Underrated Herbs

Underrated Herbs to Try in Your Garden

When you think about growing herbs, what comes to mind? Overflowing pots of basil, rosemary, and peppermint? Each of those popular choices is fantastic, but have you ever thought about growing a crop of lovage to add some zing to your soups or some lemon balm to soothe your anxiety?

While some are much better known than others, there are thousands of types of herbs worldwide. Just because some of them could benefit from some PR assistance doesn’t mean they wouldn’t make great additions to your garden. So many have something to offer. It might have a unique flavor, health benefits, an enticing aroma, natural pest control, or in some cases, simple beauty.

Let’s take a look at some of the herbs you might be missing out on.

Hyssop 

Interested in attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to your garden? Hyssop can help you with that. In fact, honey made from hyssop is considered especially flavorful. A perennial herb with a minty, slightly bitter taste, hyssop has narrow, dark green leaves and small, blue flowers.

Uses: It can be used in teas, soups, and salads, and it has medicinal value for respiratory conditions and digestive issues.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Hyssop is drought-tolerant and needs minimal watering.

Ideal USDA Plant Hardiness Growth Zones: 3-10

Lemon Balm 

Not only is lemon balm a great source of nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, but its mild lemon scent can repel pests you don’t want around, including mosquitoes. A perennial herb, lemon balm has light green, heart-shaped leaves.

Uses: While lemon balm is great in teas, salads, and desserts, it’s best known for its calming effects and is used to relieve stress and anxiety.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. One word of warning: Lemon balm can become invasive if not controlled.

Ideal growth zones: 4-9

Sorrel 

Sorrel, which looks a bit like spinach, is a perennial herb with a tart, lemony flavor. It has arrow-shaped leaves and can grow up to 3 feet tall.

Uses: It works well in salads, soups, and sauces, and as an added plus, sorrel is rich in vitamins A and C.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Sorrel thrives in cool, moist conditions and grows best in the spring and fall.

Ideal growth zones: 4-9

Salad Burnet 

Salad Burnet has an interesting place in history: It was once one of about 20 herbs used to create a wine that was drunk to stop the bubonic plague. This attractive, easy-to-grow herb has serrated, round leaves and small, pink flowers. 

Uses: Adds a cucumber-like flavor to salads, soups, and sauces. It is also used to flavor vinegar and is known for its astringent properties.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal care.

Ideal growth zones: 4-8

Lovage

This easy-to-grow perennial herb has a flavor similar to celery with hints of parsley, yeast, and anise (or licorice). It can grow up to 6 feet tall and has glossy, dark green leaves.

Uses: Lovage’s leaves, seeds, and roots can be used in soups, stews, salads, and as a spice. It also has medicinal uses for digestion and joint pain.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun to partial shade. It’s a hardy plant and can tolerate a variety of soil types.

Ideal growth zones: 3-9

Chervil 

This is an annual herb with a mild anise flavor and delicate, fern-like leaves. Its lacy white flowers attract beneficial insects that eat garden pests. It can also be companion planted with radishes, lettuce, and broccoli to improve their growth and flavor. 

Uses: Used in salads, soups, and sauces. It is a key ingredient in the French herb mixture "fines herbs,” which enhances the flavors of delicate dishes.

Growing conditions: Prefers partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. Cooler temperatures are ideal.

Ideal growth zones: 3-7

Winter Savory

Winter Savory is sometimes called the bean herb because it pairs well with beans, and it can reduce flatulence. It features small, dark green leaves and white or pink flowers. Winter savory is also known to attract pollinators.

Uses: Its peppery flavor enhances soups, stews, and meat dishes. It is known for its antiseptic properties.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.

Ideal growth zones: 5-8

Bronze Fennel 

Also known as Smokey Fennel, this tall, feathery herb is a member of the carrot family and is known for its licorice-flavored leaves and seeds. Pollinators, including butterflies, are big fans of its large yellow flowers.

Uses: Great in salads, fish dishes, and as a garnish. Its seeds are used in cooking and baking.

Growing conditions: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and self-seeds easily.

Ideal growth zones: 4-9