Anise
Pimpinella anisum
Annual
Anise has heart-shaped, coarsely toothed foliage that grows to a height of 24". The seeds  can be used whole or ground to add flavor to candies and cakes. They are also a versatile attribute to soups and stews. This plant imparts a refined consistent flavor to foods. Leaves can be useful in flavoring salads, as a garnish and can be dried to make teas. Anise likes to be moist, but not constantly wet, with full sun.

Basil
Annual
Basil is an absolute culinary necessity! The leaves of fresh basil are widely used in Italian dishes, pesto, salads, pasta sauces, and also to season vegetables. Fresh basil should first be harvested when the plant reaches 8-12" in height. In addition to adding wonderful flavor to your dinner fare, pinching the main stem of the plant will promote branching and result in a much fuller plant and higher yield. The pinching process also impedes flower production and keeps the plant looking its best. Purple basils, commonly used in colored herb vinegars, are also excellent accent plants for the garden. Basils grows most prolifically during long, sunny days with warm to hot temperatures and must be planted in a well-drained soil. Overwatering will result in poor plant performance and decreased yields. Basil was the 2003 IHA Herb of the Year!

Bay Tree
Laurus nobilis
Tender Perennial
This is an aromatic, evergreen tree with shiny gray bark. The leaves are thick, dark green, and polished in appearance and can grow 18-40" long. The tree itself can grow to be 10' tall, but realistically in our climate (zone 5b), bay will grow to only about 5' tall when taken inside during the cold seasons. Bay leaves seem to be the main component in every kitchen’s herb rack. Cooks intuitively add leaves to soups, stews, marinades and sauces, just for starters! Bay also finds its way into the bathroom. Use the oil in bath water to soothe the skin after a long day. When dried, the stems and leaves will make an impressive herb wreath. Bay trees prefer moderately rich, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Please remember to keep away from frost, if not, your tree will be very unhappy!

Borage
Borage officinalis
Annual
The bold dark green foliage of borage has a taste of fresh cucumbers. Stunning, blue, star-shaped flowers appear in midsummer. The sprawling habit of the branches creates a handsome, rounded shape to the whole plant, which stands 24–36" tall. The leaves can be used fresh, steamed, or sautéed like spinach. The stems can be used peeled or chopped, like celery. And yes, even the flowers are useful for garnishes or a nice treat in your salad! You cannot go wrong with this plant! Borage prefers constantly moist, but not wet, soil and full sun.

Bunching Onion
Allium fistulosum
Zone 5
Hollow green leaves and bulbs provide a great mild flavor to salads, soups, or vegetable medleys. As an added bonus, no breath mints required. You may harvest by cutting or uprooting as early as sixty days after planting, or, alternatively, up to the second year after planting. Bunching Onion can grow up to 18" and prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun.

Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Annual
Lance-shaped, light green foliage sustains yellow, daisy like flowers that will bloom from spring through fall. The flowers can be used to color butter, cheeses and custards, to thicken soups and add a pleasant, spicy taste to salads. The flowers are also useful as a substitute for saffron when ground. This plant also looks wonderful when planted in the front of the garden. Calendula will grow 12 – 24" tall in average, moist soil and full sun. 2008 IHA Herb of the Year!

Caraway
Carum carvi
Annual
Fern-like foliage with minute, white umbels can grow to 24" tall. The seeds are the main attraction of this plant. They have a diverse usefulness and are included in foods such as rye bread, potato salad, and soup. This plant is a great addition to any herb garden. Caraway prefers average, moist soil and full sun.

Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Zone 4
Triangular-shaped, felt-like, gray-green leaves have white, fat terminal spikes that reach 24" tall. This herb is a treat for the feline population! If you have a cat you should definitely have this herb in your garden! Your feline will love you forever or at least until the effects wear off! It can also be dried and kept for the long winter months to continue your cat’s happiness. Catnip prefers well-drained, moist soil and full sun.

