Table of contents
- Location requirements as a selection criterion
- Scented herbs for sunny locations
- Fragrant garden herbs for partially shaded locations
- Favorites for the scented lawn
- Conclusion
With them, the magic of seductive scents moves into the garden to transform it into a feast for the senses. Scented herbs not only beguile with their perfume, but also impress with their lush growth, wonderful flowers and provide spicy ingredients for the kitchen. Not so easy, given the overwhelming variety, to discover the ideal candidates for your individual fragrance garden. The following list of favorites aims to assist in making a choice among the best fragrant herbs and fragrant garden herbs that Mother Nature has to offer.
Location requirements as a selection criterion
So that the following list of favorites serves as an informed basis for decision-making, are aromatic herbs and fragrant garden herbs grouped according to the requirements of the location in the garden and on the balcony. The enchanting plants only unfold their full beauty and an enchanting aroma where they find the optimal conditions for healthy, vital growth.
Scented herbs for sunny locations
Common Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)
Its blue-violet flowers evoke the Mediterranean magic of Provence, where the fragrant herb stretches across vast fields to the horizon. Its rich oils are an essential part of countless world-famous perfumes.
- Growth height 60 to 70 cm
- evergreen and hardy
Scented thyme (Thymus odoratissimus)
With its compact growth and a delicate pink flower from June to August, thyme unfolds its wonderful aroma in the creatively designed garden as a ground cover or bed border.
- Growth height up to 15 cm
- evergreen and hardy
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
A scented garden is difficult to imagine without rosemary. The robust, evergreen semi-shrub impresses with a tart, aromatic and at the same time refreshing fragrance. This lifts the spirits and invigorates the senses. Its enchanting flowers attract flocks of butterflies and insects from April to June.
- Growth height 30 to 120 cm
- evergreen, light winter protection recommended
Thai basil (Ocimum basilicum v. thyrsiflorum)
The warmer and sunnier the location, the more intensively Thai basil spreads its bouquet in beds and tubs. In addition, the pretty, purple inflorescences are extremely decorative from April to October. For fans of Thai cuisine, the fragrant garden herb is a key ingredient in typical dishes.
- Growth height 30 to 40 cm
- annual with possible hibernation on the windowsill
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
A classic in every fragrance and herb garden comes as lemon balm. The delicate leaves fulfill a variety of tasks in medicine and cooking. With their revitalizing perfume, they spread a deep sense of well-being from afar.
- Growth height 30 to 100 cm
- perennial and hardy to -25 degrees Celsius
Tip:
Rhizome-forming aromatic herbs, such as lemon balm, are ideally provided with a root barrier in the garden. In this way, any proliferation is effectively prevented.
Annual marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Hardly any other aromatic herb spreads such a hearty aroma as annual marjoram. Anyone who approaches it immediately gets an appetite for a liver sausage sandwich, which is why this fragrant garden herb is often dubbed sausage herb. Thanks to the uncomplicated sowing and rapid germination, it doesn't matter that this favorite has to be replanted every year.
- Growth height up to 40 cm
- white flowers from July to September
Sweet nettle (Agastache foeniculum)
If you love the scent of aniseed and fennel, plant the stable nettle in the garden. From July to September, it shines with purple flowers on stiff, upright stems. The leaves make an aromatic tea, spice up herbal soups and salads. Swarms of butterflies surround the decorative plant, making it a welcome sight in a natural garden.
- Growth height 60 to 120 cm
- frost-resistant with a beautiful winter silhouette
American Calamint (Pycnanthemum pilosum)
The botanical relationship with Origanum can only be concluded from its growth, because its bouquet is dominated by the scent of lemon. Native to the mountains of North America, it can't be sunny enough for her in the scented garden. If you are still looking for a favorite for the poor soil of the rock garden, you are well advised to choose American cassut. With a late bloom in autumn, it also marks a furious season finale, which it repeats for many years with good care.
- Growth height 60 to 80 cm
- hardy to – 20 degrees Celsius
Fragrant garden herbs for partially shaded locations
Golden Apple Sage (Salvia rutilans 'Golden Delicious')
Here the golden-yellow leaves are the focus of attention, from which a refreshing scent of apples emanates. In autumn, the scented herb trumps with a rich red bloom. Since the plant is not hardy, it is considered an excellent candidate for container cultivation.
- Growth height 40 to 50 cm
- Hibernation at 5 to 15 degrees Celsius
Yellow wood sage (Salvia glutinosa)
Its upright and at the same time bushy growth qualifies the wood sage as a decorative backdrop plant in the twilight of tall trees. It is primarily the firm leaves that let the appetizing scent rise into the nose. From July to September, the delicate yellow labial flowers catch the eye of the beholder.
- Growth height 80 to 100 cm
- evergreen and hardy
Rose Woodruff (Phuopsis stylosa 'Purpurglut')
After a warm summer rain, this fragrant garden herb surprises with a unique, slightly tart aroma. The rose woodruff likes to spread its purple carpet of flowers under bushes and roses, as long as the light conditions are not too dark. A favorite for home gardeners who want to design their garden beyond the bounds of convention.
- Growth height up to 20 cm
- Runner-forming and hardy
Aztec sweetweed (Lippia dulcis)
A treasure that was already very popular with the Aztecs comes from the verbena family. Its scent is reminiscent of mint, camphor and honeydew melon. The leaves add a pleasant sweetness to many dishes. The dainty, white flowers appear all year round on the elegantly curved shoots. Since this garden herb is not hardy, potting it spreads its fragrance around the house during the cold season.
- Growth height up to 20 cm
- perennial subshrub
Favorites for the scented lawn
Esprit hobby gardeners are increasingly moving away from uniform lawns and towards inspiring, fragrant lawns. The focus here is primarily on fragrant herbs and fragrant garden herbs, which come up with low and cushion-forming growth. The following favorites have emerged so far:
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
With its seductive scent of apples, it makes up for the fact that it's not quite sturdy. Nevertheless, creative hobby gardeners favor the Roman chamomile with its delicate, white flowers for a dreamlike fragrant lawn.
- Growth height 15 to 20 cm
- one pruning required per season
Creeping Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium 'Repens')
This small aromatic herb cannot be used in the kitchen. In view of the intense fragrance, this little shortcoming doesn't bother much. Perfectly suited for a fragrant carpet of lawn in a sandy, lime-poor location, pennyroyal sets the scene in late summer with purple flowers.
- Growth height 5 to 20 cm
- Protection from strong winter sun advisable
Lemon Cumin Thyme (Thymus herba-barona var. citriodora)
The small relative of real thyme offers a lasting fragrance experience. If you run your hand over the delicate leaves, you will immediately be enveloped in a wonderful lemony aroma. Thanks to the wiry shoots, this scented lawn can be walked on from time to time. A cheerfully colorful appearance is created in combination with other cushion thymes, such as orange thyme (Th. vulgaris 'Orange Spice').
- Growth height 5 cm
- also ideal for the rock garden
Conclusion
Tempting scented herbs and fragrant garden herbs transform your private green realm into a feast for the senses. In view of the overwhelming diversity of species and varieties, this list of favorites provides valuable assistance in making a selection. Regardless of the beguiling aroma that fragrant herbs exude in conjunction with an enchanting floral splendor or a magically fragrant leaf decoration, the respective location requirements are nevertheless the top priority Criteria.
garden editorial I write about everything that interests me in my garden.
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