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Welcome to the Desert Botanical Garden’s

HERB GARDENHerbs have been used for generations for many

purposes from medicinal remedies to perfumes

and culinary uses. Herbs also provide beauty and

variety to our desert landscapes. We invite you to

use this guide to learn about the variety of herbs

that grow well in our Sonoran Desert and how

you can create your own herb garden at home. .

OVERVIEWThe Herb Garden is designed with seven

themed gardens. This guide has information

about each area with plant recommendations

and growing tips about herbs you can grow

in your low desert garden.

THEMESSensory Garden Wildlife Garden

Tea Garden Mediterranean Garden

Picante Garden Culinary Garden

Medicinal Garden

FEATURESA Walk Through Thyme,

Carol Bulla Sundial Memorial

St. Earth Walking, Sculpture by Robert Wick

The Barbara B. Weisz Family Plaza

DEFINITION: herb: a plant that is useful in some way

G A R D E NMany herbs that thrive in our harsh desert environment are of Mediterranean origin. Soil types, low rainfall and over 300 sunny days a year allow these familiar herbs to grow easily in our low desert gardens. Many of these plants are favorites for cooking, but some have other uses that you may not know about:

Oregano: Oils from crushed leaves are used to polish furniture and leaves hung in closets scent linens and clothes. Oregano is believed to bring good health, longevity and joy.

Sweet Marjoram: Cultivated in ancient Egypt as a symbol of honor and joy, sweet marjoram is in the same genus as oregano with leavesthat have a very spicy aroma.

Sage:Ancient Chinese used sage in spiritual and healing ceremonies. Ancient Greeks used it as a mental stimulant. Sage is in the genus of Salvia, and is associated with salvation and good health.

Thyme: There are over 400 varieties of thyme in Asia and Europe. In ancient Rome, thyme was used with garlic for energy.

Rosemary: This Mediterranean native has been used for centuries for scenting and medicinal purposes. It is associated with remembrance and fi delity because of it’s long-lasting piney aroma. Rosemary is the symbol of friendship and loyalty.

GROWING TIPS:

Most Mediterranean herbs need well-drained soil

and a lot of sun. Many of them are quite drought

tolerant. These low-maintenance plants allow

more time for enjoying your garden and are a

nice addition to desert landscapes.

E R R A N E A NNNN AA NNA NNNNENE R AA

PLANTSOriganum majorana – Sweet Marjoram

Origanum vulgare – Italian (Greek) Oregano

Rosmarinus offi cinalis – Rosemary

Salvia offi cinalis – Culinary Sage

Thymus herba-barona – Caraway-thyme

Thymus vulgaris – English Thyme

Thymbra capitata – Conehead-thyme

M E D I T

G A R D E NP I C A N T E

A cornucopia of chile pepper varieties is displayed in this hot spot. Not only do chile fruits vary in size and shape, they also have a broad range of “hotness”. How hot is hot? The Scoville scale measures capsaicin levels (heat/spiciness) in chile peppers. The ‘Habañero’ is very hot while the ‘Jalapeño’ can be termed a mildly-hot pepper. The spicy ‘Chiltepin’ is native to southern Arizona in a limited habitat. Chile peppers are colorful ornamentals in a garden.

Did you knowthat a medium-size chile contains six times the vitamin C as an orange, and two times the vitamin A and beta-carotene as a carrot?

Cooking tip: If you can’t stand the fi re of hot peppers but still want the fl avor, remove the seeds and white membranes, the parts of the pepper that hold most of the heat in the form of capsaicin.

PLANTSCapsicum annuum – ‘Chiltepin’ Chile Pepper

Capsicum annuum – ‘Jalapeño’ Chile Pepper

Capsicum annuum – ‘Poblano’/’Ancho’ Chile Pepper

Capsicum annuum – ‘Serrano’ Chile Pepper

Capsicum chinense – ‘Habañero’ Chile Pepper

Capsicum frutescens – ‘Bolivian Rainbow’ Chile Pepper

Capsicum frutescens – ‘Tabasco’ Chile Pepper

GROWING TIPS:

Chile peppers can be grown as perennials here

in the low desert. They prefer a fairly organic,

well-drained soil. Light afternoon shade and

frequent watering will keep them more robust

and productive through the summer. Chile

peppers should be protected from frost through

the winter.

This garden showcases that many herbs grown for culinary, medicinal or other uses can also be magnets for attracting wildlife to a garden. Wildlife such as butterfl ies, birds, ladybugs, and bees adds color, movement and excitement to your yard. With the loss of so much natural habitat, it is good when we can provide some wildlife with food, shelter or nesting resources.

Special note for wildlife gardens: Many types of wildlife are extremely sensitive to pesticides. Their use will prevent these creatures from visiting your garden.

