Traditionally, herbs have been used in the kitchen and for medical purposes, but more recently, retailers, garden designers, and consumers have been picking up on the new dual-use ornamental trends, which multiply the ways in which herbs can be utilized. This is explained by Bob Askew, UK representative at Hishtil when talking about their 'Double Marvel' ornamental herbs. As a result, this Israeli young plants grower has seen the demand for ornamental herbs increasing significantly.
David Magal, Initiatives & Commerce at Hishtil (holding Ocimum basilicum' Magic Mountain') & Elina Harazi, sales coordinator (holding Thymus spp. 'Sparkling Bright).
According to Askew, Hishtil's extensive range of selected herb species and cultivars elevates the gardening experience to a whole new level. "Our Double Marvel ornamental herbs are not only enhancing the consumer's enjoyment of outdoor space but also continuing to tantalize the senses and maximize wellbeing. "Many have stunning blossoms, such as the seductively dark purple flowers of Heperozygis satureja' Midnight Mojito', the gorgeous rich ruby flowers of Thymus spp. 'Ruby Glow,' and the magical purple-pink flower spikes of Ocimum basilicum' Magic Mountain.'"
Foliage is also becoming increasingly popular, he continues. "We, for example, have the sticky olive-scented Santolina viridis, the zingy yellow Santolina' Lemon Fizz,' and the beautiful silvery foliage of aromatic Salvia officinalis' Snowflake'VR." In addition, Hishtil offers variegated foliage. "The shiny white and silver variegated Thymus spp. 'Sparkling Bright,' for example, with beautifully contrasting pink flowers, and the bold foliage colors of Salvia officinalis' Tricolor.'"
Haim Rosenblum, Marketing and sales division holding Ocimum basilicum' Magic Mountain' and Thymus citriodorus 'GrowFlow' Lemonade.'
Beyond colorful flowers and amazing foliage, herbs also have so much to offer with their varied habits and forms. To highlight these qualities, Hishtil introduced a range named GrowFlow, which consists of selected tumbling and weeping cultivars. "These varieties trail elegantly over fences, walls, and hanging baskets. Amongst which are the aromatic Rosmarinus officinalis GrowFlow' Haifa,' the fabulously citrus-scented Thymus citriodorus GrowFlow 'Lemonade', and the cascading stems of Thymus serpyllum GrowFlow' Pink Magic', with unusually large pink flowers."
"And if consumers are looking for tactile plants to give structure to their flower, fruit, or vegetable garden, the columnar Rosmarinus officinalis 'Barbecue' – making superb sentinels to contrast with the bushy produce at her feet – will be the perfect fit. And, of course, the plants provide spikes of fabulously aromatic foliage to accompany vegetables, fish, and meat on the grill in summer." Needless to say, Hishtil also has an extensive range of bushy rosemary cultivars to create productive sensory low hedges to edge consumer's flower beds and produce gardens.
Zehavit Wolf (Deputy Marketing Manager & Events Specialist) holding a plant with these varieties: Hesperozygis satureja' Midnight Mojito,' Thymus citriodorus 'GrowFlow' Lemonade,' Thymus vulgaris' Compactus.'
Askew concluded, "Beyond feeding and healing us, and exciting and amazing us, herbs also serve to attract some of the most valued and important pollinators into gardens – providing blossom and nectar for butterflies, bees, and others – and which we all have a duty to cherish and nurture in our role as guardians of the environment."
For more information:
Hishtil
22nd Yarden St. Moshav
Nehalim, 4995000, Israel
Tel.: +972-3-937-3111
Fax: +972-3-937-3150
[email protected]
www.hishtil.com