Herbs & Flowers for your summer tea - the pick of the bunch

Whether it is iced tea for one or iced tea for a party, the addition of some fresh herbs and flowers from the garden can elevate your thirst-quenching tea into an even more special tea moment.  

Why not create a corner in your garden for these easy-to-grow plants that will keep your drinks bursting with colour, fragrance and also add to the complexity of flavour. 

Start with mint – the hero of summer sips. Spearmint or peppermint brings that refreshing zing to iced teas.

 
Then, add basil, especially lemon or Thai basil, for a slightly sweet, peppery twist.

 
Lemon balm is another must-have, with its citrusy lift that pairs beautifully with your tea. 

 
Don’t forget lavender, which lends a floral note ( we suggest you choose one of the gentler English lavender varieties (Lavandula angustifolia) for your tea garden) or rosemary, which surprises with its piney aroma in fruity blends.  Both these herbs can impart quite a strong flavour so start with smaller quantities when adding to your drinks.

A very versatile and gentle tasting addition to your garden is one of our favourite herbs - pineapple sage.  This plant has an abundance of beautiful red flowers which are edible along with the leaves.  The leaves have a tropical, pineapple-like aroma, especially when crushed, and both the leaves and flowers offer a slightly bitter-sweet citrus and mint flavor.

 
For a splash of brightness, plant edible flowers like nasturtiums, violas or pansies, calendula and cornflowers for starters – they’ll make every glass look as good as it tastes.

 
And if you’ve got space, a pot of strawberries to sweeten the mix or if you are in a part of New Zealand that can grow citrus then a small tree producing citrus fruit would be a great addition.    

Happy Tea Times Folks, wishing you a great summer season ahead of picking, muddling, pouring, relaxing and sipping. 

Don’t forget to get the ice in the freezer. See our iced tea guide for more helpful hints and tips. 

Note:  While the focus of this article has been on planting for a garnishing and flavouring layering garden, each of the herbs listed can be enjoyed as their own herbal and medicinal tea.