Culinary Herbs Commonly Grown in UK Gardens

Herbs are among the most satisfying and easiest of all culinary plants to grow. Herbs are not fussy plants and grow well in poor dry soils and full sun, although many will tollerate partial shade. In fact, if you want the best flavour and aroma from your herbs it is best to grow them in under-nourished well drained conditions, in the sunniest part of the garden. One of the exceptions this rule is the mint family, which grows best in moist rich soils.

Perennial and Shrubby Herbs

Laurus nobilis
Bay

Allium schoenoprasum
Chives

Melissa officinalis
Lemon Balm

Origanum vulgare
Marjoram

Mentha spp.
Mint

Origanum
Oregano

Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary

Salvia officinalis
Sage

Thymus vulgaris
Thyme

Herbs Grown as Annuals in the UK

Most annually grown herbs are easily raised from seed, such as angelica, basil, borage, coriander, dill, fennel, parsley* and summer savory. Although nursery grown plants are cheap enough and will soon spread to form large enough clumps for regular picking.

*Although parsley is a perennial, it is a short-lived plant that is best grown as an annual in the UK.