Herbs can be a wonderful addition to a cut flower patch as both flowers and foliage. One of the main benefits is the lovely scents that herbs can bring and the added benefit that you can pop them in your dinner as well as a vase. I also like to use vegetables that have gone to seed such as kale or broccoli. Some herbs make lovely foliage with delicate flowers, as well as those with larger flowers such as calendula.
Most can be easily grown from seed in spring. However, you can also propagate many of these herbs by collecting seeds , taking stem or root cuttings. My preferred propagation technique is also set out below.
Basil - the lemon or cinnamon varieties can provide a sweeter aroma [propagation: collect seed].
Dill - mariska is a favourite [propagation: collect seed].
Fennel - I love the bronze variety, foeniculum vulgare purpureum, but let it mature before you cut the lovely foliage or wait until it produces seed heads [proproation: collect seed].
Lavender - my favourite variety is multifida origano which produces tall stems though isn't very hardy [propagation: stem cuttings].
Lemon Balm - can grow vigorously so be careful where you plant it.
Mint - popular varieties for cutting include apple mint, pinapple mint and chocolate mint. I also like ot use mountain mint and horse mint for tall stems. Will absolutely take over so consider planting in a container [propagation: collect root or stem cuttings].
Oregano - greek oregano produces delicate purple flowers and foliage [propagation: collect seed or stem cuttings].
Rosemary - miss jespos is a good upright tall vigorous variety [propagation: stem cuttings].
Feverfew - flore Pleno double-flowering - make sure they are fully out before cutting to prevent drooping [propagation: collect seed or stem cuttings].
Calendula - a lovely flower but must be picked when still slighly closed as it doesn't have a long vase life. Try the sherbert fizz variety for a lovely peach flower [propagation: collect seed].
There's also a couple of herbs that haven't made it into my cutting patch. You might have a different view so it's always giving things a try once.
Bee balm often gets mildew which makes less unusable as a cut flower.
Whilst sage is lovely to cook with and produces lovely purple flowers, the smell can be over powering in personal arrangements.
There's many more herbs you can use than listed here so let me know if you have any favourites you can recomend.
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