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Aloe comes from tropical Africa. Related species are used as an antidote to arrow poison, but we value the plant for its healing effect on burns, wounds and insect bites.

Aloe is a succulent, and grows to a height of 12 to 16 inches. It has a fibrous root system producing long, tapering, stemless leaves. These light green leaves have spiky margins and are blotched with cream. The firm upright stems bear several bell-shaped, fleshy, yellow-orange flowers.

An easy growing salad herb with a rich, pungent flavor. Grows to 2-3', with small creamy-yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer.

Annual. Fast-growing ground-covering herb. Very sweet tasting. The buds are used for flavoring.

A choice herb with a strong musky scent to its dried foliage. Good in potpourris. A deciduous shrub, half hardy plant reaching 3-4' with pink flowers clusters from late summer to early autumn. it is an excellent houseplant with its long-lasting flowers.

Tender perennial. Striking purple-veined large leaved variety with light lavender flowers. Pleasant camphor scent. Will grow to 3'. The best basil for cool temperatures and short days.

Annual. Small leaves, purple flowers with a spicy scent and flavor. Flavor essential to Asian and Mid Eastern cooking.

Perennial. Large leaf type from the Genoa area of Italy. Use in the same manner as Sweet Basil.

Annual. Delicious culinary variety with spicy clove-like flavor.

Annual. Strong lemon fragrance. Small leaves and white flowers. Excellent in vinegars and with seafood.

Annual. Attractive ornamental. Excellent in vinegars or as a garnish. Lavender flowers, shiny purple crinkled foliage.

Annual. Deepest purple available. A large leaved variety with good sweet flavor.

Similar to Thai Basil, it has a unique pungent basil flavor. Medium leaved with white flowers, it has excellent culinary properties.

Annual. A sweet basil with dwarf habit and smaller leaves. Ideal as an edging plant in the border or in a container herb garden.

Basil is a sun loving half-hardy annual. It makes a great kitchen windowsill plant, and is thought to help deter flies. Preserve Basil by freezing or packing into jars with olive oil.

There are many types of basil, and the appearance of the leaves varies. One sure way to identify basil is by the smell. It is highly aromatic and smells something like cloves. The cut ends of the stems smell stronger than the leaves. The plant can grow to a height of 2 feet.

Bay leaves are among the most versatile of herbs, and the plants, if regularly trimmed, make decorative shrubs. The glossy, sweetly scented leaves are indispensable in the kitchen.

Bay leaves are flat, pointed oval, about 3 inches long, dark green and glossy. Both leaves and wood are strongly aromatic. In ideal conditions, the shrub will grow to 25 feet tall and up to 6 feet across. The stems are tough and woody and have a gray bark. The flowers, which appear in late spring at the base of the leaf stem, are small, yellow, and rather insignificant.

Perennial. Foliage and flowers used in teas and salads. Sharp Oregano-like flavor. White to pink flowers are spotted purple and attract bees and butterflies.

The bright blue, star-shaped flowers (which bloom most of the summer) make borage one of the prettiest herb plants, thought the dark green leaves are rather plain. The flavor of the leaves resembles that of cucumber. The plant will grow to a height of about 18 inches, and spread about 12 inches. This hardy annual has a messy, straggling habit. It is a native of northern Europe, and grows well in the temperate regions of North America.

Perennial herb with bright pink flowers from mid summer to early autumn. Mint-scented variegated foliage. Used in tea or syrup for coughs.

Annual grown for antiseptic, healing tinctures and bright yellow and orange edible flowers. Long bloom period.

Slow growing non-hardy shrub. Growns in full sun; tolerant of dryness and poor soil. It bears large white flowers in the spring. Unopened buds are pickled and used in Mediterranean and French cuisine. White flowering in the spring.

Caraway is a biennial and grows to a height of up to 2 feet with a spread of 12 inches. It has a thick, tapering root like that of a parsnip. The leaves resemble those of carrots but tend to droop more. The flowers, in umbellifer clusters, are white tinged with pink and appear in mid summer. The oval seeds are pointed at each end and are very dark brown. It takes two years for caraway to mature and bear flowers. The stems of the delicate flowers produce seed cases, each containing two seeds.

