Herbs – Page 2 – Sunset Greenhouse

Sage

March 12, 2014 @ 3:05 pm

Common sage is used as both a culinary herb and an ornamental. It has lovely silver foliage and lavender flowers with age. Offer it full sun and well-drained soil. It can adapt to a hot, dry location. We also offer ornamental types such as Golden sage which has yellow leaves and sometimes Tri-Color that has variegated purple, silver, and white leaves. Neither are as hardy as common sage so they should be treated as beautiful accents for annual combination planters.

Varieties:

Common / Garden Sage (Zone 5)
Icterina Variegated Gold (annual)
Tricolor (annual)

Rosemary

March 12, 2014 @ 3:04 pm

Rosemary, with its aromatic leaves is a popular herb. Site it in a full sun location in well-drained soil. Although Rosemary is technically a perennial, only the hardiest of varieties will overwinter here. And, even then, only in the mildest parts of our city, with protection. For the rest of us, bringing it indoors for the winter is the best option.

Uses: Strong heady flavor is popular for lamb, pork, and potato recipes.

Varieties:

Arp
Trailing (R. prostrata) NEW!
Tuscan Blue

Parsley

March 12, 2014 @ 3:03 pm

Parsley is an attractive green-leaf herb that is best grown as an annual. Plant in sun and provide well-drained soil.

Uses: add to salads, vegetables, meats, fish, and soups

Varieties:

Curled
Flat-Leaf a.k.a. Italian

Oregano

March 12, 2014 @ 3:00 pm

Oregano is a Mediterranean herb. Some varieties are perennial in our climate. All types prefer a sunny spot with well drained soil.

Uses: Leaves retain good flavor whether dried or frozen. A delicious culinary herb for pork, chicken and veal recipes. Use fresh leaves in salads and pizza sauce.

Varieties

Greek traditional oregano flavor, Zone 5
Hot & Spicy culinary, Zone 5 Oregano flavor with mild chili pepper type heat
Kent Beauty — an annual ornamental type with hops-like flowers

Mint

March 12, 2014 @ 2:18 pm

Mint is best adapted to a shade or morning sun area and prefers moist soil. It is an aggressive plant that spreads readily. So, if you want to keep it contained, sink a planter in the ground and plant your mint into it. You will need to trim stems back each season as they will try to jump the pot’s boundaries. Mints are hardy here and will overwinter.

Uses: Mints are used in teas, Greek cooking, and many types of desserts or drinks. Make your own Mint Mojitos!

Varieties:

Apple
Lime
Orange
Peppermint
Pineapple
Spearmint
Strawberry (infuse in water for fresh fruit taste)

Lemon Verbena

March 12, 2014 @ 2:17 pm

This annual herb is has intensely lemon-scented leaves. So, plant in a sunny spot where you will enjoy the fragrance. Bears tiny white flowers in summer.

Uses: Use the leaves to infuse lemon flavor into anything – tea, custards, sorbets. Leaves can be dried for potpourris.

Lemon Balm

March 12, 2014 @ 2:16 pm

This perennial herb will become a small 3ft x 3ft shrub over time. It offers lemon-scented leaves. Requires well-drained soil and can be sited in a sun or part-sun location. It can spread if left to go to seed. However, you can keep it in bounds by giving it a hefty trim as soon as you see the TINY white flowers appear. It will bounce back in a jiffy as it is a quick grower.

Uses: Infuse the leaves for teas (said to aid sleep) or to flavor ice creams or custards.

Lavender

March 12, 2014 @ 2:15 pm

Lavender is a classic cottage garden herb that enjoys a sunny location with well-drained soil. Enjoy it for its fragrant flowers and the show of butterflies that will come to it in summer.

Uses: Mostly used as a create perfume and potpourri. Some people use it to flavor foods.

Varieties:

Anouk (Spanish Lavender — Annual, larger flowers (not hardy in Colorado)
Hidcote Blue (Perennial)
Munstead (Perennial)
Phenomenal (Perennial)
Platinum Blonde (Zone 6)

Munstead on left and Phenomenal on the right

Golden variegated leaves of Platinum Blonde

Fennel

March 12, 2014 @ 2:13 pm

Fennel looks and grows very similar to dill. However, it will get a bulbous formation at its base. It is an annual in our climate. Leaves and seeds offer an intense anise aroma. It has delicate airy leaves and golden yellow flowers in summer. Prefers sun and well-drained soil. Bronze leaf types are particularly ornamental, lending nice contrast in your garden.

Uses: Leaves lend an anise-flavor to salads, meat, and fish dishes. Used frequently in curries and oriental dishes. Dried seeds retain their flavor and are wonderful in spaghetti sauce a ¼ tsp will flavor an entire pot!

Varieties

Bronze leaf

Dill

March 12, 2014 @ 2:11 pm

If you’ve ever had a dill pickle, you know this flavor! Dill is a fast-growing annual herb. Although the typical type can reach 3ft or more, the variety ‘Fernleaf’ is a much more compact version. Yellow blooms appear in summer followed by flavorful seeds. These are a butterfly caterpillar magnet. Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars love this plant and will appear in summer. Encourage these flying flowers in your garden and plant some dill!

Uses: Delicious to flavor fish or chicken, in soups, dips or of course, pickles. Seeds can be dried for later use.

Varieties:

Bouquet