Stop and think about your favorite Italian dishes. Could it be the Italian herbs, at least in part, that are responsible for their popularity? Growing your very own Italian herbs will only make these dishes that much more enjoyable.

One of the best known Italian herbs is basil. You've surely noticed that many dishes use basil as a main herb ingredient. Basil can be very useful to the other plants in your garden, in addition to adding so much to your Italian cuisine. Including basil in the same part of your garden as tomatoes and peppers can improve the flavor of both of these. In addition, basil can also ward off pesky flies and mosquitoes.

Another wonderful herb that has many uses is parsley. Parsley, just like basil, is used in many Italian dishes and is now used in the cuisine of almost every other ethnic culture as well. Years ago before breath mints were invented, the discovery was made that eating fresh, raw parsley could whisk away the bad breath that one might have after eating. If you ever wondered why a sprig of parsley was included on your plate at your local diner, you now know why.

Oregano is as decorative as it is flavorful. When it is fully mature it will sprout pretty purple flowers. Oregano should not be harvested until it has flowered because this is when the plant is most flavorful.

Many a sausage has its flavor enhanced by the savory flavor of fennel. It is remembered for its 'licorice' type flavor. The interesting thing about fennel is that the plant loses its flavor as it matures. It is a perennial plant that should be divided and replanted every couple of years.

Like basil, rosemary is an Italian herb that is beneficial to the garden. It is a hardy perennial that grows into a shrub which produces profuse small flowers. The flowers appear in late spring and, depending on the variety, range from dark blue to pale blue and even white. Bees are also attracted to rosemary, which is an added advantage.

Probably the most used herb in Italian cuisine is garlic. No Italian herb garden would be complete without this useful herb. Garlic can be planted and will thrive in just about any garden with very little attention. After harvesting, cloves of garlic can be stored to be used at a later time by freezing or pickling them. They can also be stored in a cool, dark room.

Sage is used in a variety of Italian dishes from meats to salads. It is best to clip and use the new shoots before they mature, as this is when they have the most flavor. Trimming sage on a regular basis will encourage new growth and once it blooms, then it is time to harvest the plant.

There are many more herbs that can be included in an Italian herb garden, so it is best to consider which herbs you use the most. Think about the growing conditions that each plant requires and consider whether or not you can provide them. Yes, Italian herbs add flavor to food. More than just that, they also make amazing additions to landscape designs. They can be displayed for color and their fragrances. By planting Italian herbs amongst other plants, you will be treated to sweet aromas straight from Italy. It will be like taking a stroll on an Italian hillside.