Perennial. Attractive edging plant with fragrant spikes of lavender blue flowers in late spring to early fall. Leaves are used as a flavoring for meats and tea. Shoots are used in salads when young. Grows to 12-18".

Catnip, renowned for the euphoria it causes in cats, also has a few human uses, both culinary and medicinal. It makes an attractive border plant if you don't mind frequent feline visitors.

This perennial herb can grow to a height of up to 3 feet with a spread of 15 inches. It has a straggly habit and is likely to be flattened by cats who love to roll in it. The only way to protect it is with wire netting.

The annual form of chamomile is also called German chamomile. It grows to 20 inches and has feathery foliage with daisy-like flowers like it's cousin. The flowers are scented, but the foliage is not.

This perennial is also known as Roman chamomile. It can be used as a groundcover since it grows only 4 to 12 inches in height. The foliage is feathery with an apple scent, and it is accented by white, daisy-like flowers with down-turned petals.

This herb is native to the Middle East, southern Russia, and the Caucasus, and was probably introduced to Europe by the Romans. It has become one of the classic herbs used in French cookery, in which it is considered indispensable.

Chervil is closely related to parsley. It grows to a height of 20 inches with a spread off about 8 inches. It has flat, light green and lacy leaves, which have a slightly aniseed-like aroma and turn reddish brown as the plant matures. It blooms in mid-summer, producing flat umbellifers of tiny white flowers.

Chives grow in clumps, with their round, hollow, grass-like leaves reaching a height of 9 inches or more. The stems are firm, straight, smooth, and, like the leaves, bright dark green. The flowers, which bloom for two months in midsummer, form round deep purple or pink globes that make an attractive garnish.

Perennial. Similar to chives but with a definite garlic flavor. It has flat leaves and pure white blossoms.

Both the green feathery leaves (also known as cilantro) and the spherical seeds of coriander are indispensable in the kitchen, especially to anyone who is fond of curries. Coriander looks like flat-leaved parsley. The seed is sold both whole and ground and is the main ingredient in curry powder. It has a sweet taste reminiscent of orange peel.

The plant grows to a height of 2 feet with a spread of 9 inches. The bright, green leaves are fan shaped and become more feathery towards the top of the plant. The flowers, which bloom from mid- to late summer, are small and white, formed in umbel-like clusters. The pale brown roots are fibrous and tapering, shaped like a carrot.

Vigoros perennial, once cultivated extensively for fodder and for medicinal purposes. Sap contains allantoin, effective in treating burns. ALso used in salves.

Both the green feathery leaves (also known as cilantro) and the spherical seeds of coriander are indispensable in the kitchen, especially to anyone who is fond of curries. Coriander looks like flat-leaved parsley. The seed is sold both whole and ground and is the main ingredient in curry powder. It has a sweet taste reminiscent of orange peel.

The plant grows to a height of 2 feet with a spread of 9 inches. The bright, green leaves are fan shaped and become more feathery towards the top of the plant. The flowers, which bloom from mid- to late summer, are small and white, formed in umbel-like clusters. The pale brown roots are fibrous and tapering, shaped like a carrot.

Tender perennial. An ornamental with attractive grey foliage and clusters of mustard-yellow flowers in late summer. Can be used in soups and other foods. Potpourri. The leaves smell like curry.

Annual. Dwarf variety reaching only 18". Dark blue-green foliage. A good container plant. Leaves and seeds are used in cooking. Excellent plant for gardeners with limited space.

Unusual and beautiful form of oregano used as incense and an astringent. Thick, gray-green leaves covered with white hairs, accent pink flowers in May. Nice trailing habit. Great when used in rock gardens. Full sun.

Hefty perennial, 4-6', with big shaggy yellow daisies in summer. Root is used for treating chest complaints.

An annual also know as Mexican Tea with sweet-scented foliage and flowers used in Mexican cooking and considered essential to bean dishes. Also reputed to be an anti-flatulant.

With its umbels of tiny yellow flowers and dark green or bronze wispy leaves, fennel is a decorative addition to the herbaceous border where it makes a good background plant. Be warned, however, that many other plants dislike fennel and grow poorly when forced to share space with this strong herb. Never plant fennel near coriander or dill.

Perennial. Erect multi-branching stems with bronze fine-feathery foliage, masses of yellow flowers in late summer. Enjoys full sun. Grows3-6'. WIll self-sow.

