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Anise Seed Source: Seed Savers Exchange Average Height: 18 inches Annual herb that somewhat resembles Queen Anne’s Lace. Added to bread and sausage in Italy for Centuries. It has a delicious licorice flavor, and is said to be helpful in the treatment of asthma, colic, bronchitis and nausea. It is also said to be helpful in promoting milk production in nursing mothers. A cup of Anise tea just before bedtime will help you rest better and sleep soundly.	Fino Verde Basil Seed Source: Seeds of Change Average Height: 6 - 12 inches This is an attractive, compact, small-leafed bush basil. Taste is very similar to Genovese, but stronger and spicier. Excellent for cooking or in salads, it retains its sweet flavor even after flowering. No need to strip the leaves from stems when used in cooking. Grow this in a pot in your kitchen for year-round enjoyment. Dries easily and keeps its flavor for a long time.	Genovese Basil Seed Source: Seed Savers Exchange Average Height: 1-2 feet Classic Italian basil – best for pesto. Most productive variety in trials with a high leaf to stem ratio. Uniform, slow to bolt. Fertilize regularly if grown in a pot – it is a heavy feeder. Genovese basil has also played a role in many cultures. In Italy, it is considered a sign of love. Women who are ready to receive a suitor might put out a pot of basil as a sign of their willingness.
Lemon Basil Seed Source: Seed Savers Exchange Average Height: 10-16 inches Cultivated since the 16^th century. Intensely fragrant, 1 1/2 to 2 in. leaves delightfully meld the flavors of lemon and basil. Excellent fresh or dried in salads, dressings, or potpourris. Nice addition to baked fish, chicken, pasta and eggs. It can even be used to flavor vodka gimlets. If you want to eat locally, this is a great plant to keep around to substitute for lemons.	Lime Basil Seed Source: Park Seeds Average Height: 14-18 inches This rare and tasty basil will work wonders in vinegar and with fish, salad dressings, sauces and oils. It is a delight in salads! Lime basil also works well in other standard basil dishes, including pesto. Try using it as a garnish with desserts that would normally use limes. Another great substitution for limes for eating locally in Wisconsin. Does well grown in pots.	Thai Basil Seed Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 12-18 inches Lush, deep green leaves, purplish flower buds and stems . Carries anise overtones to its sweet basil scent. It is added by the big handfuls in whole leaves, to green and red curries and spicy stir-fried dishes; sprigs of it regularly appear with other herbs on vegetable platters to be nibbled on with spicy salads and chili dips. The flower buds are also edible, adding a wonderful floral bouquet. Very good for container growing.
German Chamomile Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 12-18 inches Tall annual version of this popular herb. Used in the garden to attract beneficial insects. Will self seed. Dried flowers make a nice tea or potpourri. The tea is said to promote relaxation. Dry flowers that are in full bloom for best herbal benefits.	Garlic Chives Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 1-2 feet A relatively new vegetable in the English-speaking world but well-known in Asian cuisine, the flavor of garlic chives is more like garlic than chives, though much milder. Both leaves and the stalks of the flowers are used as a flavoring similarly to chives, green onions or garlic. Used as a stir fry ingredient. In China they are often used to make dumplings with a combination of egg, shrimp and pork. The flowers may also be used as a spice.	Grolau Chives Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 6 inches Swiss strain developed for greenhouse forcing, it is an excellent choice for indoor growing as well as in the garden.
Cilantro (Slow Bolt and Pot) Seed Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 6 - 20 inches Slow Bolt Cilantro will thrive in your garden, in a nice cool spot. Pot Cilantro was developed to grow in a container. The fresh leaves are called Cilantro and the seeds are a spice called Coriander. This slow bolting strain is usable for a very long period and holds very well without going to seed. Used as a garnish in Southeast Asian food, and as an ingredient of Thai green curry paste. In Mexico, it is used in salsa and guacamole. When used in cooking, cilantro should be added in the last few minutes so it doesn't lose its flavor.	Cumin Seed Source: Seed Savers Exchange Average Height: 4-6 inches Native to Egypt. A low-growing plant. Seeds are used as a flavoring in soups, stews, curry powder, pastries, and still used in the manufacturing of some liqueurs. Self-seeding annual. Cooking tip: Lightly toast the seeds in a dry frying pan to bring out the flavor before using in a recipe.	Monia Dill Seed Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 12 inches Fragrant heads produce many seeds. Abundant long-lasting foliage, great for canning or fresh use. Shorter uniform plants are the best variety for pots. In early spring it is used for its leaves and then later in fall for its seeds. Each part of the plant has its own characteristics and properties. With its crisp grassy taste, dill leaves, or "dill weed" as it is called, is a natural to be paired with fish, mild cheeses, egg dishes, vegetable dishes, cream sauces. It is especially good on potatoes. Cucumbers are another food that partners well with dill, either in salads, chilled soups or on tea sandwiches. Dill has a simple, clean taste.
