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In this section we will deal with the plants primarily grown for their culinary, medicinal or decorative/fragrant uses. Some herb seeds are also available in our Garden Center.
Herb prices are listed under Perennials and as follows:
3" peat pot $1.50, $15.00 per dozen.
4" $3.60
5" $6.50
6" $9.50
Bay Laurel 4" $7.95
6" topiary $25.00
FOR SUCCESSFUL RESULTS: Most Herbs require full sun and soil that is well drained and not overly rich or moist. Their strongest scent or flavor is produced under those conditions. Because of their pungency, most Herbs have few pest problems and many will actually protect other plants nearby. Called 'companion planting', this practice seems to be highly effective in the vegetable garden. The Herbs confuse scent-attracted pests or simply cause the nearby plant to grow more vigorously, increasing its natural resistance.
Herbs are one of the greatest delights of gardening. The fragrances they release, when brushed against, can even make chores like weeding a pleasure. They lend their touches to fresh bouquets, salads, cooked dishes, teas, cosmetics, potpourris, dried wreaths and decorations.
Herbs are listed alphabetically by common names followed by botanical names and as:
Annuals - plants which complete their entire growth cycle in one season.
Biennials - plants which produce foliage the first year and then flower and set seed the next.
Perennials - plants which are winter-hardy outdoors in this area and come up year after year.
Tender Perennial - winter-hardy plants in a warmer climate, surviving perhaps in a very sheltered spot with good winter protection, or wintered over indoors, or treated as an annual.
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Herbs
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  Aloe vera
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Tender Perennial. We can't say enough about this valuable plant. Very succulent leaves growing directly from center of plant contain a gel that heals burns and skin injuries. It is used in many commercial skin-care preparations. Taken internally it has many medicinal purposes. Keep on your window sill for many uses. Grow in light, well-drained soil and full sun. Can spend summers outdoors in part shade. (Greenhouse 1) |
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Artemesia
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See Perennials |
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Arugula
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Annual. - 10". Best in part shade and cool weather. Fool proof to grow. Enjoy leaves until plant begins to bloom. Good for salads. (Seeds), (Greenhouse 1) (Entrance) |
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Basil
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Annual. A great favorite in the garden both as an ornamental plant and for cooking. Full sun and well-drained moist soil. Pinch mercilessly to keep full and bushy and to prevent flowering. (Seeds) (Greenhouse 1) (Entrance) |
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Bay Laurel
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Tender Perennial. 24-96" kept so by pruning. Full sun or part shade. Very shiny, heavy 2-4" leaves on shrub often trained as tree form. Makes a very decorative specimen to sink into the garden or keep on a patio. Winter bay indoors in cool, very well-lit spot on humidity tray. (Greenhouse 1) |
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Beebalm
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See Perennials |
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Burnet
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Perennial. 12-24". Nearly evergreen. Full sun to part shade. Light, average, well-drained soil with a pH of 6-8. Divide each year. Self-sows freely. Very pretty plant with sharply toothed dark green leaves like a wild rose's, arranged on graceful stems that all spring from the center of the clump. Flowers are green with red stamens in June-July. Makes a beautiful garden border. Leaves add cucumber flavor to salads (Entrance) |
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Catmint
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See Perennials |
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Catnip
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Perennial. To 24". Part shade, full sun. Dry, sandy soil. Aromatic grey-green foliage and pale lavender to pale pink flowers in spikes July-Sept. Cut back often from the time it sets flower buds, if cats haven't helped already. Self-sowing. (Entrance) |
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Chamomile
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(Sometimes confusingly found under Chamaemelum, Matricaria and Anthemis) Full sun to very light shade. Well-drained moist, light soil. Apple-scented herb with fine feathery foliage and daisy flowers with yellow centers. Transplant when very young. |
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Chervil
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Annual. 12-24" high, 8-14" wide. Needs filtered shade, good soil and lots of water. Transplant from pot gently as young plants do not like to be disturbed. Finely cut dark green leaves, reminiscent of Parsley. Use fresh as flavor does not last when dried. (Entrance) |
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Chives, Garden
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Perennial. 12-24". Full sun, part shade. Average to rich soil. Dark green, thin, hollow grass-like foliage. Small round pinkish-purple flower heads appear early summer. Cut entire plant down frequently to produce tender new leaves. Divide every 2-3 years. (Seeds), (Frame 4) 2 1/2 qt $6.95, (Greenhouse 1) 3" pot $1.50, (Entrance) 3 1/2" pot $2.50 |
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Chives, Garlic
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Perennial. 12-24". Full sun, partial shade. Has broader, flatter leaves than above type. Mild garlic flavor and beautiful white flowers in July. Truly beautiful as a garden edge. (Entrance) |
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Cilantro, Coriander
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Annual. Also called Chinese Parsley. 12-30". Full sun, part shade. Transplant carefully being mindful of taproot. Pick when plant is 6" tall. Plant every few weeks for continuous supply. Cool conditions.Leaves are used in salsa, poultry and fish. Seeds are used as a spice in cookies. (Seeds), (Greenhouse 1), (Entrance) |
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Dill
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Fennel
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Garlic
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Annual. Plant in spring and harvest bulbs when mature (Entrance) |
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Geranium, Scented
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Tender Perennial. There are literally hundreds of varieties of scented Geraniums with leaf sizes ranging from 1/2 to 6". The largest can grow to 36" if unpinched and many can be trained as standards. They can be wintered indoors in sufficiently large pots, at least 5" deep, or treated as annuals. |
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Germander
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See Perennials |
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Ginseng
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Medicinal herb. Called root of life. (Entrance) |
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Horseradish
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Perennial. Robust, large leaves. Use pungent roots as condiment. Harvest late fall. Spreads rapidly. (Entrance) |
