Some of the most popular culinary herbs grown commercially and by home gardeners and hobbyists are: basil, cilantro (coriander), chervil, dill, oregano, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme.

Information on herbs may be obtained from library references, seed catalogs, special garden books and some public bulletins. Because of the highly specialized nature of herb production, public bulletins are minimal and the information contained in them is very general. For these reasons, this document will only give a limited amount of general information on culinary herbs or those that may be used for culinary and other uses.

Medicinal herbs are so specialized and often controversial that mention of their use will be ancillary, and only if the herb is also used for culinary purposes. Two valuable references on medicinal herbs are The Honest Herbal (1993) and Herbs of Choice (1994), both by Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., and published by Haworth Press Inc., New York City. Dr. Tyler was for 20 years the Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Purdue University. He has published extensively on this subject and is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on medicinal herbs.

Valuable web resources on herbs in general include the Herbs Directory operated by the Dept. of Horticulture at Pennsylvania State University, and Herb/Spice Industry from the Alberta Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development, Herb Growing and Marketing Network , International Herb Assoc., and Growing and Selling Fresh-Cut Herbs. Books include 'Culinary Herbs' by Ernest Small, published by the National Research Council of Canada, and 'The Cornell Book of Herbs and Edible Flowers' by Jeanne Mackin (Cornell Coop. Extension), and 'Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs', from Rodale Press. Newsletters include 'The Herb, Spice, and Medicinal Plant Digest', edited by L.E. Craker, Dept. of Plant & Soil Sciences, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, and Herb World, from The Herb Growing and Marketing Network.

Herbs most commonly grown in the Pacific Northwest are mostly adapted to sunny, warm locations. Those listed are generally adapted to a wide range of soil types. Herbs need minimal irrigation, particularly as they mature and their aromatic and flavor compounds are developing.

FERTILIZER

Fertilizer requirements are basic, usually being limited to N, P, and K. In some cases lime is needed to maintain soil pH near neutral, but most are adapted to a wide range of soil pH (5.5-7.5). Nitrogen is usually applied at 75-150 lb/acre depending on the harvested product (leaves or seeds). Timing of nitrogen applications is dependent on whether the species is annual, biennial or perennial. Phosphorous is applied at 50-200 lb/acre and potassium at 0-150 lb/acre depending on the above-mentioned characteristics of the crop and soil test.

HARVESTING

Harvest timing and equipment are also specific to the herbs being produced. Often, considerable hand labor is required in production and harvest operations, particularly when the marketable leafy portions of some must be separated from stems, or where only the floral parts are required. Small motorized clippers are often used as harvester aids. Sometimes, when seeds are the marketable product, combines, often specially adapted, are used. Where the distilled oil is the marketable product, there are those who provide custom distillation using portable or stationary stills.

The harvested product often requires immediate special handling such as drying, separation of leaves or seed, and temporary packaging storage to best preserve its color, aroma, flavor, the integrity of its appearance and sanitary condition.

VARIETIES AND SPECIES

The following is a listing of some of the herbs that may be produced in the Pacific Northwest, a brief description, their taxonomic classification, common synonyms, general uses, and production considerations.

Five characteristics or cultural practice considerations are coded and separated by a slash (/). The codes are represented as follows:

Life cycle: annual (a)/ biennial (b)/ perennial (p).
Established by: Seed (s)/ divisions (d)/ cuttings (c)/ or transplants (t).
Planting time: Spring (sp)/ after frost danger (af)/ fall (fa).
Plant size: as listed next.
Preferred site: Full sun (fs)/ part shade (ps)/ also a potted plant (pot).

Uses are represented by the abbreviations: Flavorings (FLA), tea (TEA), fragrances (FRA), ornamental (ORN), folk medicine (MED), and all of the above (ALL).

NAME/SYNONYMS  Latin name                            USES             
     (cycle/establishment/time/size/location)     

Angelica   Angelica spp.  
         an herbaceous aromatic herb.
         about 50 spp.  Sometimes planted for          
         bold ornamental effects.   
   
   Angelica  Angelica archangelica      
         (b/s/fa/6-7'/ps, fs)                         FLA,FRA,ORN,MED

Anise  Pimpinella spp.  Herbaceous perennials
         and sometimes annuals numbering about
         75 species of which only anise is cultivated. 

