By Kerri Williams

Every day in the summer, I step out the back door to an array of herbs. Whether it’s the fragrant rosemary growing in a pot or the lavender plant in the garden that is just beginning to blossom, these herbs make every day more special.

Westporters are luckier than most because of Gilbertie’s Garden Center. Gilbertie’s specializes in growing all kinds of herbal plants. Perhaps, like me, you have wandered through their greenhouse of herbs marveling at the different varieties. It can be a bit overwhelming to those new to growing herbs. But in a recent conversation, Cathy Gilbertie Knipper, daughter of the store’s founder Sal Gilbertie and communications coordinator, told me how herbs can be an easy addition to anyone’s summer space.

While Gilbertie’s Organics has about 200 varieties of herbs, the most popular ones each year are the same: basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, rosemary, mint and sage. Cathy grows most of these herbs in a small garden plot outside her back door. Keeping the herbs close to the house is key, as it makes it easy to step outside to retrieve a small amount to add to a salad or drink. 

For me, plucking a sprig of mint to add to a glass of iced tea or water, harvesting a few basil leaves to top a Caprese tomato salad, or even stooping to take in the fragrance of a lavender leaf are some of the simple joys of summer. 

Herbs like sun and air

A few things to remember when growing herbs is that most of them like being on the dry side and need a sunny spot and air circulating around them. They complement vegetable plants and are easily added into a veggie garden, with the benefit that they naturally repel insects.

Perhaps the most popular of all the culinary herbs is basil. “Everybody loves basil,” Cathy said, adding that Gilbertie’s has two dozen different types of the plant, some with exotic names like “Basil Eleonora” and “Basil Obsession.” Some varieties of basil, like “Thai Basil,” have tiny leaves, while others are a unique shade of purple. 

“Our tags say it all”

When picking the right herbs for your spot, Cathy recommends spending some time reading about them.

“We have a slogan: “Our tags say it all,” Cathy said. Gilbertie’s tags include the space and sun requirements for the plant and how high it will grow. They also will tell you if the herb is a culinary one or is used for its perfume or medicinal properties. The back of many tags also tells some history of the herb.

There’s always something new to learn when it comes to herbs, Cathy added. She recently learned that rosemary was Napoleon’s favorite scent.

Try a new herb every year

Part of the learning process is experimenting and growing at least one different type of herb each year, Cathy said.

One herb she recommends trying is lemon verbena, which the store is featuring this week for customers. Lemon verbena is the strongest scented of all the lemon herbs. It pairs well with blueberries in recipes and is a wonderful substitute for mint in a summer cocktail.

Cathy said she has had a lemon verbena plant for decades, bringing it inside during the winter months. She recommends keeping it in a pot by the doorway. “Every time you brush against it, it releases that lemony aroma,” she said. “It’s heavenly to take it in.”

Another herb to try is nasturtium, which has bright yellow, orange, and red blooms that are edible, with a peppery taste that is a fun addition to a salad. Nasturtiums are easy to grow in the garden and will also look lovely in a hanging basket. “They are a super happy plant,” Cathy said.

Centerpiece potential

Besides looking beautiful in your space, herbs have all kinds of uses that make summer extra fun. If you have established plants, try snipping some of them and putting together a fragrant bundle for a table centerpiece just as you would with flowers.

Another idea is to combine some cuttings of culinary herbs, such as sage, rosemary and thyme, and tie them together to make a basting brush for the grill. Whatever you are grilling will take on some of the herbal taste.

More than anything, Cathy said not to be afraid to experiment and see how a different herb will enhance your outside space. It might just end up being one of your favorites.

I couldn’t agree more with Cathy when she says that herbs make everything better. “They are useful and beautiful. They enhance your garden and your life.”

Gilbertie’s Garden Center

7 Sylvan Lane
Westport
Phone: (203) 227-4175

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Kerri Williams

^{_{Kerri Williams is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has worked as a reporter at the Norwalk Hour, as Living editor at the Darien News-Review, and managing editor for the Norwalk Citizen-News. For Westport Journal, she is a reporter as well as a gardening columnist, writing “Cultivating with Kerri.” She recently published her first children’s book – “Mabel’s Big Move,” based on her daughter with special needs.}}