Add multipurpose plants to your garden

Lemon mint, also known as lemon balm, is one of the multipurpose plants one can have in their compound. photos by David S. Mukooza

What you need to know:

  • Most of these plants easily attract insects that could damage or make them stunted.
  • Passion fruits, mangoes, paw paws avocadoes, Oranges, Sugar canes, apples, guavas, jack fruits among others are some of the fruits you can add in your garden to attain beauty

Plants bring a feel of nature to the garden. They make our garden appealing and adorable. Besides having plants for decoration, you should have a multipurpose garden. Here is a list of purposeful plants.

Rosemary
Ritah Masika, a florist, notes that Rosemary is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, along with many other herbs, such as oregano, thyme, basil, and lavender. Rosemary leaves are often used in cooking, it helps to fasten the digestion process. Rosemary can be planted directly in the soil or in pots.

African Basil
Isaac Kimera, a florist, notes that this is a common plant in Africa that is well known for its health purposes, mint,peppermint,Applemint, spear mint among others. which all have a number of health benefits.

its bears purple like flowers and has a number of seeds when grown, when the seeds fall on the ground, they re grow making the place crowded with the same plant if not controlled.

Mint
She adds that mint is a traditional medicine, some people take it in tea and it is a great option for people with indigestion. Mint is also cooked in food to bring a nice flavour. It also helps fight bad breath since it’s a natural breath freshener. There are other types of mint for example lemon

Lavender
Boniface Wanja, the director Bonre consultancy Palour, notes that beyond its beauty, nice fragrance and attractive look in the garden, Lavender is a great medicinal herb with a number of health benefits.
It is a great remedy for people with insomnia and depression. Lavender bears a mixture of white and purple flowers which makes it a unique and beautiful plant. Its also works as an air freshener leaving your home with a great scent. It can also enhance, cleanse and smoothen your face incase its added in the bathing water every morning.
Aloe vera
“Aloe Vera has a number of uses and could be a great plant to add in your garden, it helps heal wounds fast, stops bleeding, heals facial pimples, is a great option for fever if boiled or taken raw among other benefits,” he adds.



Avocadoes
This is a great source of vitamin and a great option to incorporate in your garden to bring in a shade. Wanja notes that avocadoes need to be planted a reasonable distance from the house because they have tap roots that grow big and could damage the house.
The falling avocado fruits could also damage the roof. Regular cleaning is needed since the leaves fall more often.

Garlic and onions
Their leaves are a great decoration in the garden. Masika notes that they have a unique scent that scares away insects and animals such as mosquitoes and reptiles.
Besides, they are also a food spice. Garlic helps strengthen the body’s defenses against allergies, it helps regulate blood sugar levels, and is good at killing parasites such as worms from the human body.
Lemons
Lemons are renown fruits that look good when placed well in the garden. However, Kimera says these shouldn’t be planted next to busy areas in the house since they have thorns that could hurt people.
Lemons are great mosquito repellants and also scare away snakes. They can better be planted on extreme corners of the garden and directly in the soil. It is important that you spray them often because they are easily attacked by insects.

Fruits
Passion fruits, mangoes, paw paws avocadoes, Oranges, Sugar canes, apples, guavas, jack fruits among others are some of the fruits you can add in your garden to attain beauty

Vegetables
Masika says you can decide to give your back yard a functional use by putting a vegetable garden.
This will give you the beauty, reduce the cost of buying vegetables in a home or even earn you some money through selling them, you can plant vegetables like dodo, cabbages, tomatoes, egg plants, carrots, cucumbers, and mushrooms. She adds that they have been mainly put in the backyards as well as planted in pots and vessels.

Bananas and other foods
Food is a must have and having a few in your garden could save you money. Wanja says these can be planted on the sides of the garden.
They need to be kept clean for the compound to look smart and appealing. Other food crops could be sweet potatoes, gnuts, maize among others.

Rose Moss
“The fresh juice of the leaves and stems is applied externally as a lotion to snake and insect bites, burns, scalds and eczema. The Rose Moss is also a beautiful plant and will look good in containers,” he adds.

Maintenance
Most of these plants easily attract insects that could damage or make them stunted. Masika notes that regular wedding and spraying is a must as it will help keep the compound clean and the plants healthy. Regular cleaning and weedingshould also be done.

Cost
She adds that the cost defers according to the seller, the size of the plant and the type. Fruits are more expensive than herbs. a grated fruit will be more expensive than one which is not. A fruit ranges between Shs5,000 and Shs15,000 or more depending on how grown it is. Herbs start from Shs3,000. The plants can be got from all flower selling points. The florists can also help you plant and maintain your garden.