The Herbs Plant bed for perennial herbs is situated in a sunny exposure. This plant bed is increased in height and sandy, for better draining and faster warm up. Piling stones around and placing some in the flower bed would also help it to warm up faster and cool slower during the nights.

Examples of herbs grown on this bed S - sensitive (requires careful winter protection) HR - hardy Achillea millefolium (HR) Artemisia dracunculus (HR) Carum carvi (HR) Echinacea purpurea (S) Lavendula angustifolia (S) Hypericum perforatum (HR) Hysopus officinalis (HR) Levisticum officinale (HR) Melissa officinalis (S) Mentha sp.(HR depends which species) Monarda hybr.(S) Origanum vulgare (HR) Rutha graveolens (S) Salvia officinalis (S)

Herbs - protection during winter Every autumn I am covering herb plant beds and other more sensitive perennials with pine and spruce branches (as on photo). Also, I do not remove stems and leafs from plants in the autumn. They will provide additional protection against frost. Loose leafs from trees are not so good cover, since they can rotten or be blown away by the wind. I cover after first frost. Some autumns are more rainy or more dry than the others. Now, it is in the hands of nature which plants will survive 6 months of frost, and which will not make it. Some can be damged in the spring.. On average, from few houndreds of plants which I have in my garden, maybe 3-5 will not make it through the winter. I hope it is due to my careful consideration which plants can be grown here and also, testing locations for them in the garden.

Some tips about growing herbs in a nordic garden

Chose sunny and wind protected place See to it that draining is well Some herbs like Mentha sp. and Artemisia sp. have very expansive growth and will easily try to overgrow other plants. They can be planted in plastic pots without the bottom part Artemisia sp. can inhibit growth of other herbs, like Melissa sp. Be observant. Herbs - variety "variegata" (white/green leafs) are generally more sensitive and will be more difficult to overwinter in the north Basillica and Capsicum require a warm greenhouse or a very warm balcony

Borago officinalis Annual (one year) plant whith wonderful blue flowers (a bit hairy). I use flowers in salads and ice cubes. Very young leafs are suitable for salads. Borago will seed itself in the garden and will come in least expected places next year.

Carum carvi (cumin) Is a binual (two year) plant which also seeds itself around. Own, fresh cumin seeds are wonderful to use in the kitchen. They have quite different and stronger scent compare to those bought in the store.... Small cumin seedings are alike small carrot seedlings therfore they are easy to mix with each other!

Rhaponticum carthamoides Height: 120 -140 cm Flowering: June/July Featuers: In natural conditions this plant grows only in the mountains of Altai and Sayany at a height of 1700-2200 m above the sea level. In spring the roots became food of mountain deers. The plant is also recognized by official medicine and used for production of tonic drink "Sayany" and syrup "Petrovsky". Natural resource of this plant are scant and hardly accesible, therefore attempts have been made to cultivate it. Seeds are holding germination capacity for few years. Very decorative as flowers and leafs in a flower bed. Seed cups suitable for dry bouquets.

Photos & text by Joanna