Wellbeing in a paradise herb garden

Our herb garden was designed by ecology expert Sepp Holzer from the Salzburg area, who has developed an innovative system of permaculture. Famous for his revolutionary ideas on agriculture, Sepp believes that to achieve the right balance you have to "ask Mother Nature, ask your land, ask your water, ask your animals". This project is especially close to the heart of your host at the Steirerhof, Gunda Unterweger, and she has contributed to it with her knowledge and personal style.

Sepp Holzer's permaculture

Holzer´s permaculture system is a natural form of agriculture based on working in harmony with Mother Nature, observing and adapting to her processes and cycles. This style of agriculture is not only ecologically sound, it can also be very successful from an economic point of view.

A garden for all the senses

"Nature offers us the best way to achieve wellbeing and regeneration," believes Gunda Unweger. "It also teaches us to use our senses more - sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing. And by opening our minds to these inputs, we enhance our own sensory world."
A herb garden is an excellent place to do just that. Especially when it is laid out like the one at the Steirerhof: in harmony with the cycles of nature, with plants that enhance each other naturally, forming symbioses with the surrounding trees and shrubs.

The Steirerhof herb garden is divided into five zones:

The intuition zone is a cool spot, shaded by a large sloping meadow. It provides ideal conditions for plants like woodruff, tarragon, common sweetshrub, soapwort and also green onions.

In the realm of mint, the sense of smell is stimulated by 30 different types of mint, growing surrounded by chestnut, hazelnut and walnut trees and hornbeam.

In the sunny spot plants like aniseed, hyssop, pale purple cornflower and even green asparagus thrive alongside berry fruits, apple trees and mountain ash. Seating areas in tabular basalt - covered with thyme - were created here as an inviting place to lie down and relax.

Herb loungers. Set out near the pools are extra low wooden loungers where our guests can relax surrounded by scented herbs. This adds a whole new dimension of pleasure to a spot of sunbathing.

Spring hill is reserved for traditional culinary herbs. Not only beautiful to look at, the herbs growing here play a tasty and beneficial role in our diets. Our head chef is very inventive in his use of herbs, and guests of the Steirerhof often enjoy a herbal delight in the form of a welcoming drink, in herb-infused fruit juices, spreads, salads and as a decorative touch at the evening meal. They are even used in cocktails at the bar.

Herb bath in the herb meadow

For even closer communion with herbs, guests can take a 'herb bath'. Taking off their bathrobe, they lie down on a patch of herb lawn, specially shaped in the form of a recliner. It´s a quite unique feeling. At the right time of year, there are even wild strawberries growing within reach. Our herb garden - probably one of the largest in Europe - gives everyone who comes here a very special close-up experience with nature.

Herb walks with a herb expert

As a rough estimate there are around 2,000 different herbs growing in our herb garden. For those who wish to learn more about these herbs, the Steirerhof organises guided walks around the garden. These walks are led by an expert in herbs who is also a qualified teacher on the subject. Guests learn what the various herbs are used for and how to prepare their own herbal baths, creams, oils and teas.