Herb Plant Use Tips

• ANISE HYSSOP, Agastache foeniculum: sunny perennial grows 2-3 feet tall; toothed leaves; purple flowers on spikes; blooms all summer; cut and hang to dry for tea, also use fresh
  
  
• SWEET BASIL, Ocimum basilicum: sunny annual grows to 1-2 feet tall; very aromatic plant, primarily grown for culinary use, but makes attractive ornamental plant and a wonderful addition to cut flower bouquets; use in pesto, Italian cuisine, fresh soups and salads, as a garnish
  
  
• RED RUBIN BASIL, Ocimum basilicum: sunny annual grows to 1-2 feet tall; biggest leafed purple basil; makes attractive ornamental plant, lovely purple-tinted basil vinegars; use in fresh soups and salads, as a garnish
  
  
• BEE BALM, Monarda didyma 'Panorama Mix': sun/part shade perennial grows 3-4 feet tall; special mixture of red, pink and salmon flowers in June and July; highly attractive to bees and hummingbirds; tea know as "Oswego tea"; edible blossoms in salads; beautiful cut flower
  
  
• CALENDULA,"Erfurter orangefarbige": sunny annual, often reseeds, grows to 2 feet tall; large, bright orange blossoms with both dark and light centers; full aroma and high resin content for tinctures and oils; bright flowers in beds or containers
  
  
• CATMINT, Nepeta mussenii: sunny perennial grows to 1 foot tall; blue flowers cover plants May to July; trim back about half way when flowers are past to encourage second bloom; thrives in hot, dry conditions
  
  
• CATNIP, Nepeta cataria: sunny/part shade perennial grows to 1-3 feet tall; white flowers with purple spots July through September; use in tea or salads, in cat toys; cats like to roll in the plants
  
  
• CHAMOMILE, GERMAN,Matricaria recutita: sunny annual, reseeds; spreading, lacy plant grows to 12-20 inches; small daisy-like flowers in July and August; relaxing tea for digestion and gentle sleep aid
  
  
• CHAMOMILE, ROMAN, Chamaemelum nobile: sunny perennial groundcover; grows to 10-16 inches with spreading habit and creeping rhizomes; small daisy-like flowers in July and August
  
  
• CHERVIL, BRUSSELS WINTER, Anthriscus cerefolium: partly shady annual grows 1-2 feet tall; vigorous, larger and slower bolting than the standard type; try fresh chervil with fish, asparagus, potatoes and in soup
  
  
• CHIVES, Allium scheonoprasum: sunny/pt shade perennial; forms grass-like clusters grows to 1 ft; showy, pink-purple, edible cut flowers; adds mild onion flavor in sauces and salads; use as garnish, in dips
  
  
• CILANTRO, Coriandrum sativum: sunny/pt shade annual grows 2-3 ft; tiny white-pinkish flowers will appear in hot, dry weather; pick leaves when they are plentiful, before plant flowers; used for both seeds and leaves; a must in Mexican and Oriental cooking, and salsa!
  
  
• CURRY PLANT,Helichrysum angustifolium/italicum: sunny annual grows to a 2 foot mound; narrow grey fuzzy leaves, yellow button flowers; remarkable curry scent, not to be confused with the cooking spice; excellent houseplant, contrast plant in herb gardens
  
  
• DILL, Anethum graveolens: sunny/pt sun annual that often reseeds itself, grows to 3 ft, pick leaves when they are plentiful, which is before plant goes to seed; use fresh in salads, soups, fish sauces; use seed heads and seeds for pickling
  
  
• LADY'S MANTLE, Alchemilla xanthochlora: morning sun perennial, grows 12-18" tall; large rounded leaves are toothed and wavy, velvety texture; tiny yellow flowers early summer; unusual foliage provides contrast in the perennial garden; flowers cut for fresh or dried arrangements
  
  
• LAVENDER, ENGLISH,Lavandula angustifolia ssp. angustifolia: sunny perennials: 'Hidcote':2 1/2', rich, deep- purple flowers; 'Jean Davis':18", pink flowers; 'Munstead':18"-24", an early bloomer with lavender-blue flowers; use in vinegars, jellies, potpourris, bath; all are beautiful in the landscape
  
  
• LAVENDER, FRENCH, Lavandula dentata: sunny annual grows to 3 feet tall; small, light purple, puffy flowers on spikes in June and July; very attractive and aromatic ornamental plant with fern like leaves; use in vinegars, jellies, potpourris, bath, good houseplant
  
