Growing perennial herbs is a savvy way to save money in the garden and make gardening chores a lot easier. However, keeping track of the herbs that are actually perennials can be a bit of a challenge since many perennial herb plants are commonly treated like annuals in cold climates. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of popular perennial herbs below, including a selection of the most cold hardy plants that can survive winters in the chilliest gardens. What Are Perennial Herbs? Perennial herbs are relatively long-lived plants that take more than 2 years to complete their life cycle. These plants are winter hardy in their native habitat and often get quite large as they mature. Many of our most popular culinary herbs are technically perennials, including most mints and woody-stemmed herbs like lavender. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! What Are Annual Herbs? Herbs that are true annuals often have tender stems and a fast growth rate and they complete their entire life cycle in less than a year. That means that if you plant annual herb seeds in spring, you can expect your plants to reach their mature size, flower, and produce seeds all before they die back in fall. Dill, cilantro, and other herbs in the carrot family fall into this category; however, many perennial herbs are treated like annuals when they’re planted outside of their hardiness zone. Perennial vs. Tender Perennial Herbs Although tender perennial herbs are technically perennial plants, tender herbs are sensitive to the cold and they don’t survive winters in chilly climates. Most growers cultivate tender perennial herbs, like basil, as annuals and allow their plants to die back in fall. However, cold-sensitive herbs can be kept alive for years by overwintering them indoors or in a heated greenhouse. If you want to grow perennial herbs with minimal effort and don’t want to bother with overwintering plants indoors, select herbs that are winter hardy in your growing zone. Many cold tolerant, perennial herbs can be cultivated outdoors year round without winter protection—and some can even be harvested when they’re covered in snow. Common Perennial Herbs From apple mint to winter savory, there are many perennial herbs to choose from. But just because herbs are perennials, doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily grow perennially in your area. Before planting any of the following herbs in your garden, doublecheck their hardiness zone to make sure they can survive winters in your garden. Anise Hyssop Apple Mint Bay Laurel Bee Balm Bronze Fennel Catnip Chives Chocolate Mint French Tarragon Garlic Chives Lavender Lemon Balm Lemon Thyme Lemon Verbena Lovage Marjoram Mountain Mint Oregano Peppermint Pineapple Sage Roman Chamomile Rosemary Sage Salad Burnet Shiso Spearmint Stevia Sweet Cicely Thyme Winter Savory 11 Perennial Herbs to Grow Many growers dream of having a large herb garden brimming with fresh herbs for cooking, tea making, and more. But if you don’t have a lot of room for growing herbs, reserve the space you do have for the herbs you use the most in your recipes and plants that are well-suited to your growing zone. If you’re having a hard time choosing between herb plants, here’s a list of 11 perennial herbs that are especially versatile in the kitchen and easy to care for. Bay Laurel If you use a lot of bay leaves in your cooking, why not grow a bay laurel tree (Laurus nobilis) or two and harvest your own bay leaves for recipes? Although bay laurels only grow perennially in USDA zones 8 through 10, these plants thrive in roomy pots and can be cultivated indoors in cold locations. Among their many charms, bay laurel plants are relatively pest-proof, they’re long-lived, and their glossy green leaves have lots of aesthetic appeal. Chives Chives grow well in gardens or pots, and they can be used—fresh or dry—to flavor salads, soups, baked potatoes, casseroles, and many more dishes. Incredibly cold tolerant, chives grow perennially in zones 3 and up and they’re fantastic companion plants for attracting bees and other pollinators to veggie gardens. If you’re tired of classic chives, try growing garlic chives instead and use the garlic-flavored