Various forms of feverfew grow to heights of between 9 inches and 2 feet. The deeply cut leaves are brightly colored and have a sharp, unpleasantly bitter taste. The flowers, which are produced from summer until mid-fall, are thick and daisy like with yellow centers.

Scented geranium is the perfect plant for your kitchen window because it's useful as well as attractive. Outdoors it's a half-hardy perennials that collapses if touched by frost. The plant, which originated in Africa, was first "discovered" by Tradescent, the gardener of Charles I of England. He grew a number of varieties in the royal greenhouses.

Apple (P. odoratissium)

Apricot

Capri

Chocolate

Citronella

Coconut

Dr. Livingston

Fingerbowl Lemon

Ginger

Gooseberry

Lemon (P. crispum minor)

Lime

Nutmeg (P. fragrans)

Orange

Peppermint (P. tomentosum)

Robers Lemon Rose

Prince Rupert

Rose (P. graveolens)

Rose Variegated

Skeleton Rose

Snowflake

Strawberry

A hardy perennial with glossy dark green leaves and pink flowers mid to late summer. Effective as an edging plant, 9-12". Often used as a low hedge where Boxwood is not hardy.

Indispensable trailing plant for window boxes, pots and border edges. This plant is a dwarf version of H. petiolatum with small gray, downy leaves. Full sun to part shade. Avoid overwatering. Feed regularly.

Similar to Licorice plant in size and habit, with soft lime-green foliage. Needs partial shade to survive the heat of summer.

Perennial. Grows to 18" with small white clusters of flowers from mid-summer to early autumn from second year. Leaves used with honey to easy a sore throat or to make cough candy. Flowers attract bees to gardens.

Spectacular foliage specimen with red, cream & yellow variegation. Yellow flowers in mid-summer. An outdoor shrub in milder climates. Full sun with even moisture. To 36" with equal spread.

This decorative and long-lasting perennial herb has been widely used since ancient times. The plant grows 2 feet tall and spreads about a foot. The purple-blue flowers are about an inch ¼ inch long and are carried in long, narrow spikes. All parts of the plant give off a strong aroma.

A lovely carefree lavender ideal for landscape. Fast growing, hardy, with a soft compact mounded shape extending to 3 1/2 4' at maturity. Long, pale silver-gray leaves are very attractive and very fragrant. Purple flowers extend stiffly upright on very long stems. Blooms throughout summer into fall. Full sun. Perennial.

Lavender is a traditional cottage garden plant. Its gray-green spikes of foliage and purple flowers provide color all year. Since the Middle Ages, the dried flowers have been one of the main ingredients of potpourri. Fresh sprigs are included in herbal bunches known as tussie mussies, which have been used for hundreds of years to mask unpleasant odors and ward off illness.

The plant may grow to a height of 3 feet, but there are dwarf forms for edging which reach only about 10 inches. The stems are thick and woody, and become straggly if left unpruned. The leaves are long, spiky, and very narrow, and branch out near the ground. The tiny tubular flowers are carried on long spikes in thick clusters that surround the stem from the tip to about 4 inches down.

Tender perennial. Fragrant lavender flowers with fernlike, green, very fragrant foliage. Used in potpourris and perfumes and, when grown indoors it will continue to bloom all winter.

Tender perennial. The beauty and elegant fragrance of French Lavender with a creamy variegation.

Perennial. Compact plant with dark purple flowers and small silver leaves. Slow growing. Used in sachets, perfumes, cosmetics. One of the most popular varieties for the dark color of its flowers amd compact growth.

Flowers of blue in its first year from seed. Tested to be hardy in Burlington, Vermont with a tidy compact habit.

Perennial. Popular early variety grown for its slightly more compact growth and greater hardiness. Lavender flowers and greenish leaves. Excellent as a container plant.

Tender perennial. Gray-green foliage with interseting square, purple bracts. Use dried flower stems in sachets, oil of lavender, herb pillows, and wreaths. Good as an edging plant.

Lemon balm is an attractive herb with yellow or variegated leaves smelling strongly of lemons. Is is a great addition to any garden since it is very attractive to bees. A tea made from the leaves is said to relieve tiredness, sooth headaches, and calm nerves.

