We get to know and appreciate the advantages of these usually not very impressive plants at the beginning of summer.When the sun is shining and the delicacies prepared for grilling and the colorful leaves of lettuce need fresh aromas, it turns out how valuable even a small potted collection of herbs is.
Plants grown in containers, whether for lack of space or to supplement herbal beds, are always at hand.We can use their fresh, fragrant leaves as soon as they are needed.
Most species are suitable for potting.In such conditions, plants feel good as long as their shoots and roots do not grow too much. The containers have many advantages, especially for Mediterranean herbs. Rosemary, lavender and thyme like it when the substrate heats up quickly, and extra warmth is provided by the house wall or terrace tiles.We can easily transfer herbs to a sunny place.
At the same time, plants in pots who like cool soil, such as mint, can easily be provided in the shade.Expansive mint cannot put out underground runners over a longer distance.If we have difficulties growing basil or parsley in a flower bed, plant them in a pot. We will see that they most often sprout
and grow seamlessly.
The smells of herbs in pots standing on the balcony or terrace are the most intense because they reach us from a short distance, not scattered by the wind. Importantly, we can also watch and admire the flowers and often multi-colored, light green, purple or silver-gray, nicely shaped leaves. Plants will gain beauty if we put them in decorative casings.
Compositions of herbs require sufficiently large pots or boxes. We always combine plants with similar requirements. Plant the sun-loving thyme next to the sage and savory. The group of small orange marigold flowers will enrich the group with a fruity scent. The appearance of the herbs in the containers is just as important as their smell and taste.
Beautiful fragrances
The aromas go directly to the limbic system. It is the part of our brain that is responsible for feelings and emotions. So fragrances directly stimulate our senses.That's why we like the clean, pleasant aromas of many herbs so much.
Aromatic and spicy plants such as rosemary, thyme and marjoram smells, and citrus, among others lemon verbena, palm tree grass and lemon thyme. Carriers of fragrances are volatile (essential) oils contained in flowers, leaves, and often also in shoots.
Flowers smell without being touched. The leaves release aromas as we rub the leaf blades between our fingers.Volatile oils are used by plants to defend themselves against voracious insects as well as herbivorous mammals.
Mediterranean herbs smell the strongest when grown in a highly sunny place with unfertile soil. Therefore, they should be eaten very sparingly. The exception is basil.
