient in a refreshing drink, as a spicy-smelling bunch of twigs, or in any other way that is available to your imagination!
Learn more about tarragon in the article « Tarragon – a versatile herb ".
Lavender (
Lavandula )The famous fragrant plant, one of those that first come to mind when you think of “perfume fragrances”: soap with lavender, air freshener with lavender, eau de toilette, perfume and - all kinds of tea recipes with it .
Growing Lavender is easy.
It is quite possible to grow and use for your own needs a plant in a pot on a windowsill, warm and light. Lavender is a wonderful "pet": it does not just tolerate strong sunlight, but will be grateful for it; will not just survive on poor and dry soil, but it is precisely these that suit her basically. Lavender has been in culture since ancient times, so finding a lot of wonderful recipes is easy!
Lavender field
In combination with a rose
You can appreciate the true beauty of lavender with the help of the article " Mediterranean guest - lavender ".
Sage (
Salvia )You must have smelled the enchanting scent of sage over purple-flowered meadows in July! Different decorative species are able to bring their fragrant inflorescences and medicinal properties to any home.
Sage forms bushes, which, combined with a variegated variety of varieties, allows its species to be actively used in landscape design.
Some forms can simply be grown in a pot. The external variability of varieties concerns mainly the color and shape of the leaves, flowers in all blue-violet shades. In addition to the wondrous smell that live plants and all products in which they are included, sage is known for its medicinal and flavoring properties. Tinctures and extracts, as well as spices and teas - wherever you look, sage is everywhere!
Bright mixborder with the participation of sage
Sage in the garden
Learn more about sage in the article " Sage - 'sacred herb' ".
Thyme (
Thymus )Aka thyme or thyme. Everyone's favorite "Provencal herbs" according to the classic recipe should contain thyme - and therefore be incredibly odorous! Thyme teas are popular "among the people" - after all, the plant is saturated with natural antiseptics and analgesics.
Creeping thyme in the landscape
Drying thyme
In a container
Thyme is also a fan of open sunny areas, it is possible with stony and / or slightly alkaline soil - there it will spread out as a fragrant carpet, watering which is especially relevant only in dry land.
You can cut foliage and shoots for drying up to two times a year, plus pruning. A small plant can be placed at your fingertips, in a pot, where you can and should cut thyme even more often.
Experience the benefits of thyme in the article " Thyme: beauty and benefits in one flower bed .
Oregano (
Origanum )Actually, the name speaks for itself. Yes, and such spices as oregano or marjoram are probably familiar to many. Like many other plants that have a persistent and strong smell, oregano is a medicinal raw material and a culinary additive - but also a wonderful decorating element. It will decorate your rockery, alpine slide or even be attached in a pot - for example, variety Country Cream .
It is easy to grow: plenty of sun, loose neutral soil, moderate watering - in general, a tenacious and resistant plant. It tolerates winter and dryness well. Since the raw materials are inflorescences, the collection falls, respectively, on flowering: July-August.
