Planting / Retrieving: aromatic plants

LAVENDER is a genus of plants in the Lamiaceae family. These dicotyledonous shrubs, with most often mauve or violet flowers arranged in spikes, most of which are very fragrant species, are widely used in all branches of perfumery, in particular lavandin (Lavandula ×intermedia). They grow mainly on dry, sunny calcareous soils, with the exception of Lavandula stoechas, which prefers siliceous soils. All lavenders are melliferous plants, that is to say highly sought after by bees. There are 28 species of lavender and growing them is very simple. They fit just as well on balconies and terraces in pots as in the ground in gardens, in rockeries.

ROSEMARY is an evergreen perennial that blooms from February to April with pretty light blue flowers. It reaches a height of 1.5 meters at maturity. Its leaves are edible and renowned for their nutritional values and their flavors used in essential oils and infusions among others. This hardy plant likes the sun and ordinary to poor soils with calcareous acidity. ROSEMARY is planted in the spring.

THYME is a resistant and easy-to-grow aromatic, which likes poor, light, even stony and well-drained soils. If your soil is rather humid and clayey, grow it in a pot. Planting is done in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October). In the ground: choose a very sunny position and space the plants 30 cm apart. Water very moderately, mainly in summer, because the THYME does not appreciate excess humidity. An annual pruning will keep it a nice rounded and stocky habit.

LEMON VERBENA is a sub-shrub with lemon scent, is not very hardy because it was born in Peru and Chile. But culture in pots, to be protected in winter, suits it well: it develops quickly there, reaching almost 1 m in height during the year. This deciduous perennial likes full sun exposure and requires relatively simple maintenance. Its growth is rapid. It likes sandy soil rich in humus and loam. You can grow it in a pot, in a planter or in the ground (beware of the cold because VERBENA does not tolerate low temperatures)

OFFICINALE SAGE blooms from May to July with pretty purple flowers. This perennial aromatic shrub with semi-evergreen foliage will reach a height of 60 cm at maturity. Its leaves are used in cooking as an infusion (but beware of excess). Very hardy, it requires exposure to full sun or partial shade and ordinary, drained, heavy soil with neutral to calcareous acidity. It is used in beds or in the vegetable patch and is planted in spring and autumn.

The Aspres nursery in Grasse also offers a wide range of various aromatic plants such as: wild garlic, stuffing, lemongrass, fennel, isope, cousoude, peppermint, mint, saffron, verbena, basil, lemon balm, coriander, chives, savory, oregano, chamomile...