Grow yourself a relaxing cup of tea
Gardeners choose plants for many reasons. Some make their selections on looks alone, while others choose plants to create a habitat for butterflies, bees and birds. Those who enjoy a cup of tea should consider selecting plants they can use, either dried or fresh, to make the drink that soothes them.
Plant a dedicated area for a tea garden or tuck tea-making plants into perennial borders, vegetable gardens and even containers.
Bee balm
Monarda didyma, commonly called bee balm, is a member of the mint family. Grow plants in full sun to light shade in amendment-rich, moist, well-drained soil. There are varieties that remain just a foot tall and others that easily reach heights of 4 feet. The pollinator-loving flowers of bee balm bloom in shades of pink, lavender, purple and red. The leaves can be used for tea.
Catnip
Catnip isn't just for felines; its minty-lemon flavored leaves calm tea drinkers, too. Grow Nepeta cataria in just about any soil that is well-drained in full sun to light shade. Pinch stems often to encourage bushy, foliage-filled plants. Both the tiny, white flowers and leaves can be used for tea. Catnip spreads quickly both by underground stems and seeds fallen from spent flowers, so keep an eye on it.
Camomile
After a long, stress-filled day, a cup of camomile tea may relax you. Its white, daisylike flowers have been used to make tea for many years. Camomile grows up to 30 inches tall, and it actually prefers growing in average to poor, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. It may need some extra water during hot, dry summers.
Fennel
The tall, feathery foliage of fennel easily reaches 4 feet tall. It prefers full sun and moist, but very well-drained soil. Fennel will rot in soggy conditions. Both the foliage and seeds are used to give licorice flavor to tea. Don't forget to grow some extra for swallowtail butterflies and their caterpillars — it's one of their favorites, too.
Lavender
Unwind with a cup of lavender tea. Grow lavender in very well-drained soil in full sun. Amend the soil with builder's sand or lots of compost to improve drainage if necessary, or plant lavender at the top of a slope or in a raised garden. The flower buds are used to make tea.
Lemon balm
The lemon-scented leaves of lemon balm are used for tea. A member of the mint family, it grows up to 2 feet tall. It prefers dry soil and a spot in light shade. Remove spent flowers before they set seed to avoid self-seeding.
Mint
It is no wonder mint is a favorite among tea drinkers. There is an abundance of cultivars from spearmint and peppermint to lime and even pineapple, and it is so easy to grow — too easy, some would say. Grow mint in a confined space in moist soil in full sun to part shade, or plant mint in pots to keep it in bounds. Use the tips of stems and mature leaves to make tea.
A few words of caution:
• Don't spray pesticides on plants that might wind up in tea, and always wash plants before using.
• Never try a new plant in tea without doing research first to be sure it is safe to consume.
• Ask your doctor about daily intake recommendations. People with health issues and pregnant women should always talk to their doctors first before drinking homemade tea.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette in Winfield. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.