   Anise  Pimpinella anisum                                   
         (a/s/sp/1.5'/ms, fs)                         FLA,FRA,MED

   Anise-hyssop/anise mint, Korean mint                       
         Agastache foeniculum
         (p/s/sp,fa/3-4'/fs)                          ALL

Balm (see lemon balm)

Basil  Ocimum spp.  About 60 little-known species of
         which only basil is important.  More than a 
         dozen types are grown for seasoning and their 
         pleasing fragrance. Only the more common ones 
         are listed.  Frost sensitive.

   Basil, bush  O. basilicum                                 
         (a/s/sp-af/1'/fs)                            FLA,ORN

   Basil, cinnamon  O. basilicum                     
         (a/s/sp-af/2'/fs)                            FLA,FRA,ORN

   Basil, Genovese/sweet Italian  O. basilicum       
         (a/s/sp-af/2'/fs)                            FLA,FRA,ORN

   Basil, purple ruffles  O. basilicum                        
         (a/s/sp-af/1.5'/fs)                          TEA,MED

   Basil, licorice  O. basilicum                      
         (a/s/sp-af/2'/fs)                            TEA,MED

   Basil, sweet  O. basilicum (main basil used)                    
         (a/s/sp-af/2'/fs)                            FLA,FRA,ORN

   Basil, lemon  O. basilicum citrodorum             
         (Sweet Dani - new, true breeding variety     
         from Purdue University New Crops Center)
         (a/s/sp-af/2'/fs)                            FLA,TEA,FRA,ORN

   Basil, dark opal  O. basilicum purpurescence      
         (a/s/sp-af/1'/fs)                            FLA,FRA,ORN

   Basil, sacred  O. basilicum sanctum               
         (a/s/sp-af/2'/fs)                            TEA,FRA,ORN,MED

   Basil, spicy globe  O. basilicum minimum                   
         (a/s/sp-af/6"/fs, pot)                       FLA,FRA,ORN

Bergamot/Bee balm  Monarda didyma                    
         (p/d,s/sp/2'-4'/fs,ps)                       TEA,ORN,MED

Borage  Borago officinalis                                    
         (a/s,t/sp-af/2'/fs)                          FLA,ORN,MED

Burnet salad  Sanguisobia minor                      
         (p/s/sp/1'/fs)                               FLA,ORN

Calamintha (see Savory)

Calendula, pot marigold  Calendula officinalis        
         both orange and yellow types available.
         (a/s/sp/1'-2'/fs)                            FLA,ORN,MED

Caraway  Carum carvi                                          
         (a,b/s/sp,fa/2'-3'/fs)                       FLA,MED

Catnip  Nepeta cataria
         (p/s,t/sp/2'-5'/fs)                          ALL

Chamomile  Matricaria recutita
         an important medicinal plant

   Chamomile/German chamomile  Matricaria recutita
         (a/s,d/sp/2'-3'/fs)                          TEA,FRA,ORN,MED

   Chamomile/Roman chamomile  Chamaemelum nobile     
         (p/s,d/sp,fa/1'/fs)                          TEA,FRA,ORN,MED

Chervil  Anthriscus cerefolium                                
         (a/s/sp/1'-2'/ps,fs) bolts easily            FLA,RA,ORN,MED

Chives  Allium schoenoprasum                                  
         (p/s,d/sp/1'/fs,pot)                         FLA,ORN

Chives/Chinese garlic/garlic chives  Allium tuberosum                  
         (p/s,d/sp,fa/1'/fs,pot)                      FLA,MED

Citronella (see lemongrass)

Cilantro  Coriandrum sativum (the Spanish name 
         for the fresh leaves of coriander, also
         known as Chinese parsley); bolts at high
         temperatures. Use bolting resistant varieties, 
         such as Santo, or grow during cool weather.  
         (a/s/sp,af/1'-2'/fs,ps,pot)                  FLA,FRA,MED

Coriander  Coriandrum sativum (same as cilantro but 
         grown for its seed) a/s/sp/3'/fs)            FLA,FRA,MED

Corn-salad/mache/lamb's lettuce  Valerianella olitoria 
         and Italian corn-salad  V. eriocarpa
         There are more than 50 species.  This northern
         hemisphere green is grown in the Mediterranean
         region, where the two species listed are grown 
         as garden greens.  The crop was often inter-
         planted with corn, thus the name.
         (a/s/sp/12"/ps,fs)                           FLA

Cress, curly, garden, pepper-grass  Lepidium sativum
         (b/s/sp/6"/fs,pot)                           FRA