leaves in any recipe that calls for garlic cloves. Lavender Many growers cultivate lavender plants just for their richly scented leaves and charming, purple flowers. However, English lavender is edible and it can be used in desserts, brewed into teas, or infused into creative cocktails and mocktails. Like many other woody-stemmed herbs, lavender grows best in full sun and well-draining soil, and most varieties are winter hardy from zones 5 through 9. Marjoram There are several types of marjoram, but the most common variety for cooking is only hardy from zones 9 and up. If you live in a warm location, you can grow marjoram outdoors year round, but growers in colder areas should move their plants inside in winter if they want to keep them around. Marjoram leaves taste a bit like citrus mixed with pine and they can be used to elevate the taste of pasta sauces and other savory treats. Mint Growers have lots of mint plants to choose from, but peppermint and spearmint are usually the easiest plants to find at garden centers. Apple mint, chocolate mint, lemon balm, and catnip also fall into the mint category and, like other mint plants, they grow best when they’re provided with regular water and plenty of sun. Most mint plants grow aggressively and they should be kept in pots or dedicated raised beds to avoid invasiveness; however, native mountain mint plants are more mild-mannered and they’re especially attractive to native bees. Oregano Another cold hardy herb, common oregano grows perennially in zones 4 and up, and plants often remain evergreen through the winter months. In fact, you may be able to harvest small quantities of oregano leaves even when there’s snow on the ground and use those leaves to flavor pizza sauces, soups, and other cozy treats. For more variety, try lesser known oregano varieties like Greek oregano, Mexican oregano, or Syrian oregano. Roman Chamomile German chamomile and Roman chamomile are both grown for herbal teas; however, only Roman chamomile grows perennially. Compared to German chamomile, Roman chamomile plants are relatively short and they sport smaller, white and yellow flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators. Picking chamomile flowers every day or two keeps plants productive, and it’s the best way to boost the size of your chamomile harvest. Sage A classic herb for flavoring roasted meats and veggies, sage plants maintain a relatively upright growth habit and usually max out at around two to three feet tall. These plants grow well in pots or garden beds, but they should be kept in full sun and well-draining soil to avoid issues like root rot. Most culinary sage plants boast soft, silvery-green leaves, but if you love lots of garden color, you may want to grow purple or tricolor sage instead. Tarragon Hardy in zones 4 and up, tarragon is a popular ingredient in French cuisine and its licorice-flavored leaves are often blended into butter or infused into vinegar or olive oil. As with other homegrown herbs, tarragon leaves can be used fresh or they can be frozen or dried for longer term storage. Not only are tarragon plants tasty, but their buttery orange flowers bring lots of color to herb beds and flower pots—and they’re highly attractive to pollinators, too. Thyme Another woody-stemmed herb from the Mediterranean region, thyme prefers to grow in well-draining, sandy soil and full sun. While common thyme is the most popular thyme variety for culinary use, adventurous gardeners may want to grow other types of thyme instead. Lemon thyme, for instance, is prized for its lemony flavor; while creeping thyme has a particularly low growth habit and can be used as an edible ground cover or grass alternative in lawns. Winter Savory Unlike summer savory, winter savory is a perennial plant that has woody stems and a deep, rich flavor with notes of black pepper and pine. Hardy to zone 4, winter savory is often grown as a marjoram substitute in cold climates, but it’s also useful as a pest-repelling companion plant in vegetable gardens. If you want to dry woody-stemmed herbs like winter savory, gather the herb stems in bundles and hang them in a warm, dry place with good air flow until the stems are thoroughly dry and brittle.