GROWING TIPS:

Wildlife-attracting herbs vary in their sun, soil

and water requirements. Many of the non-desert/

non-Mediterranean herbs benefi t from an organic

soil amended with compost, and mid-day through

afternoon relief from summer’s intense sun.

Passion vines, as well as our native desert-willow,

can help offer summer shade to accommodate

these plants. At the same time, they do their part

to attract butterfl ies and hummingbirds and

provide color through the warm months.

W I L D L I F EI FI F EEWW D LLG A R D E N

PLANTSAchillea millefolium – Yarrow

Chilopsis linearis – Desert-willow

Lavandula multifi da – Fern-leaf Lavender

Monarda fi stulosa – Bee-balm, Wild Bergamot

Passifl ora caerulea – Passion Vine

Salvia leucantha – Mexican Bush Sage

Tanacetum vulgare - Tansy

Throughout human history, many different cultures have relied on plants for healing. Today, plants are the source of a quarter of all medicines, and many cultures still rely on plants as the primary source of medicines. The herbs in the medicinal garden come from around the world and from our own southwest region. To fi nd out more about native Sonoran Desert medicinal plants and traditional uses visit our Plants and People of the Sonoran Desert Trail.

The plants and information in this exhibit are primarily for reference and education. It is not intended to serve as a manual for self-medication or as a substitute for qualifi ed medical advice. The visitor should be aware that any plant substance, whether used as food or medicine, externally or internally, may be harmful to some people.

Medicinal uses past and present:Aloe Vera:The thick gel inside the aloe vera leaf is used today for burns, wounds and sunburn. Extracts of leaves were once used on children’s fi ngers to stop nail biting.Horehound: This herb can be found today in candy and is also used as a cough suppressant.Purple Coneflower:Native Americans used this herb as a compress to treat snakebite, fevers, and wounds. More recently, it is known for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It has also been used in AIDS therapy

G A R D E N

PLANTSAristolochia watsonii – Snakeroot

Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) – Aloe Vera

Bursera microphylla – Elephant Tree

Echinacea purpurea – Purple Conefl ower

Marrubium vulgare – Horehound

Tanacetum parthenium – Feverfew

Tecoma stans – Yellow Bells

M E D I C I N A LMMM N AN A LLAEE C I NI LLLNGROWING TIPS:

This wide range of plants varies in needs for

sun exposure, soil conditions, and water. In the

low desert, aloe vera and purple conefl ower

can both benefi t from light shade during mid

summer. Other plants such as horehound will

endure full sun exposure. Horehound and aloe

vera will thrive in our desert soil, whereas

feverfew and conefl ower would prefer a

richer, organically

amended soil. In

the heat of the

summer, feverfew

will need frequent watering, but aloe vera

would prefer the soil to dry some

between watering.

G A R D E NA sensory garden offers a place to relax, meditate, and rejuvenate. Many herbs in this garden offer enchantingly fragrant foliage or blossoms, stimulating texture, or scintillating colors that arouse the senses. Other plants create graceful movement and sounds as gentle breezes pass by. A sensory garden is meant for lingering.

How many senses can you use inthis garden?

Smell… scented geranium, sage, lavender, thyme

See…color, texture, shapes, distant vistas

Hear… gentle breezes, rustle of grasses, hum of hummingbirds and bees

Touch… soft leaves of dittany of Crete, texture of warm soil

Taste…savory sage and thyme

GROWING TIPS:

These plants vary in their sunlight, watering,

and soil preferences. Scented geraniums thrive

with a bit of afternoon shade or fi ltered sun, a

fairly organic well-drained soil, and moderately

frequent watering through the summer.

The lavenders, many sages, and santolinas relish

full sun exposure and infrequent watering, and

require excellent soil drainage. A variety of herbs

fall between these extremes, with some able to

perform well under a wider range of conditions.

S E N S O R YE NESS E N SS YY PLANTSHyptis emoryi – Desert-lavender

Lavandula dentata –French Lavender

Lavandula heterophylla -Sweet Lavender

Pelargonium graveolens – Rose-scented Geranium

Salvia clevelandii - Chaparral Sage

Santolina chamaecyparissus – Grey Santolina, Lavender-cotton

G A R D E N

PLANTSAloysia triphylla – Lemon-verbena

Cymbopogon citratus – Lemon-grass

Ephedra spp. – Mormon-tea

Mentha spp. - Mints

Nepeta cataria – Catnip

Poliomintha incana – Hoary Rosemary mint

T E AT ET EE AAGROWING TIPS:

Many of the non-native tea herbs require an

organically rich soil and a good amount of

water. These are best located in afternoon

shade conditions for the summer. Some of the

southwest natives are drought tolerant and

thrive in full sun locations. Provide these with

well-drained soil.

