Garden On Different Levels
June 30, 2011 by admin
Filed under Uncategorized
The tradition of herbs grown in ordered beds has survived to the present day, partly because many are neat, low-growing plants, which look chiefly good developed in this way. In the 17th century they were grown in proper patterns in parterres, simply for decoration.
In a modern garden, growing herbs in patterned beds is not only visually attractive but also practical because small beds alienated by low hedges, paths or stones make tending and harvesting the plants easier.
This circular herb garden has been created in the center of a lawn bounded by hedges to keep out the wind. There is a wide variety of herbs, grown both for their colors and divergent shapes.
However, herbs will find a place in any style of garden; the range of possibilities is enormous. They can be grown among other plants in a mixed border or, if you lack space, a few pots can look good on a kitchen windowsill or you can create a little herb garden in a window box.
Ground-hugging creepers such as pennyroyal, some thymes and mints can be planted among paving slabs or bricks; hummock-forming plants such as oregano, common sage, and chives make charming front-ofborder plants, and tall stately plants such as fennel, lovage, angelica and sweet cicely can provide structure.
This herb garden has a formal framework of stone, yet rather informal planting, in which the herbs have been allowed to grow into their own shapes. The small willows and the little produce tree add height.
An outsize mortar planted with thyme lends character to this small herb plot. Around it are a selection of artemisias and other feathery plants.
It should be as near to the kitchen as possible. Even if you enjoy a stroll through the garden to reach the herb bed, you may not always have the time (although you can always grow a separate collection of herbs in pots for cooking).
Most herbs will benefit from being grown in an open, sunlit part of the garden, since many of them come from Mediterranean areas where the climate is hot and dry. Many herbs smell delicious when walked on or brushed against, so large herbs can be grown by an outside door. Others may be planted along pathways — thyme, eau de Cologne mint, peppermint and cilantro can be planted near paths and creeping varieties of thyme and camomile flanked by flagstones.
The whole herb garden can be enclosed by a clipped yew hedge, or simply divided from the rest of the garden by a clipped hedge. If your garden is on different levels, a circular herb garden at the lower level, sheltered from the elements by walls and shrubs, can make a good sun trap for both plants and people to enjoy. Painting done with the paint zoom sprayer is another option for healthy decor.
If your garden is on heavy clay, it may be worthwhile creating raised beds so that water can away quickly. Add gravel and sand to the compost, since most herbs prefer a poor soil.