  
• LEMON BALM, Melissa officinalis: sunny/part shade perennial grows to 2 feet tall; small white flowers July through September; lemon scented leaves used fresh in green salads, marinated vegetables, chicken salads, punch, with corn, broccoli and asparagus; dried leaves make a mild, lemony tea
  
  
• LEMON MINT, 'Lemon Bergamot',Monarda citriodora: sunny/part shade perennial; grows to 2-3 feet tall; showy purple flowers in June and July; lemon-scented version of Bee Balm; forms a plant taller than Lemon Balm with larger, showier flowers; use as ornamental or for tea
  
  
• LEMON VERBENA, Aloysia triphylla: sunny annual grows to a 2-3 foot shrub; pinch back to keep shape; sweet lemon scent, use in potpourri, as a garnish and a tea; rewarding houseplant
  
  
• LAMB'S EAR, WOOLLY BETON,Stachys byzantina: sunny perennial grows 2 feet tall when flowering, but leaves are only 8-10" tall; rose or rose-purple flowers July - August; excellent landscaping plant, works well as edgings and will fill in heavily once established
  
  
• SWEET MARJORAM,Origanum majorana: sunny annual grows to 1 foot tall; purple flowers in August and September; use like a mild oregano, fresh or dried in French or Italian cooking; herbed butters, vinegars; furry, dainty leaves distinguish them in the herb or ornamental garden
  
  
• MINT, 'CHOCOLATE', Mentha cv. X spicata: sunny/part shade perennial grows 12-15", dark green leaves; this plant smells and tastes like a peppermint patty; use as tea, in jellies
  
  
• MINT, 'GINGER', Mentha spicata: sunny/part shade perennial grows 12-24"; tender, bright green leaves strikingly variegated with gold; combined taste of mint and ginger; use in fruit dishes, jellies, lamb, peas and tea
  
  
• MINT, 'ORANGE', Mentha X piperita v.: sunny/part shade perennial grows 12-24"; broad, dark green leaves edged in purple; definite citrus scent and taste; use in fruit dishes, jellies, lamb, peas and tea
  
  
• MINT, SPEARMINT, Mentha spicata: sunny/part shade perennial grows to 2 1/2 feet tall; much-loved tea mint; use in hot or iced tea, desserts, vinegars, jellies as garnish; milder than peppermint; grow as container herb plant or in semiwild gardens since it is somewhat invasive
  
  
• SWEET MYRTLE, Myrtus communis 'Microphyyla': sunny annual grows to 2-3 feet; compact with small bright green leaves and starry white aromatic flowers; known since ancient times as a preserver of love and peace; used in weddings, excellent topiary
  
  
• OREGANO, GREEK, Origanum hirtum: sunny perennial grows 1-2 feet tall; white flowers July to September, furry leaves; most preferred culinary oregano; very flavorful; primarily used in tomato sauce; flowers are attractive in fresh or dried bouquets
  
  
• OREGANO, ITALIAN, Origanum vulgare: sunny perennial grows to 1 foot tall; small, rose-purple flowers July through September; smooth leaves; excellent culinary oregano, highly aromatic, preferred by many chefs
  
  
• PARSLEY, AMERICAN, "Curly leafed parsley", Petroselinum crispum: sunny/part shade biennial grows 1 1/2 feet tall; harvest leaves the first year, second year plant goes to seed; use as a border or edging plant in the garden; in soups, salads, as garnish; nutritious herb; high in vitamins A, B, C and Calcium
  
  
• PARSLEY, ITALIAN, "Flat leafed parsley", Petroselinum crispum: sunny/part shade biennial grows 1 1/2 feet tall; harvest leaves the first year; second year plant goes to seed; use in soups, salads, as garnish; more flavorful than American parsley so good for drying
  
  
• ROSEMARY,Rosmarinus officinalis: sunny annual in our climate; grows to 2-5 ft or more if kept indoors for winter; pale blue flowers in late summer and fall, again in winter indoors; use in sauces, soups, as garnish, in baths...; makes a nice houseplant or container plant, use to make topiaries
  
  
• SAGE, BERGGARTEN,Salvia officinalis 'Berggarten': sunny perennial grows to 18" tall; pale blue flowers; largest leafed culinary sage, robust, low habit; use in salads, omelets, soups, stuffing
  
  
• SAGE, CLARY, Salvia sclarea: sunny perennial grows to 3' tall; early season bloomer; huge, pebbly-grey leaves; spectacular pink and lilac flower spikes, large and long lasting; unique cut flower
  
