You can scroll down through all the herbs or go directly to one type of herb by clicking here. (Please note that, in several cases, we have more than one variety of an herb. These links will take you to the first variety: then you can scroll down to see the other varieties.)

Basil	Borage	Burnet	Chamomile
Chervil	Cilantro	Dill	Fennel
Leaf Celery	Marigold	Parsley	Shungiku

Basil, Fino Verde- Item #HB101 Ocimum basilicum var. minimum Very attractive, compact basil - a rounded mound about 6" to 8" high, with small leaves, and good sweet basil taste. Ideal for container gardens, edging flower beds, or growing indoors under lights. Harvest in about 60-70 days from transplanting out. Growing directions, plus other information on basil. (From Ohio State University. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - 6" - 8" diameter, 6" - 8" depth, if growing by itself. Quantity - 50 seeds Price - $ 1.85

Basil, Lettuce Leaf, Toscano - Item # HB102 Ocimum spp. A select Italian strain of Lettuce Leaf Basil, aromatic and flavorful. I've chosen Lettuce Leaf Basil for the SuperStar Collection because you get more basil per plant with it: the plants are the same size as other basils, but the leaves are larger (and crinkled). So you can have more pesto per plant! It's also very nice to be able to use it like lettuce on a cheese and tomato sandwich (or almost any other sandwich too). Basil is a fairly decorative plant - goes nicely in a mixed container. Growing directions, plus other information on basil. (From Ohio State University. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - A 12" diameter pot, 8 or more inches high, will have room for three basil plants. One plant should be OK in an 8" diameter pot, 8" high. But you'll want more than one basil plant! There's no such thing as too much basil. Quantity - 50 seeds Price - $ 1.90

Basil, Purple Ruffles - Item #HB103 Ocimum spp. Pretty, deep purple, heavily ruffled and fringed leaves, pretty lavender flowers. And it's basil. This one's a winner. It will add a stunning accent to mixed plantings. Growing directions, plus other information on basil. (From Ohio State University. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - A 12" diameter pot, 8 or more inches high, will have room for three basil plants. One plant should be OK in an 8" diameter pot, 8" high. But you'll want more than one basil plant! Purples Ruffles will probably often be grown as part of a larger mixed planting. Quantity - 50 seeds. Price - $1.90

Basil, Thai - Item #HB104 Growing to about 24". These attractive container plants have nice green leaves along with purple flowers and stems. Quantity - 50 seeds. Price - $1.90

Borage - Item # BG101 Borago officinalis. Two to three foot high mounds of light-green leaves are covered with the most beautiful, incredibly blue star-shaped flowers. Flowers are used in salads, and have a cucumber-y taste. The flowers are also stunning candied for use as cake decorations or edible garnishes. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - 6" diameter, 6" depth or larger (for one borage plant). Quantity - 20 seeds Price - $1.50

Burnet - Item #HB105 Poterium sanguisorba Burnet (also called "Salad Burnet") is a pretty little perennial plant, for Zones 5-8. It resembles maidenhair fern, with small, scalloped leaves. Flowers are cute little globes of lime green with pink pistils. It has a cucumber-ish, but delicate, taste. Chopped or whole leaves and flowers are sprinkled on salads, and can be used to flavor vinegar. If you keep it cut - no more than 4-6" tall - is will keep producing young leaves for your salads. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - Burnet is pretty enough to use as an edging in a decorative container. If you plant it alone, an 8" diameter, 8" deep pot is the recommended minimum size. A 10" pot would be OK too. Quantity - 50 seeds Price - $ 1.75

Chamomile (German) - ORGANIC - Item #HV109 Matricaria recutita There are two types of chamomile: this one is German chamomile. It is an annual plant, from 1' to 2' tall, that will be covered with masses of small, white, daisy-like flowers with a light apple scent. Chamomile has been used for a very long time: in medieval times, it was strewn on the floor to make the rooms smell good. Chamomile was also what Mrs. Rabbit gave to Peter Rabbit to settle his stomach when he had eaten too much in Mr. McGregor's garden! Today, it is is used to scent baths, and the dried flowers are used as a component of herbal tea, especially those teas which are thought to promote quiet sleep. The dried flowers and leaves are also used in potpourri and crafts. But I recommend it principally as a connection with history, and for the pretty white flowers. I think chamomile would make a very good part of a mixed (herbal or otherwise) decorative planting. NOTE: People who have known sensitivities to ragweed, asters, chrysanthemums, or other members of the Compositae family should be cautious about chamomile. Growing directions - Sow seeds outdoors in early spring, or sow indoors at around 55 F (in other words, don't give the seeds supplemental heat, but keep them at room temperature). Keep the mix moist (by misting or bottom watering) during germination. Germination takes about 10-12 days. Thin the little plants (you'll probably plant too many seeds, as they very small). Transplant outdoors in early or late spring after hardening them off. They need to be in full sun or partial shade, and should be spaced from 6" to 12" apart. Lots of information on chamomile is here (will open in new window, close window to return here), but unfortunately it doesn't include cultural information. Recommended container size: At least 8" depth of soil, and 10" diameter. Quantity - 100 seeds Price - $ 2.30

