Herbs Garden Plants

Types of Herbs and Gardens

Herb Garden Plants come in annuals, perennials, and biennials like other types of plants. There are many kinds of herb and each one has its unique properties. By researching the particular type of herb you are interested in, you will understand how to care for it and use it correctly.

This article will get you started in understanding the different types of herb garden plants and what they are used for. Many kinds of annuals such as cilantro, basil and summer savory will perish in a frost. Plant them from a seed or sapling every year. Perennials will tend to survive colder temperatures Examples of these are winter savory and sage and they will return year after year.

Biennial herbs are plants that form leaves in their first growing season and flowers and seed in the second season, then die. Biennial herbs like parsley, angelica, or caraway should be sown in late spring directly into the garden. Prepare the soil first by working it to a fine texture and wet it slightly.

Excellent Advice on Herb Garden Plants

Plant the seeds in shallow rows then firm the soil on top of them. If you have fine seeds, plant these in a mixture of sand as this will spred them within the mix more evenly. It is an idea to cover the planted bed with paper or burlap to keep the soil damp prior to germination. You can categorize herbs by the groups for which they are used. Herbs used for cooking are the best known to gardeners. They provide a vast range of menu options in cookery.

Herbs like thyme, basil, chives, savory, sage and marjoram have strong tasting flavors when added to food, so are used in small amounts. An very popular herb used mainly as a garnish is Parsley. Aromatic herbs have pleasant smelling flowers or foliage. The oils from herbs like mint, loyage and rosemarycan be used to make all kinds of perfume, scents and toilet water. Parts of aromatic herb plants used intact can also be used in the home to scent linens or clothing.

Drying them will allow them to retain their aroma for longer and be used in products such as potpourri. Lavender and lemon verbena are great herbs to use for potpourri. Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. Since ancient time herbs have been used to cure all sorts of ailments.

Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herbs are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated. Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.

Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance. They can be used for their shear splendor. These decorative herbs. Many have whitish or various light colored flowers like valerian which has crimson blossoms and borage and chicory which grow gorgeous blue flowers.

Even thought herbs can have these different categories, many of them have multiple uses. So for example mint can be used for controlling pests, cooking and making tea. Whatever the reason you have an interest in herbs, by understanding herb garden plants you are able to pick the herbs that will be most useful to you.