When seeking to populate your herb garden with perennials, it’s hardly surprising that you’re drawn to this approach, as these plants offer long-lasting beauty and functionality. By planting them once, you can expect a lifespan of around ten years. However, the sheer variety of options available can be overwhelming. Furthermore, some herbs exhibit perennial characteristics only in specific climates or planting zones.
In this regard, I’ll provide insight into the best perennial herbs suitable for your garden, along with guidance on how to adapt them to your unique zone. Here’s a rundown of the top perennial herbs you should consider planting:
Lavender
Are you looking to add a splash of vibrancy to your yard? Look no further than the humble lavender plant! Its stunning purple blooms are sure to brighten up any garden, making it an excellent choice for adding some much-needed color to a lackluster area. Not only do these gorgeous flowers look beautiful in their natural state, but they’re also incredibly versatile and can be used to create stunning fresh and dried bouquets that will elevate any flower arrangement.
I personally have fond memories of growing lavender right outside my front door, where it would thrive in a designated bed and add a warm, inviting touch to our home’s facade year after year.
Mint
When cultivating mint, be mindful of its notorious reputation for spreading uncontrollably. To contain its enthusiasm, consider growing it in a pot instead of directly in your garden bed. However, if you’re determined to have mint occupy a specific spot, you can try the ‘bucket method’. This involves planting the mint in a container, then burying that container into the ground. While this approach won’t completely prevent the mint from spreading, it should slow its sprawl significantly.
Alternatively, consider harnessing the excess mint as a valuable resource for compost or animal feed, thereby encouraging its robust growth and minimizing any potential disruptions to your garden’s ecosystem.
Catnip
The allure of catnip is undeniable – my own feline companion becomes utterly enthralled by its potent aroma, inhaling deeply to the point where it’s almost as if she’ll topple over. The intoxicating scent has her hooked! While I do appreciate the joy it brings to my kitty, I’m mindful not to plant catnip in full view of my yard, as I know it would attract stray cats from afar.
However, for those who share a passion for this herb and aren’t bothered by an influx of feline visitors, catnip makes for a delightful tea. As an added bonus, the beverage boasts numerous health benefits. Whether you’re cultivating the plant for your own pets, delighting in the spectacle of cats reveling in its presence, or simply savoring the tea itself, I’m confident you won’t be left feeling disappointed.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen, a distinct species of mint, merits its own spotlight due to its multifaceted advantages. As an exceptional ground cover, it boasts numerous benefits. In the spring, it produces stunning lilies that add a pop of color to your landscape, while in the fall, it yields edible berries that can be enjoyed as a snack or used in recipes. Additionally, the leaves of this herb are perfect for brewing tea, offering a soothing and flavorful beverage option.
For those seeking a versatile and aesthetically pleasing ground cover, wintergreen is definitely worth considering.
Echinacea
Known as Echinacea purpurea or purple coneflower, this hardy perennial herb is renowned for its adaptability. It can thrive in a wide range of gardening conditions, including poor soil and dry areas. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for gardeners who may not have the most optimal growing conditions. One of the key benefits of Echinacea purpurea is that it allows you to spread its beauty around by collecting and replanting the seeds.
Simply allow the cones to dry out, then sprinkle the seeds where you’d like them to take root. Come the next season, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of vibrant purple coneflowers.
Verbena
While verbena is often considered a perennial, its hardiness depends on your geographical location. In regions with milder winters, such as planting zones 8 and above, this herb can thrive outdoors year-round. For those living in colder climates, bringing the plant indoors for the winter months or treating it as an annual may be necessary to ensure its survival.
Chives
Chives hold a special place in my heart among our herb garden’s offerings. Not only do they boast an attractive perennial charm, but their flavor is also a delight. What’s more, these herbs prove effortless to cultivate and return year after year with increased grandeur. When planning for the chive’s annual resurgence, it’s crucial to factor in their tendency to grow larger over time. Be sure to consider this vital detail when calculating spacing for your plants.
Oregano
Oregano is a flavorful herb that not only fills the air with its pleasant aroma but also proves to be a valuable addition in many culinary creations. However, for those residing in cooler climates, oregano’s annual growth cycle requires some extra attention. In order to ensure the herb returns each spring, it’s essential to prune it back during autumn and provide adequate protection from harsh weather conditions by covering it with a layer of mulch.
