~HERBS~
Balloon Flower
Campanulaceae
Lifespan: Herbaceous perennial
Origin: East Asia- China, Japan, Korea and Russian Far East
Height/width: 2-3' tall, 1' spacing.
Culture: Full sun to partial shade. Well-drained soil. Winter dormant, reappear late spring. Cold hardy.
Description: Blue/ violet flower. Flower looks like a balloon, and then pops open into a star shape. Border plant. Cut flower. Deer resistant. Used in Chinese and Korean medicine. In Korea, the root is eaten like a vegetable, made into desserts and beverages.
Flowering time: Summer
German Chamomile
Matricaria recutita
Asteraceae
Lifespan: Annual, short-lived perennial in areas with mild winters.
Origin: Asia, Europe
Height/width: 18"- 2ft tall; space 9".
Culture: Full sun to part shade. Well-drained soil. Container okay.
Description: Apple-scented leaves. Small, daisy-like flowers used in teas. Medicinal and tea herb. Tea helps calm nervousness, aid sleep. Nutrient accumulator.
Flowering time: Early to the middle of summer.
Coriander (Cilantro)
Coriandrum sativum
Apiaceae
Lifespan: Annual
Origin: Northern Africa, southwestern Asia, southern Europe
Height/width: 3ft tall
Culture: Full sun to part shade. Well-drained soil. Container okay. Great spring and fall crop. Coriander can bolt if weather is too hot.
Description: Strong-smelling leaves.Culinary herb used in dishes worldwide. Coriander (seeds) used as a spice, cilantro (leaves) are used in sauces, soups, on top of food.
Bronze Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Apiaceae
Lifespan: Herbaceous perennial
Origin: Mediterranean region
Height/width: 4-6' tall. 18" wide.
Culture: Full sun. Well-drained soil.
Description: Bronze feather-like leaves. Yellow flowers on umbels. Can eat bulb like a vegetable. Add leaves to salads, seafood, with veggies. Also can be used as poultry foliage. Medicinal herb.Attracts beneficial insects, like butterflies.
Flowering time: July to October
Marjoram, Sweet
Origanum majorana
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Half-hardy perennial undershrub; summer annual in cool climates.
Origin: North Africa, Cyprus and Southern Turkey
Height/width: 1" tall and wide
Culture: Full sun to part-shade. Well-drained soil.
Description: Tiny grey-green leaves. Aromatic. Small white/lavender flowers grow on spikes. Medicinal and culinary herb. Great fresh or dried. Oregano substitute. Sauces, soups, stews and dressings. Container. Herb garden. Rock garden.
Flowering time: Mid-summer
Greek Oregano
Origanum vulgare var. hirtum
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Perennial
Origin: Mediterranean, SW/W Eurasia.
Height/width: 12-18" tall. Space 12".
Culture: Full sun. Frost hardy. Container okay. Grows in a mound.
Description: Culinary and medicinal herb. Strong flavor. Fresh or dried leaves used in Italian and Spanish cooking. Pizza, pasta, sauces, soups, stews.
Italian Oregano
Origanum heracleoticum
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Hardy perennial
Origin: Mediterranean region
Height/width: 1-1.5' tall. 18" wide.
Culture: Full sun. Well-drained soil. Frost hardy.
Description: Aromatic, small green leaves. Flavor is sweeter than Greek oregano. Pink, purple or white edible flowers. Harvest spring-fall. Attracts bees and butterflies.Culinary and medicinal herb. Nutritious. Often added to Italian foods like pizza, pasta. Put in egg dishes, sauces, soups, on meats and fish. Use fresh or dried. Can be grown in a container, raised bed, garden bed. Edging plant, ground cover, rock garden.
Flowering time: Summer
Rock Samphire
Crithmum maritimum
Apiaceae
Lifespan: Perennial
Origin: North African and European coastal bluffs
Height/width: 1' tall, 1' wide.
Culture: Full sun. Well-drained, dry soil.
Description: Fleshy leaves high in Vitamin C. Added to salads, pickled, sautéed. Used medicinally as a diuretic and digestive aid. Self-fertile. Rock garden, garden bed, coastal garden. Leaves and seed pods are edible.
Flowering time: June to August. August to October (seeds ripen).
Culinary Sage
Salvia officinalis
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Perennial
Origin: Mediterranean
Height/width: 1-2ft tall, 2-3ft wide.
Culture: Full sun to part shade. Well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Container okay.
Description: Evergreen shrub.Leaves used as culinary seasoning herb.
Winter Savory
Satureja montana
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Hardy semi-evergreen perennial.
Origin: Temperate areas of Africa, the Mediterranean, Southern Europe
Height/width: 12" tall, 8" wide.
Culture: Full sun. Well-drained soil.
Description: White, pink or lavender flowers. Fragrant leaves. Spicy flavor. Culinary and medicinal plant. Mixes well with other culinary herbs. Used on fish, meat, poultry, beans and stuffing. Edging, border plant. Container. Rock gardens or rocky mountain slopes.
Flowering time: Mid-summer to mid-fall.
Red-Veined Sorrel
Rumex sanguineus
Polyganaceae
Lifespan: Perennial
Origin: Unknown, although in Asia and Europe there are wild varieties.
Height/width: 12" tall. Grows in clumps.
Culture: Part shade. Well-drained soil. Frost hardy.
Description: Bright green leaves with dark red veins and stems. Ornamental, great for edible landscaping. Also called Bloody Sorrel.Add small leaves to salads, egg dishes. Larger leaves can be used as a spinach substitute in soups, stews. Taste tangy. Lemon flavor.
Creeping Thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Evergreen perennial
Origin: Europe and North Africa
Height/width: 3-5" tall, 8" wide.
Culture: Full sun. Well-drained soil. Frost hardy.
Description: Little pink flowers. Midly aromatic leaves. Culinary herb. Attracts beneficial insects. Groundcover. Containers.
Flowering time: Summertime
German Thyme
Thymus vulgaris 'German'
Lamiaceae
Lifespan: Hardy perennial
Origin: Europe
Height/width: 6-12" tall, 6-8" wide.
Culture: Full sun to part-shade. Well-drained soil. Drought and frost tolerant. Low maintenance.
Description: Tiny scented leaves. Lavender flowers.Attracts beneficial insects. Culinary, ornamental. Containers. Herb gardens.
Flowering time: Mid-spring.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Asteraceae
Lifespan: Perennial
Origin: California native
Height/width: 18-24" tall.
Culture: Full sun to part shade. Poor soil okay. Drought tolerant. Self-seeds.
Description: Evergreen. 6-12" flower stalks. Cosmetic and medicinal herb. Nature's bandaid. Beneficial attractor. Deer resistant. Cut flower.
Fruiting/Flowering time: Flowers from June to September.