Sweet-scented lavender and rosemary are elegant and fuss-free. Both thrive as container plants, filling the air around them with a splendid fragrance.
Lavender :
Charming little blue, purple, pink or white petals and silver, blue-green foliage adorn lavender’s stems. A resilient perennial, the herb will become woodier with time. In a large container, it will grow up to 24” high.
- Care: Lavender enjoys full sun, well-drained soil, and being watered when the top three inches of soil are dry. During the winter months, store it in a cool garage or basement and water only twice throughout the season. Celebrate the coming of spring by bringing it outdoors again.
- Relaxing with Dried Lavender: Use dried lavender to create thoughtful, spa-inspired gifts.
Rosemary
Often used in cooking, rosemary is a wonderfully perfumed herb that features glossy, dark green needles and delicate lavender-blue flowers. And planting it in a container will help prevent it from becoming twig-ridden!
- Care: Rosemary enjoys full to partial sun and good drainage. It is highly adaptable and only needs watered once a week.
- Cooking with Fresh Rosemary: Strip fresh rosemary leaves from their stems and cook with them. Try it in dishes like Lemon and Rosemary Chicken and Rosemary-Sage Bread. For a refreshing summer beverage, whip up our Rosemary Peach Frost.
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How to Dry Herbs
- Step 1: Harvest fresh herbs in the morning, just after the dew has dried.
- Step 2: Cut stems to desired length.
- Step 3: Gently pick off dead or discolored leaves.
- Step 4: Gather 6 to 10 stems in small bunches, then tie the cut ends together with string or a rubber band. Small bunches will dry faster than larger ones.
- Step 5: Hang bunches upside down in a warm, dark, dust-free and well-ventilated area, like an attic or over a water heater.
- Step 6: Take down bunches in two to three weeks, when they have become dry and brittle.
Tip: Dry herbs out of the way and without a mess! Simply hang a line of string up in your garage, then use clothespins to clip your herb bunches, upside-down, to the line.
A Simple Potpourri
Create your own sweet-smelling potpourri by combining dried rosemary and lavender in a pretty bowl. We love adding other dried components, like rose buds, cinnamon sticks and orange peel. Place the bowl on a bathroom counter or bedside table to infuse the space with a lovely fresh scent.
