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Herbs as Ornamentals

Herbs have been used as ornamental plants for centuries, not just for cooking but for adding beauty, fragrance and structure to gardens. With colorful foliage, interesting textures and long-lasting blooms, herbs contribute to the landscape all season long.

Unlike many flowering plants, herbs with vibrant leaves provide steady color even when they aren’t in bloom. Fragrant varieties add another layer of enjoyment. Simply brushing past them releases delightful scents as you walk through the garden.

Here’s how herbs can enhance your landscape design.

Herbs for Fragrance

Scented herbs bring life to walkways, patios and entry gardens. Plant them where they can be easily touched or harvested.

Popular fragrant choices include:

  • Lavender – fragrant foliage and flowers
  • Rosemary – sweet, resinous aroma
  • Mint – spearmint or peppermint scent
  • Lemon Balm & Lemon Verbena – bright citrus fragrance
  • Anise Hyssop & Fennel – soft licorice scent
  • Scented Geraniums – available in many unique fragrances
  • Thyme (especially lemon and French types) – aromatic groundcover

Many of these herbs also help repel insects, making them practical as well as pleasant.

Herbs for Foliage Color

Herbs offer a surprising range of leaf colors including silver, gold, deep green, purple and even variegated blends.

Standouts include:

  • Purple basil and perilla for bold color
  • Golden oregano and marjoram for bright contrast
  • Silver-toned lavender, sage and santolina
  • Blue-gray eucalyptus and wormwood
  • Variegated mints and sages for eye-catching texture

These foliage colors provide contrast in mixed borders and containers, especially when paired with flowering annuals or perennials.

Herbs for Bloom Color

Many herbs produce beautiful flowers that attract pollinators while adding seasonal interest.

Examples include:

  • Lavender, catmint and hyssop for soft purples
  • Monarda for shades of red, pink and burgundy
  • Chamomile and feverfew for white daisy-like blooms
  • Calendula and tansy for sunny yellow tones
  • Nasturtiums for vibrant reds and oranges
  • Borage for bright blue star-shaped flowers

Herb flowers not only beautify the garden but also support bees and beneficial insects.

Herbs for Shape and Texture

Texture adds depth and dimension to garden design. Herbs offer a wide range of leaf shapes and growth habits:

  • Feathery foliage of fennel and yarrow
  • Needle-like rosemary leaves
  • Woolly, silver leaves of lamb’s ear (Stachys)
  • Finely cut santolina and southernwood
  • Upright, grass-like chives and lemongrass
  • Mounding basil varieties

Mixing soft, feathery textures with bold, rounded leaves creates visual interest even in simple plantings.

Herbs for Borders and Edging

Compact herbs are excellent for defining pathways or lining garden beds.

Great border choices include:

  • Dwarf basil varieties
  • French thyme
  • Munstead lavender
  • Upright germander
  • Curled parsley
  • Winter savory
  • Santolina

These plants maintain tidy shapes and can be clipped to keep borders neat and structured.

Designing with Herbs

From formal knot gardens to relaxed cottage borders, herbs are versatile enough to fit into nearly any garden style. They blend beautifully with vegetables, annual flowers and perennials.

By choosing herbs for scent, foliage color, bloom and texture, you can create a garden that is both practical and ornamental. With herbs, beauty and usefulness grow side by side.