Mixing herbs in a container provides both variety and beauty. Herbs are natural companions, with different textures for interest. This herb mix of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme offers lots of flavor from a small combination loaded with textural interests.
The Plants
‘Golden Variegated’ Sage: 2 plants from 5” pots
Rosemary: 2 plants from 4” pots
Flat Parsley: 1 plant from a 4” pot
Curley Parsley: 1 plant from a 4” pot
Thyme, silver edged: 2 plants from 4” pots
Cultural Information
Light: Light shade to full sun.
Season: Spring through fall for most warmer areas. This plant combination takes temperatures from about 55-60 degrees to the high 80’s. Rosemary can take higher temperatures, but not the rest of the herbs in this combo. If you live in an area of very hot summers, grow herbs in spring and fall. In subtropical areas, they are usually grown as a winter annual.
Lifespan: Rosemary grows as a perennial in hot areas. The rest of the herbs in this planting live for 3 to 5 months.
Care: Fertilize on planting day with a slow-release mix. Repeat if the leaves look yellowish or washed-out, although the fertilizer should last from 6 to 9 months.
Trim any of the herbs to keep the arrangement looking good.
Water: Water thoroughly if the plants show signs of wilt, or the soil feels dry when you push your fingertip into the potting mix. I watered this one every day (after it was about a month old) in mid-summer and every other day in cooler weather.
Troubleshooting: No problems at all.
Planting plan: Easy. Plant the rosemary in the center of the back of the pot. Tuck the other herbs around it. Be sure to plant in good-quality potting mix, not garden soil, topsoil, or potting soil, which can kill your plants.
Container: The container measures 16” long by 11” deep by 8” high.
Pamela Crawford, author of 12 gardening books, is considered one of the most accomplished container gardening experts in the country. In addition to designing gardens for over 1500 residences, her work has been featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens publications as well as in Southern Living, HGTV Magazine, Fine Gardening, Country Gardens, and in over 300 newspapers. As an expert in her field, she has appeared on the Fine Living Network, GardenSMART, gardenloverstv.com and numerous local tv shows.
Pamela has an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Florida International University, where she received the prestigious "Torch Award” as an outstanding alumnus from the school of architecture.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
By Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Photographs courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
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