Herbs can be integrated into gardens in various ways. They can be grown in containers, on green walls, in a vegetable garden or in flower beds alongside perennials and shrubs. Here are three amazing herbs that will give your garden a very original look this summer.
Mexican coriander
"Eryngium foetidum. Photo Credit: Andres Hernadez S."
Height: 45 cm
Width: 30 cm
Flowers: greenish white
Light: sun, partial shade, light shade
Soil: moist
Hardiness: biennial
This plant originates from Central America and has an edible foliage that is very popular among the inhabitants of India, Thailand and Vietnam. Even when dried, the Mexican coriander's leaves keep their flavour. This annual plant appreciates moist soils and partially shady locations.
Vietnamese coriander
"Persicaria odorata"
Height: 20 cm
Width: 50 cm
Foliage: green with purple marks
Flowers: white
Light: sun, partial shade, light shade
Soil: rich and moist
Hardiness: tropical perennial treated as an annual
The Vietnamese coriander is a native plant of the south-eastern Asia regions. It is widely used for cooking in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore to flavour soups, duck eggs as well as poultry and fish dishes. Its taste is similar to that of the coriander we're used to, but with a peppery note. This tropical plant appreciates rich, moist soils and partially shady locations.
Purple shiso
"Perilla frutescens var. purpurascens"
Height: 40 cm
Width: 40 cm
Foliage: purple
Light: sun, partial shade
Soil: rich and moist, but well-drained
Hardiness: annual
With its large purple leaves with finely indented borders looking like those of certain coleuses, the purple shiso is a plant that won't go unnoticed in the garden. It is very popular among the Japanese, who use it, among other things, to accompany and flavour sushi. Its aromatic foliage has a complex flavour which reminds of anise, cumin and plum. This herb prefers to be planted in a sunny or partially shady location, in a rich, moist, well-drained soil.
By Albert Mondor, horticulturist
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