Over the past two weeks I’ve written about herb gardens, starting with herb garden design the first week, and then moving on to discuss the best culinary herbs for our Central Texas climate.  This week I’ll list some of what I consider the best herbs grown primarily for their ornamental value.  A few may have some medicinal uses, and if so, I’ll mention that fact.  There are many herbs to consider, and it may take the space of 3 or 4 columns to cover them all.  Please remember that most herbs prefer full sun; I’ll mention when they can tolerate some shade.

Aloe Vera
2-3’H x 2’W  This familiar succulent has narrow leaves which grow in “rosette” form and are filled with a sticky gel that is valued for its healing qualities.  Yellow flowers are produced upon a 3’ stalk.  The plant will spread by small plants from the base.  Reportedly this plant will not tolerate much freezing weather, but appears to be hardy in Central TX in most winters.

Bergamot/Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) 
Grows to 4’ x 4’ in sun or partial shade, but prefers a moist soil and spreads by runners, as mint does.  The plant flowers in summer with red, pink, lavender, or white blooms.  Both flowers and foliage are fragrant, and can be used in tea, salads or with fruit.  Both hummingbirds and bees love this plant.

Borage (Borago officinalis) 
2-3’H x wide, a sprawling plant that may need some cutting back half way through the season.  It is a half-hardy annual, and so can be planted here year around,  self sowing readily.  I’ve been digging up and giving plants away to friends all spring!  The leaves can be used in teas, salad (cucumber like taste), and candied for decoration on cookies and cakes.  The beautiful blue flowers can be picked and used in salad or summer drinks like iced tea or juice.

Bouncing Bet/Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) 2.5’ H x as wide  This is another sprawling plant often used as a groundcover.  During its long summer-fall bloom time it bears either pink or white flowers.  Needs little water or care, and easily grown from seeds or small plants.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) 2-3’H and as wide.  Heart-shaped leaves and pale lavender flowers make a lovely ornamental plant, but it is most often grown for the enjoyment of cats.  They become almost drunk when exposed to the leaves; I grow my plants beneath a metal basket so they will not destroy the plant completely.  This herb can also be brewed into a tea which is said to be relaxing for both adults and infants.  There are some other plants very similar to Catnip which are called Catmint (N. faasinii or N. mussinii).  They are lower growing to perhaps 18” high and bloom over a much longer season.  If they sprawl too far, but them back to half their height and they will re-grow and bloom repeatedly over the warm season.

Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) 
3-4” H and spreading.  This herb is not at its best in our summer heat, so plant in the fall and enjoy it over the winter months.  It will re-seed prolifically  and return each year thereafter.  The finely cut leaves are airy in appearance and the small white daisy-like flowers, once the petals have dropped, are what is used to make the apple-scented and relaxing tea.  

Next week I will continue with another “round” of ornamental herbs (and some medicinal, as well) that are well adapted to our Central Texas climate.