Herbs

Laurus nobilis. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Bay Laurel. This evergreen tree or shrub produces high yields of glossy green bay leaves. The aromatic leaves are the foundation of fine cooking and are used with soups, stews, meats, fish, poultry dishes, and spaghetti sauce. It can be used fresh or dried for robust spice. The essential oil from leaves is used to alleviate arthritis and rheumatism and to treat earaches and high blood pressure. Also known as Sweet Bay, Bay Leaves, and Grecian Laurel. The small shrub plant is frost-sensitive. Heat Tolerant. Suitable for containers that can be moved indoors during winter. An excellent choice for home gardens, Farmer’s Markets, and market growers. A variety from Italy.

65 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Cinnamon Basil. The plant produces good yields of very spicy and cinnamon-flavored basil leaves. It is a popular herb variety prized for its warm, spicy cinnamon-like aroma and flavor combined with classic basil notes, often with hints of mint or anise. Used in sauces, salads, and Mexican dishes. It features deep green leaves (sometimes with purple tinges, striking violet or purplish-red stems, and lavender flowers. It is an attractive ornamental plant and a pollinator-friendly addition to your herb garden. Also known as Mexican Basil and Mexican Spice Basil. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens and specialty markets. A heirloom variety from Mexico.

85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Dwarf Greek Basil. The plant produces good yields of fragrant green basil leaves with white flowers. It is a popular basil variety prized for its intense flavor, small leaves, and tidy, globe-like growth habit. Excellent as a garnish or seasoning for poultry, beef, stews, and soups. This variety is preferred by most chefs. It can be grown indoors in containers. Perfect for patio gardening. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the USA.

85 days. Thymus vulgaris. Perennial. Open Pollinated. English Thyme. The plant produces excellent yields of flavorful thyme leaves. Used in salads, stews, sauces, and pickles. Excellent for poultry and fish dishes. Suitable for containers, pots, small gardens, square foot gardens, patios, raised gardens, borders, rock gardens, herb gardens, and window boxes. A variety from the USA.

1992 All-America Selections Winner! 85 days. Anethum graveolens. Annual. Open Pollinated. Fernleaf Dill. It is a popular dwarf dill variety prized for its compact size, abundant fern-like foliage, and slower bolting compared to standard dill. This small plant produces very flavorful dark blue-green leaves and seeds. Seeds are used as a pickling spice, and leaves are used in omelets, fish dishes, and salads. Also used as a garnish. Leaves can be dried for later use. Also known as Dwarf Fernleaf Dill. The small plant is suitable for containers and small gardens with limited space. An excellent choice for herb gardens and specialty markets. A variety from the USA.

85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Lettuce Leaf Basil. This bush plant produces good yields of very flavorful and tender basil leaves. It is a popular heirloom sweet basil variety prized for its exceptionally large, crinkled, light-green leaves that can reach 4–6 inches in length and width, resembling lettuce leaves. Used in sauces, salads, veal, poultry, fish, vegetables, and gourmet dishes. Leaves can be used dried, fresh, or frozen. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 92043. A variety from Japan.

1987 All-America Selections Winner! 85 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Purple Ruffles Basil. The plant produces good yields of purple basil leaves. It is a popular basil variety prized for its large, deep purple-to-violet, ruffled fringed leaves, and pale pink-to-purple flower spikes. Excellent as a garnish, seasoned oil, seasoned vinegar, or seasoning for poultry, beef, stews, and soups. A very beautiful plant. Suitable for containers. Excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 601365. A variety from the USA.

90 days. Origanum majorana. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Sweet Marjoram. The plant produces good yields of very flavorful Marjoram leaves. This herb has an Oregano-like flavor. Used in meats, stews, casseroles, poultry, sausages, and sauces. The flowers are used to garnish salads, soups, stews, sauces, and stuffing. It can be used dried or fresh. Also known as Knotted Marjoram. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, NSL 6410. variety from the Mediterranean region.

120 days. Stevia rebaudiana. Perennial. Stevia. Open Pollinated. The plant produces high yields of dark green leaves. It is used as a sweetener. Stevioside is 300 times sweeter than sugar but without calories. It can be used in place of sugar in drinks, baked goods, desserts, and preserves, and is also a plaque-retardant and tooth decay inhibitor. It is a useful sweetener for diabetics and dieters and is used to treat blood pressure problems. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from South America.