Throughout history, herbs have been used for everything from flavoring food to promoting healing. The plants themselves are not only fragrant but are also quite beautiful, making them a pleasure to grow. Planting an herb garden is a great way to get in touch with nature and to enjoy all of the benefits that these plants have to offer.

One of the keys to success is to plan your garden carefully before you even think about putting seeds in the ground. During the initial planning phases, you may want to consider centering your herb garden around a particular theme. Choosing herbs that complement one another and that can be used toward a common purpose can make your garden more useful. Here are some of the most popular types of herb gardens that you may want to consider:

Kitchen Gardens

The right herbs can impart rich flavor to food, taking it to a whole new level. If you choose to plant a kitchen garden, you should focus on growing herbs that are commonly used in cooking. This includes herbs such as basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, cilantro, sage, and sweet marjoram. Having fresh herbs growing in your own backyard can open up a world of possibilities in terms of the dishes that you can create in your kitchen.

Many herbs have medicinal properties that can promote mental and physical well-being. Planting a garden filled with medicinal herbs can be a great way to harness the healing power of these plants. Some plants that you may want to include in your garden include echinacea, chamomile, yarrow, peppermint, ginger, lemon balm, and St. John’s wort.

Remember, however, that just because herbs are natural doesn’t mean that they are safe if they are used incorrectly. Always educate yourself about proper herb usage before using them to treat any type of medical condition.

Tea Gardens

Take your love of herbal tea to the next level by planting a tea garden filled with herbs such as bee balm, chamomile, lemon balm, mint, lavender, passionflower, ginger, and stevia. When making tea, mix and match fresh herbs from your garden to come up with your favorite combinations. You can also dry the herbs and store them so that you can continue to make fresh tea even after the end of the growing season.

Ornamental Gardens

Herbs don’t necessarily have to serve a practical purpose. Planting an ornamental garden allows you to celebrate the beauty of the plants themselves, many of which have stunning foliage and eye-catching flowers. These plants also tend to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, providing you with an opportunity to enjoy tiny garden visitors all summer long. Some plants that you may want to add to your garden include rosemary, thyme, hyssop, lavender, bee balm, feverfew, marshmallow, and echinacea.

Herb gardens can serve a variety of different purposes. When you first begin planning your garden, think about how you want to use the herbs that you grow. Developing a cohesive plan for your garden allows you to make the most of the space.