A-C

Basil
Annual
Basil is an absolute culinary necessity! The leaves of fresh basil are widely used in Italian dishes, pesto, salads, pasta sauces, and also to season vegetables. Purple basils are often used in colored herb vinegars. Fresh basil should first be harvested when the plant reaches 8-12" in height. In addition to adding flavor to any meal, pinching the main stem of the plant will promote branching and result in a fuller plant and higher yield. The pinching process also impedes flower production and will keep plants looking their best. Basil is an excellent accent plant for the garden, and grows most prolifically during long, sunny days with warm to hot temperatures. Must be planted in well-drained soil. 2003 IHA Herb of the Year!

African Blue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'African Blue'
Beautiful purple flower spikes rise above purple veined, dark green foliage that has a spicy camphor scent. 'African Blue' is wonderful for culinary uses and is very attractive in the landscape as well. Grows 2-3' tall.

Amethyst. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Amethyst'
The only purple Genovese type basil! Large, very dark, turned down leaves are almost black. Grows 16-20".

Genovese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Genovese'
Dark green 2" leaves have an excellent flavor for anything Italian. This plant will grow 12–24" tall.

Green Bouquet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Green Bouquet'
Green Bouquet is a uniformly compact grower. Small, full flavored leaves blend well with meats, beans, pasta and rice, just to name a few! It grows 12–24" tall.

Italian Large Leaf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum var.
A sweet basil with large, dark green leaves that have a sweeter, less clove like flavor than other varieties. With 4” leaves and a height of 30”, this plant can yield an abundance of purely perfected pesto! In addition, this variety bolts a week later than most basils.

Lime. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Lime'
Similar to lemon basil in appearance but with slightly darker leaves and a zesty lime aroma. Great for fish or in salads. Grows to 12" tall.
..............Not available for 2011.

Mrs. Burns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum citriodorum 'Mrs. Burns'
This green basil has an excellent lemon scent. Leaves are larger than most lemon basils, growing to 2½". Blooms are a pinkish white color. Grows to 20" tall.

Osmin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Osmin'
This basil has the darkest purple leaves and stems of all the purple basils! The glossy, slightly ruffled leaves are sweetly scented and are on a sturdy medium-sized plant with pale lilac flowers. It grows to 15" tall.

Poppy Joe’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum ‘Poppy Joe’s’
This Genovese type sweet basil is very aromatic and uniform with bright green leaves. Developed for fusarium resistance. Excellent vigor and pesto ready! Grows 12-14".

Super Sweet Chen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Super Sweet Chen'
This variety has large, heavily crinkled leaves and excellent bolt resistance. This is a great variety for pesto! Grows to 12".

Sweet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum
Large aromatic leaves have a spicy clove fragrance and flavor and are outstanding for tomato sauce, pesto, salad, and meat dishes. Can be substituted for oregano and is best stored in oil, vinegar, or frozen. Sweet basil grows 12-24" tall.

Valentino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Ocimum basilicum 'Valentino'
This selection was chosen as the best tasting basil in Park’s seed trials. These vigorous compact plants have large leaves that can be used fresh or dried. They can grow to 12" tall.

Bay Tree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Laurus nobilis
Tender Perennial
This is an aromatic, evergreen tree with shiny gray bark. The leaves are thick, dark green, and polished in appearance and can grow 18-40" long. The tree itself can grow to be 10' tall, but realistically in our climate (zone 5b), bay will grow to only about 5' tall when taken inside during the cold seasons. Bay trees prefer moderately rich, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Please remember to keep away from frost!
..............Not available for 2011.

Bean, Haricot Vert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Phaseolus vulgaris ’Maxibel'
Annual
Pencil thin stringless beans are borne on 24" upright plants. Prolific yielding with excellent flavor.

Borage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Borage officinalis
Annual
The bold dark green foliage of borage has a taste of fresh cucumbers. Blue, star-shaped flowers appear in midsummer. The sprawling habit of the branches creates a rounded shape to the whole plant, which stands 24–36" tall. The leaves can be used fresh, steamed, or sautéed like spinach. The stems can be used like celery and the flowers are useful for garnishes. Borage prefers consistently moist, but not wet, soil and full sun.

Bunching Onion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Allium fistulosum
Zone 5
Hollow green leaves and bulbs provide a great mild flavor to salads, soups, or vegetable medleys. Harvest by cutting or uprooting as early as sixty days after planting, or, alternatively, up to the second year after planting. Bunching Onion can grow to 18" tall and prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun.

