Herbs

Herbs are aromatic and savory plants, and many people grow them from their fragrance, flavoring, and medicinal uses. Most herbs do very well with little maintenance or intervention from you, especially herbs that grow in shade. They need less fertilizer and water than many other garden plants, and they’re usually free of pests. Since herbs

If you’re someone who likes to use fresh herbs to season your meals, it’s hard to beat growing your own. Most herbs require little care or nutrients to survive, and a herb container garden can fit nicely on your windowsill. Not only that, but herbs can keep producing year-round. Cultivating your own herb container garden

The malva plant, or common malva (Malva neglecta) is one of the most underrated garden flowers. Unfairly considered by many to be a nuisance or a weed, the malva plant is, in fact, an attractive and useful addition to the garden. Also known as French hollyhock or tall mallow these are grand, old fashioned flowers

Herbs such as oregano have a variety of uses. They can be used to add flavor to a range of dishes, mixed to create an effective herbal remedy or essential oil or simply grown for their ornamental appearance. For many keen gardeners, as well as a range of pollinators, a herb garden containing one or

Bee balm, also known as Monarda, is a favorite perennial flower and herb much loved by humans and wildlife alike. It blooms with fantastic color in shades of red, pink, and purple. Not only is bee balm a beautiful ornamental plant, it’s also edible, fragrant, and has medicinal value. This is one plant you don’t

Both useful and attractive, the chamomile plant is a versatile addition to the garden. Classified as a herb, the chamomile plant is actually a member of the Asteraceae or daisy family. The chamomile plant has been grown for its medicinal and herbal properties for many years. A popular herbal skincare treatment, the foliage can also

In this guide we teach you what you need to know about growing borage plant. Borage plant (borago officinalis) is an easy to grow, annual herb. Originating in the Mediterranean, its attractive blue flowers are popular with pollinators, particularly bees. This has given borage its other name of Bee Bush. Borage’s popularity with pollinators means

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an attractive flowering perennial herb. Valued for its many culinary and medicinal uses the valerian plant is native to Asia and Europe. Its name derives from the latin verb valere meaning “to be strong and healthy”. Sometimes called all-heal, Pliny recommended the valerian plant as an analgesic over 2000 years ago.

Yarrow is a plant with many uses in the garden. It’s frequently used as a medicinal herb, has great ornamental appeal, and is loved by pollinators. Though it blooms with delicate-looking flower clusters, yarrow is incredibly hardy and very easy to grow. You can put in an herb garden, native meadow, wildflower garden, or use

Oregano is a very popular herb found most often in pizza and pasta sauce. It’s also used frequently in Greek cooking and has made its way into recipes around the world. If you enjoy this pungent herb, it’s very simple to add oregano to your herb garden or grow it in pots on your porch.

Lovage is an outstanding herb that many gardeners don’t know about. It was found in almost every kitchen garden during the Middle Ages but somehow got lost and almost forgotten over time. Thankfully, chefs and gardeners have once again picked up on the excellent flavor and easy-to-grow habit of this celery-like herb. It’s a great

A useful ingredient, ginger is commonly used in both Asian and Indian cuisine. Once mature the root is easily used either fresh, powdered or juiced into a smoothie. These knobbly rhizomes may not look the most attractive, but they are full of health benefits, including the ability to relieve digestive issues and boost the immune

Fennel is a unique plant because it can be grown as an herb, a vegetable, or both. Some varieties are also grown as ornamental plants because of their decorative foliage. Easy to grow, you can use freshly harvested bulbs or leaves to cook with, or use the seeds as a medicinal herb. The plants typically

You’re probably familiar with turmeric as a bright orange superfood. This spice is loaded with health benefits and keeps appearing in more and more forms as it keeps getting more and more popular. In spite of the fact that it’s really a tropical plant, you can actually grow your own turmeric at home! If you

When you think of types of sage, you may not realize that Sage encompasses a huge range of plants from tender herbs to woody shrubs. They’re excellent for adding splashes of color to your yard, and they also work very well in cooking in various dishes. Different types of sage is also popular in companion

Thyme is a much-loved Mediterranean herb that flavors many recipes. Its tiny leaves are packed full of huge, pungent flavor, and the flowers are loved by pollinators. Lemon thyme is a specific variety that has a beautiful, lemony fragrance. It works equally well in both sweet and savory dishes and is a favorite of many

Cilantro is a fast-growing and highly fragrant herb. It has one of those love it or hate it flavors and is often the star of Mexican and East Asian cooking (not to mention salsa). It’s easy to grow cilantro in your garden, although it has a short season of growth because it bolts quickly in

A culinary herb is an aromatic, edible plant that you can add in very small amounts to your dishes to flavor them. A lot of the herbs people use for culinary dishes also have medicinal uses, and they come from the plants by using their leaves and seeds as herbs and spices. If you’re new

Queen Anne’s Lace is an attractive wildflower herb. Its clusters of small white flowers sit above delicate fern-like foliage. In the center of the flower is a dark purple spot. This is said to be the blood of Queen Anne, an English queen who was a keen lace maker. One day she pricked her finger

Lemon balm is one of the most fragrant and delightful herbs you can grow. It has a wonderful lemony fragrance and taste that brightens up recipes and makes a delicious herbal tea. It also happens to be one of the easiest herbs you can grow in your garden or in containers. Lemon balm is a

There are lots of summer annuals like zinnias and geraniums that give you a beautiful display of flowers, but few plants can match coleus for its colorful and attractive foliage. Coleus plants are very easy to grow and propagate. They look stunning in the garden but can also fill out containers and window boxes. When

The citronella plant is prized for its citrus-like aroma. The scent is mistakenly thought to contain citronella which repels mosquitoes. This belief has given the plants their alternative name of mosquito plant. Pelargonium Citronella may not be the most effective way to keep mosquitoes away from your home. However, they are still pleasingly attractive and

Lobelia is a happy and attractive little plant with a ton of versatility. It comes in many varieties and colors and makes a great addition to garden spaces, containers, and hanging baskets. Easy to grow and care for, lobelia is a plant for beginner and seasoned gardeners alike. Many gardeners love it because it’s one

Peppermint plant (mentha x piperita) is a delightful perennial to grow. It can be grown as a ground cover, planted in an herb garden, or put in a container to spill over the edges. All mints are hardy, easy to grow, and have wonderful fragrance. You’ll soon be putting fresh peppermint leaves in iced tea

Peppers can be considered a staple vegetable both in the garden and in the kitchen. Whether you like sweet peppers, green peppers, or hot peppers, there is almost an endless variety to choose from. Not only are they a healthy and colorful snack, peppers are also filled with flavor and easy to grow in areas

Thyme is a very fragrant herb used in many different cuisines to flavor dishes. It works especially well in recipes with lemon and garlic as well as with other herbs like rosemary and basil. Thyme can also make a lovely ornamental plant and ground cover. Different varieties have different colored leaves, and the tiny white,

With its trailing green leaves and small white or purple flowers, oregano can just as easily be an ornamental plant as a culinary herb. It has a robust, herbaceous flavor that frequently stars in Italian dishes and pairs well with almost any type of vegetable or meat. Even better, oregano is one of the easiest

Mint is a very popular and fast growing herb, but did you know there are several types of mint available? Although there are hundreds of types of mint, these types of mint all boil down to several that you’ll find grown in gardens throughout the world. You can grow them both indoors and out, and