Herbology: Common Herbs
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Some Common Herbs For Your Garden There are numerous other herbal plants. They include anise, caraway, chamomile, chicory, cumin, dill, fennel, and licorice.   Herbs grow in dry, exposed, and well-drained soil with a lot of sun and low humidity. Manure or compost are often used to promote the formation of oils essential to the cultivation of fragrant and flavorful herbs. Chemical fertilizers, which require a great amount of water, hinder the formation of these oils. Herbs are also grown indoors. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a tropical Old World plant that grows to 24 inches (61 centimeters) in height. Its bushy, egg-shaped leaves curl inward. Whorls of white flowers form at the ends of the stems. The leaves are sweet and fragrant.   Bay (Laurus nobilis) is a large tree native to the Mediterranean. In cultivation it is a shrub that grows from 3 to 10 feet (91 to 305 centimeters) tall. The dark green, glossy, lance-shaped leaves are used as a very spicy and pungent seasoning.   Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium), native to Eurasia, grows to a height of 24 inches (61 centimeters). Its leaves resemble parsley in shape but are finer. White flowers bloom in umbrella-shaped clusters. Chervil tastes somewhat like parsley but has a slight anise flavor that intensifies the taste of other herbs when used in cooking.   Marjoram (Origanum majorana), is native to North Africa and Asia. It reaches a height of 2 feet (61 centimeters). The slightly fuzzy leaves are oval in shape and are easily confused with those of the oregano. They are mild and sweet.   Mint, in botany, includes members of the genus Mentha, such as peppermint and spearmint. It is native to Europe and grows to a height of 3 feet (91 centimeters). It is a rapidly spreading plant with lance-shaped leaves, square stems, and spikes of violet flowers. The taste is cooling and is a popular flavoring. The plant has a long history of medicinal applications for many ailments.   Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a native of Eurasia and grows to a height of 2 1/2 feet (76 centimeters). It is a hardy plant with hairy, oval leaves that are a dull, gray-green in color. Oregano's strong taste and fragrance make it a popular seasoning.   Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) has two varieties native to Eurasia. They grow to a height of 3 feet (91 centimeters). Both are used for seasoning. Curly parsley, with its tightly curled foliage, is used as a garnish. Italian parsley has flat leaves and a stronger flavor.   Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean that reaches a height of 2 to 4 feet (61 to 122 centimeters). The narrow leaves have a very fragrant scent that, in the wild, is detectable at great distances. It has many uses medicinally or as a seasoning.   Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a shrub native to southern Europe. It grows to a height of 2 feet (61 centimeters). The oval, gray-green leaves have a wrinkled surface covered with short, white hairs. Spikes of violet flowers bloom in the summer. Its leaves have a strong flavor.   Savory. Summer savory (Satureia hortensis) and winter savory (S. montana) are native to the Mediterranean. Summer savory grows to a height of 18 inches (46 centimeters) and has narrow, hairy leaves that grow sparsely along the stem. It has a sweet, peppery taste and smell. Winter savory is smaller and wider than summer savory and reaches a height of 12 inches (30 centimeters). The narrow leaves have a sharp, peppery taste.   Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus), a shrubby plant native to Eurasia, can reach heights of up to 5 feet (152 centimeters). It has narrow, lance-shaped leaves with white hairs and tiny, round, whitish flowers. Tarragon has a strong, somewhat bitter flavor.   Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is native to the Mediterranean and grows to 6 to 15 inches (15 to 38 centimeters) high. It has small, hairy, oval leaves and whorls of lavender flowers along the end of the stem. Thyme is very aromatic and has a sharp, bitter taste.

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