The Beginner's Herb Garden: An Herb Society of America Guide
Garden Design
Selection and Sources of Plants
Because a garden is a very personal endeavor, the selection of plants to be used is a matter of individual preference. The type of garden decided upon also affects the choice, which will be further conditioned by the suitability of plants to the site, such as height and tolerance of shade. (See the Herbs In Common Use section.) Plant gifts from friends may be very welcome, but remember the gardening adage, "If it's given to you, it probably spreads." Be sure to ask about growth habits and special care needed.
Become accustomed from the beginning to the botanical, or Latin names for
herbs.
These constitute
a nomenclature used worldwide to avoid confusion and to assure the
accurate
identification of every plant. Each plant belongs to a family, and within the family
each plant has a name identifying the genus, the specific epithet and sometimes
its variety or cultivar. Together, the genus name and the specific epithet describe
the species. For example, Salvia is the genus name for sage. When garden
sage is desired, one must add the specific epithet to that of the genus and ask
for Salvia officinalis. In the same manner, if one wishes to have clary sage, the
most accurate way to refer to it is by its Latin name, Salvia
sclarea. A variety
is a naturally-occuring further subdivision of a species, such as Petroselinum
crispum var. neopolitanum. A cultivar is a man-made selection
of a species, as in Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor.'
Good garden catalogs list herbs by their botanical names and are valuable sources of information on height, color and season of bloom. Local nurseries can usually provide the largest plants. Mail order nurseries can offer plants not available locally.
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