Winter Savory
The winter savory perennial herb is renowned for its robust pepper-like flavor, making it an excellent choice for adding a bold kick to both warm and cold dishes. Its hardy nature also makes it ideal for infusing vinegar, creating herb butter, or brewing a soothing tea. However, growing winter savory from seed can be challenging, which means you’ll need to propagate the plant every three years.
Lemon Balm
We cultivate lemon balm in our herb garden not only because our bees adore its sweet aroma, but also due to its numerous practical applications. As a versatile and aromatic herb, it’s a valuable addition to any kitchen. Its fragrance is as pleasant as its appearance is striking, making it an ideal choice for garnishing dishes. Moreover, lemon balm’s flavor profile is so rich that it’s equally well-suited for use in refreshing beverages.
For those seeking a low-maintenance perennial herb that offers plenty of value, lemon balm is definitely worth considering.
Curry
While it may be tempting to try growing curry directly in your herb garden, the truth is that the distinctive aroma associated with this popular spice actually originates from a combination of various spices and herbs. Nevertheless, there is a perennial plant that can be cultivated to mimic the scent of curry, bringing a one-of-a-kind charm and mouthwatering fragrance to your herb garden.
By incorporating this plant into your garden, you’ll not only enjoy its unique visual appeal but also bask in the tantalizing aroma it produces.
Thyme
When working with thyme, be prepared for its potency – a little goes a long way. Its distinct aroma is not only delightful in your garden but also enhances the flavor of your dishes when used in moderation. Despite its assertive nature, thyme is surprisingly easy to propagate and thrives in most environments. Just keep in mind that it prefers full sun exposure.
To ensure a bountiful harvest, make sure to prune your thyme every spring, allowing it to focus its energy on producing new growth for the upcoming season.
Tarragon
Tarragon, a notoriously finicky herb to cultivate from seed, presents a unique challenge for even the most experienced gardeners. Fortunately, when you procure a tarragon plant, you can multiply it through propagation, ensuring a constant supply of this culinary delight. Additionally, with proper care and conditions, tarragon can thrive indoors year-round, providing a reliable source of fresh flavor for cooking enthusiasts.
While indoor herb cultivation offers numerous benefits, it’s essential to note that not all tarragon varieties are created equal. Specifically, French tarragon is the only suitable variety for culinary purposes, with its peers serving better ornamental or decorative roles. Furthermore, French tarragon excels in applications such as infusing oils and vinegars, complementing white meat dishes, and elevating vegetable recipes to new heights.
Chamomile
Chamomile’s gentle aroma is one of its most endearing qualities. Unlike some other herbs, it doesn’t overwhelm with a potent scent, making it perfect for brewing tea or freshening up your home naturally. But what really sets chamomile apart is its ability to thrive as a creeping ground cover, providing a functional solution for those hard-to-recover areas in your yard. And, as an added bonus, the leaves are edible, offering a delicious and healthy snack option.
Sage
Sage is a prized herb in our garden, as its versatility knows no bounds. Not only does it complement our homemade sausage perfectly, but it’s also a staple in our Thanksgiving stuffing recipe. What sets sage apart from other herbs is its remarkable hardiness. It thrives in various climates and can withstand the harsh winter conditions with proper care. To ensure its survival, we prune it heavily in the fall and cover it with a thick layer of mulch.
This insulation allows it to weather the winter months, only to spring back to life come springtime, ready to be harvested once more.
Rosemary
Rosemary, another staple in our herb garden, has a knack for overwintering well in zones 8-10. Despite being zone 7 dwellers, we’ve had moderate success with most rosemary plants surviving typical winters. However, this past winter’s unusual cold snap took its toll, and we lost some of our beloved herbs. If you’re concerned about your rosemary’s winter survival, consider potting it up and bringing it indoors during the colder months.
This way, you can continue to enjoy its delicious flavor on meat and bread year-round by drying or freezing it. With this approach, you’ll be able to supplement your herb garden with a bounty of fresh rosemary, along with 15 other perennial herbs that thrive in our zone. As we’ve learned through trial and error, each variety has its unique uses and purposes, making them all excellent additions to any garden. We hope you find joy in cultivating these delicious herbs as much as we do.