An annual plant that thrives with sun and low water, the American basketflower is a treasure in prairies and meadows across the United States. Join native plant gardener Jerad Bryant and learn how to best care for this low-maintenance annual. Annuals are bittersweet in the garden. They grow for a year and die when they’ve completed their life cycle. Most annuals sold at nurseries are not native wildflowers, and they lack the beneficial adaptations of native plants. The American basketflower is one of these natives, and it’s a delightful surprise when it readily reseeds in the garden. There’s no need to mourn the last of the basketflower blooms each season, as the plant will sprout again and again from seeds each fall. Unlike frost-tender annuals like Coleus and Impatiens that struggle to set seed, American basketflowers are tough reproducers without the gardener’s help. These plants are perfect for sunny spots with good drainage, and they form a gorgeous mass planting with other annual wildflowers like sunflowers and firewheels. Throughout the summer, their tall, slender stems grow large pink flowers that delight gardeners and pollinators alike. What Is American Basketflower? An icon of eastern prairies and meadows, the American basketflower pops its pink-purple flower heads above native grasses and wildflowers. Known scientifically as Centaurea americana, this annual is closely related to bachelor’s button, purple scabiosa, and sweet sultan. These plants are in the Centaurea genus, and all grow alike, preferring similar conditions. American basketflower is one of the few plants in the Centaurea genus native to North America. Plant it instead of its non-native relatives to provide a beneficial wildflower for North America’s native pollinators and animals. This particular native hosts hummingbirds, bumblebees, and an array of other birds and insects. Plant this annual today and enjoy animal visitors for life! If you have an area with Full sun and well-draining soil, this plant will make the area pop with its bright flowers and deep-green foliage. History Various American Indian nations in the Midwest and Great Plains areas used this flower for medical ailments like venomous bites, indigestion, and eye disorders. It has a long history of growing in the United States. Paleolithic remains show that people alive during 6000-8000 B.C. hunted bison in large numbers. They would scare the herds off cliffs and then collect the meat down below. What does this have to do with the American basketflower? On sites where this activity occurred, the native wildflower grows in large numbers. At these hunting sites, the people camped and cooked their meat. We do not know if they planted this flower, but its presence at these sites shows that seeds may have spread with human interactions. Native Area This wildflower originates from Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Arizona, and northern Mexico. It naturalizes itself across the Southeast, Midwest, and East Coast. American basketflowers love growing wherever there is sunshine, cool winters, and water. This plant’s seeds prefer mild temperatures to germinate, and the best time for planting them varies depending on your region. They naturally germinate over the fall and winter in their native regions and grow slowly until the warmth of spring and summer arrives. Then they mature upwards and prepare to display their unique basketflowers. Extreme cold and heat may adversely affect seed germination outside of its native range. This native is a hardy annual though, and its drought tolerance and full sun preference make it a stellar choice for gardens from Hawaii to New York. Characteristics American basketflowers’ foliage looks dainty in early spring. When the warmth of summer arrives, the cute green rosettes shoot up to six feet tall! The leaves extend off the main stem, and they point onlookers up to the large, erect flowers at the tops of the stem. The plant’s namesake is its basketflowers, and they can reach widths of four inches wide! They are purple-pink on the outside and pale yellow-white on the inside. Their shape resembles cornflowers, but much bigger. When left to flourish on their own, these annuals drop seeds that readily germinate each year. Their seediness makes them excellent additions to meadow, prairie, and grassland-type landscapes. Uses The flowers make excellent cut flowers in arrangements and bouquets. They work well because they grow bright and big on a long, slender stem. The flowers also hold their shape surprisingly well and make long-lasting dried flower arrangements. In the landscape, they are choice additions for naturalizing areas that are chock full of invasive species. After removing the invasive species, plant this seed in mass quantities with other native grasses, wildflowers, and annuals. It will quickly spread and create a meadow that protects the soil, and that prepares the area for future landscaping. This native wildflower also looks stunning planted in a mixed flower border with other plants that prefer like conditions. Experiment by planting American basketflower seeds with your other plants this fall, and watch them attract pollinators to your space as they grow and flower. Planting Easy to grow, the American basketflower requires little maintenance and setup to grow successfully. Start by sowing seeds at the optimal time in the fall. This mimics the plant’s natural growth period, as the seeds naturally ripen at the end of the summer and fall to the ground. Start the sowing process by choosing an optimal growing site for your plants. This native grows its best in full sun with soil that drains well. Once you’ve located your site, scatter seeds across the loose soil. Then, cover them with a thin layer of soil and water well. In areas with extreme frost, sow seeds in the spring after all dangers of frost have passed. Or, start seeds indoors a few weeks before your last frost date. After the seeds germinate, water them consistently until the plants grow a few leaves. Then, cut back on the watering, as they will need less water while they are adults. Transplant container-grown seedlings into the garden after all dangers of frost have passed. Mature plants set seeds on their flowers for next year’s plants. Simply let the plants scatter their seed where they grow, and they’ll germinate on their own! Thin overcrowded seedlings as they grow, then watch as your plants repeat their reproductive cycle with flowers and seeds each year. How to Grow Grow this annual easily, as its planting, maintenance, and upkeep are simple to learn. To grow the American basketflower, plant seeds, water them, and let them mature into adult plants! Undoubtedly, a plant this easy to care for is an excellent addition to any garden. Maintenance American basketflower’s maintenance is minimal and dependent upon what you prefer to do in the garden. If you appreciate a natural, wild look, let these wildflowers grow freely without pruning them. For a more formal garden look, deadhead the flowers when they’re done and watch as your plants sprout new ones! Placing compost on the soil each year leads to abundant flowers in the summer. Compost adds beneficial structure to the soil, and it adds low amounts of nutrients that won’t harm your flowers or their growth.