Similar to the green leaved form but with a yellow splash to the foliage that adds an attractive accent to this fast growing groundcover.

Tender perennial. Grows up to 6" with fragrant foliage. Flowers are greenish with red tinge appearing in summer. Stalks used in salads, leaves as an herbal tea, in perfumes, soaps, and in Asian cooking.

Lovage is the tallest of the umbellifers, reaching a height of over 6 feet, and makes an attractive back-of-the border plant. All parts of the plant are useful in the kitchen, making it a worthwhile plant to keep. This herb was once thought to be an aphrodisiac, and was used by witches in their love potions.

Lovage looks and smells a lot like overgrown celery. It has bright green, hand shaped leaves and thickly ridged hollow stems. The flowers, which bloom in mid- to late summer, are small, yellow, and formed in umbrella-like clusters. The seeds are flat, oval, and deeply ridged. The usual height is about 3-5 feet, but it can grow over 6 feet tall.

Delightful, delicate annual with tiny, bright yellow or orange flowers and finely cut, highly pungent foliage. Great for flavoring. Helps deter white fly from tomatoes. Root secretions kill some weeds near it, mainly ground elder and bindweed.

Marjoram is a highly perfumed herb with thick trusses of dainty white or purple flowers which make it a highly decorative herb that is suitable for the flower garden. In warmer climates it is a perennial, but it is treated as a half-hardy annual in colder areas since it will not survive a severe winter. Plants grow to 1-2 feet with a spread of about 8 inches. Flowers are tiny but plentiful and grow in clusters around the stem.

Marjoram is a highly perfumed herb with thick trusses of dainty white or purple flowers which make it a highly decorative herb that is suitable for the flower garden. In warmer climates it is a perennial, but it is treated as a half-hardy annual in colder areas since it will not survive a severe winter. Plants grow to 1-2 feet with a spread of about 8 inches. Flowers are tiny but plentiful and grow in clusters around the stem.

Fast growing, with rounded glabrous leaves. Slight apple scent, mild fruity flavor.

Fragrant, fast-growing, with dark foliage. Unique scent reminiscent of chocolate. Used as a flavoring in drinks, candy, tea, or ice cream.

Tiny green peppermint scented leaves with small flowers make this an interesting ground cover for the herb garden. A tender perennial.

Attractive, light green, round curly leaves; spearmint aroma and flavor, though not quite as strong as the regular strain.

This vigorous plant is the best mint for making Mint Juleps. One of the most aromatic mints with larger leaves good for cutting.

Quickly spreading with a minty-flovored leaf used in salads and drinks. Grows to 2'.

Fast growing with dark foliage and a strong fruit-like flavor unlike other mints.

Rampant grower. Purplish stems. Used as a flavoring for candy. Medicinal.

Light green, white edged leaves. Mild pineapple flavor. Decorative plant.

Sharply-pointed, toothed, lance shape leaves. Slightly milder flavor than peppermint. Used as a flavoring.

Oregano originates from the Mediterranean and is closely related to marjoram. Its pungency is in direct proportion to the amount of sun it receives. It grows to a height of about 8 inches with woody stems and dark green leaves around 3/4 inch long. Small, white flowers are borne on long spikes.

Perennial. A rare variety of the popular cooking oregano with golden foliage.

Perennial. More upright growing oregano, strong scent on foliage. Blends well with tomatoes, eggs and cheese dishes. Strongest flavor of all the Oreganos.

A perennial useful not only in cooking, but as an attractive ornamental with bright green foliage with creamy white variegation.

Parsley is one of the best known and most widely used herbs. It is actually a biennial, but is usually cultivated as an annual because the first year leaves have the best flavor. The crisp, tight foliage of the curly parsley is the most attractive variety to use fresh as a garnish, but the flat-leaved Italian parsley has a superior flavor when cooked. The curly variety grows 10 to 12 inches tall and the Italian about 18 inches, although a dwarf variety is available. In the second year, 2-foot-tall flower stalks appear, and their blossoms ripen into seeds. Seeds collected from second year plants and dried thoroughly will keep for two or three years.

