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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