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Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, is one of the oldest cultivated medicinal plants. Its exact origin is unknown, but it is believed to be native to Southern Europe and Asia. The green parts of the plant are mildly bitter and typically cooked as a vegetable, or dried and used in many versions of spice…
Ginger, Zingiber officionale, is a tropical plant originally from southern China. It can be grown in Northern California with the right amount of care. The “root” portion used in cooking is a rhizome, technically not a root but an underground stem.
Lavender has many uses in the home garden. It can be a hedge, border, or part of an herb garden. In culinary use, lavender flowers are used in herbal teas and desserts. There are many more uses for lavender in fragrances, potpourris and sachets, oils, and aromatherapy. The various cultivars of lavender…
The most popular variety of lemongrass grown is Cymbopogon citratus, a native of southern India and Ceylon. The fast growing plant has slender blue-green leaves that turn red in the fall. While lemongrass is widely used as a fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics, the focus here is on its culinary value. The…
Lovage, Levisticum officinale, originates from the Eastern Mediterranean. It is typically grown for its leaves, stems, roots, and seeds. The leaves have a flavor similar to celery, only stronger. They are commonly used to flavor salads, soups, and stews. Lovage is considered to be an herb, but the stems can…
Marjoram is grown for its aromatic leaves, which can be used fresh or dried. Closely related to oregano, they are sometimes used interchangeably in recipes. In general, marjoram has a sweeter, more floral flavor than oregano. Enjoy marjoram in soups, egg dishes, beef and chicken dishes, sausages, and cheese…
Oregano is grown for the aromatic leaves which can be used fresh or dried. Closely related to marjoram, oregano is stronger and more pungent. There are many varieties of oregano, for both culinary as well as ornamental use. With a wide range of flavor characteristics, you may wish to grow different varieties…
Parsley is cold hardy and can be productive year-round. It comes in both curly and flat-leaved (Italian) varieties. It is a biennial, meaning it will send up a flower stalk after its first winter, so it is best to set out fresh transplants every spring.
Of the over 600 varieties of mints, the two most popular are peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (M. spicata). Peppermint, which is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint, has a higher concentration of menthol than does spearmint. Accordingly, peppermint is more often used in candies, chocolates,…
Rosemary (Savia rosmarinus, previously Rosmarinus officinalis) is a fragrant, drought tolerant, evergreen perennial that is classified as a subshrub for the woody lower stems that develop over time. Its many forms range from ground covers to tall shrubs.
