Herbs - What's Best
Growing your own herbs at home is one of the most rewarding gardening projects you can undertake. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, herbs offer quick results, practical uses, and the satisfaction of harvesting fresh flavours for your kitchen. Let's explore ten essential herbs and discover what makes each one special.
Chives
Chives are the perfect herb for beginners. These hardy perennials grow quickly and bounce back after harvesting, making them incredibly forgiving. With their delicate onion flavour, chives work beautifully in soups, salads, and as a garnish. They prefer partial shade and consistently moist soil, and they'll reward you with pretty purple flowers in spring that are entirely edible.
Rosemary
Rosemary is the Mediterranean herb that keeps on giving. This woody perennial thrives in well-drained soil and loves sunshine, making it ideal for sunny garden spots or containers. Its needle-like leaves pack a robust, piney flavour perfect for roasted vegetables, meats, and breads. Rosemary is also incredibly long-lived—a mature plant can provide harvests for years.
Dill
Dill is a feathery annual that brings a fresh, slightly tangy taste to your cooking. It grows tall and airy, adding vertical interest to your herb garden. Dill is essential for pickling, fish dishes, and salads. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and it self-seeds readily, so you may find it returning year after year without much effort.
Oregano
Oregano is a sun-loving perennial that thrives in poor, well-drained soil—making it one of the easiest herbs to grow. Its warm, slightly peppery flavour is indispensable in Mediterranean cooking, from pasta sauces to grilled meats. Once established, oregano is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance, returning reliably each season.
Fennel
Fennel is a tall, architectural herb with feathery foliage and a subtle anise flavour. It's excellent for adding height and texture to your garden while providing seeds and leaves for cooking. Fennel prefers full sun and well-drained soil. The seeds are particularly prized for teas and cooking, and the plant attracts beneficial insects to your garden.
Sage
Sage is a robust, evergreen perennial with soft, velvety leaves and a warm, slightly peppery taste. It's perfect for autumn and winter cooking, especially in stuffings and with roasted vegetables. Sage loves sunshine and well-drained soil, and it's remarkably hardy. A single plant will provide generous harvests for many years with minimal care.
Basil
Basil is the summer star of the herb garden. This tender annual thrives in warmth and sunshine, producing abundant, fragrant leaves throughout the season. Sweet basil is essential for pesto and Italian cooking, while other varieties offer different flavour profiles. Pinch out the growing tips regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering, which extends your harvest window.
Mint
Mint is vigorous, refreshing, and almost impossible to kill—which is why many gardeners grow it in containers to prevent it from taking over. Its cool, clean flavour works in both savoury and sweet dishes, from mojitos to tabbouleh. Mint prefers partial shade and moist soil, and it spreads via underground runners, so containment is key if you want to keep it in check.
Tarragon
Tarragon is a sophisticated herb with a subtle, slightly anise-like flavour that elevates French cuisine. French tarragon is the superior culinary variety, though it's less hardy than Russian tarragon. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and it dies back in winter, so mark its location to avoid accidentally digging it up during dormancy. Fresh tarragon is worth the extra care.
Thyme
Thyme is a low-growing, evergreen perennial that's as attractive as it is useful. With tiny leaves packed with flavour, thyme works in soups, stews, and roasted dishes. It loves sunshine and well-drained soil, and it's incredibly drought-tolerant once established. Thyme also comes in many varieties with different flavours and growth habits, so there's a type for every garden.
The beauty of growing herbs is that you can start small and expand your collection as you gain confidence. Most herbs are forgiving, fast-growing, and rewarding—and there's nothing quite like snipping fresh herbs from your own garden for dinner. Visit us at Rutland Garden Centre to find quality herb plants, seeds, and everything you need to get started.