Herb Garden Plant Design

Knot Gardens

• The pattern of the paths in formal herb gardens from the Tudor era, such as in Hampton Court Palace in England, looks like a knot. In this design, a series of paths divides the herb garden into separate segments. Only one or two types of herbs usually grow in each segment. A Celtic knot garden is similar in that a square herb garden is divided into nine sections by two evenly spaced paths running east to west, and two similar paths going in a north-south direction. Traditionally, gardeners planted similar herbs in the four corner squares and the center square, with a different selection of herbs in the four remaining squares.

Wheel Design

• The basic structure of this herb garden design is a circle, divided into six or eight segments by evenly spaced paths running across the diameter of the circle. By mounding the center of the wheel so that it is at a higher level than the rest of the wheel, the gardener can create different microenvironments for growing herbs. Drought-tolerant herbs will thrive at the center of the wheel and those that prefer moist soil will flourish at the outer ring. Planting tall herbs in one segment of the wheel will provide shade in the adjourning segments for herbs that cannot tolerate full sunshine.

Spiral Beds

• A variation of the wheel design, the basis of the spiral design is also a circle. However, a spiral herb garden is a single bed, as there is only one path into it. Starting on the edge of the circle, this path winds in to the center of the circular bed. This design minimizes the space taken by the path yet allows the gardener to reach all areas of the garden. As there are no structural divisions within the herb garden, gardeners must use other means, such as small areas of stones, to keep the different types of herbs separate.

Herb Borders

• This design is similar to the flower beds seen in traditional English country cottages. The shape of this garden is a long and fairly narrow rectangle. The layout of the herb plants can vary. Placing the plants in a snake-like line will add rhythm to the look of the herb bed; continuing the traditional border idea by planting the tallest herbs at the back, the shortest ones at the front and everything else in between will present a more structured appearance.