Cress, water  Nasturtium officinale
         (p/s/sp/6"/fs)                               FLA

Cress, winter/upland  Barbarea verna               
         See Upland Cress for more information.
         (b,s/sp,6"/fs,pot)                           FLA
         
Cumin  Cuminum cyminum
         (a/s/sp/1'-2'/fs) like coriander             FLA,MED

Dill  Anethum graveolens
         See file Dill for more information.
         (a/s/sp/2'-3'/fs)                            FLA,FRA,MED

Fennel, Florence/sweet fennel/finocchio  Foeniculum 
         vulgare dulce (perennial, but grown as an 
         annual for its bulb) and Fennel seed/wild 
         fennel Foeniculum vulgare (grown for the 
         seed).   Zefa fino (Royal Sluis) best root type
         evaluated, has resistance to bolting (Indiana).
         Days from seeding to bulb harvest range from 
         100 to 120. (p,a/s/sp/3'-4'/fs)              ALL

Fenugreek  Trigonella foenum-graecum                                   
         (a/s/sp/1'-3'/fs)                            FLA,FRA,MED      

Geranium, scented  Pelargonium spp. Warm areas.
         Several forms and hybrids include:  Rose-
         scented P. capitatum, nutmeg P. fragrans,
         apple P. odoratissimum, lemon P. crispum,
         pine-scented P. denticulatum, mint P. 
         tomentosum and others.
         (p/c/sp/1'-3'/fs,pot)                        FLA,FRA,ORN,MED

Horehound, white  Marrubium vulgare
         (p/s/sp/2'-3'/fs)                            FLA,TEA,FRA,MED

Hyssop, blue  Hyssopus officinalis
         (p/s,c,d/sp/2'-3'/fs)                        FLA,TEA,ORN,MED

Lamb's lettuce (See corn-salad)

Lavender, true  Lavandula vera, and more than 28 
         other species. Two main species, Lavandula 
         latifolia (spike or sweet lavender) and 
         L. angustifolia (English/French lavender)
         and their hybrids (some sterile) are used
         in commerce. (p/c,s/sp/2'-3'/fs)             ALL

Lemongrass/citronella  Cymbopogon sp., primarily
         East Indian Cymbopogon flexuosus, and West
         Indian Cymbopogon citratus 

   Lemongrass
         (p/d/sp/3'/fs,pot) not winter-hardy          FLA,TEA,FRA,MED

Lemon Balm  Melissa officinalis
         (p/s,c,d/sp/1 1/2'-2'/fs)                    ALL

Lemon verbena  Aloysia triphylla
         (p/c/sp/1'-2'/fs)                            ALL

Licorice  Glycyrrhiza glabra
         (p/c,d,/3'-5'/fs)                            FLA,ORN

Lovage  Levisticum officinale
         (p/s,d/sp/3'-4'/fs,ps)                       FLA,ORN

Mache (see corn-salad)

Marjoram, sweet  Origanum majorana (see also oregano)
         (p/s,t/sp/1'-2'/fs)                          FLA,FRA,ORN,MED

Mint  Mentha sp.
   Japanese mint  M. arvensis piperescens             ALL
   Peppermint  M. x M. piperita vulgaris              ALL
          or  M. x M. piperita officinalis            ALL
   Bergamot mint  M. x M. piperita citrata            ALL
   Pennyroyal, European  M. pulegium                  FLA,FRA,MED
          or American  Hedeoma pulegioides            FLA,FRA,MED
   Corsican mint  M. requienii                        ALL
   Spearmint  M. spicata                              ALL
   Apple mint  M. suaveolens                          ALL
   Pineapple mint  M. suaveolens variegata            ALL
         (p/s,c,d/sp,fa/1'-2'/fs,pot)

Mustard, condiment  Brassica sp. 
   black  B. nigra                                    FLA,MED
   brown  B. juncea                                   FLA,MED
   white  B. alba                                     FLA,MED
   yellow mustard  B. hirta                           FLA,MED
         (a,b/s/sp/2'-5'/fs)
   See Condiment Mustard in Mustard Greens file                         
   for more information.

