Specialty Gardens

Mediterranean Herbs for Your St. Louis Garden

Mediterranean Herbs for Your St. Louis Garden

Plants

lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)

sweet marjoram (Origanum marjorana)

Greek oregano (Origanum vulgare)

rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis)

sage (Salvia officinalis)

gray santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus)

thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus)

Although the natural habitat of these herbs is along the Mediterranean Sea, you can adapt them to our region with a few changes. The muted colors of gray, bluish-green, and silver, the feathery, dense, leather-like foliage, and wonderful scents capture the eyes and noses of passers-by.

Soil Amendments

Add in equal amounts to soil that is heavy with clay: charcoal, green sand, and pea gravel. Cultivate these into the soil and create a raised bed. (These amendments are available at Rolling Ridge Nursery in Webster Groves.)

Cultural Tips

  • Locate your garden in a spot that gets a minimum of six hours of sun to provide the oils that account for herbal flavor.
  • Soil pH between 6.5 and 7 produces the best herbs.
  • Avoid low-lying areas; create a raised bed if necessary.
  • Provide excellent drainage using the soil amendments above.
  • Place rocks and boulders around the plants to draw the sun. Instead of mulch, cover the area around the plants with pea gravel or grit.
  • Avoid watering these herbs in the evening because fungal disease will spread more easily on wet foliage; water once a week in the early morning, if necessary.
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