Last updated April 27, 2008 10:57 a.m. PT

How To... Grow a tea garden

Creating your own herbal tea can be a cinch with the right herbs. Here are some options for your garden:

ANISE HYSSOP: Agastache foeniculum

The leaves and flowers taste like licorice.

Growing: Rich or poor soil, full sun or partial shade.

Tea attributes: It blends well with mints, chamomile, lemon balm and rose petals.

BASIL: Ocimum basilicum

Not just for pesto, the spicy flavor is delicious in tea.

Growing: Sunny location, well-drained rich soil.

Tea attributes: Enjoy basil on its own, with mints, lemon balm or jasmine green tea.

BEE BALM (pictured): Monarda spp

The leaves and flowers make a great herbal tea.

Growing: Rich soil in full sun to partial shade.

Tea attributes: Its citrus-oregano-thyme flavor blends well with mild, sweet mints.

GERMAN CHAMOMILE: Matricaria recutita

The flowers and foliage have a pineapple-apple scent.

Growing: Prefers a sunny spot.

Tea attributes: Blend with mints and lemon balm.

LEMON BALM: Melissa officinalis

Rub its leaves to release its intense lemon fragrance.

Growing: Hearty in almost any soil.

Tea attributes: A tea blender's favorite, it goes with mints, anise hyssop, tarragon, chamomile and other lemony herbs.

LEMON THYME: Thymus citriodorus

This shrubby evergreen herb will wind around rocks and along walkways.

Growing: Poor, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade

Tea attributes: It blends well with fresh lemon wedges, freshly grated ginger, cinnamon, lemon balm, lemon verbena, common thyme, bee balm and mints.

MINTS: Mentha spp

Beyond peppermint and spearmint, consider species and variety with other subtle flavors including apple, pineapple, chocolate, orange, ginger and lemon.

Growing: Conditions vary; flavor is lost when grown from seed.

Tea attributes: Mint is the most recognized herbal tea. It blends well with other Mentha species and mint family relatives including anise hyssop, bee balm, lemon balm, basil, thyme and rosemary. It also combines nicely with chamomile, rose petals, cinnamon or bland herbs like nettle and alfalfa.

-- The Associated Press

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