Chervil - Item #HB106 Anthriscus cerefolium Chervil is a hardy annual that likes cool weather: it's at its best in spring and fall. The leaves resemble small Italian parsley and the flavor can be described as "tarragon-like with hints of anise." Use chervil in omelets, salads, vegetable dishes, with fish, in cheese dishes, and for an herb butter. Chervil is best planted directly in its permanent container: as it has a long tap root, it resents being transplanted. Seeds (like lettuce seeds) need light to germinate - don't cover them or - at most - cover lightly. Chervil can get up to two feet tall. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - 10" diameter, 10" depth pots, or larger, or in larger containers as part of a mixed planting. Quantity - 50 seeds Price - $ 1.50

Cilantro, Santo (Fresh Coriander) - Item #HB108 Coriandrum sativum. You probably already know whether you love cilantro or hate it: it seems to evoke strong emotions in people. It's much used in Mexican cuisine and in many Asian cuisines as well. Cilantro is a cinch to grow, there's really nothing to it, except that it bolts to seed quickly. This variety (Santo) is the slowest-to-bolt of all the cilantros: that means that you can cut and enjoy the fresh leaves longer than with any other variety. Cilantro seeds need darkness to sprout: cover the container with a piece of aluminum foil or put it in a dark place, until the seeds sprout. Check it daily. As soon as they sprout, get it into the light. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size - Almost anything! I grow it on a windowsill in foil loafpans - the same size pans in which you'd make a loaf of bread. I takes six weeks from seed to harvest. By starting one foil pan of cilantro each week, I can have a constant supply and just enough for one person (my husband doesn't like it). Of course, you can grow it in larger containers too. Quantity - 60 seeds Price - $3.00

Dill, Fernleaf - Item #D101 Anethum graveolens This is a very special variety of dill: it's a dwarf variety, growing to only about 12-18" tall. Fast-growing mounds of foliage can be harvested starting at about 6" in height. The ferny foliage makes it an attractive addition to a decorative container. Dill is easily grown and the leaves and/or seeds are used in herbal butter and herb vinegars, or to flavor fish, lamb, pork, poultry, cheese, cream, eggs, vegetables, avocados, apples, popcorn, salads, soups, sauces, and spreads. And pickles, of course. (My goodness! It seems you can put dill in almost anything.) Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size: Dill has a deep taproot (similar to a carrot), so even though this particular variety only gets to be about 12" to 18" high, you'll probably need at least 10" of soil depth, and probably about 10" in diameter. Or grow it as part of a larger, mixed planting. Quantity - 30 seeds Price - $ 1.50

Fennel, Bronze - Item # FS101 Foeniculum vulgare This is the herb fennel: it is not the vegetable that forms a bulbous stem. Leaves, stems, and seeds of this fennel are eaten. (The article referenced in the paragraph below has information on how fennel is used.) This variety has dark smoky-brown foliage and is very pretty. It makes a striking accent plant, especially if planted in front of a plant with green folige. The foliage is lacy and ferny. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Recommended container size: Fennel is a tall, deep-rooted plant and will need 12" of soil depth. I'd guess it will also need at least 12" of diameter. Quantity - 40 seeds Price - $ 1.70

Leaf Celery (also called Zwolsche Krul, Par-Cel, Cutting Celery, etc.) - Item #LC101 Apium graveolens var. secalinum This is a very useful plant. It looks like parsley (but is larger) and tastes just like celery: which really isn't surprising, since it is a form of celery. Leaf celery is, however, much, much easier to grow than regular (stalk) celery. Any time you want the taste of celery, you can snip some leaves and use them instead. It can also be dried or frozen for winter, or grown indoors in winter. See my Leaf Celery Article for a full description and growing directions. Recommended container size: I grew some leaf celery this winter (indoors) in 6" pots. That's a bit small, and it would probably have benefitted from having an 8" to 10" pot. But it did grow in the 6" pots. So anything this size or larger should work well. Quantity - 100 seeds Price - $1.90