Calendula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Calendula officinalis
Annual
Light green foliage sustains yellow, daisy like flowers that will bloom from spring through fall. The flowers can be used to color butter, cheeses and custards, to thicken soups and add a pleasant, spicy taste to salads. The flowers are also useful as a substitute for saffron when ground. Calendula will grow 12–24" tall in average, moist soil and full sun.
2008 IHA Herb of the Year!

Caraway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Carum carvi
Annual
Caraway sports fern-like foliage with minute, white umbels. The seeds of this plant have a diverse usefulness and are included in foods such as rye bread, potato salad, and soup. This plant is a great addition to any herb garden. Caraway prefers average, moist soil and full sun. Grows to 24" tall.

Catnip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Nepeta cataria
Zone 4
Triangular-shaped, felt-like, gray-green leaves have white, fat terminal spikes that reach 24" tall. This herb is a treat for the feline population! It can be dried for teas as well as kept for the long winter months to continue your cat’s happiness. Catnip prefers well-drained, moist soil and full sun.

Chamomile
Chamomile has long been a staple of the herb garden. From the kitchen, to the landscape, to the salon, this is definitely a multi-use plant! Fragrant, feather, and fern-like foliage carry blooms with silver white rays and a deep yellow center from late spring through late summer. Chamomile prefers light, well-drained soil and full to part sun.

German. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Matricaria recutita
Annual
The oil in German Chamomile can be used in beverages, ice cream, candy, baked goods, chewing gum and of course Chamomile tea. Women also use the tea as a hair rinse to accentuate natural blond highlights. Not only is Chamomile great in the kitchen and bathroom, it is also beautiful in the garden. Grows to 24" tall.

Roman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Chamaemelum nobile
Zone 4
Roman Chamomile is not widely used for culinary purposes, but it is great for the landscape. One can use this plant as a ground cover and along walkways, where it releases a scent that is reminiscent of apples when walked upon. Also, the fragrance of this plant makes it an excellent herb for shampoos and body washes. Grows only to 6" tall!

Chervil, Curled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Anthriscus cerefolium ‘Crispum’
Annual
Lacy, fern-like foliage stands up to 24" tall and is highly acclaimed in French cooking. This plant has a unique flavor resembling a combination of French Tarragon and Parsley. Chervil complements fish, eggs, vegetables and veal, along with Béarnaise sauce and French vinaigrette. Best when used fresh or added to spicy dishes after cooking is nearly complete. Chervil prefers rich, moist soil and part shade to full sun.

Chives
Zone 3
Chives are a wonderful culinary addition and suit just about anything. Mild, onion-flavored foliage can be used to season vegetables, meats, sauces, cheese and eggs. The flowers are also edible and can be used in salads, as a garnish, and are a suitable addition to herb vinegar. Chives prefer rich, well-drained soil and full sun.

Chives, Allium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..culinary
Allium schoenophrasum
Known as common chives, Allium chives have small, pale purple blooms that appear atop hollow, dark green foliage in June. Grows to 24" tall.

Chives, Garlic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Allium tuberosum
These chives have a unique garlic onion flavor. Flat, dark green foliage with small, white blooms can grow to 24" tall.

Cilantro
Annual
One of the most useful herbs, each part of the cilantro plant - leaves (cilantro), seeds (coriander), and roots can be used in cooking! Leaves are pungent and sharp-flavored, enhancing poultry and meats in spicy recipes, salsas and soups. Leaves are best used fresh. The roots have the same flavor as the leaves but with an added nuttiness and can also be used freshly minced. The seeds taste of citrus and can used in stews and bean dishes, whole or ground. Cilantro will thrive in average, moist soil and full sun.

Delfino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..culinary
Coriandrum sativum ‘Delfino’
Decorative, fern-like foliage differs from the coarse texture of other cilantros. Easy to grow, this All-America winner grows to 20" tall. Not available for 2011

Glory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Coriandrum sativum 'Glory'
Strong aromatic leaves and stems are ideal for warmer growing conditions. Seeds are smaller relative to other varieties. Grows to 2'.

Santo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Coriandrum sativum 'Santo'
This 2' tall selection is favored for its reluctance to bolting and strong habit. Our most popular variety!

Cutting Celery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .culinary
Apium graveolens
Biennial
Love the flavor of celery but can't tolerate the texture? The curly, aromatic leaves of this plant are rich with the flavor of celery. Used to season soups and stews, or chopped fresh in salads. Cutting Celery can also be used as a garnish. Habit resembles that of flat leaf parsley. Grows 1-2' tall.