Favorite Herbs to Grow: Perennials That Keep on Giving
If you love the idea of a garden that keeps giving season after season, planting perennial herbs is a fantastic option. These herbs not only offer fresh flavors for your cooking but also return year after year, making them a low-maintenance choice for your garden. Here are a few of our favorite perennial herbs that thrive in a variety of climates, including the Pacific Northwest.
1. Thyme
Why it’s great: Thyme is a hardy, drought-tolerant herb that can survive the winter in many climates. It’s incredibly versatile in the kitchen, adding earthy depth to everything from roasted vegetables to soups.
Growing tips: Thyme loves full sun and well-drained soil. It can even tolerate a bit of drought once established, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
2. Rosemary
Why it’s great: Rosemary is a fragrant, evergreen herb that can be used to season meats, potatoes, and Mediterranean dishes. It also adds lovely, woody structure to your garden.
Growing tips: Rosemary prefers full sun and well-drained soil. In cooler climates like the PNW, it’s often best to plant it in a pot so it can be moved to a sheltered spot during the winter months. Some varieties are hardy to zone 6.
3. Mint
Why it’s great: Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and it’s a great addition to teas, cocktails, and salads. It also has a refreshing scent that can be enjoyed in the garden.
Growing tips: Mint can be invasive, so it’s best to plant it in containers or confined spaces. It thrives in partial shade and moist, rich soil, and it will spread quickly once it gets going.
4. Chives
Why it’s great: Chives offer a mild onion flavor that pairs well with everything from scrambled eggs to potato salad. They produce lovely purple flowers in spring, adding color to your garden.
Growing tips: Chives are incredibly easy to grow in full sun or partial shade. They prefer well-drained, fertile soil but are adaptable to a variety of conditions. Once established, they’ll come back year after year.
5. Oregano
Why it’s great: Oregano is a staple herb in Italian and Mediterranean cooking. Its hearty, slightly spicy flavor shines in pizza, pasta, and marinara sauces.
Growing tips: Oregano is a robust herb that thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s also incredibly hardy, growing well in various soil types and requiring little water once established.
6. Sage
Why it’s great: Sage’s savory, earthy flavor makes it a wonderful complement to rich dishes like stuffing, roasts, and stews. It also has beautiful, soft leaves that add texture to your garden.
Growing tips: Sage prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It’s drought-tolerant once established and is generally quite hardy, though it can benefit from some winter protection in colder climates.
Bonus Tip: Growing Perennial Herbs in Containers
If you’re in a cooler climate or want to control the growing environment, many perennial herbs—like rosemary and sage—can thrive in containers. This allows you to move them around for optimal sun exposure and protect them from harsh winter weather.