Here are the best herbs to grow that will return year after year.
Herbs are incredibly easy to grow in a garden bed or in a container, and nothing tastes better than fresh herbs picked from your garden for your favorite home cooking. But while you can grow perennial herbs like basil, dill and cilantro, you're missing out if you don't plant perennials. Perennials return year after year, making them a smart investment in your garden. Many also have beautiful flowers that pollinators love.
Like most annual grasses, perennials generally require full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. But many herbaceous perennials tolerate or even prefer afternoon shade during the hottest summer. Spices that do not fear the shade of the day include bay leaves, green onions and most types of mint. Most plants don't like moisture, so let them dry out between waterings.
Here are the best perennial herbs to grow in your Southern garden:
Rosemary
Plant name: Salvia Rosmarinus
Sun exposure: full sun
Soil type: well-drained, sandy or loamy
Soil pH: slightly acidic (6.0-7.0)
Originally from the Mediterranean, rosemary's pine scent brings freshness to everything from fried chicken to potato dishes and mimosas. Very good in containers. Rosemary can survive Mid and Lower South winters, but since it is not hardy, bring it indoors if you live in a cold area or expect frost.
green onion
Plant name: Allium schoenoprasum
Sun exposure: Full sun, but tolerates some shade.
Soil type: well-drained, sandy or loamy
Soil pH: slightly acidic (6.0-7.0)
Green onions have a mild onion flavor and beautiful purple flowers that pollinators love in the spring. Their habit of crowding into beds or containers looks great, and animals like rabbits try to stay away from their strong taste. Chop the leaves for soups and salads, or use the edible flowers as a garnish.
calm
Fresh sage tastes better than dried sage in casseroles, cornbread and sauces. It is hardy throughout most of the South, although it does not like moisture and is occasionally grown as an annual in coastal regions and the South.
mint leaves
Many types of mint can be grown, from chocolate to peppermint, apple and orange. Mint can be a bit of a nuisance, growing aggressively and taking over the rest of the garden, so plant it in a container to control its growth. Use it in everything from the iconic julep to salads and pasta dishes.
Garlic Green onion
This perennial has leaves that are flatter than green onions and beautiful white flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. Its mild garlic flavor is used much like green onions sprinkled in salads, potatoes, soups and stews.
oregano
Botanical name: Origanum vulgare.
Sun exposure: full or partial sun
Soil type: well drained
Soil pH: slightly acidic (6.5-7.0)
Motherwort is almost impossible to kill, because it is not afraid of hot and poor soil. Like mint, it can be invasive, so be careful where you plant or pot it so it doesn't spread. Fresh oregano is perfect as a dehydrated substitute in recipes like tomato pie or homemade spaghetti sauce.
Thyme
There are many types of thyme, including variegated, trailing or citrus. It is an evergreen throughout much of the South, making it an attractive ground cover with small pink, lavender or white spring flowers that pollinators love. Try adding it to pies, potatoes or cakes.
Verbena lemonade
Botanical name: Aloysia citrodora.
Sun exposure: full sun
Soil type: well-drained, loamy
Soil pH: slightly acidic (6.0-7.0)
This woody, deciduous shrub with a strong lemon scent can grow 4 to 5 feet tall and wide in warm climates. It overwinters hard in the south, but is kept in a container and overwintered in a garage if you live in a cooler area. Lemon verbena can be used in pesto, marinades, fruit salads or teas.
lavender
Botanical name: Lavender.
Sun exposure: full sun
Soil type: well-drained, dry
Soil pH: slightly acid to alkaline (6.5-8.0)
Lavender's beauty and soothing scent make it a must in any garden. Originally from the Mediterranean, lavender prefers hot, dry conditions. It can sometimes struggle with high humidity, but many new cultivars have been introduced such as Phenomenal that can survive southern summer conditions. Dry the buds or stems for flowers or sachets, or use in lemonade, blueberry pie or shortbread.
Sow with red veins
If you live in the far and middle south, you can easily grow a little-known herb with a pleasant lemon flavor. Sorrel has beautiful red-veined leaves that can be used fresh in salads or pureed in spicy fish sauces. It likes cool weather, so once the temperature warms up, it will water or plant, like many other green plants. But it will reappear early next spring.
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