Must have herbs for the garden
If you are interested in starting a herb garden, these are the herbs that I recommend you start your herb garden with.
• Sage (Salvia officinalis) Sage is a woody, hardy perennial plant with
oblong, wooly, gray-green leaves that are lighter underneath and darker
on top. Sage grows 2 to 3 feet or more in height and has a tendency to
sprawl.
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Thyme is a low-growing, wiry-stemmed
perennial that reaches about 6 to 10 inches in height. The stems are stiff
and woody and leaves are small, oval, and gray-green in color. The lilac
flowers are borne in small clusters and the leaves are very aromatic.
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary is a hardy evergreen shrub
in areas where winter temperatures stay above 5oF (-15oC). In the
Northeast, however, this perennial should be taken indoors and kept as a
pot plant during winter. The narrow leaves have a leather-like feel and a
spicy, resinous fragrance.
• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Parsley is a hardy biennial that is usually
treated as an annual. It is popular because of its much-divided, sometimes
curly leaves which have a characteristic flavor and smell.
• Oregano (Wild marjoram) (Origanum vulgare) Oregano, also called “wild
marjoram,” is a hardy perennial that has sprawling stems which can grow
8
to 2 feet tall. This plant is much coarser than sweet marjoram and smells
more like thyme. It has small pink or white flowers.
• Dill (Anethum graveolens) Dill, a popular annual, has bluish-green stems
that contrast with finely divided, yellow-green, plume-like leaves and
yellowish flowers. Dill grows about 2 to 3 feet high.
• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Chives are small, dainty, onion-like
plants that grow in clumps reaching about 10 inches in height. They are a
hardy perennial with decorative, light purple flowers.
