Sample Herbal Tea Garden

So... i hope that you where able to catch yesterday's show...Drinking in the sun! If not you can always listen to the show from the player to the side.

We talked about growing your own herbs for teas.
Here is a Sample of an Herbal tea garden

An Herbal Tea Garden

 

Written by Ruth Rogers Clausen

Key to Plan

1. Wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) 12 plants, planted 8 inches apart; 8 to 10 inches tall; 3-parted fan-shaped leaves; small white flowers followed by pea-sized seedy fruits. The leaves make a fruity tea; can be combined with sweet woodruff. Zones 4 to 8.
2. Variegated common thyme (Thymus vulgaris 'Silver Queen') 5 plants planted 18 inches apart; 6 to 10 inches tall; tiny leaves edged with silver; pale mauve flowers. Brew the leaves for a spicy, pungent tea. Zones 5 to 8.
3. Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) 8 plants planted 12 inches apart; 6 to 12 inches tall; starry whorls of foliage; in May topped with clusters of tiny white flowers. Its dried leaves make a mild, woodsy tea; excellent combined with strawberry leaves. Zones 3 to 9.
4. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) 8 plants planted 12 inches apart; 12 to 24 inches tall; fine, ferny foliage. White daisy flowerheads are used for a mild, relaxing, applelike tea. Zones 4 to 8.
5. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis 'Aurea') 1 plant; 12 to 24 inches tall; hardy perennial with yellow-variegated, mintlike foliage; prune regularly. Lemon-scented leaves make a refreshing hot or iced tea. Zones 4 to 9.
6. Pineapple mint (Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata') 1 plant, 12 to 24 inches tall; wrinkled, woolly leaves rimmed in cream. Not as robust as some other mints. Fragrant pineapple tea is delicious hot or cold. Zones 7 to 9.
7. Curly spearmint (Mentha spicata 'Crispa') 1 plant; 12 to 24 inches tall; bright green foliage with crinkled edges. The leaves make a pungent, minty tea often used to aid digestion. Zones 4 to 9.
8. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) 1 plant; 2 feet tall; square stems clothed with opposite, toothed, lance-shaped leaves; clusters of mauve flowers along the stem. Brew leaves to make a refreshing tea that's soothing to the digestive system. Zones 4 to 9.
9. Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) 1 plant; 36 inches tall; pineapple-scented bright green foliage; loose spikes of two-lipped scarlet flowers in fall. Leaves make a pineapple/melon-flavored tea. Zones 8 to 10.
10. Purple basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Ruffles') 1 plant; 18 to 24 inches tall; purple-black leaves; clusters of pink flowers in a loose spike. Keep pinched for bushiness. Leaves and flowers make an attractive pinkish tea with mild peppery clove overtones. Annual.
11. Creeping rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus') 1 plant; 6 to 12 inches tall, trailing; gray-green needlelike leaves and pale blue flowers. Use either flowers or leaves to make a piney tea. Zones 8 to 10.
12. Chocolate mint geranium (Pelargonium tomentosum 'Chocolate Mint') 1 plant; 12 inches tall; velvety gray-green leaves marked with chocolate; small white flowers. A minty tea is made from the foliage. Zones 10 to 11.
13. Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) 2 plants planted singly; 18 inches tall; clammy foliage topped by bright orange daisies. Petals or whole flowers make a slightly bitter tea. Annual.
14. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) 1 plant; 12 to 24 inches tall; aromatic gray-green leaves topped with long-stemmed spikes of purple flowers. Flowers make a delicious pale green tea with mild floral overtones. Zones 5 to 8.
15. Golden lemon thyme (Thymus x citriodorus 'Aurea') 1 plant; trailing, 6 to 8 inches tall; pungent, small, gold-rimmed leaves and tiny pinkish flowers. Leaves make a spicy tea.