1. A Kitchen or Culinary Herb Garden– Place this garden within easy reach of your kitchen door. If the garden is handy you will be more likely to slip out, and snip some herbs to throw in your soup, or dip. Some great herbs to include, Coriander, Thyme, Lavender, Mint (in pots if you are afraid it will be invasive), Basil, Rosemary, Chives, Fennel, Garlic, Oregano, Lemon Balm, Dill, Sage, and, Tarragon. You may also want to throw in some edible flowers such as Scented Geraniums, Calendula, or nasturtiums, just to name a few.
2. A Butterfly Garden– Here is a great Butterfly Garden Site
3. A Shade Garden– Include hostas of varying colors. In zone 5 some other great plants for shade include, Ostrich Fern, Lady’s Mantle, Sweet Woodruff, Astilbe, and Lungwort. You can also include a few Impatians every spring to add instant color and splash.
There are many other specialty gardens out there. Once I start I can’t stop. I have several specialty gardens and borders in my back yard. I think it is an addiction. I am addicted to gardening!