Herbs - L

47 days. Coriandrum sativum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Leisure Coriander. This early-maturing plant produces very pungent leaves and seeds that are used for culinary purposes. It is a popular herb variety prized for its slow bolting characteristic, making it excellent for extended harvests. This variety is extra slow-bolting and is great for hot-weather regions. Used in seasoning soup, salsa, salads, pickles, meats, and fish. Excellent in Mexican, Chinese, and Latin American dishes. Start harvesting when the plant is 6" tall. The best thing is to use fresh leaves, as their flavor disappears when dried. Great for garnishing or decorating attractive dishes. The leaves are called Cilantro, and the seeds are called Coriander. Also referred to as Chinese Parsley. An excellent choice for herb gardens. A member of the dill family and native to the Mediterranean region.

70 days. Melissa officinalis. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Lemon Balm Seeds. The plant produces good yields of beautiful lemon scented leaves. Used to make delightful tea, sauces, salads, soups, stews, and summer drinks. It is said to stimulate the heart, calm the nerves, anxiety, honeybees, and butterflies, and upset stomachs. The leaves can be dried for storage. Attracts honeybees and butterflies. You should cut back the plant when it starts blooming if you don’t want it to seed. An heirloom variety dating back over 2,000 years. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Europe.

75 days. Ocimum citriodorum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Lemon Basil Seeds. The plant produces good yields of beautiful, shiny basil leaves. It is a popular herb variety prized for its distinctive sweet-lemon scent and tangy citrus flavor, which is stronger than that of regular basil. Leaves have a lemony scent and flavor that is excellent for flavoring chicken dishes. Used in vegetable dishes, salads, pestos, tomato dishes, cheeses, omelets, tea, fish/chicken dishes, curries, and making herb vinegar. Also known as Citrus Basil. Suitable for container gardens. An excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from India.

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.

75 days. Ocimum basilicum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Licorice Basil. The plant produces high yields of basil leaves with purple flowers. It is a popular basil variety prized for its distinct sweet, licorice-like aroma and taste. Excellent with fish, salads, gourmet dishes, teas, desserts, garnish, and Asian dishes. Used to treat headaches, stress, digestive health, and inflammation. Also known as Persian Basil and Anise Basil. Suitable for containers. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the USA.

Glycyrrhiza glabra. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Licorice. The plant produces good yields of licorice. It is a popular herb prized for its sweet roots, which contain glycyrrhizin, up to 50 times sweeter than sugar. It is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Used to make delicious candy, liquor, and sweetener for tea, flavorings, traditional medicine, and other products. It is known to help treat throat, stomach, urinary, and intestinal problems. The plant features silvery-green foliage and produces small white, blue, purple, or lavender flowers in summer, followed by seed pods. Drought Tolerant. Deer Resistant. Rabbit Resistant. Excellent choice for herb gardens. A variety from the Mediterranean region.

 

Note: Licorice seeds have a hard coat and often show low or erratic germination without pretreatment.

60 days. Ocimum americanum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Lime Basil Seeds. The plant produces good yields of 2" long lime-flavored basil leaves. Excellent with salads and fish dishes. Suitable for containers. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from Thailand.

75 days. Anethum graveolens. Annual. Open Pollinated. Long Island Mammoth Dill. The plant produces high yields of very flavorful Dill leaves and seeds. It is a popular heirloom dill variety prized for its tall, vigorous growth, large feathery foliage, and abundant, sizable seed heads, making it excellent for pickling, fresh herbs, and culinary uses. Seeds are used as a pickling spice. Leaves are used in omelets, fish dishes, and salads. Also used as a garnish. Leaves can be dried for later use. This variety matures more quickly than others and also has higher yields. It is said that Dill can enhance the growth of cabbage, onions, lettuce, and tomatoes. Attracts beneficial insects and butterflies. Easy to grow. Excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 305462. A variety from the USA.

45 days. Coriandrum sativum. Annual. Open Pollinated. Long Standing Coriander. This early maturing plant produces good yields of very pungent leaves and seeds. It is a popular coriander variety prized for its slow-bolting trait, improved leafiness, excellent flavor, and extended harvest window. The leaves are sweet and spicy and are used to season pickles and meats. The seeds are used in bread, curry powder, and pastries. Excellent in Mexican, Chinese, and Latin American dishes. The leaves are called Cilantro, and the seeds are called Coriander. This variety bolts two weeks after other varieties. Suitable for spring and fall plantings. A member of the dill family. Also known as Chinese Parsley or Mexican Parsley. An excellent choice for herb gardens. United States Department of Agriculture, PI 690550. A variety from the USA.

90 days. Levisticum officinale. Perennial. Open Pollinated. Lovage Seeds. The plant produces good yields of glossy dark green leaves. It has a celery like flavor. Used in salads, rice, soups, stews, potatoes, poultry dishes, and casseroles. Known for the treatment of digestive problems. Attracts beneficial insects. An excellent choice for home gardens. A variety from the USA.