Modern Herb Gardens

Culinary Herbs

• Culinary herbs, such as basil, parsley and rosemary, are a popular choice in home gardens for their ability to bring fresh, vibrant flavors to the table at a fraction of what it costs to buy them at the store. As awareness of worldly ingredients grows, more gardeners are experimenting with unusual edibles, such as shiso, lemongrass and stevia, to diversify their garden beds as well as their cupboards.

Ornamental Herbs

• Many purely ornamental plants, such as astrantia and foxglove, have found their way into the herb garden as gardeners aspire to create a space as beautiful as it is functional. Modern herb gardens strive for a balance between foliage color and texture as well as complementary flowers and fruits.

Container Herbs

• Especially in urban areas, garden size has shrunken considerably through the years. Some have no more room than a windowsill or patio. Herbs have translated easily into this new format -- perhaps the most modern of herb gardens is a window box with kitchen herbs for impromptu clipping.