search this site

Herbs

Click here for a printable PDF version

Quick links

Drought tolerant herbs
Herbs with edible flower or fruit
Herbs as groundcover
Herbs that attract hummingbirds
Herbs for kitchen
Medicinal herbs
Scented leaves
Shade tolerant herbs
Tea
Trees

Dried flowers

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Cynara	cardunculus		Cardoon
Helichrysum	italicum		Curry plant
Lavandula	angustifolia		Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Folgate'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Hidcote'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Sarah'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Abrialli'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia'	'Grosso'	Lavandin
Monarda	hybrid	'Lambada'	Bee Balm, Lemon
Phlomis	fruticosa		Jerusalem sage
Pycnanthemum	pilosum		Mountain mint
Salvia	leucantha		Sage, Mexican
Tanacetum	parthenium	'White Wonder'	Feverfew, white

Drought tolerant

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Achillea	millefolium	'Proa'	Yarrow, Medicinal
Agastache	rupestris		Hyssop, Desert
Artemisia	lactiflora	'Guizho'	Mugwort, white
Artemisia	lactiflora	'Valerie Finnis'	Mugwort, white
Echinacea		'Orange Meadowbrite'	Coneflower, hybrid
Helichrysum	italicum		Curry plant
Lavandula	angustifolia		Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Ashdown Forest'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Folgate'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Hidcote'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Irene Doyle'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Martha Roderick'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Melissa'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Munstead'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Sarah'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	dentata		Lavender, French
Lavandula	hybrid	'Goodwin Creek Grey'	Lavender
Lavandula	lanata		Lavender, Woolly
Lavandula	lanata hybrids	'Silver Frost'	Lavender, hybrid
Lavandula	pinnata		Lavender, Fernleaf
Lavandula	stoechas		Lavender, Spanish
Lavandula	x allardi		Lavender, Sweet
Lavandula	x intermedia		Lavandins
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Abrialli'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Alba', 'White Spikes'	Lavandin, white
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Dutch', 'Hortensis'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Fred Boutin'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Grappenhall'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Grosso'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Provence'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Seal'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Silver Edge'	Lavandin, variegated
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Super'	Lavandin
Lavandula	x intermedia	'Twickel Purple'	Lavandin
Marrubium	incanum		Horehound, Silver
Marrubium	vulgare		Horehound
Nepeta	racemosa	'Walker's Low'	Catmint
Origanum	hybrid	'Kent Beauty'	Oregano, ornamental
Origanum	hybrid	'Rosenkuppel'	Oregano, ornamental
Phlomis	fruticosa		Jerusalem sage
Phlomis	italica		Sage, Italian
Phlomis	lanata		Jerusalem sage
Rosmarinus	officinalis		Rosemary
Salvia	africana-lutea		Sage, Golden; Beach
Salvia	argentea		Sage, Silver
Salvia	blepharophylla		Sage, Eyelash
Salvia	chamaedryoides		Sage, Electric blue
Salvia	clevelandii	'Winifred Gilman'	Sage, Cleveland
Salvia	fruticosa		Sage, Greek
Salvia	greggii		Sage, Autumn
Salvia	leucantha		Sage, Mexican
Salvia	microphylla		Sage, Little-leaf
Santolina	chamaecyparissus		Santolina, Gray; Lavender Cotton
Teucrium	marum		Thyme, Cat

Herbs with edible flowers or fruit

Genus	Species	Common name
Agastache	aurantiaca	Hummingbird mint
Allium	schoenoprasum	Chives
Allium	tuberosum	Garlic chives
Borago	officinalis	Borage
Fragaria	vesca	Strawberry, Alpine (fruit)
Tropaeolum	majus	Nasturtium
Tulbaghia	violacea tricolor	Society garlic, variegated

Herbs as groundcover

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Chamaemelum	nobile		Chamomile, Roman
Galium	odoratum		Sweet woodruff
Houttuynia	cordata	'Chameleon'	Chameleon plant
Hypericum	perforatum		St. Johnswort*
Hypericum	x moserianum	'Tricolor'	St. Johnswort, variegated ornamental
Mentha	requienii		Mint, Corsican
Nepeta	racemosa	'Walker's Low'	Catmint
Nepeta	x faassenii	'Snowflake'	Catmint, white
Origanum	hybrid	'Santa Cruz'	Oregano, ornamental
Origanum	majorana	'White Anniversary'	Marjoram, Sweet variegated
Origanum	species		Oregano, Golden
Origanum	vulgare hirtum		Oregano, Greek dwarf
Rosmarinus	officinalis	several varieties	Rosemary
Santolina	officinalis		Soapwort
Satureja	montana	'Prostratus'	Savory, Winter, creeping

* Cannot be sold in Yolo County.

