Herbs
Herbs can be a vital part of every garden. Use these list to find some herbs that just might fill that special niche in yours.
Herbs by Climate
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Cool-Climate Herbs
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Moderate-Climate Herbs
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Warm-Climate Herbs
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These herbs are adapted to cool climates, with
winter temperatures commonly dropping below 10°F
(-5°C). Nearly all these herbs can readily be grown in moderate climates, but in subtropical and tropical climates, many of them will not thrive. |
These herbs perfer climates where winter temperatures
do not fall below 10°F (-5°C) and warm, dry summers with cool nights.
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These herbs require tropical or subtropical climates,
but some can be grown in cold climates in summer or as houseplants.
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| Angelica, anise, anise hyssop, arnica, barberry, bearberry, bee balm, betony, birch, borage, burdock, caraway, catnip, chamomile (Roman), chervil, chicory, chives, clary, comfrey, costmary, dandelion, dill, dock, elecampane, garlic, goldenrod, hop, horseradish, horsetail, hyssop, lady's bedstraw, lemon balm, lovage, marsh mallow, mugwort, mustard, nasturtium, nettle, New Jersey tea, pipsissewa, plantain, red clover, roses, saffron, sassafras, savory (winter), soapwort, sorrel, sweet cicely, sweet woodruff, tansy, tarragon (French), valerian, vervain (European), wormwood, yarrow. | Agrimony, basil (sweet), bay (sweet), calendula, casacara sagrada, coriander, eucalypts, fennel, fenugreek, feverfew, geranium (scented), germander, horehound, lavender (English), lemon verbena, madder, marjoram, mint, oregano, orris, parsley (curled), passionflower, pennyroyal (English), rosemary, rue, safflower, sage, santolina, southernwood, thyme (garden), violet, witch hazel. | Aloe, cayenne pepper, coffee, ginger, lemongrass, Madagascar periwinkle. |
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Shade-Tolerant
Herbs
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| Agrimony, angelica, bay, bee balm, betony, catnip, chamomile, chervil, comfrey, coriander, costmary, feverfew, germander, ginger, horsetail, hyssop, lemon balm, lovage, Madagascar periwinkle, mint, parsley, pennyroyal, pipsissewa, plantain, sweet cicely, sweet woodruff, tansy, tarragon, thyme, valerian, violet, wormwood. |
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Easy Annual and Biennial Herbs Annual and biennial herbs are among the easiest herbs to grow. Annuals germinate, flower, set seed, and die within 1 year. Biennials are similar but they take 2 years to complete their life cycle. Both annuals and biennials grow quickly from seed. A few short-lived perennial herbs — including fennel, Madagascar periwinkle, plaintain, and European vervain — also grow quickly from seed, so you can treat them as annuals. |
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Annuals
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Biennials
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| Anise, basil (sweet), borage, calendula, cayenne pepper, chervil, coriander, dill, fennel, fenugreek, Madagascar periwinkle, mustard, nasturtium, plantain, safflower, vervain (European). | Burdock, caraway, curled parsley. |
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Popular Perennial Herbs Perennial herbs form the backbone of most herb plantings. These hardy plants return year after year, giving structure and continuity to your herb garden. |
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Herbaceous Perennials
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Woody Perennials
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| Agrimony, aloe, angelica, anise hyssop, arnica, bee balm, betony, burdock, catnip, chamomile (Roman), chicory, chives, clary, comfrey, costmary, dandelion, dock, elecampane, feverfew, garlic, germander, ginger, goldenrod, hop, horehound, horseradish, horsetail, hyssop, lady's bedstraw, lavender (English), lemon balm, lemongrass, lovage, madder, marjoram, marsh mallow,mint, mugwort, nettle, oregano, orris, pennyroyal (English), pipsissewa, red clover, saffron, sage, santolina, savory (winter), soapwort, sorrel, southernwood, sweet cicely, sweet woodruff, tansy, tarragon (French), thyme (garden), valerian, violet, wormwood, yarrow. | Barberry, bay (sweet), bearberry, birch, cascara sagrada, coffee, eucalypts, geranium (scented), lemon verbena, New Jersey tea, passionflower, rosemary, roses, sassafras, witch hazel. |
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Easy-to-Grow Herbs The herbs listed below fall into the "hard to kill" category and are thus good subjects for the beginning gardener. |
| Agrimony, angelica, barberry, basil (sweet), bee balm, borage, burdock, calendula, catnip, chamomile (Roman), chicory, chives, comfrey, coriander, dandelion, dill, dock, elecampane, fennel, feverfew, geranium (scented), goldenrod, horseradish, horsetail, lady's bedstraw, lavender (English), lemon balm, lovage, Madagascar periwinkle, marjofam, mint, mugwort, mustard, nasturtium, oregano, parsley (curled), pennyroyal (English), plaintain, red clover, rosemary, rue, sage, santolina, savory (winter), soapwort, sorrel, southernwood, sweet woodruff, tansy, vervain (European). |
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Drought-Tolerant Herbs While herbs generally grow best with an even supply of moisture, the ones listed below can tolerate drier soil. |
| Arnica, burdock, catnip, chicory, costmary, elecampane, germander, goldenrod, hyssop, marjoram, New Jersey tea, oregano, pennyroyal (American), pipsissewa, rue, safflower, santolina, savory (winter), southernwood, thyme, wormwood. |