Perennial Herbs

Perennial herbs and easy to grow perennials, including full shade perennials and full sun perennials. Find the best perennials to grow in your herb garden.

Before planting an herb garden you may find yourself debating whether or not you should grow perennials or annuals. Each will require work and maintenance

What are perennials and how are they different from annuals and biennials?

Perennials, including herbs are plants that typically live for more than two years.

Depending on how long a plant lives determines whether or not its classified as a perennial, annual or biennial.

Perennials will go into hibernation during the cooler winter months. When this happens everything above the soil line will die down, but the roots underneath will continue to live.

The plants will continue to lie dormant until the spring when new growth will begin to appear.

One of the main reasons people start growing a perennial herb garden is because most perennials are tough, sturdy plants that can tolerate a wide range of conditions and usually fair well against pests and diseases. Some gardeners, myself included will grow a combination of all three types.

Choosing Your Perennials

Before you go shopping for your herbs, you need to find out what your local plant-growing conditions are. You can do this by referring to a USDA Hardiness Zone Map, and finding out what zone you are located in.

What is a hardiness zone map? The USA is divided into 11 zones according to how cold they get. The higher the number, the warmer the conditions are.

The next step would be to do a little research on the perennials you are thinking of growing. Finding out now what zones they grow best in, will save you lots of time, energy, and frustration. Most seed packets will have this information on the back. If you live outside of the USA, then check the weather conditions of your country.

Are you ready for the good news? I've already done a lot of the research for you. I've created a list of what I think are some of the best perennial herbs to grow. This chart only shows the name of the herb and it's hardiness zone. All the herbs on the list are perennials.

Please click on the herb's individual link for instructions on how to grow and care for that particular herb.

Growing Perennials

If you decide to start growing perennials, it's important to remember that each genus of herb may have different growing requirements.

For instance some may prefer a well-drained soil, while others prefer a moderately moist soil. Not all perennial plants will grow in all climates either.

If you are going to grow a perennial herb garden, then plan on spending a lot of time pruning your plants. Make sure you are very careful when you are pruning your herbs before the winter. Leave enough branches and leaves so they can better prepare themselves for the cold months ahead.

I also like to apply a thick layer of mulch around the plants. This helps protect them and their roots from frost.

A perennial herb garden will require a little bit of extra work, but the rewards are well worth it.

You'll be able to enjoy fresh herbs in your cooking all year long, not to mention the healing benefits that some herbs can offer.

There are many varieties of perennial herbs, so make sure to choose the ones that are best for your growing zone and for you and your family.