Herbs for flavour and aroma

Herbs are so adaptable that they can be grown in any number of ways, although almost all of them enjoy plenty of sunshine.
You can grow them in the traditional way, in their own, self-contained herb garden, or plant them in the border among your flowers where their foliage provides contrasting, cooler tones among the bright colours. Put them in pots or tubs on a patio, or in window boxes or hanging baskets.
You don't need an especially rich soil or compost, as long as it is reasonably fertile and free-draining. Ideally, site your herb garden near the kitchen door where the leaves can be picked easily.

Before planting an ornamental bed of herbs, sketch a plan so that you can make the best use of contrasting leaf shapes and colours to give an attractive appearance.

Remember to place taller herbs such as angelica, dill and fennel at the back of the herb garden. Plant smaller ones, chives, marjoram, parsley and thyme, near the front.

Make sure your herbs are within easy reach for picking. For instance, you can place stepping-stones in an ornamental bed, or use a chessboard design in which different herbs are placed in the "black" or soil squares, with paving or gravel filling the "white" squares. In a smaller garden, lay paving slabs in the form of a cross and plant the quarters that lie within the arms of the cross. Alternatively, make a cartwheel design in which bricks form the dividing "spokes" of the wheel.