How to Plan an Aromatherapy Garden

Our sense of smell can evoke wonderful feelings and help trigger happy memories. We all use fragrance to scent our bodies and our homes with little regard to our outdoor spaces. The act of planning and setting up an aromatherapy garden can be a lot easier than you think. The most important part is to keep it simple and design it to work with your garden and your needs. You don’t have to live in a stately home to set up an aromatherapy garden; even a window box can work wonders!

Things to Consider when setting up an Aromatherapy Garden

• The size or area of the garden you can use
• The type of soil in your garden
• The climate in which you live
• Your budget!

Once you’ve decided on all of the above it’s then time to start thinking about the types of plants you would love in your aromatherapy garden. Consider choosing plants that:

• Are happy to live in the type of soil you have
• Types of plants that can survive in your climate
• Select plants that you either love the scent or based on medicinal purposes

When you are first starting your aromatherapy garden think less is more. Start with a few plants and see how they work you can always add to it as each season approaches. This way you will end up with a good mix of flowers and not everything blooming for a couple of months of the year.

Select plants that do not require a lot of work to care for. Simple plants that need little more than watering and light weeding will help you keep a low maintenance and enjoyable garden. Herbs are a great choice for your aromatherapy garden because they can be cut, dried, and then used all year round. They are also great if you are on a budget as these can be grown from seed.

Here’s a Selection of Plants we Love in our Aromatherapy Garden

Borage Plant

Thrives in rich but well-drained soil and likes a full sun position with beautiful blue flowers from May to September. The leaves and stems have a delicate cucumber flavour making them perfect for chopping and adding to salads. Used in homoeopathy for depression as the flowers are said to help ‘cheer you up’. The leaves are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat insect bites, stings, bruises and swelling.

Chamomile

Grows best in cool conditions and prefers partial shade, beautiful daisy-like flowers bloom in June and July. The flowers and leaves of chamomiles can be made into a soothing tea which has relaxing properties.

Herb of Jupiter

Great for a rockery in a sunny location, known as one of nature’s healing plants. Use the sap from inside the leaf to treat minor burns, stings, cuts, ulcers, and insect bites.  Can be made into a tea to treat throat and mouth ailments.

Lavender

Thrives in properly drained soil and can be grown in flower pots, enjoy the fragrance all summer and it’s also loved by bees and butterflies. At the end of the season cut the flowers and stems and leave to dry to enjoy these truly relaxing scents.

Lemon Verbena

Loves full sun and well-drained soil doesn’t like frost or snow! Has refreshingly scented foliage, which can be used for herb tea and potpourri to scent your home.

Mint

Better grown in a pot or it will take over your garden! Smells wonderful and can be used in cooking and to make a refreshing tea.

Rosemary

Don’t overlook this plant as it has many amazing qualities it’s an excellent nectar source for bees. It’s quite hardy and likes to grow in well-drained sunny positions. Used widely in cooking for flavour and can also aid digestion. Used on the scalp to ease dry itchy, dandruff prone hair. Also used to treat arthritis, rheumatism and circulation problems. Rosemary has antibacterial properties which makes this a great addition to cleaning your home naturally.

Sweet Pea

Need a sunny position and good, well-drained soil. Provide masses of flowers all summer long provided flowers are picked regularly. The scent of sweet pea is sweet and delicious and is sure to evoke happy memories.

Valerian

Prefers a well-drained soil with sun and partial shade will produce beautiful sweetly scented flowers that bees will love. Used to treat insomnia and anxiety and can be made into a tea. Cats and dogs also love the calming effect of this magical plant!

Also, Consider

Herbs for sunny areas – Basil, Chives, Dill, Sage, and Thyme grow best in a sunny spot and well-drained soil.

Herbs for partial shade – Cilantro, Chervil, Parsley, Tarragon and Thyme all prefer rich, moist soil and partial shade.

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