The best aromatic plants for your garden or balcony

More and more people are choosing to grow aromatic plants in their gardens or on their balconies, and this is a choice that we at BotanicalDryGarden also often recommend when designing a Mediterranean garden.

The reason is obvious: Mediterranean flora is rich in perennial aromatic plants capable of enriching any garden with their intense fragrances. They are often easy-to-grow plants, very hardy and capable of withstanding even summer drought well.

In addition to many of the classic and well-known aromatic plants, over the years we have also selected many lesser-known varieties to include in our range. Let's discover them together in a fragrant parade!

What are aromatic plants?

First of all, it will be useful to understand exactly what is meant when we talk about aromatic plants (or aromatic herbs). These terms refer to plants rich in aromatic substances, that is to say, those very essential oils we often hear about. Essential oils perform different biological functions: they can attract pollinating insects to promote the reproduction of the species, or conversely have a repellent effect to protect the plant from harmful insects.

What is certain is that many of these aromas are extremely pleasant to humans, who for centuries have learned to know and use them both in the kitchen and in herbal and medicinal contexts. Different types of plants have different concentrations of essential oils in their various parts (leaves, seeds, flowers) and have different yields depending on the season, so we strongly recommend that you learn as much as possible about the plants you choose to grow. This way, you can safely use your aromatic plants in the kitchen or to prepare "grandma's remedies" without making mistakes or taking risks.

Aromatic plants for use in the kitchen: the great classics

Some perennial aromatic plants are very well known and widely used to flavor typical dishes of Mediterranean cuisine.

• The king of Mediterranean aromatic herbs is undoubtedly Rosmarinus officinalis, available in a huge number of varieties that differ in their growth habit and flowering. Its intense fragrance is part of all our childhood memories, perhaps within one of our grandmothers' special recipes. But did you know that some varieties of rosemary (such as 'Boule') are particularly compact and also suitable for formal pruning?
• Another very widespread aromatic plant is Salvia officinalis: used to flavor meat dishes or roast potatoes, it is delicious even when eaten on its own (have you ever tried fried sage?).
• Let's not forget Thymus officinalis, widely used to flavor soups and vegetable-based recipes. It is also exquisite when paired with legumes, especially in bean-based dishes.
• Even Lavandula angustifolia is sometimes used in the kitchen, but its delightful fragrance makes it excellent especially for making potpourris that will give your closets a whole new freshness.
• The distinctive aroma of Ruta graveolens is often used to give a special touch to grappa or game dishes. Its scent also has a repellent effect on rats and snakes: one more reason to choose it as your ally!
• You can complete your aromatic plant flowerbed by also including some Origanum majorana, better known as marjoram. This aromatic herb has a sweeter flavor than classic oregano, and will be excellent for flavoring your fish dishes.
• Let's conclude this parade of great classics by mentioning a plant that is much loved in Sardinian cuisine (and beyond): over the centuries, Myrtus communis has carved out a special place in the history of the peoples of the Mediterranean, as we told in an entire article dedicated to this extraordinary plant.

The most original aromatic plants for your balcony

So far we have talked about classic and timeless aromatic plants, but there are many other options to make your aromatic garden unique and amaze your guests with special recipes.

Let's start with a plant particularly loved by us at BotanicalDryGarden, Tulbaghia. Whether grown in the ground, in a pot, in a planter, or in an aromatic herb bed, you will fall in love with this charming plant with its delicate little purple flowers. These little flowers are edible and have an intense garlic flavor that will enrich your salads.

Present throughout Italy (but especially loved in Tuscany and Lazio) is Calamintha nepeta, better known as mint-nettle or nepetella. Its flavor is reminiscent of mint and is exceptional for flavoring mushroom-based recipes or giving a unique touch to your tomato sauce.

Did you think you knew Salvia officinalis well? Let yourself be amazed by its "cousin" Salvia ananas, so named for the distinctive aroma of its leaves. Used for preparing desserts, fruit salads, and cocktails, this plant also has numerous beneficial properties.

Not everyone knows that Helichrysum italicum, the helichrysum typical of Mediterranean flora, can also be used in the kitchen. Its aroma is reminiscent of licorice and is used to enrich risottos and meat dishes, as well as to make a pesto with a very special flavor.

Let's conclude our review with Zanthoxylum piperitum, also known as Sichuan pepper. Its spicy flavor has a distinctive lemon aftertaste, widely used in Eastern cuisine. This plant grows into a beautiful ornamental shrub that can reach a height of about 2 m.

Growing aromatic plants

Growing aromatic plants is easier than you think: since most of them are typical plants of Mediterranean flora, they are naturally suited to being grown in the milder areas of our country. Hardy and lovers of well-drained soils, they will perform their best in a hot and dry climate: not only will such a situation guarantee their health (which is essential if you intend to use them for food), but it will also help make their aromas more intense.

Mediterranean aromatic plants are not very demanding in terms of irrigation if planted in the ground, like most dry garden plants. If, however, you intend to grow your aromatic plants in pots, keep in mind that you will need to water them a little more during the summer months.