5 Herbs to Know and Grow

Learn about 5 unique herbs that are easy to grow, require little to no maintenance, and have some interesting qualities that you can craft, cook and decorate with.

We all know about parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme but there are actually so many plants that are considered herbs. According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, an herb is "a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal, savory, or aromatic qualities." Today I'm sharing five such unusual herbs that you may want to grow in your own garden.

They are all low maintenance, deer resistant, and like most herbs, have usefulness outside of their obvious garden beauty.

5 Unique Herbs to Grow in the Garden

Borage - borago officinalis

Historically known for its ability to give courage and happy heart borage, like most, is an edible herb. Its hairy stems and leaves taste like a cucumber.

Though the fuzzy texture of the leaves may not appeal to you there is no denying the beauty of the pure blue flowers which look striking in many dishes such as salads, drinks, and adorning cakes. Try crystallizing or freezing the blossoms in ice-cube trays for a stunning decoration.

Pot Marigold - calendula officinalis

Named after the word calendar because it was thought to be the flower that bloomed on the first of the month, calendula is another versatile annual. Typically seen with beautiful orange to golden yellow flowers this plant is very easy to grow in any garden.

Known for its ability to soothe the skin this sunshiny herb is also edible. I've infused olive oil with calendula petals to use in salves, lip balm and most recently a dry oil body spray.

Sprinkle the petals in your salad or use it as a garnish. Though the common name is pot marigold, calendula should not be confused with the french marigold (tagetes patula) found commonly at nurseries.

Lady's Mantle - alchemilla mollis

This herb's Latin name alchemilla, comes from the word alchemy or magic, as many thought that dew collected in the leaves contained magical healing properties.

The common name 'Lady's Mantle' came from the Christian Church who named it Our Lady's Mantle for the Virgin Mary, where the scalloped edges of the green leaves resemble a mantle or cloak.

Lady's mantle is a perennial herb and makes a great border plant with its neat and tidy mounding habit and the chartreuse flowers are beautiful and long-lasting in flower arrangements.

Lemon Balm - melissa officinalis

Historically lemon balm was considered to be the elixir of life. Many drank tea made from its leaves and still do today.

The small flowers are not showy however they are loved by bees, thus the name melissa which is the Greek word for bee.

A relative of the mint family, lemon balm's leaves have a nice lemon scent and are used to make a variety of cosmetic and culinary items. Also, similar to mint, this one can be somewhat invasive so you may want to grow it in a pot.

Sweet Woodruff - galium odoratum

Traditionally known for its fragrance, sweet woodruff was often used in garlands, potpourri, and as the stuffing for herb pillows and mattresses.

Also, known as a major ingredient for the German's May wine where the plant is used to infuse Rhine wine in May to celebrate spring adding a vanilla-like flavor.

In the garden, sweet woodruff is a beautiful ground cover that grows well in shade.

Other Unique Herbs to Try

• Stevia
• Lovage
• Anise Hyssop
• Feverfew
• Mexican Tarragon
• French Sorrel

If you enjoy trying new plants in your garden consider one of these five unique herbs. Not only are they beautiful in the garden but they are also useful in the home.