Everyone loves them; they offer an enormous array of aromatic foliage, flavorful culinary benefits, and an easy-growing attitude. Whether you're a first-time planter or a seasoned veteran, herbs offer grand opportunities for gardening success. Plus, they flourish in containers, adding to their versatility and value.

Container Logic
Truth is, there is an ongoing relationship between homeowners and their herbs. Basil may be a summertime food group in itself, and every stroll past the rosemary invites a gentle caress of its Mediterranean perfume. While herbs can flourish in a garden, chances are you won't use them very often if they're halfway across the yard. Big containers right outside the back door are far more convenient, and their contents stand ready for harvest at a moment's notice.

Choose pots that are large enough to harbor your plants from spring through fall. For instance, basil is vigorous and needs a deep container for root development. Thyme and oregano, with their short, spreading habit, prefer one with room to cascade over the edge. Small pots are labor-intensive, requiring frequent watering; a 12-inch-diameter container is better to carry your plants through summer.

Easy Rules, Instant Success
The basic container concepts apply to herbs, regardless of which ones you are growing. The pot must have a large drainage hole and be filled with lightweight, moist potting mix. Choose a growing medium with little or no sphagnum peat moss to aid air circulation throughout the pot--all-important for healthy roots and long-lasting plants. Or, blend your own potting mix, adding bonemeal and a little sand to a purchased product. Include a granular timed-release fertilizer, choosing a balanced formula such as 14-14-14. A blend with a higher middle number has more phosphorus, which encourages herbs to flower, diminishing their flavor.

Plant pots with only one type of herb, or treat your containers as small mixed gardens. Combining them makes a pretty display if you choose compatible selections. Light and water requirements vary, so pair those with similar attributes for success. Here are a few good combinations we've found work well.

• Aromatic collection: Plant oregano, sage, thyme, rosemary, and bay together to make a great-looking container. These Mediterranean herbs require a lot of sunlight and fairly dry soil. Remember, though, pots dry out faster than the garden, so water is still a must.
• Basil: Choose several different selections for an interesting arrangement. Mix the common sweet kind with 'Purple Ruffles,' 'Siam Queen,' and lemon basil. If you're short on space, the petite selections of 'Spicy Globe' and 'Piccolo' pair nicely.
• Lemon herb garden: For wonderful citrusy fragrance, try lemongrass, lemon thyme, lemon geraniums, lemon basil, and lemon verbena.

For great ideas on elevating containers to a place of prominence, see "Dress Up Your Windows and Walls" on page 106 of the March 2003 Southern Living.