More and more herbs smell like fresh exotic fruits. In this respect, sage is particularly distinguished, but not only is it worth getting to know better. Fruit sage Salvia dorisiana comes from tropical regions of Central America.In our conditions it is suitable for potting on a terrace, preferably in a semi-shaded place.This species grows quickly and is easy to care for. The most important treatments are watering and feeding.
The leaves are large and heart-shaped, smell like exotic fruits when touched. Before winter, shorten the bushes considerably and winter in a bright, cool place.The leaves can be dried and used to flavor cakes and brew aromatic drinks.Fresh leaves are an excellent addition to baking.
Pineapple Sage Salvia elegans comes from Mexico and Guatemala and, as you might guess, smells like pineapple. This species of sage is also intended to be grown in a pot and grows best in a fertile, regularly irrigated substrate.Edible are both leaves and shoots, which can be added, for example, to salads.You can also make herbal teas from the leaves. We overwinter the herbs in a bright quarters with a temperature of 5-10 ° C. In spring, the shoots should be carefully pruned and the plants should be transplanted into a larger pot.
Lemon mint Mentha x piperita var. citrata is fully winter hardy and also grows in partial shade. Unlike most herbs, it can be grown in fertile, moist soil. Mint grows to a height of 30 to 40 cm and blooms between July and September. After flowering, its shoots should be strongly trimmed.Use the leaves fresh or dry.They can be used to make tea, add to meat dishes and desserts.All fruit mints have a low menthol content, which is why they are not as spicy in taste.
Basil also has interesting fragrant varieties. There is lemon basil Ocimum basilicum citriodora, there is American basil Ocimum americanum (also with lemon flavor and aroma), there are Asian basil with anise scent, there are Mexican basil with cinnamon scent. Among the traditional varieties, basil 'Genoveser' is worth recommending, which is distinguished by a strong smell.Basil is not suitable for drying because it loses a lot of aroma. The leaves are best frozen in ice or marinated.
Mint propagation
Peppermint, as well as fruit mints, can be easily propagated by division or stolons. The best time to perform this treatment is spring (March to April) or fall (September or October).In summer, mint can be propagated by shoot cuttings. To do this, cut the tops of the shoots approx. 10 cm, remove the lower leaves from them and plant them in small pots filled with moist soil for the herbs.
The substrate should be moderately moist, but not wet, until rooting (i.e., about 10-14 days). We replant well-rooted cuttings to the target position on a herbal bed.
Aromatic flowers and leaves
1. Strawberry mint Mentha x piperita var. citrata 'Strawberry' creates clumps up to about 60 cm, its leaves can be added to mineral water.
2. Catnip Nepeta cataria var. citriodora is derived from catnip. It smells like lemon balm. Very good for teas.
3. Tagetes tenuifolia 'Lemon Gem' blooms until autumn.
4. Monarda fistulosa 'Petit Delight' is characterized by its small size, good for cultivation in soil and in containers. It has edible flowers. The leaf and flower syrup has a lemon-rose flavor.
5. American basil, Ocimum americanum, has a lemon scent and flavor.
