Herbs Can Be Cultivated to Provide More Than Just Spices

To create sweet-scented potpourri, herb gardener Faith Newman suggests planting various easy-to-grow, aromatic herb varieties.

Then, Newman, of Holton Kan., says in Midwest Living magazine, dry and combine their leaves and-or blossoms.

Rose geranium--Use leaves only (also tasty in apple jelly or cakes and refreshing in baths).

Lavender--Leaves only (steeped in boiling water, they make a wonderful hair rinse as well).

Floribunda roses--Whole rosebuds (don’t spray the rosebushes with chemicals if they are to be added to the potpourri).

Sweet Annie--Leaves, which smell like fresh hay, are a good choice for a potpourri filler.

Lemon thyme--Leaves only (when fresh, they’re also great in teas and to dress up summer salads).

Lemon or cinnamon basil--Seedpods and leaves (also grows easily in pots indoors).

Bee Balm--Leaves and rose-colored flowers add color as well as fragrance (popular in teas).

Sage--Seedpods, blossoms and leaves of any sage variety work well.