herbs for sunny spots
Most herbs love sunshine, as is fitting for the dwellers of the open plains and windswept limestone cliffs of the Mediterranean shores. They thrive in bright sunlight and love the wind in their hair and have adapted not to mind poor soil, as long as the latter is not too acidic and has proper drainage.
Not all sun loving herbs enjoy the same garden conditions, a lesson this gardener learned the hard way back in the day.
Spare yourself the frustration and the wasted effort and trace their growth habits back to their native environments.
Chamomile, yarrow, mugwort, wormwood, goldenrod and thistles are prairie plants which thrive in heavy clay soils and tolerate droughts with nary a complaint.
Rosemary, basil, sage, thyme, lavender, marjoram and oregano like sandy, mildly alkaline soils that drain well, and bright sunlight, but despise humidity and, contrary to popular belief, don’t weather dry spells well, especially when grown in containers.
Yes, even rosemary, despite its rugged appearance.
Broad leaved Mediterranean herbs, like marjoram, basil, and oregano, have to be watered around the clock in summer if they are to look their best, and could use a bit of shade during scorching afternoons.
One last comment, a pot of mixed herbs makes for lovely patio decor, but the plants are happier when grown directly in the garden, where they are less affected by the vagaries of the weather.
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