Grow soothing teas in your garden
By MARIA NOEL GROVES
For The Associated Press
Creating your own herbal tea can be a cinch with the right herbs. Here are some options for your garden:
ANISE HYSSOP
Agastache foeniculum, Mint Family
Anise hyssop brightens many home gardens with its long-lasting purple spikes. The leaves and flowers taste like licorice and can be snipped into salad as easily as they can be turned into sweet tea. Also consider root beer-flavored sunset hyssop (A. rupestris) and bright pink bubble gum mint (A. cana), says Tammi Hartung, herbalist and author of “Growing 101 Herbs that Heal.” These beauties attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Growing Conditions: This perennial is low-fuss. It will grow in rich or poor soil in full sun to partial shade. Grow from seed, seedling, cutting, or root division. Harvest the top two-thirds of the plant, just above a node, every few weeks.
Special Needs: Anise hyssop rarely suffers from disease or pests. However, it may seed itself throughout your garden.
Tea Attributes: Anise hyssop will lighten and sweeten any tea with its licorice flavor. It blends well with mints, chamomile, lemon balm, and rose petals.
BASIL
Ocimum basilicum, Mint Family
Most of us think of basil as a pesto plant. However, its spicy aromatic flavor also makes a surprisingly delicious tea. Of the more than 400 herbs that Jekka McVicar grows, she says “I consider basil my to be my morning cuppa.” Also check out the purple-hued holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), which has an aromatic, sweet taste and is revered in Ayurvedic medicine.
Growing Conditions: This herb thrives in a sunny location in well-drained rich soil. Basil species are well suited for containers, as seen throughout the Mediterranean neighborhoods, as well as in Indian temples. Grow from seed, buy seedlings, or use a cutting. Harvest the top two-thirds of the plant, just above a node, every few weeks. Basil will grow in all zones as an annual.
Special Needs: Young basil plants are prone to “dampening off” due to fungus in wet soil. “Water the plants in the morning-not at night-so the plant does not go to bed wet,” suggests McVicar. Basil will not tolerate a touch of frost.
Tea Attributes: Enjoy basil on its own, with mints, lemon balm, or jasmine green tea.
BEE BALM
Monarda spp, Mint Family
“The flowers of this herb are stunning,” says McVicar. True to its name, bee balm is a favorite of bees and hummingbirds thanks to its sweet nectar and bright red, pink and purple blooms. Bee balm’s great looks and low-maintenance care have earned it a place in many home gardens. However, few realize that the leaves and flowers make one of our best herbal teas, in spite of its other common names: Oswego tea and bergamont.
Growing Conditions: Bee balms prefer rich soil in full sun to partial shade. Water needs vary by species. Grow it by seeds, seedlings, or root division. Divide roots after three years. Harvest the top two-thirds of the plant, just above a node, every few weeks.
Special Needs: Powdery mildew can be a problem, but regular harvesting should keep it under control. Otherwise, cut the plant to ground level and remove all contaminated leaves, recommends McVicar. It will grow back.
Tea Attributes: Bee balm became popular after the Boston Tea Party for its similarity to black tea. “It tastes like posh Earl Grey,” says McVicar. Its citrus-oregano-thyme flavor will change slightly from mild to spicy depending on the species, variety, and climate. It blends well with mild, sweet mints like apple mint, pineapple mint, and spearmint.
GERMAN CHAMOMILE
Matricaria recutita, Sunflower Family
The tiny daisy-like chamomiles cheer up any garden and give it a meadow feel. The flowers and foliage have a light pineapple-apple scent to them. Also consider the hardy perennial & Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), which can be used similarly.
Growing Conditions: Chamomile will thrive in most soils and conditions, though it prefers a sunny spot. Grow both types of chamomile by seed. Roman chamomile can also be grown by cuttings and root divisions. Dedicate a few leisurely mornings or afternoons throughout the growing season to collect the small flowers for tea. While it may take a while to harvest, their flavor will surpass any store-bought chamomile. German chamomile is an annual that often reseeds and can be grown in all zones. Roman chamomile is a perennial in zones 4-9.
Special Needs: Chamomile is extremely low-fuss.
Tea Attributes: Often enjoyed solo, fresh and dry chamomile flowers also provide a light pineapple-y flavor to tea. Consider blending chamomile with mints, alfalfa, and lemon balm.
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