All About Herb Garden Plants
Herb garden plants come in annuals, perennials, and biennials like other types of plants. There are so many different types of herbs and each one is different. If you are interested in a specific type of herb you should know its proper use and the care it needs. This article contains information on the different types of herbs and how they are used in cooking.
Annuals like basil, cilantro and summer savory will not survive frost. They need to be planted from a seed or a small plant every year. Herb plants called perennials like sage and winter savory can survive the harshest of winters. Biennial herbs are herb garden plants that form leaves in their first growing season, flowers and seed in the second season, then die.
Biennial herb garden plants 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. Then the seeds should be planted in shallow rows making the soil firm on top of them. Fine seeds can be planted in a mixture of sand which will allow them to spread more evenly. You can also cover the bed with wet burlap or paper in order to keep the soil moist during germination.
Herbs are also classified under the categories for which they are specifically used. Culinary herb garden plants are probably the most useful to herb gardeners. They have a huge range of different uses in cooking. Because of their strong flavors, herbs like chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram are generally used in small quantities to add flavor to different types of food. Parsley is an extremely popular herb that is used mostly as a garnish.
The flowers or leaves of aromatic herbs have pleasant smell. Different types of perfumes, toilet water or other types of scents can be made from oils of aromatic herbs like loyage, mint and rosemary. Some parts of aromatic herb garden plants can be used to deodorize linens and clothes. Some of these herbs are made into potpourri to keep their scent for a long period of time. Two amazing herbs which are good for potpourris are lavender and lemon verbena.
Some herbs are also used for medicinal purposes. For centuries herbs have been thought to have the ability to cure the body. Present medical knowledge recognizes that some herb garden plants are beneficial to one’s health, others are overrated. You should be careful in using herbs as medicines. Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.
Some herbs are not used for their flavor, power to heal or fragrance. Some herbs are also used for their beauty. Ornamental herb garden plants have flowers and foliage that are brightly-colored. Many of them come in white or light-colored flowers like valerian which has delicate crimson flowers, and borage and chicory which has attractive blue flowers.
Herbs fall under many different types of uses but many of them have multiple purposes, too. Mint may also be used as insect repellent or as flavor enhancer. 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.