Epazote Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 30 -36 inches Description: Also called "Mexican Tea", this aromatic herb enhances black beans and aids digestion. Medicinally, known to kill intestinal worms. Easy to grow. Best used fresh and sparingly, but it can be dried and stored for later use.	Bronze Fennel Source: Abundant Life Seeds Average Height: 18-36 inches Description: Not a bulb variety, this plant features fine clouds of feathery, bronze-purple leaves and flat-topped, sulphur-yellow flower heads in mid to late summer, followed by aromatic seeds. This herb was a highlight to my flower garden. It added texture and interest, and attracted finches who ate the seeds later in the season. The sight of the yellow birds on the bronze foliage was stunning. Seeds can be used for flavoring sausage or other Italian dishes.	Florence Fennel Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 18-24 inches This vigorous plant forms medium to large bulbs with sweet, anise-like flavor that is delicious baked or raw in salads. My favorite way to serve fennel is sautéed in olive oil with Italian sausage and peppers. Add fresh basil and oregano for extra flavor.
English Lavender Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 12 - 20 inches. Essential herb, grey-green foliage in clusters with short spikes of violet-blue flowers. Highly valued for cutting and drying and for the aromatic fragrance and essential oils it produces. Flowers appear in July and August. Thrives in full sun and loose, well-drained soil. To keep plants compact, prune soon after flowering. Grown in the vegetable garden, the flowers serve to attract beneficial insects.	Munstead Lavender Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 6 - 12 inches. Dwarf version of English Lavender. Grey-green foliage clusters with short spikes of violet flowers, which are used as a culinary herb.	Lemon Balm Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 18-24 inches Pleasant, lemon-scented leaves make a delightfully tasty tea, said to be calming for children and helpful for stomach upsets. In the 14th century, the French King Charles V drank this tea daily to stay healthy. Enrich soil with mature compost and harvest leaves from mature plants at any time before frost. Pinch off flowers to keep plant productive
Lemongrass Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 5 feet Lemongrass is widely used as a herb in Asian and Caribbean cooking. It has a citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. The stalk itself is too hard to be eaten except for the soft inner part. However, it can be finely sliced and added to recipes. It may also be bruised and added whole as this releases the aromatic oils from the juice sacs in the stalk. Lemon grass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, and seafood.	Sweet Marjoram Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 6 - 8 inches The Greeks called this plant "joy of the mountain". Attractive plants with small white flowers borne in clusters. The leaves are highly esteemed for seasoning. Similar to oregano, but sweeter. It is good with veal, beef, lamb, roast poultry, fish, pates, green veggies, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, eggs, mushrooms, parsnips, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes. It compliments bay, garlic, onion, thyme, and basil. It can be used as a substitute for oregano in tomato sauces for pizza, lasagna, and Eggplant Parmesan.	Chocolate Mint Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 18 to 24 inches Neither smells nor tastes like chocolate, but rather it is reminiscent of an Andes after-dinner chocolate mint. Thus, the suggestion of Chocolate is there and is strong enough to make us love it. Great dried and added to black tea or used by itself. Like all mints, it needs to be contained to prevent taking over the garden.
Mojito Mint Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 18 to 24 inches The mojito, made with rum, sugar, lime juice and Cuba’s unique mojito mint, is now an essential staple of cocktail lounges everywhere. While recipes call for any available variety of spearmint, the real mojito can only be made with the true mojito mint. It is clearly different from most other mints -- its scent and flavor are agreeably mild and warm, not pungent nor overly sweet like other mints. Like all mints it is easy to grow and will happily provide more than enough fresh sprigs for your mojitos. Like all mints, it needs to be contained to prevent taking over the garden.	Orange Mint Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 18 to 24 inches Orange mint has green, branching stems tinged with red that reach 2 feet high. Leaves are round to oval, smooth and dark green with a red edge. White and pink flowers in short spikes bloom from mid to late summer. Very fragrant, citrus-like scent.	Peppermint Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 18 to 24 inches A refreshing alternative to coffee and regular tea. Excellent for stomach indigestion. Lends its spiciness to many dishes.