Parsley is one of the best known and most widely used herbs. It is actually a biennial, but is usually cultivated as an annual because the first year leaves have the best flavor. The crisp, tight foliage of the curly parsley is the most attractive variety to use fresh as a garnish, but the flat-leaved Italian parsley has a superior flavor when cooked. The curly variety grows 10 to 12 inches tall and the Italian about 18 inches, although a dwarf variety is available. In the second year, 2-foot-tall flower stalks appear, and their blossoms ripen into seeds. Seeds collected from second year plants and dried thoroughly will keep for two or three years.

Used for incense and potpourri. Tender perennial. One sniff and all the forty-somethings relive their student days.

Upright perennial. Aromatic herb with peppermint scent. Used as an insect repellent or rock garden groundcover. Bluish-lilac flowers in summer. Vigorous grower.

Annual. Used in Japanese cooking this versatile plant with crinkled purple-red foliage is also a great plant for flower arrangers with light pink flower spikes in late summer. Beautiful background plant in the herb garden. Grows to 3' in full sun to partial shade.

A prized culinary herb! A perennial with unusual twisted stems and edible aerial bulblets. All parts of this plant produce a mild garlic flavor used frequently in Frence and Italian cooking.

Rosemary is an attractive evergreen shrub with pine needle-like leaves. It's trusses of blue flowers last through spring and summer in a warm, humid environment. It will grow to a height of between 3 and 5 feet.

Tender perennial. Similar to R. officinalis, but with a prostrate growth habit. Attractive in hanging pots. Useful in cooking. Also available in topiary forms.

This cultivar features deeper blue flowers and brighter, shinier foliage.

A new creeping form with dense foliage and a more vigorous growth habit. Has shown strong mildew resistance and less sensitivity to moist soil and humidity. Good flavor.

Similar to R. officinalis, but with pink flowers and a more upright habit.

A faster grower with large attractive leaf and dark blue flowers.

Attractive white-flowering form with the same culinary attributes as the other cultivars.

This small evergreen shrub plant is also known as the herb of grace. It takes well to poor garden soil where it makes a compact and attractive plant. The scent is somewhat unpleasant.

Perennial. A selection from Germany featuring broad rounded leaves and a compact growth habit with the same culinary uses as Garden Sage. An attractive ornamental addition to the herb garden.

Large, fruit-scented fuzzy leaves with light pink flower spikes late in the growing season. Grows to 4'. Tender perennial. Bubble gum pink flowers are striking above bright green foliage. Sometimes called Grapefruit Sage.

Sage is a decorative evergreen shrub with downy foliage that varies in color from gray to gray-green, with one variety producing deep purple leaves. The camphor scented, purple-blue flowers, which appear in mid-summer are exceptionally attractive. Plants can reach a height of 2 feet with a spread of 18 inches.

Perennial. Striking gold and gren variegated leaves. Compact dense grower 18". Very showy border plant.

Similar to pineapple sage except this strain has a distinctively peach scent when the leaves are crushed.

Tender perennial. Grows to 3' and produces scarlet flowers in late in summer-fall. Delightful pineapple fragrance to leaves. Used to flavor drinks. Makes nice houseplant.

Perennila. COmpact aromatic purple foliage. Culinary herb used in stuffings, stews, dried herb wreaths.

Perennial. Dark blue flowers in mid-summer with silvery-gray, strongly scented foliage. Attractive, long-lasting ornamental frequently sold in the perennial category. Very drought tolerant. Grows to 3'. The perennial Plant of the Year in 1995.

Perennial. Attractive variegated leaves in green, cream and purple. A very decorative ornamental that grows to 2-3', and is also useful in cooking.

Perennial. A leafy culinary variety with uses that include salads, herb butters, soft cheeses, vinegars. Fresh cucumber flavor.

Perennial. Fragrant attractive gray foliage. Small round yellow flowers in summer. Excellent edging plant or in potpourri. Also used as an insect repellent. Grows 1-2'.

A perennial with dark green finely divided leaves and small round yellow flowers in summer. The foliage has an attractive scent and can be used as an edging plant.

Perennial. A low growing form of Winter Savory. Excellent addition to a rock garden. Leaves have a strong flavor and can be used to make vinegar or cook with beans. Grows to 1' with 3' spread. Beautiful when covered with white flowers in Sept./Oct.

