Old-Fashioned Herbs

Culinary Herbs

• For centuries cooks have known that they could alter the taste of dishes by adding a variety of herbs. Often found in Italian kitchens, oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. gracile), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 to 8, is a low-maintenance herb that prefers dry to medium water conditions and thrives in full sun. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), USDA zones 3 to 10, add a hint of onion flavor to dishes, prefer rich soil and do well when planted next to carrots.

Ornamental Herbs

• While many herbs are multipurpose, several have been planted in beds over the years simply for their pleasing physical appearance. Passion flowers (Passiflora incarnata), USDA zones 5 to 9, bloom with fragrant purple flowers, attract butterflies and grow to heights of six to eight feet. Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), USDA zones 3 to 8, have pinkish-purple flowers, are versatile enough to enjoy full sun to partial shade and require little maintenance. Adaptable to poor soil conditions, coneflowers bloom from June to August.

Fragrant Herbs

• Herbs that emit a strong scent have often been used in cut flower bouquets placed in vases around the house and carried in wedding bouquets by brides. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8, produces tall spires of scented purple flowers that require full sun exposure to bloom during the summer. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10, is an aromatic herb that grows to heights of one to three feet, attracts butterflies and tolerates drought conditions.

Beverage Herbs

• Just as many herbs have been used to flavor cooked dishes, others have a place of honor because they're steeped and drunk as tea. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, blooms from June to September with white blooms clustered around yellow centers, requires medium watering and prefers well-drained soil. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, loves partial to full shade, requires little maintenance and produces fragrant, showy blooms.