Spearmint Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 18 to 24 inches A robust grower with large leaves, great for jelly, juleps and Mojitos! Dried leaves make a refreshing, stomach soothing tea. It has been used for centuries to relieve headaches, coughs, nervousness and digestion problems. Best grown in pots or tubs for control of its tendency to take over. It likes moist, rich soil, but will survive less inviting habitats.	Greek Oregano Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 10 - 14 inches This is the true oregano collected wild in the mountains of Greece. White flowers; very hardy	King Henry Pansy Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 6 - 10 inches Edible purple flowers have a wintergreen overtone. Use in soups, fruit and potato salads, ravioli, desserts and as a garnish
Curled Parsley Source: Park Seeds Average Height: 8 -14 inches This is the variety that is used as a garnish, but don’t leave it on your plate. It clears the pallet, freshens breath and aids digestion. This short-stemmed parsley is also high in vitamins and minerals. It has bright green, deeply-cut, finely-divided leaves. Parsley is quite cold hardy and stays green and harvestable through much of the winter, even in Wisconsin. It can be grown in herb pots, or even grown inside in a very bright spot.	Italian Flat Leaf Parsley Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 12-18 inches Introduced around 1806. This parsley has a concentrated flavor, stronger than the curly variety, and large, dark-green, glossy leaves. Indispensable for Italian and Middle-Eastern cooking. I have had plants survive the winter when in a protected location. If you want to take indoors for the winter, grow in a pot from the beginning – doesn’t transplant well once established.	Rosemary Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 18 inches to 5 feet Mediterranean native, It is said to increase the rate at which blood is supplied to body tissues, and therefore to be good for the brain and memory. Used with meat, fish, poultry or game of any sort. Wonderful addition to potato dishes as well. Its piney aroma, dark green leaves, and blue flowers make it a most attractive herb.
Pineapple Sage Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 3 feet Profuse bright red tubular flowers attract hummingbirds. Late season bloomer. While it does have a pineapple-like fragrance, it's only use in cooking is as an edible flower.  They make a colorful addition to salads, and are particularly attractive with yellow or green bell pepper. They can be sugared and used to garnish cakes.	Purple Sage Seed Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 12-20 inches Purple Garden Sage can be used just like regular garden sage. It rarely flowers which helps to keep it at more moderate height and from falling apart in the center. It looks great planted with gray leaved plants like Lavender. Tender perennial.	Garden Sage Seed Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 16 - 30 inches This heirloom variety of perennial sage has been grown and used as a culinary flavoring since Roman times. The broad, fragrant, gray-green leaves have a strong, lemony flavor that complements Italian veal dishes in particular. Leaves may be used fresh or dried and added to salads and meat and vegetable dishes.
Sorrel Seed Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 2 feet Young sorrel may be harvested to use in salads, soups or stews. Young sorrel leaves are also excellent when lightly cooked, similar to the taste of cooked chard or spinach. For soups and stews, older sorrel can be used because it adds tang and flavor to the dish. The leaves are high in Vitamin C, pointed, with light-green midribs and form a thick, 2 ft. diameter clump.	Stevia Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 1 – 2 feet Found to be a healthy sugar substitute, the leaves make a wonderful addition to teas or lemonade. Great windowsill and container plant.	Summer Savory Seed Source: Seeds of Change Average Height: 16 – 18 inches Used fresh or dried, this easy-to-grow herb has a taste similar to thyme, though milder. Used in salads, soups and bean dishes. Plant in a sunny place in the garden – companion plant for all kinds of beans.
French Tarragon Source: Richter’s Herbs Average Height: 1 – 2 feet The Chef's best friend and a must for every Herb Garden, French Tarragon has spicy anise flavor that turns ordinary main dishes into masterpieces. Tarragon goes well with meat and vegetables and is a top choice in any hearty recipe. It is traditionally one of the constituents of the herb blends ‘Fines Herbes’, Herbes de Provence, and Bouquet Garni. Snip early season branches to flavor vinegar. Easy to grow once established. Keep watered the first year.	English Thyme Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 16-24 inches One of the most versatile herbs used in cooking and can be used to season any meat or vegetable. The pepper-like taste also makes a great addition to egg dishes, beans and pasta. Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. It is high in several vitamins and anti-oxidants.	Lemon Thyme Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 12 inches Looks like garden thyme but smells and tastes like lemon. It can be used in any recipe calling for lemon juice, lemon zest or lemon flavoring. It grows like a weed so there is always more lemon waiting in the garden. Perfect for growing in a container. Health benefits are the same as garden thyme.
Lemon Verbena Source: Maggie’s Garden Average Height: 4-5’ Rapidly growing elegant shrub that will reach 4 to 5 feet. Cutting the main stems will force side branching and produce a shrubby form faster. Use anywhere you want to add a lemony taste. Lemon Verbena makes tasty tea both by itself and in combination with other herbs. Try Lemon Verbena Jelly – wow!
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