Herb Garden Layouts

The type of herb garden layout you choose depends on the herbs you select and the theme you are using as a guide.

But there is no need to limit your selections, as the possibilities and selections within any theme are endless.

Historical Herb Garden Layouts

In Elizabethan England, knot gardens were popular among the rich. A specimen herb was placed at the center of each knot, and the geometric lines of the knot contained multiple herb plantings.

Numerous herbs were grown, for culinary and medicinal purposes. Borders of boxwood hedges enclosed and defined the area. This style was very formal and required constant pruning to maintain its appearance.

Colonial herb gardens were the family apothecary and included feverfew, yarrow, lavender and bee balm.

Often mixed in with vegetables and flowers, the gardens provided herbs for cooking and healing as well as those used for dyes and drying for potpourris.

Japanese herb gardens have been popular for quite some time. With stepping stone or gravel pathways between larger, carefully placed rocks, these gardens are well planned, designed, and maintained so as not to detract from the overall look of the rocks and paths.

Other Popular Herb Garden Layouts

We've moved into more casual and free-form herb gardens, but there are still some garden layouts that are suited for specific themes.

Whatever your interest, you can find a selection of herbs that can suite your needs. Tea gardens, culinary gardens and medicinal gardens are among the most popular.

Start by planning a shape, divide it into as many sections as you want for plants, and fill in.

With increasing interest in natural foods, tea gardens are becoming very popular. Include chamomile, stevia, bergamot, rose geranium, and various mints. As with any herb you grow for ingestion, use organic methods of growing.

Herbs can be selected for specific cuisines. An Italian herb garden could include basil, oregano, fennel, parsley and chives.

For Greek cuisine include bay, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme. If Mexican cooking is your favorite, cilantro, garlic, basil, mint and flat-leaf parsley are good choices.

Medicinal herb garden layouts combine a variety of herbs that are both helpful and decorative. Select medicinal herbs carefully as some can be dangerous. Or just grow them for their appearance. Herbs like feverfew, bee balm, and wormwood are popular selections for this type of garden.

Whether your style is formal or informal, historic or modern, you can mix and blend herbs that serve your purposes. Experiment with some new varieties, plant some just for their aroma or appearance, and enjoy the experience of growing herbs.