First of all, let’s remember what a curb is? This is a narrow (10-35 cm or more) band of plants of the same species. The purpose of the curb, first of all, decorative-edging lawn, flower garden, beds, paths. For a denser frame often create a border of two strips of the same width.
Today we will focus on the unusual borders, consisting of spicy and aromatic cultures with exquisite taste and aroma. Thanks to these qualities, their use in the country will bring double benefits: as an aesthetic component and for utilitarian purposes. A wonderful aroma of spicy plants will help to cope with stress and improve mood.
Today, the choice of plants in the spicy border is quite diverse. But when determining the candidate crops, it should be remembered that they should not be higher than the bordered plants.
Criteria for the selection of plants for spicy border:
- compactness;
- bushiness;
- the absence of creeping shoots;
- dense root system, through which it is not easy to get to other plants;
- for molded curbs-good tolerance haircut.
Neatly trimmed low borders of spicy crops-it is always beautiful, presentable. They are considered a necessary element of the regular style of giving.
Spicy border from Ocīmum basilīicum
A variety of red-leaf and green-leaf varieties allows you to arrange colorful Basil lines in the country.
If you assume a sufficient length of these borders in the country, it is better to ask such planting rhythm, alternating varieties with different leaf colors. The distance between plants 20-25 cm between rows 30-40 cm Hardened seedlings planted in open ground after the danger passes return of frost. In the southern regions spend 2-3-fold cutting of greenery per season.
Southern Basil – the warm, delicious, gourmet spice, the aroma of which gentle mint travjanisto combined with the vibrant accords of clove, cinnamon, anise, wormwood. For fans of certain notes breeders have created varieties ‘Anise aroma’, ‘Clove’ and others whose names speak for themselves. It is especially clear that Basil bouquet is heard when chopping fresh herbs. The aroma of dried Basil loses its saturation, however, retains spicy licorice and mint notes, which are perfectly combined with stewed fish and baked lamb.
Spicy border from Origanum vulgare
It is best to create a border suitable dwarf variety ‘Compactum’ with small (up to 2 cm) leaves, forming thick bushes 15-20 cm in height.
Using variegated varieties, you can arrange colorful lines:
- ‘Aureum’ – up to 25 cm, with bright yellow leaves;
- ‘Aureum crispum to be supplied fresh’ – with Golden curly leaf;
- ‘Gold Tip’ – with yellow leaf tops.
Distance in the range of 40-45 see After 4-5 years, the plants in the borders are replaced by new ones, changing the place of landing. Starting from the second year of life pruning should be combined with cutting raw materials. Spend it in the period of mass flowering, at a height of 15-20 cm from the soil surface.
Fresh and dry spice, which is often good to add to pizza, spaghetti, barbecue, fish dishes, salads, sauces, soups. Tart bitter-spicy taste of oregano goes well with olives, capers, tomatoes, cheeses.
Spicy border of the genus Dracocephalum moldavica
With density, tillering plants such curbs textured work; especially beautiful during flowering. In addition to the typical species with bluish-purple flowers there is a form with white (f. Alba).
Kerb height of about 30-60 cm distance between plants 30-35 cm To keep hold multiple cut greenery; after full use of culture to the vacated space grown seedlings are planted.
As a spice in salads use young leaves with soft notes of lemon. But dried and ground into powder acquire a sharper mint-lemon flavor and a little bitterness, which gives a certain piquancy to soups, meat and vegetable dishes.
Spicy border from Hyssopus officinalis
Beautiful self-sufficient dense borders with a height of 20-50 cm can be obtained from hyssop. Using the original view in combination with its two forms: white (f. albus) and pink (f. roseus) will give a more interesting color scheme during flowering.
The distance between plants is kept 30-40 cm In one place the decorative border is maintained for 5-6 years. Pruning (together with the raw material) is carried out during mass flowering. The leaves are bitter, with floral notes – a great seasoning for soups, salads, minced meat, pates, sauces, vegetable dishes.
Spicy border of mint
Fragrant mint borders are transformed in bloom, covered with delicate lilac, pink and purple inflorescences. The distance between the plants-30 cm Border loses decorative 4-5 years and replace it with a new one. Haircut mint border combined with cutting greens (during mass flowering, at an altitude of 10-12 cm from the soil surface, 2 times per season).
Real gourmets like to combine mint with young potatoes and carrots, fruits, peas. However, subtle tastes can hide under her thick veil. But the combination of mint with strong tastes gives a great result. Whether Aloysia citrodora or Aloysia citrodora are more winter-hardy, they could be defined in a combined border to the mint.
Spicy border from Rosmarinus officinalis
Excellent dense evergreen border with a height of 0,5-1,5 m it is possible to arrange from my beloved rosemary.
It can be made molded or free-growing, with side trimming. Rosemary grows quickly, undemanding to soils, durable. Shows its “eucalyptus flavor”, but softer, it has more pine and floral shades. The richness of varieties and gives a variety of flavors, including lemon and pine, and with hints of cloves and nutmeg, and others.
Spicy border from Salvia officinalis
This Salvia forms dense fragrant borders up to 75 cm high.
Its variegated varieties (‘Aurea’,’ Icterina’,’ Kew Gold’,’ Purpurascens’,’ Tricolor’) will help to create interesting color solutions. The distance between the plants – 20 cm Curbs 6-8 years rejuvenate new plantings, changing their location in the country.
As the spice sage is rough, so not everyone will have to taste: some consider it too strong, others-too bitter, the third, who use the infusion of sage for colds, scares him clearly “medical” flavor and taste. In addition, I have long noticed that fresh leaves have more light lemon notes, and in dried they are lost, giving way to the aroma of hay.
And what spicy border you have already created in your country? How do you use raw materials?