Discover 5 herbs well suited to perennial gardens

October 9, 2015

Whatever your level of gardening experience, try spicing up your perennial beds with these 5 herbs. They'll do double duty as both attractive plants and tasty edibles.

Discover 5 herbs well suited to perennial gardens

1. Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

  • This is a spectacularly tall border plant, particularly if allowed to reach its full height. It bears clusters of greenish-white flowers in late spring of its second year.
  • Type: Biennial or perennial.
  • Height: 1.2 – 2 metres (4 - 6.5 ft).
  • Spread: 1 metre (3 ft).
  • Location: Partial shade in moist, rich soil.
  • Planting: In late summer sow groups of 3 or 4 fresh seeds 60 cm (25 in) apart. When the seedlings have 3 or 4 leaves, thin each group to only 1 strong young plant.
  • Harvesting: Cut young stems in spring of the second year, before flowering. Take leaves all summer, and seeds when ripe in the late summer.

2. Burnet (Sanguisorba minor)

  • This is an especially attractive bedding or container plant, and is also known as salad burnet. Tiny reddish flowers open in thimble-shaped heads from late spring to fall. Remove them to encourage the growth of young leaves.
  • Type: Perennial.
  • Height: 30 cm (12 in).
  • Spread: 20 – 30 cm (8 - 12 inches).
  • Location: Full sun in light, well-drained soil.
  • Planting: For a year-round supply of young leaves, sow seeds outdoors in early spring, and again in mid-summer and fall where practical. During the winter, transplant into pots near a south-facing window and keep well watered. Plant 1 cm (1/2 inch) deep in rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Thin established seedlings to 20 cm (8 in) apart.
  • Harvesting: Young, tender leaves are best. Cut as needed.

3. Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)

  • This garden plant (also known as French parsley) boasts spreading, fern-like foliage. To improve leaf production, pinch out flower buds as they appear.
  • Type: Hardy annual.
  • Height: 30 – 60 cm (12 - 25 inches).
  • Spread: 20 – 30 cm (8 - 12 inches).
  • Location: Partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.
  • Planting: Sow seeds 5 mm deep in rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Thin established seedlings to 20 cm (8 inches) apart. Sow every 4 – 6 weeks from early spring to fall for a succession of plants. Raise as a house plant or in a cold frame for winter use.
  • Harvesting: Leaves are ready 6 – 8 weeks after sowing. Cut your plant back to the ground.

4. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

  • Chives sport thin, tubular, grasslike foliage and clover-like lavender flower heads that bloom in midsummer. These features make them an ideal border and edging plant, not to mention a tasty addition to your meals.
  • Type: Perennial.
  • Height: 15 – 25 cm (6 - 10 inches).
  • Spread: 30 cm (12 inches).
  • Location: Full sun or slight shade in rich, well-drained soil.
  • Planting: Sow seeds in spring or fall, 1 cm (1/2 inch) deep in rows 30 cm (12 inches) apart. As soon as seedlings are established, thin to 15 cm (6 inches) apart. Alternatively, set out nursery-grown plants in the early spring, 20 – 30 cm (8 - 12 inches) apart.
  • Harvesting: Leaves can be cut 4 – 6 months after sowing. Afterwards, they should be cut often and close to the ground.

5. Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata)

  • This delicate, fern-like foliage is attractive in borders. Frothy clusters of small white flowers appear from mid-spring to midsummer.
  • Type: Perennial.
  • Height: 60 – 90 cm (25 - 35 inches).
  • Spread: 45 cm (18 inches).
  • Location: Shade or partial shade in moist, well-drained soil.
  • Planting: Sow seeds in early fall for germination the following spring. Plant 1 cm (1/2 inch) deep in rows 45 cm (18 inches) apart. Thin established seedlings to 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Set out nursery-grown plants in spring.
  • Harvesting: Gather seeds while still green and use fresh. Pick leaves as needed in the summer and cut back to ground in fall.

You can get more from your perennial garden than just gorgeous scenery. You can also get an assortment of delicious and natural herbs. Read through this list and find the plant that best fits the nature and style of your garden, and then get planting! Tastier meals and beautiful plants are right around the corner.

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