Mint and lemon-fl avored herbs are among the most popular for herbal teas. With the variety of these plants that thrive in our area, along with other fl avored herbs, you can grow a tea blend to relax or stimulate your mood, or simply appeal to your taste

buds. Some of the herbs can be harvested year-round, while others can be picked at their peak and stored for later brewing.

Herbal teas provide a fl avorful, healthy and soothing drink. They are caffeine free, may act as a digestive aide, and many have a calming effect, promoting well-being.

The part of the plant used to make an herbal tea varies with each plant. The fl owers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark or roots can be steeped to make a drink.

Brewing tip:As a general rule, use one teaspoon of dried herbs, or two teaspoons of fresh herbs to each cup of boiled water for tea.

G A R D E NC U L I N A R YA RA YYYRACC I NN

Several of these plants are old familiars to most gardeners. Try some of the less common herbs to experience new fl avors to spice

up your cuisine. Some culinary herbs are annuals, changing with the seasons. For

ease of planting, designate an area for them in your garden.

Cooking tips: • Culinary chives can be substituted

for scallions to achieve a mild onion fl avor.

• For a great salad add basil, garlic-chives, black pepper and balsamic vinegar.

• Place French tarragon sprigs in vinegar to preserve the subtlety of the fresh herb.

PLANTSAllium schoenoprasum – Culinary Chives

Crithmum maritimum – Samphire

Foeniculum vulgare v. dulce – Florence Fennel

Petroselinum crispum ‘ Italian’ – Italian Flat-leaf Parsley

Sanguisorba minor (Poterium sanguisorba)– Salad Burnet

Tagetes lucida – Mexican-tarragon, Mexican-mint Marigold, Yerba-anis

Tulbaghia violacea – Society-garlic

GROWING TIPS :

While many culinary herbs are perennials,

some of them are seasonal annuals and must

be grown in either the cool season or the warm

season here in the low desert. For example, an-

nual cilantro and

dill can be planted

in the fall to grow

through the cool

months. Epazote thrives in the heat of summer

and dies off with winter’s cold. Some perennials

such as culinary chives, French tarragon, and

Mexican-tarragon may disappear underground

for the winter, re-sprouting with fresh growth

the following spring. Parsley, normally a bien-

nial lasting two years, may not endure summer

here. Basil, commonly an annual in other

regions, can last well past one season here if

protected from frost.

Fall Annuals Cool Season

Allium ampeloprasum – Elephant GarlicAllium cepa – ShallotsAnethum graveolens – DillAnthriscus cerefolium – ChervilBorago offi cinalis – BorageCalendula offi cinalis – CalendulaCoriandrum sativum – Cilantro/CorianderSalvia columbariae – Desert ChiaTropaeolum majus – NasturtiumViola tricolor – Johnny Jump-ups

Spring Annuals Warm SeasonChenopodium ambrosioides – EpazoteHelianthus tuberosa – Sunchoke, Jerusalem-artichokeHyptis suaveolens – Summer-chia, Golden-chiaPorophyllum ruderale – Bolivian Bush-cilantroSalvia tiliaefolia – Tarahumara Chia

G L O S S A R Y O F H E R B A L T E R M S

Annual: A plant that grows from seed, flowers, develops seed, and dies within

one growing season.

Biennial: A plant that takes two growing seasons to complete its life cycle,

flowering, developing seeds and dying in the second year.

Capsaicin: The chemical compound that gives Chile peppers their heat.

Compost: Decomposed organic matter.

Genus: A group of related plant species (one or more species); the first part of the

botanical name of a plant.

Herb: A plant that is useful in some way. It may be used in food preparation, or

for medicine, tea, cosmetics, aromatherapy, crafting, dyeing, construction, ritual, pest

control, or many other things.

Organic matter: Decomposed plant or animal remains.

Perennial: A plant that lives more than two growing seasons, often flowering

and producing seed every year.

Species: A group of plants that are alike and can interbreed; the second part of

the botanical name of a plant.

R E F E R E N C E B O O K S A N D R E S O U R C E S

The Low Desert Herb Gardening Handbook Arizona Herb Association

Desert Gardening for Beginners - How to Grow Vegetables, Flowers and Herbs in an Arid Climate Cathy Cromell, Linda Guy, Lucy Bradley Arizona Master Gardener Press

The Herb Society of America EncyclopediaOf Herbs and Their Uses Deni Brown Dorling Kindersley

Growing Herbs from Seed, Cutting, & Root Thomas DeBaggio Interweave Press

Arizona Herb Association www.azherb.org 602.470.8086, ext. 830

Desert Botanical Garden Plant Hotline 480.941.1225

N O T E S

DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN1201 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008 480-941-1225 • www.dbg.org

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