Herbs are grown for their flavour and perfume. They suit just about any garden style except tropical, and even then they can he grown in a separate area, or in pots.

A variety of herbs in the garden gives you an exciting choice of food flavourings at your fingertips - and they are so easy to grow.

Herbs can be used in the garden in three ways.

1. The traditional herb garden - Here an area of garden is set aside just for herbs, and this can be made attractive by planting to create patterns. Traditional styles usually feature geometric beds divided by paths. perhaps with a sundial or other ornamental feature in the middle. However, herbs are versatile enough to suit any design and can he a good way of filling a difficult corner.

2. Containers - Most of our common cooking herbs need good drainage, so they are perfect for pot-growing. You can buy an elegant pot from a garden centre, perhaps one designed especially for herbs, or else recycle household items such as old baths, laundry tubs, barrels and even old hoots! Containers can he scattered around the garden or grouped in a courtyard or on a balcony (provided they get at least six hours sun a day). Herbs also do well in sunny window boxes. A few containers, a selection of herbs - and you have an instant herb garden!

3. Around the garden - Herbs can be grown among other plants around the garden. Where their chemical properties help keep everything around them in good health. Suggested uses include:

- Hedges - rosemary, wormwood, lavender, lemon verbena.
- Low borders - thyme, golden oregano, parsley, chives
- Flowers - lavender, basil, yarrow, chives, borage, tansy
- Groundcovers - mints, lemon balm, thyme, chamomile
- Foliage - fennel, dill
- Attractive shrubs - lavender, rue, lemon verbena, wormwood