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Herbs are probably one of my favorite things to grow. They are usually easy to take care of and have so many different uses. I plant them in all the gardens. They look just as nice in the vegetable gardens as in a cutting garden. Echinacea, Evening Primerose, Bee Balm, Saffron and Anise hyssop are five of the herbs I always have growing on the property somewhere and here are another terrific and unusual group of must have herbs that complete the ten terrific herbs group.

photo credit: Allmightymo

6. Garlic Chives
This herb has chive type stems with delicate, pretty white flowers that dry well but remain fragile. It grows from a bulb and is a hardy perennial. While it prefers sun, Garlic Chives will still grow in some shade. Flowers are edible with a mild garlic flavor and the stems can be used like chives. Garlic Chives will disappear in the winter, so remember where you planted them. I usually have garlic chives growing on my windowsill in the winter.

7. Pineapple Sage
The beautiful, red spiky flower has a delicate presence in the garden and dries well for ornamental use. It is a tender perennial that will not make it through most winters unless moved indoors or protected. It will grow two to three feet tall and the leaves can be used in the same way as mint.

Tip: Pinch back the growth on the Pineapple Sage at times to retain a bushy look.

8. Lamb’s Ears
This is a hardy one to two foot tall perennial that will grow nearly anywhere. The soft, wooly gray to white leaves are elegant and beautiful and dry very well, and are the main reason this plant is grown. It is best not to water this plant from overhead or rust may develop. In a mild winter it will continue to grow, but it may become necessary to cut back unsightly long stems, which incidentally will flower and are very interesting as dried ornaments.

9. Borage
This large stemmed plant is one to three feet tall and adorned with lovely star shaped flowers. It will grow in the sun. If you wish for it to stay smaller, grow in a pot in partial shade. Borage will self seed and return each year in many areas. The flowers may be frozen in ice cubes for drink garnishes or sprinkled on salads or treated as any other garnish. Borage will continue to bloom well into the season if the dead flowers are removed.

Borage used to be grown in all gardens many years ago. It was used to help keep bugs out of the garden. It was also candies with sugar and used for cake decorations.

10. Ginkgo Biloba
This is a hardy and attractive deciduous tree with interesting leaves and is very attractive in the yard. It is important to buy male trees only. They can grow up to 70 feet and are a nice highlight and conversation piece wherever they are grown. The trees can be grown in a tub, but they do not like to be crowded, so give the roots plenty of room.

This information came of the J. G. Jance and Company website

For some reason Lambs ear is my favorite herb out of this group. It accents cut flowers so well, dries fast and has many crafting uses. It does spread thought so make sure you keep this herb contained.

I also really like the pineapple sage but in my area I have to grow it in pots and overwinter it in a greenhouse. So it’s more work…. but it’s a fun plant!

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There are many unusual herbs that are easy and fun to grow. They may have medicinal uses, crafting uses or be great for cutting flowers. What I like most about herbs is that they are usually very easy to care for and compliment other flowers so well. It’s that wild look they have that adds texture to the landscape. 
photo credit: Alyzande

Herb Tip: Make sure your soil is well drained if you want successful plants.

1. Echinacea: This beautiful perennial will tolerate both light and shade, and is also known as the Coneflower. There are several varieties, all of which are a nice addition to your herb or flower garden. Echinacea can easily be grown from seeds or plants. Fertilizing in the summer with a low nitrogen fertilizer (-0- Nitrogen) will encourage bloom. The seed heads are quite ornamental for dried arrangements.

2. Evening Primrose: The Evening Primrose, with its one to three foot tall, brilliant golden yellow flowers and spreading habit, makes a statement in the flower or herb garden. This perennial likes the sun and seems to thrive with little care once established. It likes room and “plantlets” will spring up if you allow the flowers to seed, however they are not difficult to remove when small.

3. Bee Balm: Striking flowers, from red to purple to white, this plant is very ornamental and a member of the mint family. This is a hardy perennial and will grow from two to five feet tall, and is loved by bees and butterflies. If you have no room for the “plantlets”, they pull out easily. Bee Balm prefers light shade, but will grow in the sun, and the flowers are unusually beautiful and dry well. You may find powdery mildew a problem, but a baking soda/water mixture or a commercial product will help. To help prevent the problem from ever starting, avoid overhead watering.

4. Saffron: Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, and YOU can grow it. Some sources say it is difficult to grow, but that is not necessarily true. Saffron is a hardy perennial bulb and blooms in the fall. Be sure to plant your bulbs in the fall, and in harsh climates, mulch in the winter. The plant is a four to six inch tall lavender crocus type flower with orange stigmas (the saffron part). Mark the spot where they are planted for they will disappear in the winter. For harvesting, carefully and patiently pick the stigmas as soon as the flower is in full bloom and dry them on a paper towel. Store in glass. Saffron will multiply similar to other spring bulbs so be sure to divide to prevent crowding. Remember: Leaves appear in the spring and disappear in the summer, and the flower blooms in early fall.

5. Anise Hyssop: This is an easily grown licorice flavored plant. It likes partial shade and will send out “plantlets” for the next year. The unique spikes of lavender or white flower clusters dry easily. It grows three to five feet tall and is very attractive in the garden if it is growing with perennial white alyssum or other spring flowers. Anise Hyssop blooms in the summer.

This information came of the J. G. Jance and Company website

I have grown all of these herbs. I have either used them in teas or as dried or cut flowers. They all all top herbs and a welcome addition to any garden in my opinion. A few of these like to spread. I just make sure I have a break barrier and plant them by theirselves off to the side of the herb or perennial garden to help control spread.

Check out the next 5 unusual herbs for you herb gardens.

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I find Thyme to be a fascinating herb and beautiful plant. There are so many different varieties and they have such a variety of aromas and foliage. It makes growing them an adventure. Richter’s seed catalog is carrying 22 different varieties this year.  Add Thyme to your herb gardening plants this year.
photo credit: jjramos

You can plant Thyme seeds directly into your garden but I find starting them indoors is easier and I have more control over the plants. I plant too much on purpose and trade my additional plants for other herbs and flowers.

Indoor herb seed planting

I usually plant several seeds in each pot, water well and cover with plastic. It’s not necessary to use plastic but I find my plants germinate quicker and I water less often.
photo credit: libraryrachel

Choose a sunny southern for your pots to set and sit back and wait. Once the thyme had germinated remove the plastic. Thin out the healthiest plants when the seedlings have two true leaves. Water when the plants are dry

Outdoor herb seed planting

Choose a spot with full sun exposure. Thyme grows best in light, relatively dry soils. I mix my soil with additional sand to get a drier soil for the plants. 

Plant your thyme seeds according to the packets directions. It will take about a week for the seedling to appear. When the plants have two true leaves thin out the plants leaving eight to 12 inches between the seedlings.

I mix thyme in with my drought resistant flowers to emphasis the flowers brilliant colors. I also grow them in the front of my house where the sun beats down heavily all day and most flowers don’t do well. Thyme also grows well and look great in hanging baskets.

Thyme is native to arid regions and will grow best with very little maintenance. It’s important not to over water them and they actually thrive with little attention. I usually only water my thyme if I am having a drought in the summer and then only once a week.

Thyme is used as a seasoning and also has many medicinal properties. It’s one of my favorite herbs to dry and I make my own tea blends with several different thyme varieties.

Technorati Tags: herb gardening, herbs