Herbs have slowly become popular in recent years. They serve as a great addition to home gardens. They make for great indoor plants too!
Herbs have many uses. Some provide wonderful scents that can make you feel relaxed. In fact, putting some in your bedroom help in keeping your room smelling fresh. In the culinary arts, many of these herbs are used to add flavor to otherwise boring dishes. More importantly, herbs are said to have medicinal value as well! Given the fact that herbs can actually be quite versatile, it isn’t any wonder why herbs have suddenly gained popularity.
Unknown to many, herbs can be quite decorative since many of them do flower. Their flowers come in different colors, although the following paragraphs will be tackling those that have purple flowers.
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Lavender
The name lavender is derived from the name “lavandula”. Lavenders are members of the mint family, hence their similarity. These herbs are commonly found in Europe, Northern and Eastern Africa, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, the Meditteranean, China, southwest Asia and southwest India.
Lavenders are not picky when it comes to soil so any type of soil will do if you plan to grow some in your home. Lavenders love temperate climate, although they do prefer cooler temperatures.
These herbs have narrow, long stems with many tiny flowers coming out of the long stems.
Lavender is considered to be a symbol of grace, royalty, devotion, purity, serenity and calm. The flowers have a pleasant, relaxing scent that make them popular for use in rooms, especially for beddings, as scent fresheners.
Lavender is also known for having a wide array of medicinal properties. It is known to prevent swelling and it can be used as antiseptic as well. Because of its relaxing scent, it is often used to calm anxiety. It is said that lavender can promote hair growth too. Amongst its other uses, lavender can be used to heal canker sores, lessen menstrual pain and improve blood circulation.
In baking and cooking, lavender can be used to improve flavor as well. Recent flavors of gourmet ice creams feature lavender combined which other natural sweeteners such as honey because of the distinct aroma that lavender provides.
Chives
These herbs usually need constant pruning. The flowers are in constant need of deadheading. These, however, are not so difficult to do. Tips on pruning and deadheading of chives will be shown and discussed later on.
Chives are known to have tiny, purple flowers and are typically grown during early summer.
Rosemary
This herb appear to be quite woody with very thin, long leaves that appear to be like needles. The leaves may be as long as 1.5-2 centimeters and as thin as 2-5 millimeters. The leaves, themselves, carry a strong, fragrant smell distinct to the rosemary. Besides having purple flowers, the rosemary may also have other colors like pink and white.
Rosemaries are common in the Mediterranean as well as in Asia since these herbs tend to like a bit of sunshine. In fact, rosemaries can survive for days without much water so it isn’t so hard to maintain.
Rosemaries are a great addition to your home. They make nice decors whether inside your living room or out in your garden. They are usuaply used for making wreathes or as an additional décor to table settings in formal or even intimate dinners.
Rosemary is a great herb to use when cooking chicken, beef or it can even be used for making your favorite pasta sauce.
Aside from these uses, the scent of rosemary also makes for great pest control!
Sage
Sage, or to be more specific, purple sage is also known by another name – salvia. This is derived from its scientific name Salvia dorrii. Unlike other herbs, purple sage grows in sandy soil, requiring little maintenance. This plant requires very little watering that it can even survive a drought! Rich conditions may, in fact, even be detrimental for this particular plant. In order to thrive, sage is best placed in a hot, dry environment, usually facing the south. In the US, desert areas serve as the best environment for growing purple sage.
Purple sage is classified as a shrub of medium size. Its leaves are green and quite fleshy, with some having hints of purple in them. The flowers are usually found at the topmost portion of the shrub in several clusters. When in season, the flowers continuously bloom giving the plant a distinct purple color when placed outdoors.
Catnip
This herb is more commonly found in Central Asia, the Middle East, part of Southern and Eastern Europe aCa in certain areas of China. It is known by it other namtn catswort, catmint, and by its scientific name Nepeta cataria.
Catnip has a short life span although it is considered to be a perennial plant. It grows to around 50-100 centimeters tall. The leaves are triangular in shape with the base of the leaves being heart-shaped. The leaves are green in color with a bit of white fuzz on the surface. The flowers of this herb are arranged vertically in what seems to be whorls of blooms. Both the leaves and flowers carry hints of mint flavor owing to the fact that catnip is actually part of the mint family. The minty taste makes it great to add to salads!
Catnip also contains minerals, vitamins, essential acids and much more making it a great health food as well!
Thyme
Otherwise known as the Purple Carpet Creep, this herb grows to around two inches tall and with its flowers, it can reach up to three inches. Given the most ideal conditions, this herb can live up to ten years.
Thyme thrive if placed under shady areas. Excess moisture is not appreciated by this herb but rather, it thrives in soil that is dry – average at best. Thyme is not choosy when it comes to the environment since it can even survive in polluted areas making it ideal to grow, even in an urban setting. During the winter season, it would be best to cover this plant with mulch to protect it from the cold and moisture as well.
Oregano
Oregano, just like catnip, is a member of the mint family. It can grow to a height of 20-880 centimeters.
Oregano leaves are usually heart-shaped. They prefer hot, dry climates making cultivation easier during summer. The scent of oregano is created by a number of chemicals: limonene, pinene, carvacrol to name a few.
It can be considered to have some medicinal value as well as oregano is considered to be anti-inflammatory and antibacterial in nature. It contains fibers, calories and is packed with nutrients such as Vitamins K and E. It also contains minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium, iron and calcium.
Oregano is said to be a good health as it may contribute to bone health and oral health. Some say that it helps fight free radicals and may serve as an adjunct in preventing the the spread of cancer cells.
Oregano is commonly used in Italian cuisine so is often found as flavoring in pasta sauces and pizza.
Added Bonus: Tulips
Although tulips are not considered as herbs, they do have wonderful deep purple flowers that are goblet-shaped. These flowers may be stained with hints of pink and white shades coming from the veins and heart of the flower respectively.
Tulips are wonderful ornamental flowers that make a great addition to any home decor. They add touches of color in plain, glass vases which make for amazing centerpieces in living room tables or desks.
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