DIY Network

Cypress Trees and Aromatic Herbs Cypress Trees and Aromatic Herbs From "Weekend Landscaping" episode WKL-107

Cypress plantings and variety of aromatic and culinary herbs add a Mediterranean flavor to the garden.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

The first plantings are Mediterranean cypress trees (Cupressus sempervirens) (figure A). With its upright "exclamation mark" shape and dense dark-green foliage, this variety of cypress is characteristic of Italian towns and villages. It's world-famous for is highly fragrant wood, which is the type of wood used for the doors of St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City.

No garden--particularly a potager--is complete without herbs. Essential for kitchens, they can be ornamental as well.

• First, host Mayita Dinos plants French lavender (Lavandula Dentata Candicans) (figure B), a woody variety of this popular herb. Traditionally used as a hedge or edging in French gardens for centuries, this woody variety boasts showy spikes that emit an incredible fragrance. Plants it in corners to give them a more "gracious" look (figure C).

  Historical Note: Lavender is thought to be one of the few plants Adam and Eve carried out of the Garden of Eden.

• The main walkway is edged with two kinds of rosemary (figure D), a plant with a colorful and interesting history. Benedictine monks in medieval times kept quadrant gardens in which they grew medicinal herbs; these gardens came to be known as apothecary gardens. The perennial herbs they grew were given the species name 'officinalis', which indicated that the plants were official medicinals in healing and potions.

  The varieties here are both from this old line of rosemary. Tuscan Blue rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis 'Tuscan Blue') is planted along one side of the walkway; it will quickly shoot up with rigid branches of aromatic, needlelike foliage. It blooms profusely with beautiful blue flowers and creates a perfect screen.

• On the opposite side of the walkway, Dinos and the crew plant Huntington Carpet rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis 'Huntington Carpet') (figure E). This variety is more of a groundcover and will spread and provide erosion control. Its flowers are a deeper shade of blue than those of the Tuscan variety, but it has the same wonderful fragrance. Both varieties take well to shearing for a more formal look.
  

Figure F

The herbs in this garden are divided into three categories:

• Shrubs: lavender and rosemary (permanent structural plants)

• Perennial herbs: fennel (figure F) and oregano (die back when frost hits, but come back the following year)

• Annual herb varieties: basil and cilantro (die after one season and must be replaced with new seedlings the following season).

Two varieties of parsley are planted in two of the quadrants: flat-leaf, or Italian (Petroselinum Crispum Latifolium) (figure G), in one quad and curled (Petroselinum Crispum) (figure H) in the adjoining quad. Commonly used as a salad garnish, both types of parsley are biennials.

Figure G

Figure H

Expert Note: (Melinda Taylor, garden designer) A biennial is a plant that typically comes to maturity in two years. It sets leaves the first year but doesn't set flower and seed until the second year. After it sets its flower and seed, it dies.

Next, Dinos plants thyme, which can be used in a variety of ways. There are many different kinds of thyme, whose different-color blooms and different growth habits can produce very interesting effects. Here, Dinos is using English thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) (figure I) and citrus thyme (Thymus Citriodorus) (figure J); the latter features variegated leaves that release a delicious lemony fragrance when crushed.

Figure I

Figure J

Important Note: Thyme should be watered in thoroughly as soon as they're planted (figure K). It's critical that you water properly: the water should reach the rootball, not just the foliage. The best way is to use a shower spray and gently water close to the base of the plant (figure L). Keep a consistent watering schedule for young plants to enable them to develop a deep root system.

Figure K

Figure L

RESOURCES :
Plants from Monrovia Growers
Monrovia Growers
Website: www.monrovia.com

Plants from Ball Horticultural Company
Various plant material
Ball Horticulture Company
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com

GUESTS :
Melinda Taylor
Garden Designer
Email: melinda@melindataylor.com