Lemon Verbena,
Powis Castle Artemisia,
Woolly Lavender,
Pineapple Sage, Grape Scented Sage, 
Tangerine Scented Marigold

It is hard to imagine a time when taking in the fragrance of spring was more inviting than taking in the latest movie. But, enjoying the heady aromas of flowers bursting forth after a dark and dismal winter used to be high entertainment. Fragrant plants like herbs make gardening a whole lot more exciting. 

The herbs chosen for this garden are hardy enough to return each year in Zone 8 and up, giving the garden and the gardener a chance to appreciate the advantage of having aromatic plants in the landscape. Knowing that a plant will return to provide its aromatic essence in the same way year after year is not only comforting but also memorable. 

These plants all prefer full sun and well drained soil with plenty of moisture through the hot summer months. Water starved plants do not perform well in the garden and their ability to emit fragrance is reduced.

Lemon Verbena is reminiscent of lemon candy, sweet with strong lemon flavor and no sourness. In Zone 7 it looses its leaves each winter and exposes its open airy construction. It is normal for some of the stems to die each winter. New growth sprouts from the ground and pushes from existing wood. 

The small cream colored flowers cover the tops of the stems in early autumn. In warmer zones, it will remain evergreen. Make sun tea with fresh leaves or dry stems and shred the leaves into an airtight container. Enjoy this luscious lemon flavor in teas and other foods year round.

Powis Castle Artemisia is fragrant, soft to touch, great to look at and extremely drought tolerant. These clean scented aromatic leaves are perfect for making fresh pungent herbal wreaths. In Zone 7, the plants can be left unpruned or shaped to fit most any reasonable space. 

It rarely flowers which makes for a tidy bush. Plant Powis Castle Artemisia and Woolly Lavender where their silvery luminescence can be enjoyed in the evening.

A bit more silver colored than most Lavenders, Woolly Lavender has both fragrant leaves and flowers. Woolly Lavender blooms in late summer/early autumn which makes it a great extender for any lavender collection or garden setting. 

It has dark purple flowers held on long flower wands that have a rich slightly camphorous scent. They can be used fresh or dried. Pick Woolly Lavender buds just as the flowers start to open. Once dried add them to sachets.

Pineapple Sage dies back to the ground each year, but returns larger with more fragrant leaves late in spring, so late that sometimes it is thought lost. Once it breaks dormancy, it grows rapidly and can reach six feet or more depending on conditions. The lipstick red flowers are stunning in early fall and attract hummingbirds.

 The long tubular flowers can also be used as a fresh garnish in sautés or a colorful confetti like addition to salads. Even though the leaves have little culinary value, they smell fantastic. Be sure to rub the leaves often to enjoy Pineapple Sage’s unique aroma.

Both leaves and flowers are fragrant on this tall open vase shaped bush. The scent of the leaves is released by disturbing them, either by rubbing or brushing against. But, the delicate floral essence found in the bloom releases itself to the breeze. Grape Scented Sage makes a great hot tea and the flowers can be used as an eatable garnish. An early fall bloomer, Grape Scented Sage is particularly attractive to hummingbirds.

The fragrant freshness of spring in late autumn is the gift of Tangerine Scented Marigold. A bold bloomer with aromatic foliage and hundreds of bright yellow flowers that make a stunning display.

Additional Plants for the Fragrant Herb Garden Zone 8: Chives, Lovage, Tansy, Catnip, All Buddleia, Bee Balms, Cistus, Culinary Oreganos, Lavenders, Mints, Salvia officinalis, Thymes and Rosemarys in our catalog, Rue, Winter Savory, Conehead Thyme, Curry Plant, Costmary, Epazote, Feverfew, Cat Thyme, French Tarragon, Miniature Roses, Mint Scented Lion's Tail, Wormwood, Southernwood, Bronze Fennel, Mounding Marjoram, Attar of Rose Geranium, Citrosa Geranium, Lemon Balm Geranium, Nutmeg Geranium, Rober's Lemon Rose, Geranium, Village Hill Oak Geranium, Mint Scented Rose Geranium, White Sage, Mexican Blue Sage, Cleveland Sage, Maraschino Cherry Salvia, Black Sage, Bog Sage, Pink Savory, Mint Scented Marigold, Citrus Scented Marigold and Society Garlic.

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