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Ornamental Herbs |
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Herbs that love it hot and dry
This article will focus on herbs that perform well in
areas of the garden that are sunny and difficult to water.
Most of the recommended plants have hairs on their leaves
that provide shade and reduce water loss. Also, most develop
light-reflecting colors. Starches and sugars saved in
specialized storage stems and roots literally keep water
and energy for a rainy day - even months in the future.
Those suggested below are generally easy to grow, but
they do require good drainage.
Allium
Onions and garlic are members of this family, which serves
many useful purposes as food, spices and medicine. It
deserves special recognition as an outstanding but underused
ornamental. Try these varieties, which naturalize easily
after being planted.
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The genus Allium includes leeks, onions, garlic and chives
(shown here).
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| Persian onion (Allium
aflatunense) |
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Large,
strap-like foliage makes an early appearance followed
by intense, violet orbs (similar to giant lollipops).
Try 'Purple Sensation' or 'Lucy Ball'. |
| Blue globe onion (A.
caeruleum syn. A. azureum) |
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Early
foliage fades away by the time the round, sky-blue blooms
appear. |
| Giant onion (A.
giganteum) |
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'Globemaster'
grows intense purple spheres that make a show-stopping display
in the garden. |
| Common chives (A.
schoenoprasum) |
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Evergreen foliage lasts throughout the
winter in areas that experience four seasons. Brush away
the snow and snip them for use in cooking. Flowering can
repeat many times if you cut and use half of the plant
and then cut the other half after blooming starts. Don't
forget to eat the tasty blossoms. The variety 'Forescate'
has large, pink flowers, while 'Album' grows white blooms. |
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Other
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