Test PB Collection: FTE

Bay laurel, Laurus nobilis, is an evergreen grown as a large shrub or tree. Small bay trees do well in containers because of their slow growth, but can reach heights of 20 to 40 feet in landscapes. The aromatic leaves add flavor to sauces, soups, stews, meats, fish, and pickles. The flavor is stronger fresh,…

German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, is the most commonly grown variety for chamomile blossoms. The plant produces fragrant flowers all summer long. The small, white daisy-like flowers have a pleasant pineapple flavor. They also attract beneficial insects and are self-seeding. The dried flowers are…

The word “cilantro” generally refers to the culinary leaves, while “coriander” is the dried spice derived from the seeds. Cilantro plants have a relatively short growing season, and are quick to bolt (go to seed) in hot weather. Every part of the plant is edible, and are used in Asian, Mediterranean, and…

Curry Leaf, Bergera koenigii, (formerly Murraya koenigii; older references may still use Murraya) is a small tree native to India. It is not to be confused with curry powder, nor does it taste like curry powder.

Chervil, Anthriscus cerefolium, is one of the classic fines herbes used in French cooking (parsley, chives, and tarragon are the others). It has lacy leaves similar to parsley, but smaller and more delicate. Use chervil in ways similar to parsley—in soups, salads, sauces, and egg dishes. The leaves are…

Chia, Salvia hispanica, is a member of the mint family and is native to Mexico and Central America. Chia is grown primarily for the small mottle-colored seeds which are used as a food source. There is another plant grown for seeds, Salvia columbariae, that is commonly known as golden chia, desert chia, or…

Dill can be grown for both its leaves and seeds. It is a self-seeding annual which will return year-after-year if seeds are allowed to mature in place. Dill is native to southern Russia, western Africa, and the Mediterranean. It is part of the Umbelliferae family, which includes celery, cumin, fennel, and…

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…