Representing many unique cultures, the Mediterranean basin was not just the birthplace of Western civilization, but also the grounds where the richest traditions of herbal medicine became immortalized. (also the ground upon which the richest traditions of herbal medicine became established).
Bordering the shores of the Mediterranean Sea are Mesopotamia, the Levant, Egypt and North Africa, Iberia, the Apinine, Greece, and Turkey. Some of the earliest manuscripts on herbs date back to the ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, and lavender are evergreen shrubs or perennials adapted to drought and rich in essential oils, antimicrobial, aromatic, and medicinal properties.
Central Texas has a climate similar to the Mediterranean basin with hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Mediterranean herbs thrive in full sun and alkaline soils with good drainage, but they hate “wet feet” from heavy clay soils. If heavy soils are what you have, don’t despair, try growing your herbs in raised beds or areas amended with sand, gravel, or expanded shale. Use gravel as your mulch and commit to deep, infrequent watering cycles. Overwatering kills more Mediterranean herbs than underwatering.
Left Bed:
Capparis spinosus var. inermis – Caper Bush
Cichorium intybus – Chicory
Lavandula x giginsii – Goodwin Creek Lavender
Lavandula x intermedia – Provence Lavender
Ocimum basilicum – Sweet Basil
Olea europaea ‘Little Ollie’ – Little Ollie Dwarf Olive
Petroselinum crispum ‘Neapolitanum’ – Italian Parsley
Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary ‘Arp’
Thymus vulgaris ‘German Hardy’ – German Thyme
Thymus x citriodorus – Lemon Thyme
Trellis :
Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ – Bourbon Rose
Center Bed:
Glycyrrhiza officinalis – Licorice Root
Marrubium vulgare – Horehound
Myrtus communis ‘Variegata’ – Variegated Myrtle
Ocimum basilicum – Sweet Basil
Origanum x majoricum – Italian Oregano
Punica granatum ‘Nana’ – Dwarf Pomegranate
Ruta graveolens – Rue
Right Bed:
Coriandrum sativum – Cilantro
Eruca sativa – Arugula
Ocimum basilicum – Sweet Basil
Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary ‘Hill Hardy’
Ruscus aculeatus – Butcher’s Broom
Salvia sclarea – Clary Sage
Santolina chamaecyparissus – Grey Santolina
Satureja montana – Winter Savory
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It is the policy of The Herb Society of America, Inc. not to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use.
This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment. Please consult a health care provider before pursuing any herbal treatments.