Marigold Signet Red Gem - Item #FLW104 This is not your standard marigold. These attractive 10" plants have finely cut fern like leaves, and are covered with single red flowers, which have a citrus flavor and scent. The petals are often used as a garnish for mixed green salads, or in potato or pasta salads. for an exciting flavor try tossing a few petals in with steamed or sauted vegetables, such and zucchini, or green beans. NOTE: The white area at the base of the petal is very bitter; cut it off before adding your flowers petals before cooking. Quantity - 20 seeds Price - $ 1.40

Marigold Tangernie Gem - Item #FLW113 Another edible Marigold in the Gem Series. This is basically the same as Red Gem only the petals are tangerine colored. Some people like to use these Marigold flowers as a substiute for Tarragon in their cooking. Quantity - 20 seeds Price - $ 1.40

Parsley, Forest Green - Item #137 Petroselinum crispum Forest Green is a curly parsley, with rich, dark green foliage. Long stiff stems keep the foliage away from the growing medium, so that the leaves don't get dirty when you water. It holds its dark green color, even in hot summer, and is a very tasty and productive variety of parsley. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Note that these directions call for planting the seeds directly outdoors: I disagree with this and recommend that parsley seeds be started indoors. You can shorten the germination time by soaking the seeds in warm water overnight first. Completely cover the seeds as darkness aids germination. Even though you have soaked the seeds, germination can take up to three weeks: so don't give up. Just keep the growing medium moist - but not soggy wet - and have faith. Recommended container size - 8" - 10" depth, 8" to 10" diameter (if planted alone). Works well as part of a mixed planting. Also sold as part of our Culinary Herb Collection. Quantity - 100 seeds Price - $ 1.60

Parsley, Italian - Giant of Naples - Item #136 Petroselinum crispum var. neapolitanum Italian (flat-leaf) parsley has a better flavor than curly parsley and is a key component of Italian food. Good with lots of other food styles too. Parsley is easy to grow: germination is slow and can be erractic, but once it has germinated, it's a cinch. You can dry or freeze it for winter use. Giant of Naples is the largest-leaved Italian parsley and has a good strong flavor. Growing directions. (From Penn State University's Cooperative Extension Website. Will open in new window: close window to return here). Note that these directions call for planting the seeds directly outdoors: I disagree with this and recommend that parsley seeds be started indoors. You can shorten the germination time by soaking the seeds in warm water overnight first. Completely cover the seeds as darkness aids germination. Even though you have soaked the seeds, germination can take up to three weeks: so don't give up. Just keep the growing medium moist - but not soggy wet - and have faith. Recommended container size - 8" - 10" depth, 8" to 10" diameter (if planted alone). Works well as part of a mixed planting. Also sold as part of our Culinary Herb Collection. Quantity - 100 seeds Price - $ 1.60

Shungiku (Edible Chrysanthemum) - Item #152 Chrysanthemum coronarium Shungiku is also known as "garland chrysanthemum" and "chop suey greens" in English, and several other names in various Asian languages. I don't know whether to call this an Asian green, an herb, or an edible flower. It's really all three. It's a very pleasant, good tasting plant too: leaves are used in soups, stir-fries, or tossed on salads. They are also used in pickles, sushi, or suki-yaki and other Japanese dishes. It's very difficult to describe a taste, but I'd say that shungiku has a fresh, crisp, floral-mint taste. Our seeds are from the fine (or fern)-leafed strain of shungiku - it's more decorative than the plainer, larger leaf type. You can start snipping leaves about 21 days after sowing seeds, or when they are at least 4" tall. Left unharvested, the plant will eventually become 3-4 feet tall and bear (rather unexciting) yellow or orange flowers. The flowers can be used as an edible garnish. Growing directions: this plant likes cool weather, so plant in spring and and again in late summer for fall growing. Germination temperature: around 70 F (21 C). I start shungiku seeds in the house, at normal room temperature. Time to germinate: about 6-14 days. Transplant out in spring, but when the worst of winter's cold is over. I transplant mine out about one week before our expected last frost date. I have never had any problems or diseases or insect damage with shungiku. Recommended container size: About 10" in soil depth, and about 12" diameter, minimum. Larger would be fine too. Also sold as part of our Asian Flavors Theme Garden. Quantity - 50 seeds Price - $ 1.40