Herby heaven

Herbs – do you know I could bore for Britain on the subject, as I find them endlessly fascinating. They are ancient plants, used as cures, remedies, flavourings and perfumes in centuries past, long before doctors, cleaning products or cosmetics were commonplace.

For instance, did you know that in medieval times every pub would have had a backyard planted with pinks (similar to modern carnations), which would be added to the beer to give extra flavour? Or that sage, which is still classified as an official medicine in the United States, is said to grow vigorously in a house where the wife rules the roost – I’ve hardly dared to grow it since!

But whatever herbs you choose to grow, do avoid constructing a nasty ‘herb bed’, as it will look like a tangled bird’s nest by the end of summer. Herbs always look and grow better mixed in among other plants in the herbaceous border.

I use rosemary as a neat, aromatic evergreen to punctuate sunny corners. Thyme and oregano, liking sharp drainage, look good tumbling over raised beds; and in wilder areas, aniseed-scented Sweet Cicely forms a lovely fluffy mass of finely dissected leaves, said to be a powerful aphrodisiac. Whenever I casually mention this to garden visitors I derive a wicked amusement from watching them shiftily pocketing a few of the leaves – presumably for later use!

In shadier spots, statuesque angelica towering at six feet always elicits a ‘wow’ response, and Eau de Cologne mint, in a pot to contain its rampant roots, is gorgeous to pinch and sniff at the end of a tiring day.

In fact, every year one of my must-do things is to collect several pots of herbs and place them within hands’ reach of my sunniest bench. Blackcurrant salvias, lemon balm and lemon verbena are all favourites, and provide the same aromatherapy benefits enjoyed by our medieval ancestors long ago. Why not try it yourself this summer?

If, by chance, your sage plant is growing too vigorously, you can always rub the leaves onto your partner’s head –  it’s supposed to cure baldness!

Anne Britt is a garden designer. Contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .