For those who love to cook and eat a lot of salad there is nothing better than having one’s own herb garden. To grow your own herbs, it is not necessary that you should have a large garden, as you can grow them in pots or in a small section of your garden.
You can even grow them in your window boxes and they would look pretty, incorporated with other flowers. Some of the hardy herbs which are so very popular, such as Rosemary, Sage, Parsley and Basil are easy to grow, provided that they have proper drainage and 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight. There are different types like the annual, biennial and perennial if you go by the climate condition of your area. Here are 7 of the large and hardy herbs which can grow in your garden.
1. Rosemary
Rosemary is an evergreen, Mediterranean herb which is a perennial herb in Zones 8 to 10 and used as seasoning flavor of vegetables and meat. If allowed to flourish, the Rosemary plant can grow to a bush size and thrive, although it can grow just as well in a starter pot. It has delightful scented leaves and is not only a seasoning herb but can also making a great floral arrangement piece as well.
2. Giant Italian parsley
It can be grown as an annual but this herb is basically a biennial herb in Zones 6 to 9. The taste and look of this flat leaf parsley is better than the more common curly leaf parsley. This herb can stay evergreen even in winter in areas with mild climate. They tend to grow bushy and large with many leaves when it matures.
3. Lemon balm
In Zones 4 to 9, the lemon balm is a hardy perennial herb which is known for its fragrance. The lemon balm easily grows to a height of 2 feet tall and its scented leaves are used for herbal tea, or added to baths for a calming and relaxing effect.
4. Sage
Sage is a winter hardy herb which can grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet tall or even taller and has a width of 2 feet. In Zones of 5 to 10, sage is an aromatic herb which is popularly used for seasoning vegetables, sauces, fish and meat.
5. Large leaf Italian basil
Basil is a popular herb which is used either fresh or dried for Italian cooking such as for pesto, pasta, pizzas, sauces and salads. It is also called lettuce basil as it has large lettuce shaped leaves which can grow up to 3 to 4 inches, on a plant that grows to a height of 2 feet. Basil is an annual herb which can be grown indoors, under grow lights in late winter from seeds and transplanted outdoors, or in pots once the frost period is over. You can grow the sweet, large purple basil alongside the lettuce basil to add some contrast.
6. Hyssop
In Zones 4 to 9, Hyssop is a perennial herb with aromatic leaves and used for seasoning salads, stews, soups and liqueurs. Like the Rosemary plant, the hyssop can also grow large and big as a bush and its aroma entices hummingbirds and butterflies.
7. Lavender
In Zones 5 to 9, the lavender is a perennial herb which is much appreciated for its unique scent which gives a soothing effect. There is the English lavender and the Spanish or French lavender with purple flowers and both varieties are hardy plants. The lavender is used to scent soaps and sachets or simply kept in a container for its soothing fragrance.
About the author: Rubela is a blogger by profession. She loves writing about technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of books. She recently bought a book on eco friendly gadgets from a book fare. These days she is busy in witting an article on room dividers.
Pic by Christian Bauer via Creative Commons
