Creating Aromatic Outdoor Spaces with Herb Garden Landscape Design
Herb garden landscape design has been an essential part of gardening and outdoor space for thousands of years. Herbs have many different uses, not to mention their beauty and unique fragrances. Integrating a herb garden into your landscape design is extremely simple and requires only a small amount of planning.
Types of Herb Gardens
Before you can plan your garden, it is a good idea to become familiar with the various types of herbs and the different uses they serve.
Culinary selections are one of the most common herbs in modern gardens, which include popular cooking ingredients like sage, parsley, and oregano.
Green and 'Dark Opal' basil make attractive garden plants – easy to transplant. Chives not only season egg dishes and salads, but also create eye-catching borders and rock garden décor. Dill is an easily grown annual with feathery foliage, where the hardy perennial thyme possesses shrubby characteristics.
Medicinal herbs like ginseng and chamomile are also popular but can be more difficult to use. However, with proper education – you can learn how to treat medical problems, purge bodily toxins, and boost the immune system through the creation of natural infusions, teas, ointments, and tinctures. Examples include borage (reduces fever), lavender, elder and yarrow (for hay fever and allergies), and Echinacea.
Ornamental herb gardens consist purely of selections chosen for their aroma, color, or texture. Fragrant lavender and myrtle are popular choices. Rue creates beautiful garden borders with a unique blue-green color and bold blooms. Dittany of Crete is also a well-liked oregano herb where fine silvery hairs decorate the leaves. However, it is strictly for show and should not be confused as a cooking ingredient.
When creating your herb garden landscape design, you may decide to incorporate a single type of herb in your garden or you could integrate a variety of herbs throughout your existing garden.
Planning Your Herb Garden
Whether you decide to plant herbs for cooking or select varieties for their look and smell, you will need to pay careful attention to the size and location of your planting area, as well as the types of herbs you choose and their individual planting requirements.
Size and Location of Your Garden
Herb garden landscape design typically requires a great deal of direct sunlight, although a few varieties like mint grow best in shade.
Depending on the amount of space available, there are several different ways to incorporate a herb garden into your outdoor space.
Herbs were traditionally grown in formal planting beds, typically with easy access to the kitchen.
For a more informal look, incorporate herbs into flowing flower beds between shrubs and colorful flowers.
Container gardens are ideal for small yards or areas with a great deal of shade.
Group your herb varieties together depending on the amount of water and sunlight they require. For the best visual effect, place taller herbs at the back of the planting area and gradually decrease the height.
Use the shape and texture of the leaves to determine planting location as well.
Plant each variety according to its individual requirements for soil depth, adding the appropriate nutrients.
Ensure proper drainage to keep your herbs healthy. Raised planting beds can assist with drainage, or a small layer of crushed gravel for containers.
For more advice on landscaping and gardening, including information on herb garden landscape design, sign up for our informative monthly newsletter
by clicking here.
Before you can plan your garden, it is a good idea to become familiar with the various types of herbs and the different uses they serve. 
Herb garden landscape design typically requires a great deal of direct sunlight, although a few varieties like mint grow best in shade. 