Herbs that attract hummingbirds

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Agastache	astromontana	'Pink Pop'	Hyssop, Anise
Agastache	hybrids		Hyssop, Anise
Agastache	mexicana		Hyssop, Anise, Lemon Scented Mexican
Agastache	rupestris		Hyssop, Anise, Desert
Monarda	didyma		Bee Balm
Monarda	fistulosa		Bee Balm, wild
Salvia	blepharophylla		Sage, Eyelash
Salvia	coccinea		Sage, Texas Hummingbird
Salvia	coccinea	'Coral Nymph'	Sage, Tropical
Salvia	elegans		Sage, Pineapple
Salvia	elegans	'Honeymelon'	Sage, Pineapple, dwarf
Salvia	guarantica		Sage, Anise-scented
Salvia	leucantha		Sage, Mexican
Salvia	microphylla		Sage, Little-leaf
Salvia	nemorosa		Sage, perennial
Salvia	regla		Sage, Mountain
Salvia	x jamensis		Sage

Click here for more information about plants that attract hummingbirds.

Herbs for kitchen

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Allium	schoenoprasum		Chives
Allium	tuberosum		Garlic chives
Anethum	graveolens		Dill
Anthriscus	cerefoliuim		Chervil
Artemisia	dracunculus	'Sativa'	French Tarragon
Calamintha	nepeta		Nepitella
Capparis	spinosa		Caper bush
Chenopodium	ambrosioides		Epazote
Coriandrum	sativum		Cilantro
Cymbopogon	citratus		Lemon grass
Foeniculum	vulgare	'Purpureum'	Fennel, Bronze
Galium	odoratum		Sweet woodruff
Laurus	nobilis		Bay Laurel
Levisticum	officinale		Lovage
Lippia	graveolens		Oregano, Mexican
Melissa	officinalis		Lemon Balm
Mentha	spicata		Mint, spearmint
Mentha	x piperita		Mint, peppermint
Ocimum	americanum		Basil, Lime
Ocimum	basilicum		Basil, Genovese
Ocimum	basilicum		Basil, Italian Large-leaf
Ocimum	basilicum		Basil, Thai
Ocimum	basilicum minimum		Basil, Spicy Bush
Ocimum	hybrid		Basil, African Blue
Ocimum	sanctum		Basil, Sacred
Origanum	majorana	'White Anniversary'	Marjoram, Sweet variegated
Origanum	species		Oregano, Golden
Origanum	vulgare hirtum		Oregano, Greek
Origanum	vulgare		Oregano, Italian
Origanum	x majoricum		Marjoram, Italian/Sicilian
Petroselinum	crispum		Parsley, Curly
Petroselinum	crispum		Parsley, Italian flatleaf
Plectranthus	sp.		Oregano, Cuban
Poliomintha	longiflora		Oregano, Mexican
Polygonum	odoratum		Coriander, Vietnamese
Rosmarinus	officinalis	'Blue Spires'	Rosemary
Rosmarinus	officinalis	'Herb Cottage'	Rosemary
Rosmarinus	officinalis	'Trailing'	Rosemary
Rosmarinus	officinalis	'Tuscan Blue'	Rosemary
Rumex	scutatus		Sorrel, French
Salvia	officinalis		Sage, Common
Salvia	officinalis	'Aurea'	Sage, Garden, golden
Salvia	officinalis	'Bergaarten'	Sage, Garden; Mountain
Salvia	officinalis	'Holt's Mammoth'	Sage, Garden, Holt's Mammoth
Salvia	officinalis	'Purpurea'	Sage, Purple
Salvia	officinalis	'Tri-Color'	Sage, Tricolor
Satureja	biflora		Savory, Lemon
Satureja	hortensis		Savory, Summer
Satureja	montana		Savory, Winter
Satureja	montana	'Prostratus'	Savory, Winter, creeping
Stevia	rabaudiana		Stevia
Tagetes	lucida		Tarragon, Mexican; Sweet Mace
Thymus	argenteus		Thyme, Silver
Thymus	vulgaris	'English Wedgewood'	Thyme, English
Thymus	vulgaris	'French Dotwell'	Thyme, French
Thymus	vulgaris	'German Winter'	Thyme, German

Click here for more information about herbs for kitchen.

