Looking for perennial herbs for your garden and not sure which ones to plant? Then read on to have your question answered.
What does Perennial Mean When it Comes to Herbs?
Firstly, let’s first be clear on what perennial means. Perennials are plants that live longer than two years.
When it comes to herbs, there are different types of herbs, some live a short time and others longer, see below for the different definitions:
Here’s what they all mean:
- Annual: typically last a year, annuals, have a short growing season that’s generally aligned with the seasons.
- Perennial: are plants that live longer than two years.
- Biennial: when grown from seed these take two years to reach their full flowering and seed-producing potential, and then either die or become non-productive.
- Herbaceous: Herbaceous plants are plants that die either at the end of the season or after flowering and fruiting.
- Herbaceous annual: die completely at the end of their season, and if naturalised they’ll regrow from seed.
- Herbaceous perennial: leaves and shoots die back after their growing season, but will regrow from their roots or other underground parts next season.
So, What Herbs Are Perennial?
Perennial herbs are not only great for the kitchen, the fact that they live on means that you will get years of use from them. However, they spread as they grow so it is worth cutting them back or splitting them and replanting in another pot or garden bed once or more a year to keep them at a size you like. As they are evergreen, some perennials have a dormant period over winter before flourishing in the spring.
The most common perennial herbs are:
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Mint
- Chives
- Lemon Balm
- Horseradish
- Sorrel
- Lavender
- Winter Savory
- Russian Tarragon
- Roman Chamomile
- Fennel
- Meadowsweet
- Hyssop
- Comfrey
What Makes Perennials Special?
I love perennials as many of them are great for cooking but they also make a nice decorative feature on your window sill or garden.
They are easy to grow too! Most perennial herbs are tolerant of the weather, including dry summers and mild frosty winters. The soil doesn’t need to be perfect either, as long as they are watered often and have well-drained soil they will do well. They also tend to be a less favored by pests such as snails, slugs and the like due to their tougher leaves.
Lastly, perennial herbs make a fantastic addition to any indoor or outdoor garden. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures so you won’t have trouble choosing ones that compliment your garden. And you can’t beat their fresh fragrance on a warm sunny day.