Are you looking for an easy-to-grow and diverse flower to plant this year? Campanula flowers (bellflowers) are beginner-friendly and produce adorable bell-shaped flowers that come in several colors. In this article, horticulture expert Matt Dursum covers how to plant, grow, and care for these eye-catching bloomers. Campanula flowers, also known as bellflowers, are gorgeous spring and summer bloomers. They put on majestic little tubular to bell-shaped flowers that bloom in striking hues of blues, purples, pinks, whites, and violets. Bellflowers grow low to the ground or tall and upright. Some species have a beautiful trailing growing habit, while others form big clumps of flowers. They’ll quickly form beautiful patches of color in flower beds, cut beds, or garden barriers. These stunning bloomers are easy to plant and care for, making them perfect for beginner flower gardeners. Let’s dive into how to plant, grow, and care for these compact and colorful plants. What Is Campanula (Bellflower)? There are over 300 species of Campanulas to choose from, each one with its own growing habit, color profile, and shape. Depending on your climate zone, you can find annual, perennial, and biennial varieties to plant. Today, these flowers are some of the most widely planted ornamental plants in the US. They thrive in a variety of climates and soil types. They spread quickly and form large clusters or areas of creeping foliage. Some species are considered invasive because of their easy-growing and fast-propagating nature. Others, such as the fairy bellflower (Campanula persicifolia), are easier to control because of their upright nature. One of the best traits of Campanula flowers is their ability to attract beneficial pollinators. Once these tiny flowers bloom, hummingbirds, bees, and other insects will swarm around them. Characteristics Bellflowers come in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some species grow upright while others form a trailing or clumping structure. The flowers usually have a bell or tubular shape. Some species appear to have star-shaped blooms. They come in many colors, including violet, white, blue, purple, and pink. The foliage is light to dark green and beautiful. Some species stay low-lying and barely reach 6 inches tall. Others can reach heights of over 3 feet in the right growing conditions. Many species, such as the creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides), are invasive in many parts of the US. Because of this, it’s best to stick to non-invasive campanula species, such as the American bellflower and the Dalmatian bellflower. Native Area Bellflowers are native to Europe, Asia, and North America, where they grow in meadows, forest margins, and forests. They adapted to multiple habitats and climates, producing over 300 species. Some species are edible and were consumed regularly in medicinal teas and as foraged food. These edible flowers also became choice ornamentals in many regions of Europe and Asia because of their easy-growing nature. In the 18th and 19th centuries, European gardeners brought them to North America. The plants quickly naturalized in many parts of the US. Today, several species are seen as invasive and grow wild. Planting Bellflowers are easy to grow from seed. Plant them as colorful ground covers or in garden borders. Many gardeners plant them along rock walls or hillsides for a dramatic effect. I enjoy planting taller annual varieties along the borders of my cut gardens. They frame taller flowers nicely and contrast with deeper and darker colored flowers. Be aware that some perennial varieties grow quickly and can become invasive in some locations. Because of their vigorous growing habits, it’s best to stick to annuals unless you’re ready for consistent pruning and upkeep. Some trailing varieties grow well in hanging planters. You can hang these containers on porches and decks that get direct sunlight.