Herb Garden Plants

Herb garden plants, like any other type of plants, come as annuals, perennials and biennials.  There are so many different types of herbs and each one is different.  If you are interested in a specific kind of herb you should know its proper use and the care it needs.  This article will get you started in understanding different general types of herb plants and what they are used for.

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 colder temperatures.  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 sown 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 grouped under the categories for which they are specifically used.  Probably the most useful to herb gardeners are culinary herb garden plants.  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.  Oils from aromatic herbs like loyage, mint, and rosemary can be used to make different types of perfumes, toilet water, or other various scents.  Some parts of aromatic herb garden plants can be used to deodorize linens and clothes.  Some of these herbs are made into potpourri to preserve their scent for a long period of time.  Two fantastic herbs used for potpourris are lavender and lemon verbena.

Some herbs are also used to cure various illnesses.  For centuries herbs have been thought to cure the body of various ailments.  The field of medicine acknowledges the fact that some herb garden plants are really useful but some are also overrated.  Herbs used for medicinal purposes should be used carefully.  Some herbs are harmless but others can be dangerous if eaten.

Aside from being used for cooking, healing or fragrance, some herbs are also used for other purposes.  Some herbs are also used as adornments.  Ornamental herb garden plants have flowers and foliage that are brightly-colored.  Many of them have whitish or light colored flowers like valerian which is crimson, and borage and chicory which has attractive blue flowers.

While herbs can be categorized into these different categories of uses, many herbs have multiple purposes.  For example, mint may be used for cooking, tea, and pest control.  Whatever the reason for your interest in herb garden plants, you should be able to select the herbs that is most useful to you.