Statues suggest
the presence of people, so visitors are often drawn to them. The statue
should be in scale with the size of the garden so it does not overwhelm
its surroundings,
Animal figures
such as rabbits, frogs and turtles nestled among the herbs bring out
the child in all of us.
Arbors covered in climbing roses
or vines add a special intimacy. They give visitors a sense of passing
from one area into another, with the promise of the unknown to explore.
The ambiance of your herb garden is
created by its formal or informal layout, dominant colors and the
plants themselves. Decorative accessories, garden benches, statues
and pots can stimulate curiosity, amusement and memories. An anonymous
writer once said that a garden should be "a place where the
mind goes to seed."
Color comes to the landscape from
several sources. In addition to perennial and annual flowers and
herbs, structural materials such as walls, fences, paving and buildings
play a significant role. Trees, shrubs and groundcovers play their
part, too, and pose challenges as each change through the season.
Regardless of the size or style of
the intended garden, we recommend you draw your design on paper.
A bird's-eye view diagram will put your plan in perspective. A
design also forces you to address the growth habits of the herbs
you want to plant and give them the amount of space they need
to develop. Locate taller herbs in the center of a bed. Stagger
shorter ones outward to the border. Consider using raised beds
to define the shape of a planted area and improve soil drainage.
Learn more about planning herbal gardens in our award winning
gardening book, Herbs: Growing and Using the Plants of Romance.
A single statue surrounded by mint makes a simple
yet striking statement.
The visual impact of flower color
is almost always temporary. Foliage, however, is a constant throughout
the growing season or year after year. With careful planning your
garden will be a place of beauty all year round.
