Common name Scientific name Zones Size Exposure Comments
AniseAgastache foeniculum Annual24"SunGrow from seeds; lavender, white flowers late summer to fall
Anise hyssopAgastache foeniculumPerennial3 to 5'Sun to partial shadeGrow from seeds or divisions; edible flowers; lavender, white flowers late summer to fall
BorageBoaga officinalis Annual1 to 3'SunGrown from seeds; self sowing; blue flowers early to midsummer
CatmintNepeta cataria; N. x faaseniiPerennial3 to 4'Sun to shadeGrow from seeds or division; lavender-mauve, blue-violet flowers early summer to mid-summer
ChicoryCichorium intybus Perennial2 to 5'SunSky-blue flowers mid to late summer; grow from seeds
Chives; Garlic chivesAllium schoenoprasum; A. tuberosumPerennial12"Sun to partial shadeGrow from seeds or division; lavender-rose or white flowers
DillAnethum graveolens Annual3 to 5'Sun to partial shadeSow seeds in spring
FennelFoeniculum vulgare Perennial4 to 5'SunGrow from seeds; difficult to transplant
HyssopHyssopus officinalis Perennial2'SunGrow from seeds, cuttings, or division; blue-violet, pink, white flowers early to late summer
LavenderLavandula angustifolia Perennial2 to 3'SunGrow from seeds or cuttings; lavender, purple-violet, dark purple flowers early to midsummer
Lemon balmMelissa officinalis Perennial3'Sun to partial shadeGrow from seeds, cuttings or division
LovageLevisticum officinale Perennial3 to 4'Sun to partial shadeSow seeds in late summer or division
OreganoOriganum vulgare Perennial2'SunGrow from seeds, cuttings or division
ParsleyPetroselinum crispum Annual6"SunSow seeds in early spring
PeppermintMentha piperita crisoula Perennial3'Sun to partial shadeCuttings, division; can be invasive
RosemaryRosemarinus officinalis Perennial3 to 6'SunCuttings, layering or division; light blue, dark blue, violet blue, pink, white flowers spring to early summer
SalviaSalvia spp.Perennial2 to 5'SunCuttings; red, blue, purple flowers late summer to fall
SpearmintMentha spicata Perennial18"Sun to partial shadeCuttings, division; can be invasive
Sweet marjoramOriganum marjorana Perennial8"SunGrow from seeds, cuttings or division
Thyme, CreepingThymus praecox spp. arcticusPerennial1 to 4"SunGrow from cuttings, layering or division; pink, rose, lavender, crimson, white flowers early summer to midsummer
Thyme, CommonThymus vulgaris Perennial4 to 12"SunGrow from cuttings, or division; pink, rose, lavender, crimson, white flowers early to midsummer
Wild marjoramOriganum vulgare subsp. vulgarePerennial2 to 3'Sun to partial shadePink, white flowers midsummer to fall
Winter savorySatureja montana Perennial1 to 2'SunGrow in light sandy soil; cuttings; pinkish white flowers mid to late summer

Prepared by: Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist

© 2002-2005 NC State University
Images © by Erv Evans