Chamomile, German
Matricaria recutita
Annual
Fragrant, feather-like foliage gives way to a bloom with silver white rays and a deep yellow center from late spring through late summer and will grow to 24" tall. The oil can be used in beverages, ice cream, candy, baked goods, chewing gum and of course Chamomile tea. Women also use the tea as a hair rinse to accentuate natural blond highlights. Not only is Chamomile great in the kitchen and bathroom, it is also beautiful in the garden. This plant prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full to part sun.

Chamomile, Roman
Chamaemelum nobile
Zone 4
Fragrant, fern-like foliage carries a bloom with silver-white rays and a deep yellow center from late spring through late summer and grows only to 6" tall. Roman Chamomile is not widely used for culinary purposes, but is great for the landscape. One can use this plant as a ground cover and along walkways. When walked upon, the plant bestows a lovely apple scent that can brighten anyone’s day. Also, the fragrance of this plant makes it an excellent herb for shampoos and body washes. Roman Chamomile prefers light, dry soil and full to part sun.

Chervil, Curled
Anthriscus cerefolium ‘Crispum’
Annual
Lacy, fern-like foliage stands up to 24" tall and is highly acclaimed in French cooking. This plant has a unique flavor resembling a combination of French Tarragon and Parsley. Chervil complements fish, eggs, vegetables and veal, along with Béarnaise sauce and French vinaigrette. Best when used fresh or added to spicy dishes after cooking is nearly complete. Lengthy heating turns the flavor bitter. Chervil prefers rich, moist soil and part shade to full sun.

Chives, Allium
Allium schoenophrasum
Zone 3
Small, pale purple blooms appear atop hollow, dark green foliage in June. The mild, onion-flavored foliage can be used to season vegetables, meats, sauces, cheese and eggs. Chives suit just about anything except sweets. The flowers are also useful in salads, or as a garnish, and will give your herb vinegar a classy look. Chives can grow to 24" and prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun.

Chives, Garlic
Allium tuberosum
Zone 3
Flat, dark green foliage with small, white blooms can grow to 24" tall. These chives have a unique garlic onion flavor and will enhance the flavor of any dish. The flowers are also edible and can be used in salads, as a garnish, and are a suitable addition to herb vinegar. Chives prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun.
 

Delfino
Coriandrum sativum ‘Delfino’
Annual
Decorative, fern-like foliage differs from the coarse texture of other cilantros. Easy to grow, this All-America winner grows to 20". Leaves are ready to be harvested in 4-5 weeks. Plants grow best in average, moist soil and full sun.

Jantar
Coriandrum sativum 'Jantar'
Annual
Each part of this plant - leaves, seeds and roots can be used in cooking! The leaves themselves have a bold taste that combines a strong sage flavor with a sharp citrus note. The leaves are best-used fresh when minced or as a garnish. The roots have the same flavor as the leaves but with an added nutty flavor and can be used freshly minced the same as the leaves. The seeds taste of citrus and can be used whole or ground for flavor. Jantar is more heat tolerant and has better bolt resistance than other cilantro. This plant grows to 24" and prefers an average, moist soil and full sun.

Santo
Coriandrum sativum 'Santo'
Annual
Aromatic, flavorful leaves (cilantro) and seeds (coriander). This 2' tall selection is favored for its pungent, sharp-flavored leaves that enhance poultry and meats in spicy recipes, salsas and soups. Seeds can be used in stews and bean dishes. Santo is slow to bolt and prefers average, moist soil and full sun.

Curry
Helichrysum italicum
Annual
Curry has excellent silver gray foliage with clusters of yellow flowers in summer and will grow 12–18" tall. The foliage will supply a mild curry flavor, but it is not the curry used in Indian cooking. The flowers are good for drying. This plant will add a nice touch in the landscape or rock garden because of its exceptional foliage color. This plant prefers moderately dry soil and full sun.
 

Cutting Celery
Apium graveolens secalinum
Biennial
The curly, aromatic leaves of this plant are used to season soups and stews with the flavor of celery. Can also be used as a garnish. Habit resembles that of flat leaf parsley.