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Lavender
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See also Perennials. Perennial. Needs full sun and sandy, well-limed soil with good drainage. They produce the best perfume when grown in soil which is poor and gravelly. Harvest flower stalks mid-day when beginning to show color. Do not mulch during the growing season. Narrow, grey, aromatic leaves. Shrubby plants produce spikes of tiny, highly fragrant lavender flowers. In the garden, it makes a glorious hedge or specimen plant. It does well in rock gardens. Plants are not easily transplanted when over 2 years old due to developing taproot. |
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Leeks
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Annual. 18-24". Full sun. Mild flavored relatives of the onion. Long cylinders, white at base. Used for delicious flavor in cooking. Can be wintered in this area with mulch of hay. (Entrance) |
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Lemon Balm
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Perennial. 24-36" tall, 18" wide. Grows best in light shade. The plant self- sows and the clumps spread. Heavily veined light green nettle-like leaves have strong lemon scent which stays on skin for hours. Flowers are very small and appear in July. If plant is allowed to flower, its scent changes. It should be cut down entirely just before flowers open to allow regrowth. (Entrance) |
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Lemon Grass
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Annual. Used in southeast Asian cuisine and tea. Flowery citrus flavor. (Entrance) |
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Lemon Verbena
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Tender Perennial. Needs full sun and rich soil. Long, narrow light green leaves grow on a shrubby plant which becomes quite woody with age. Must winter indoors in a tub-sized planter in plenty of sun. It will go quite dormant then, drop leaves but revive in the spring. Flowers are small, white and appear in clusters at the ends of the branches in late summer. (Entrance) |
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Marjoram, Sweet
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Tender Perennial treated as annual. Full sun. Rich well-drained soil. Sweeter, but not as strong as Oregano. Used for eggs, cheese, sausage or bean dishes. White flowers are nearly hidden in ball-shaped leaf clusters. Cultivate often to control weeds but don't mulch until flower buds begin to appear at which time, cut the entire plant to 1" and again when second set appears. (Greenhouse 1) |
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Mint
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Perennial. 24-36" unless otherwise stated. Full sun, part shade, moist, rich soil, spreads by shallow underground runners which can be effectively controlled by planting sunken pots or barriers. All have square stems and bloom mid to late summer. Flowers dry well. Cut back often. (All frame 4 unless noted) |
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Oregano, Golden
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Perennial. Full sun. 2-6". Fragrant groundcover, with golden leaves. (Entrance) |
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Oregano, True
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Perennial. Full sun. 12-24". Dark green fuzzy leaves, enthusiastic ground cover rising to 24" as late summer flowering time approaches. Deep pink flowers, very long lasting and dry well. Use in cooking. The dried foliage is better dry than fresh. (Seeds), (Greenhouse 1) |
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Parsley
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Full shade, part shade, moderately rich, moist soil. Deep green leaves, flower umbels are yellow-green. Harvest before plant blooms as flowering causes bitterness. Wonderful edging or hanging basket plant. |
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Perilla
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See Annuals |
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Pomegranate
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Edible organge fruit. Dark green foliage. |
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Rosemary
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Tender Perennial. Sun to semi-shade, alkaline soil. Heat and drought tolerant once established. Most are grown in tubs or sunken pots and wintered over indoors in cool bright location on humidity tray. To cure mildew on rosemary spray the foliage with the following solution. It can be harvested right away. 5 tsp baking soda and 2 1/2 tablespoons of horticultural oil added to one gallon of water. (Greenhouse 1) |
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Rue
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Perennial. Full sun, part shade. - 24- 36". Leaves blue to blue green. Large amounts are toxic and should never be consumed by pregnant women. Use as an ornamental in perennial border, in flower arrangements, and in rose garden to repel Japanese beetles. Keep away from basil. (Entrance) |
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Sage
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(see also Annuals and Perennials) 24-36". Best in sun, dry, well-drained soil. Soggy soil is fatal. Trim away woody growth in spring. The many colors and leaf textures are highly ornamental in the garden. Leaves dry very well for wreath making. |
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Santolina
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Savory
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Leaves have peppery taste. Pinch to prevent blooming. |
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Shallots
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Biennial. Teardrop shaped onions, but sweeter and less pungent. |
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Sorrel
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Used for teas and chutneys. |
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St. John's Wort
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Yellow flowers June through August. |
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Stevia
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Tender perennial. Dried leaves from this 2-3' shrub are generally used as a sweetener. |
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Strawberry (Alpine)
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Blooms in June. Good flavor. |
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Tarragon, French
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Perennial. 30". Full sun, part shade. Needs fertile well-drained soil. Mulch and divide every 3-4 years. Shiny, narrow, green, highly aromatic leaves. Flowers are inconspicuous and sterile. Space plants 24" or grow in containers. Leaves are best used fresh. Wonderful on chicken. (Entrance) |
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Thyme
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Perennial. Evergreen. There are more than 400 species, all preferring full sun and light well-drained soil. Leaves dry or freeze well. Plant with Cabbage to repel cabbage worms and near fruit trees to bring bees for pollination. Cut Thyme down no more than one third just before winter. |
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Woodruff, Sweet
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Perennial. 2-12". Does best in shade in slightly acid soil high in humus where it makes one of the most glorious groundcovers. (Woodlands), (Entrance) |
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