Genovese Basil
Source: Richters Herbs
Classic Italian basil – best for pesto. Most productive variety in trials with a high leaf to stem ratio. Uniform, slow to bolt. Fertilize regularly if grown in a pot – it is a heavy feeder. Genovese basil has also played a role in many cultures. In Italy, it is considered a sign of love. Women who are ready to receive a suitor might put out a pot of basil as a sign of their willingness. Average Height: 1-2 feet
Tall Utah Celery
Source: Seed Savers Exchange
The crisp, string-less 12″ stalks of this variety impart a light, refreshing flavor to soups and stocks. The vigorous 24-30″ plants have deep-green leaves, light-green stalks, and compact hearts. Biennial, 100 days.
Cilantro (Slow Bolt and Pot)
Source: Richters Herbs
Slow Bolt Cilantro will thrive in your garden, in a nice cool spot. Pot Cilantro was developed to grow in a container.
The fresh leaves are called Cilantro and the seeds are a spice called Coriander. Used as a garnish in Southeast Asian food, and as an ingredient of Thai green curry paste. In Mexican cooking, it is used in salsas and guacamole. When used in cooking, cilantro should be added in the last few minutes so it doesn’t lose its flavor.
Dukat Dill
Source: Richters Herbs
Dukat is an especially sweet and mellow dill bred in Denmark for traditional Scandinavian dishes. The fine cut, blue green leaves hold longer than other varieties. Use Dukat’s aromatic fresh leaf fronds lavishly.
Grosso Lavender
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
Very fragrant French variety. 36 – 48 inch tall, grey-green foliage clusters with spikes of violet flowers. Thrives in full sun and loose, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Very little fertilization required.
Munstead Lavender
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
Dwarf version of English Lavender. Grey-green foliage clusters with short spikes of violet flowers, which are used as a culinary herb. Grown in the vegetable garden, the flowers serve to attract beneficial insects. Average Height: 6-12 inches
Sweet Marjoram
Source: Richters Herbs
Attractive plants with small white flowers borne in clusters. The leaves are highly esteemed for seasoning. Similar to oregano, but sweeter. Excellent with poultry. Harvest before bloom as often as desired.
Mojito Mint
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
The mojito, made with rum, sugar, lime juice and Cuba’s unique mojito mint, is now an essential staple of cocktail lounges everywhere. While recipes call for any available variety of spearmint, the real mojito can only be made with the true mojito mint. It is clearly different from most other mints — its scent and flavor are agreeably mild and warm, not pungent nor overly sweet like other mints. Like all mints it is easy to grow and will happily provide more than enough fresh sprigs for your mojitos. Average Height: 18-24 inches
Spearmint
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
A robust grower with large leaves, great for jelly, juleps and Mojitos! Dried leaves make a refreshing, stomach soothing tea. It has been used for centuries to relieve headaches, coughs, nervousness and digestion problems.
Best grown in pots or tubs for control of its tendency to take over. It likes moist, rich soil, but will survive less inviting habitats. Average Height: 18-24 inches
Greek Oregano
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
This is the true oregano collected wild in the mountains of Greece. White flowers; very hardy. Flavor companion for tomato dishes, beef, lamb and salad dressing.
Medicinally, oregano has many anti-bacterial properties which make it a tasty way to fight infections in the body. Average Height: 10-14 inches
Curled Parsley
Source: Richters Herbs
This is the variety that is used as a garnish, but don’t leave it on your plate. It clears the pallet, freshens breath and aids digestion. This short-stemmed parsley is also high in vitamins and minerals. It has bright green, deeply-cut, finely-divided leaves. Parsley is quite cold hardy and stays green and harvestable through much of the winter, even in Wisconsin. It can be grown in herb pots, or even grown inside in a very bright spot. Average Height: 8-14 inches
Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
Source: Richters Herbs
Introduced around 1806. This parsley has a concentrated flavor, stronger than the curly variety, and large, dark-green, glossy leaves.
Indispensable for Italian and Middle-Eastern cooking.
I have had plants survive the winter when in a protected location. If you want to take indoors for the winter, grow in a pot from the beginning – doesn’t transplant well once established. Average Height: 12-18 inches
Rosemary
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
A Mediterranean native, it is said to increase the rate at which blood is supplied to body tissues, and therefore to be good for the brain and memory. Used with meat, fish, poultry or game of any sort. Wonderful addition to potato dishes as well. Its piney aroma, dark green leaves, and blue flowers make it a most attractive herb. Height: 18 inches to 5 feet
Garden Sage
Source: Richters Herbs
Perennial sage has been grown and used as a culinary flavoring since Roman times. The broad, fragrant, gray-green leaves have a strong, lemony flavor. Leaves are used in fish, pork and poultry dishes. Also with vegetables and in sausages. Average Height: 8-18 inches
English Thyme
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
One of the most versatile herbs used in cooking and can be used to season any meat or vegetable. The pepper-like taste also makes a great addition to egg dishes, beans and pasta.
Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. It is high in several vitamins and anti-oxidants. Average Height: 16-24 inches
Verbena – Lemon
Source: Hillcrest Nursery
Rapidly growing shrub. Makes tasty tea both by itself and in combination with other herbs. Top prune to force side branching and produce a shrubby form faster. Height: 4-5 feet
24 Years and Still Growing 