Summer savory is a half-hardy annual that self sows freely and has a strong, hot and slightly bitter flavor reminiscent of thyme. Plants grow to about 14 inches and have slender, erect stems with sparse bronze leaves and small, pale pink flowers. Native to the Mediterranean, it was much in demand in early Rome where it was thought to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

Perennial. Deos not grow quite as large as summer savory. Also used in cooking. Can be used as a houseplant in a sunny window. Also can be used as an edging. A darker, firmer foliage than Summer Savory.

Perennial. An erect leafy plant, forming large dense clumps 12-18'. The leaves have an acid lemony taste, and are used in cooking. Has a very high Vitamin C content.

Southernwood is a bushy shrub that is grown in many cottage gardens and herbaceous borders as a decorative plant. It is strongly aromatic and said to repel bees. The French call it garde-robe because they use it in wardrobes to ward off moths.

The plant can grow to a height of three feet with a spread of two feet. The woody stem has many soft, branching shoots covered with strong, feathery, gray-green leaves. The tiny flowers, which appear in late summer, are golden yellow.

A rapidly growing perennial with a strong hint of tangerine to the normal srongly scented foliage of Southernwood.

A perennial with small edible fruit that thrives in poor soil. A clump grower, with no runners, it is ideal as a groundcover or as under planting. Plant around the bird bath for a great bird treat.

Annual. Excellent foliage plant. Fine cut gray-green ferny leaves used in dried flower arrangements and insect repelling potpourris. Will grow to 5' in one season.

With its bright green, fern-like leaves and masses of creamy-white flowers in huge umbel-like clusters, sweet cicely deserves a place in the flower border or decorative herb garden. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and spread up to 3 feet. It's hard to find a perennial with a longer season than sweet cicely--it's in full leaf from early spring until mid-winter with flowers in May and June. The large seedheads are attractive, too, and work well in dried arrangements. It has a pleasant fragrance resembling that of aniseed and is attractive to bees. The plant is currently being studied for use as an artificial sweetener for diabetics.

Cut-leaf form of the common tansy. A finer-looking plant for the herb garden or for naturalising.

A favorite perennial cooking herb with narrow dark-green leaves and small greenish flowers. This is the true French Tarragon and is grown only from cuttings.

Tender perennial. Culinary and ornamental herb used as a substitute for French Tarragon with pungent scented yellow or orange double flowers from early summer to frost.

A perennial with long trailing stems and small green leaves that give off a caraway scent when bruised. Culinary as well as ornamental. Bright pink flowers.

Large round leaves on stems that arch upright, large flowers (okay, large for thyme!) of pink-lavender with a white throat.

Thyme is a perennial native to the Mediterranean. It is hardy to zone five, but is prone to disease and insect infestation in the deep south. Southern gardeners may want to grow thyme indoors in containers so that conditions may be carefully controlled. Most varieties grow to only six to twelve inches in height, and they make an attractive edging for the perennial border. Leaves are dark gray-green in color, and pale pink flowers bloom at the tips of the stems in summer.

Perennial. A low mounding thyme with golden foliage and rose-purple flowers. Can be used as an ornamental or to make herbal tea.

Perennial. Brilliant yellow and green variegated foliage when grown in full sun. Gives off strong lemon scent when crushed.

Perennial. Low-mounding thyme with a lavender scent. Ornamental, potpourri or low edging plant.

Low-growing thyme that makes a nice groundcover. Leaves emit a strong lemon scent when crushed. Bright pink flowers in summer.

Sensational orange scent and flovor. Derserving of experimentation in tea, cooking and as a garnish. A favorite among West Indians.

Perennial. Low-mounding herb with unique oregano scent to foliage. Ornamental, culinary. Deep lavender flowers in summer.

Perennial. Low mounding habit, with a very attractive silver edge on its leaves. Ornamental.

Discovered as a sport off our Golden-Edge Lemon Thyme. Leaves are a silvery-green with bright yellow edges. Pink flowers in summer. Low mounding habit.

A tender perennial or pot plant with loing narrow leaves that give off a strong lemon scent and are frequently used in potpourris. A native of South America, it grows to 2-4' except in greenhouses where it may reach 15'.

Biennial. A delicious vegetable. It prefers wet area., Low growing, its leaves are best harvested before the flowers occur. Used in salads, sandwiches, soups and as a garnish. High Vitamin content.

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