which herbs for borders

[vonveg]

hi. i'm new. i am using my plot for veg but wld like to grow herbs in the other little spaces in the garden. my garden isn't the sunniest as there a lot of lovely evergreens nearby but we do get bits. been told lavender may not do so well would particularly like to attract wildlife. have decided on broad beans kale onions leeks and spuds for the patch (not sure if thats relevant)! thanks

[sewer rat]

hi. i'm new. i am using my plot for veg but wld like to grow herbs in the other little spaces in the garden. been told lavender may not do so well would particularly like to attract wildlife.

What was the reason you were given for the lavender possibly underperforming ?
Thyme would be a good one to try, and marjoram too. A clump of chives will attract bees etc if left to flower.

[vonveg]

thanks very much. the fella in the garden centre said lavender may not do so well because of north facing aspect of garden. it does get some sun though. i will try the ones you've advised. nice kilt by the way!

[momol]

Try some garlic chives for the smaller/narrow border, Vonveg. It is parennial, hardy, has beautiful flowers, useful and will surely attract bees. If your border area is bigger,perhaps you could add in some mellisa/lemon balm (can be invasive) and even german cammomile (annual, but the flowers can be use as tea). There should be lots more other herbs, it really depend on what you need and the size of your border.
Good luck .

[zazen999]

Lavender round our way does better on the north facing wall of my next door neighbour's house and in our west facing front garden.

When I say north facing wall; the wall is his house. It gets zero sun so that, and the rosemary grown with it - is absolutely blooming, It is never chopped back [he isn't the keenest of gardeners] and it has been there for years.

Don't believe the GC hype; that's my motto.

[lainey lou]

parsley works well in an undersunny garden. Mine last year was home to lots of ladybird babies, t'was facinating.

[Two_Sheds]

Feverfew and lemonbalm (Melissa) seem to grow everywhere. Chives too.

[vonveg]

thankyou very much. will give em all a try!

[rustylady]

Rosemary will grow if the drainage is good. If it's shady(ish) try chives, parsley, coriander. And mint will grow anywhere - only trouble is it spreads so plant it in a bottomless bucket sunk into the ground

[berksmike]

If you want attractive tall plants for the back of your border try lovage and/or angelica.

Lovage makes a great soup and adds a nice celery and peppery flavour to stews, salads etc

[la cebolla grande]

Another excellent one for edging beds - and the bees and hoverflies just love it is Hyssop. A small woody bush that can be clipped into a mini-hedge (I have a Hyssop-hedge around my comfrey bed. Bee heaven!), even better it comes in pink, white and blue flowers! Can grow from seed pretty easily, or by plants in pots for a more instant effect!

Lovely with a bit of beef too.......

LCG

[TonyF]

If you grow lemon balm or French Tarragon, you have it for life, like any of the mint family, I'd put the lemon balm in a bucket or large pot dropped into the earth.

[Mikey]

hi. i'm new. i am using my plot for veg but wld like to grow herbs in the other little spaces in the garden. my garden isn't the sunniest as there a lot of lovely evergreens nearby but we do get bits. been told lavender may not do so well would particularly like to attract wildlife. have decided on broad beans kale onions leeks and spuds for the patch (not sure if thats relevant)! thanks

What you grow is very relevant vonveg, as some plants are more helpful next to each other than most. For example the broad bean is great next to your leek but not so good next to your onion. Your potato is happy next to all of your choices. Look at what you want to grow, and its problem pests, then look at what companion herbs/veg deter those pests. This way, you will attract the right kind of predator for your natural pests. Like Hyssop and the cabbage moth, or you could plant mint and deter the moth and aphids which like to munch on your broad beans.

good luck, and happy growing.

[jeannine]

Sorrel is happy in part shade and is lovely in soup, or the young leaves are great in salads. And it's perennial so you only have to plant it once and then you can pick the leaves for years.

[sandy]

Sweet Cicely will grow anywhere and its lovely for putting in fruit while cooking. Smells like aniseed and reduces the amount of sugar needed. The only down side is that it seeds its self everywhere.