The word "herb" comes from the Latin herba, which means "grass" or "green crop". Most of today's gardeners use the term to describe any plant that has medicinal or culinary properties. The ancient Chinese documented the use of herbs as far back as 2500 BC. That is proof enough of the herbs longevity and importance to gardeners and medicine alike. For today's gardeners, herbs can be combined with annuals and perennials for fragrance, included in rock gardens for colorful contrast, "snuggled" in container plantings, as well as "pocketed" into shrub borders. Their uses are limitless!

LOCATION AND SOIL
When determining a site for your garden, pay close attention to how many hours of direct sun the area will receive. Consider your needs, as well as those of the plants. If the area you have chosen is away from a water source, this will impact the plants you choose. Whether they are located in full or part sun, the plants require good drainage. Native soil should be amended with 1/3 soil conditioner and 1/3 compost or manure. This mixture should be worked into the clay at a depth of 10" to 12".

ENHANCING YOUR GARDEN
What are your design preferences: Cottage-style, formal knot, or a style all your own? Whichever you choose to implement, here are a few tips to guide you through the process:

Low-growing or creeping types that can soften stepping stones, walkways, or edges in a planter: Thyme, oregano, chamomile, Corsican mint, sweet woodruff, Irish or Scotch moss, and pennyroyal.

Herbs with shrubby upright habits for edging walkways, beds, or borders: Santolina, sage, basil, wormwood and lavender. Tri-colored sage, variegated mints, and golden or variegated thyme add color, depth and texture to a garden.

Locate herbs with pleasing fragrances near sitting areas: Lavender, rosemary, basil, lemon balm, mint, pineapple sage, and scented geraniums

FERTILIZING
Herbs, in general, are not heavy feeders. An application of fish emulsion or equivalent fertilizer, according to the manufacturer's label, every six to eight weeks from April through September is sufficient. In fact, too much fertilizer can actually change the flavor of many herbs.

HERBS FOR SPECIFIC USES

Herbs for Containers: Basil, Bay, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Scented Geraniums, Tarragon, Thyme.

Herbs as Background Plants: Angelica (8'), Bay (4'), Bee Balm (3'), Dill (3'), Fennel (4'), Lemon Grass (4'), Lovage (6'), Sage (1-3'), Southernwood (4'), Sweet Cicily (3'), Tansy (4').

Shade Tolerant Herbs: Angelica, Bay, Chervil, Hyssop, Lemon Balm, Lovage, Mint, Myrtle, Parsley, Sweet Cicily, Sweet Woodruff.

Moisture Tolerant Herbs: Calendula, Chamomile, Chervil, Dill, Fennel, Garlic, Lemon Balm, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Rue, Saffron, Summer Savory, Sweet Cicily, Winter Savory.

Drought Tolerant Herbs: Borage, Chives, Fennel, Feverfew, Germander, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme, Wormwood, Yarrow.