Nasturtium  Tropaeolum majus
         (p,a/s/sp/1'-2'/fs, pot)                     FLA,ORN

Oregano is of primarily two unrelated genera,
         Origanum and Lippia.  European oregano is
         also call wild marjoram, winter marjoram, 
         oregano and organy, and is Origanum 
         vulgare.  Greek oregano, also called winter 
         sweet marjoram, or pot marjoram is 
         Origanum heracleoticum (formerly O. hirtum).
         Mexican oregano, also called Mexican sage, 
         origan, oregamon, wild marjoram, Mexican 
         marjoram or Mexican wild sage is Lippia 
         graveolens.

   Oregano, European  Origanum vulgare
         (a/s/sp/1'-2'/fs,pot)                        FLA,ORN,MED

   Oregano, Greek  Origanum heracleoticum 
         (p/c/sp/1'-2'/fs,pot)                        FLA,ORN,MED

   Oregano, Mexican  Lippia graveolens (not in the 
         Labiatae family)
         (a/s/sp/1'-2'/fs,pot)                        FLA,ORN,MED

Parsley, Chinese (see Cilantro)

Parsley, curly and Italian  Petroselinum hortense
         See file Parsley for more information.
         (b/s,t/sp/12"-18"/fs)                        FLA,ORN,MED

Pennyroyal (see "mint" above)

Poppy  Papaver somniferum, seed and opium poppy; 
         P. orientale, morphine-free medicinal poppy.
         (a/s/sp/1'-3'/fs)                            FLA,ORN,MED

Rosemary  Rosmarinus officinalis
         (p/c,d,s,t/sp/2'-4'/fs,pot)                  FLA,FRA,ORN,MED

Saffron  Crocus sativus, pollen of crocus flower
         (p/d/sp/12"-18"/fs,ps)                       FLA,ORN

Sage  Salvia officinales, several types including 
         dwarf, mammoth, purple, golden, and tricolor.  
         Others are: Pineapple S. elegans, Mexican 
         S. leucantha, scarlet S. splendens, and 
         Clary S. sclarea (a biennial).
         (p/d,c,s,t/sp/1'-3'/fs)                      FLA,ORN,MED

Savory  Satureja sp.  About 180 species. Aromatic 
         herbs and shrubs, border or pot-herb plants.  
         Warm regions. Two main types: Summer savory, 
         Satureja hortensis, an annual, and Winter or 
         creeping winter savory, Satureja montana, a 
         perennial.  An evergreen perennial used 
         mainly for tea is Satureja douglasii. 
         (a,p/s,c,t/sp/12"-18"/fs,pot)                FLA,TEA,MED

Sesame  Sesamum indicum. (for warm areas only)
         (a/s/sp/1'-3'/fs)                            FLA,MED

Spearmint (see "mint" above)

Tarragon, French  Artemisia dracunculus sativa
         Not winter-hardy.  The related Russian
         tarragon is more winter-hardy, but of 
         inferior quality.
         (p/c/sp,fa/1'-2'/fs,pot)                     FLA

Thyme, common, English, French, garden 
         Thymus vulgaris. Over 300 species
         and their hybrids such as lemon thyme 
         T. x citriodorus.
         (p/s,t/sp/2"-12"/fs,ps)                      FLA,FRA,ORN,MED

   thyme, creeping  T. serpyllum
         (p/s,t/sp/2"-4/fs)                           FRA,ORN           

Valerian, garden heliotrope  Valeriana officinalis
         (p/c,d,s,t/fa/3'-4'/fs)                      FLA,TEA,ORN,MED

Wintergreen  Gaultheria procumbens
         (p/c,d,s/sp/4"-6"/ps,pot)                    FLA,MED

Woodruff, sweet  Galium odoratum
         (p/t/6"-12"/ps)                              ALL

PEST CONTROL FOR HERBS

Few pesticides are registered for use in herb production. In some cases special restrictions apply to the use of pesticides in products that will be concentrated (distilled or processed in certain ways).

WEED CONTROL

The Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbook has no control entries for this crop. Cultivate as often as necessary when weeds are small. Proper cultivation, field selection and rotations can reduce or eliminate the need for chemical weed control.

INSECT CONTROL

The Pacific Northwest Insect Control Handbook has no control entries for this crop. Proper rotations and field selection can minimize problems with insects.

DISEASE CONTROL

The Pacific Northwest Disease Control Handbook has no control entries for this crop. Proper rotations, field selection, sanitation, spacings, fertilizer and irrigation practices can reduce the risk of many diseases. Fields can be tested for presence of harmful nematodes. Using seed from reputable sources reduces risk from "seed-borne" diseases.