  
• SAGE, GARDEN,Salvia officinalis: sunny perennial grows to 2 1/2 feet tall; purple flowers in June; nice ornamental plant, silvery leaves; use in salads, omelets, soups, stuffing, good as herb wreath base, in fresh cut flower bouquets
  
  
• SAGE, GOLDEN,Salvia officinalis 'Aurea': sunny perennial grows to 18"; soft green and yellow variegated leaves; compact, dense growth; makes very showy border plant
  
  
• SAGE, PURPLE, Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea': sunny perennial grows to 18 inches tall; aromatic, purple leaves; makes unusual accent plant in the garden; used mostly as ornamental garden plant but has strong sage flavor and can be used in stuffing, sausage, omelets, soups as garnish.
  
  
• SAGE, RUSSIAN, Perovskia atriplicifolia: sunny perennial grows 4-5' tall, 4' across; purple-blue flowers in clusters on long stems July to September; grey-green foliage; extremely versatile landscape plant-1995 Perennial of the Year
  
  
• SAGE, TRICOLOR,Salvia officinalis tricolor: sunny perennial grows 2-3 feet tall; variegated leaves in cream, purple, and green; used mostly as ornamental garden plant but has strong sage flavor and can be used in stuffing, sausage, omelets, soups, as garnish
  
  
• SANTOLINA, GREY: Santolina chamaecyparissus, GREEN: Santolina virens: sunny annuals grow to 2 feet tall; grey form also called Lavender Cotton, with soft, grey leaves and yellow flowers; green form with jade green leaves; can be used as formal clipped borders, flowers for drying; highly aromatic
  
  
• SAVORY, SUMMER,Satureja hortensis: sunny annual grows to 1 1/2 feet tall; pale pink flowers mid summer til frost; tastes like peppery thyme; use in teas, herbed butters, flavored vinegar, with lentils, soups, eggs, peas, beans...; this is the savory for drying
  
  
• SCENTED GERANIUMS, Pelargonium species: sunny annuals or sunny window indoors, grow to 3 feet tall; white, pink and purple flowers in spring and late summer; good in container herb gardens or as a houseplant; use to flavor jelly, tea, in sachets, potpourris, perfume.
  
  
• SWEET WOODRUFF,Galium odoratum: shady perennial groundcover, grows 6 inches tall; small white flowers in May and June; used to make May wine, in tea, potpourris, in natural woodland gardens, aromatic backing for herb wreaths
  
  
• THYME, CARAWAY,Thymus herba-barona: sunny perennial grows 2-5"; shiny, dark green leaves, lavender blooms; caraway scent; nice ground cover, good in rock gardens, hanging baskets; flavor meat, soup, vegetables, poultry
  
  
• THYME, GARDEN,Thymus vulgaris: sunny perennial, small, upright shrub grows to 18 inches tall; many small pink flowers in June and July; use in Italian, French, Creole and Cajun dishes, clam chowder, as accent plant; in cut flower bouquets
  
  
• THYME, LEMON,Thymus X citriodorus: sunny perennial groundcover, grows 4-12 inches; lemon scented, dark green, glossy leaves used to flavor fish or chicken; good rock garden plant or mixed with other herbs in container herb gardens
  
  
• THYME, PINK CREEPING,Thymus serphyllum: sunny perennial grows 2-6 inches tall; mat forming, with creeping growth habit; hairy leaves, pink flowers; use in rock gardens, pathways or as groundcover; not as good for culinary use
  
  
• THYME, SILVER,Thymus X citriodorus 'Argenteus': sunny perennial grows 10 inches tall; white-edged leaves, shrub-like growth; use as ornamental plant in rock gardens, as accent or contrast plant; can use for culinary but garden thyme is more flavorful
  
  
• THYME, WOOLLY,Thymus pseudolanuginosus: sunny perennial groundcover, grows about 2 inches tall; rose-pink flowers, tiny silver-grey hairy leaves; use as ornamental plant in rock gardens, among paving stones, along walkways, in mixed herb pots
  
  
• VALERIAN,Valerian officinalis 'Arterner': sunny perennial grows 12-18" tall with small pink flowers, June; 'Arterner' has higher essential oil content and valepotriate level; old time favorite in the landscape
  
  
• VICK'S PLANT,Plectranthus purpuratus: sunny annual grows to 10"; succulent, velvety, pale green leaves with scalloped edges; strong menthol fragrance; nice houseplant, grown for scent

Source: Mary Kirkwyland

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