the herbs of summer
People used to grow herbs for their medicinal qualities or for their culinary use, but some of these lovely plants have crossed over into the flower garden where they’re standing their ground with the best of the summer perennials. Here are a few examples.
Yarrow, a plant with a long history of use for both medicinal and spiritual practices now fits squarely into the cottage garden design as a counterpoint to the tall cone flowers and the crazy abandon of daisies. Its flowers used to be white, small and rather unimpressive, but yarrow has been hybridized to produce beautiful inflorescences whose colors range from ruby red to bright sunny oranges and yellows and which compete with the stone crops in size and length of bloom.
Lavenders, formerly once blooming medicinal herbs are now producing flowers all summer long, perfect to brighten up a dry spot in full sun.
Sage is no longer just a cooking herb, its interesting foliage and beautiful blue-violet flowers have become a welcome addition to any perennial garden.
Monarda, or fake bergamot, is getting established as a resident of the flower garden, despite its invasive tendencies, because of its beautiful and abundant red, purple and pink flowers.
Thyme now comes in many varieties bred specifically for decorative purposes, and these cultivars are much appreciated in xeriscapes and rock gardens.
My favorites, though, are dill and lovage. They tend to grow very tall and need some protection from the sun, so they are best used for the back of a flower border in partial shade. They provide spectacular umbels, scented foliage, texture, and last but not least, welcoming homes for butterflies.
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