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Scientific NameAnthriscus cerefoliumGeneral InformationChervil is an annual herb but in milder areas it can be a biennial. It grows 16 inches tall and a foot wide, an Asian native that has naturalized in much of Europe and the US. The leaves exude a slight anise flavor and contain a volatile oil that…
Scientific NameAllium schoenoprasumGeneral InformationOnion chives are easy, flavorful perennial herbs with mild onion flavor. The are related to garlic, leek, and bunching onion. Leaves and flowers are edible. Grown in compact clumps, their tubular leaves rise 12 to 20 inches from small bulbs. Flowers…
Scientific NameCoriandrum sativumGeneral InformationCilantro is a cool season annual herb also known as Chinese parsley. The flowers are very attractive to small beneficial insects, including syrphid flies and parasitic wasps. The leaf, flower, root, and seeds are edible. It is used as a garnish in…
Scientific NameArtemisia dracunculus ‘Sativa’General InformationFrench tarragon is a 2-foot winter dormant, tender perennial that can be difficult to grow. It does not produce flowers and seeds. Therefore, all propagation is by cutting or division. French tarragon’s leaves have an anise-like flavor and…
Scientific NameLavandula speciesGeneral InformationLavender is a perennial shrub with fragrant foliage and flowers. It grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Depending on the cultivar, flower colors include purple, blue, pink, or white. Deer avoid lavender.When to PlantPlant in spring after the last frost…
Scientific NameMelissa officinalisGeneral InformationLemon balm is a fragrant perennial herb that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and is loved by bees. To avoid aggressive spread, pinch-tip stems or grow in a container. Deer avoid lemon balm.When to PlantFrom seed: Sow seed in spring and early fall.Transplants:…
Scientific NameAloysia triphylla (Lippia citriodora)General InformationLemon verbena is a popular shrub that grows 15 feet tall in the tropics, usually shorter in northern California. Evergreen in frost-free areas. Foliage is cherished for sweet, fresh, lemony scent. Leaves and flowers are used for…
Scientific NameCymbopogon citratusGeneral InformationLemongrass is a fast-growing, shallow-rooted herbaceous perennial that grows up to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. It must be protected in winter because it is not frost tolerant. Its blue-green leaves turn red in the fall. It produces no flowers and is…
Scientific NameTagetes lucidaGeneral InformationMexican tarragon is a tender perennial often grown as an annual. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall. Its yellow-orange flowers attract bees, butterflies, and birds yet repel some insect pests. It is in the same family as ornamental marigolds but has a different…
Scientific NameMentha speciesGeneral InformationMint is a perennial herb available in more than 600 varieties. Because of its proclivity to spread, it is best planted in a container. Removing flowers before they set seed also helps contain spread.When to PlantFrom seed: Some mints set seed and some…
