What is a perennial plant? That depends on where the information comes from. Many sources state that a perennial is ‘a plant living at least three seasons’, another states ‘more than two years’ and still others declare in more general terms; ‘more than a few years’. Either way, a perennial comes back from its roots year after year so that the gardener may enjoy it without having to replant each year.
Both annuals and biennials make wonderful additions, and should not be overlooked, when planning the herb garden. Here, we will look at a few perennials for the herb garden and how to grow them. They are listed by common name.
Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)
Burnet has dark green foliage and lots of oval, deep burgundy flower heads. Grow in full sun in neutral soil. USDA zones 4-8.
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Chamomile has fragrant white flowers from late spring to midsummer. Leaves are also sweetly scented. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral to slightly alkaline soil. USDA zones 4-9. *This plant may be invasive.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives have lovely purple blooms beginning in mid-spring and lasting through early summer. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral soil. USDA zones 3-9.
Costmary (Balsamita major)
Costmary has aromatic, white blooms that appear late in summer and persist well into fall. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral to slightly alkaline soil. USDA zones 4-9.
Horehound (Marrubium cylleneum)
Horehound has white blooms in midsummer but its main attraction is the mounded habit of the plant with its medium to dark green foliage. Grow in full sun in neutral soil. USDA zones 4-9.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon Balm has creamy white to off-white blooms from midsummer to early fall and bright green aromatic leaves. Grow in full sun to partial shade in any good garden soil as plant is not picky about soil. USDA zones 4-9. *This plant may be invasive.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
Lovage has yellow-green blooms in midsummer and scented leaves. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral soil. USDA zones 3-7.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Marjoram has white to pink blooms late spring to early fall with gray-green evergreen foliage. Grow in full sun in neutral to alkaline soil. USDA zones 6-11 but is considered a half-hardy perennial which means it is subject to die during extended freeze periods. If this is a concern, gardeners should consider it an annual in more northern zones.
Mint, Curly (Mentha spicata)
Curly mint has varying shades of purple blooms that appear from midsummer to early fall accompanied by bright green curly leaves. Grow in full sun to light shade in an acid to neutral soil. USDA zones 5-11.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is a shrubby, evergreen plant with blooms ranging from pale pink-white to varying shades of blue. It blooms repeatedly against its gray-green foliage. Grow in full sun in average garden soil. This plant is not picky about the soil it grows in. USDA zones 7-10.
Rue, Common (Ruta graveolens)
Common rue has yellow blooms in midsummer and fragrant, evergreen foliage. Grow in full sun and any good garden soil. USDA zones 6-11. *Plant may be invasive **All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.
Sage, Common (Salvia officinalis)
Common or Garden sage has varying shades of pink and purple blooms from late spring to midsummer set against aromatic, evergreen foliage. Grow in full sun in any good garden soil as it is not picky about soil. USDA 4-11
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Sweet cicely has white blooms from late spring through summer and fern like, dark green foliage. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral soil. USDA 3-8
Tarragon, Common (Artemisia dracunculus)
Common kitchen tarragon’s white blooms appear from late fall through early winter but are inconspicuous. Foliage is gray-green to blue-green and bushy. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral soil. USDA zone 4-8.
Thyme, Common (Thymus vulgaris)
Common thyme blooms white to pink in mid-spring. Leaves are dark green and have a lovely scent. Grow in full sun to partial shade in neutral to alkaline soil. USDA 4-8.
Gardeners plant herbs in the kitchen garden as a fresh source of seasoning for cooking, in the flower garden to add fragrance and blooms and as companion plants in the vegetable garden to deter pests. Even for the beginner gardener most herbs are easy to grow.
This is only a small sampling of the herbs that can be grown in the home herb garden. There are many more to choose from, all with their own wonderful traits.
Further reading: Herb Gardening in the Shade. Here is an article with more information on perennials verses annuals.
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