Hope Springs Eternal
In a rare moment of horticultural optimism encouraged by my mother–who has green thumbs, toes, and elbows–I’ve purchased pots of lemon verbena, rosemary, and thyme for my sunny-ish office windowsill. At the moment they’re happily hanging out on Mom’s backyard deck, and I’m already worrying about whether I’ll be able to give them the lifestyle they deserve.
If anyone has windowsill herb-gardening advice, I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, I have big, hopeful plans for these guys, including a dessert inspired by one I had the other night at Babbo.
According to my Container Gardening book by Malcolm Hillier, most herbs are sun lovers and you can group the smaller herbs, (oregano, chives, parsley, tarragon), in one pot together. The larger ones, such as rosemary and bay are best given a pot by themselves, and mint should be grown on its own since it is invasive. He has a section on “Constructing a Herb Tower”, perfect for the city!
Thanks! I guess I shouldn’t have potted rosemary with lemon verbena. I thought the latter was growing so high to get away from the rosemary until I read that lemon verbena can grow into a five-foot high bush. To keep it growing out instead of up, I cut it back and made lemon verbena ice cream–which I wasn’t entirely pleased with (too many eggs). But I’m delighted with my recent rosemary concoction…stay tuned for a recipe!
I am currently growing rosemary, oregano, thyme and lemon verbena
in the same pot and they are as happy as can be. I have a theory
that the more attention plants/herbs get the happier they are. I fuss over them on a daily basis and make adjustments as to whatever their needs are (they’ll let you know) and it seems to work. Forget the books — it’s all about good care and a little love.