Medicinal herbs

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Achillea	millefolium	'Proa'	Yarrow, Medicinal
Aloe	vera		Aloe, medicinal
Aloysia	triphylla		Lemon verbena
Althaea	officinalis		Marshmallow
Angelica	archangelica		Angelica
Arctostaphylos	uva-ursi		Bearberry
Arnica	chamissonis		Meadow arnica
Artemisia	absinthium		Wormwood
Artemisia	douglasiana		Sagebrush
Artemisia	vulgaris		Mugwort
Asclepias	tuberosa		Pleurisy root, Butterfly weed
Calendula	officinalis		Calendula
Echinacea	angustifolia		Coneflower, Pale Purple
Echinacea	pallida		Coneflower, Pale Purple
Echinacea	paradoxa		Coneflower, Yellow
Echinacea	purpurea		Coneflower, Purple
Echinacea	purpurea	'White Swan'	Coneflower, white
Echinacea	tennessensis		Coneflower, Purple
Eupatorium	purpureum		Joe Pye Weed
Ginkgo	biloba		Maidenhair tree
Humulus	lupulus		Hops
Hypericum	perforatum		St. Johnswort*
Hypericum	x moserianum	'Tricolor'	St. Johnswort, variegated ornamental
Hyssopus	officinalis		Hyssop
Leonusus	cardiaca		Motherwort
Marrubium	vulgare		Horehound
Matricaria	recutita		Chamomile, German
Melissa	officinalis		Lemon Balm
Ocimum	sanctum		Basil, Sacred
Platycodon	grandiflorus		Balloon Flower
Polemonium	coeruleum		Jacob's Ladder
Polygonum	multiflorum		FoTi
Rosmarinus	officinalis		Rosemary
Ruta	graveolens		Rue
Sambucus	nigra	'Auro-marginata'	Elderberry, Variegated
Sanguisorba	minor		Burnet, Salad Burnet
Scutellaria	lateriflora		Skullcap, Mad Dog
Spilanthes	oleracea		Toothache Plant
Symphytum	officinale		Comfrey
Symphytum	officinale	'Alba'	Comfrey, White
Tanacetum	parthenium		Feverfew
Urtica	dioica		Nettle, Stinging
Valeriana	officinalis		Valerian
Verbascum	bombiciferum		Mullein, Bomby
Verbascum	thapsus		Mullein, Medicinal
Vitex	agnus-castus		Chaste Tree
Withania	somnifera		Ashwaganhda

* Cannot be sold in Yolo County.

Scented leaves

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Agastache	astromontana	'Pink Pop'	Hyssop
Agastache	foeniculum		Hyssop, Anise
Agastache	hybrid	'Summer Breeze'	Hyssop, Anise
Agastache	hybrid	'Tutti Fruiti'	Hyssop, Anise
Agastache	mexicana		Hyssop, Anise, Lemon Scented Mexican
Agastache	rupestris		Hyssop, Anise, Desert
Anthoxanthum	odoratum		Sweet vernal grass
Artemisia	abrotanum		Southernwood, common
Artemisia	douglasiana		Sagebrush
Artemisia	dracunculus	'Sativa'	French Tarragon
Artemisia	hybrid	'Powis Castle'	Artemisia
Borago	officinalis		Borage
Chamaemelum	nobile		Chamomile, Roman
Cymbopogon	citratus		Lemon grass
Foeniculum	vulgare	'Purpureum'	Fennel, Bronze
Galium	odoratum		Sweet woodruff
Helichrysum	italicum		Curry plant
Hierochloe	odorata		Sweet grass
Lavandula	angustifolia	'Sarah'	Lavender, English
Lavandula	dentata		Lavender, French
Lavandula	hybrid	'Goodwin Creek Grey'	Lavender
Lavandula	pinnata		Lavender, Fernleaf
Lavandula	x allardi		Lavender, Sweet
Lavandula	x intermedia		Lavandins
Marrubium	incanum		Horehound, Silver
Matricaria	recutita		Chamomile, German
Mentha			Mints
Mentha		'Himalayan Silver'	Mint, Himalayan Silver
Mentha	aquatica	'Lime'	Mint, Lime
Mentha	arvensis	'Banana'	Mint, Banana
Mentha	requienii		Mint, Corsican
Mentha	spicata		Mint, Spearmint
Mentha	suaveolens	'Apple'	Mint, Apple
Mentha	suaveolens	'Variegata'	Mint, Pineapple
Mentha	x piperita piperita		Mint, Peppermint
Mentha	x piperita piperita		Mint, Chocolate
Monarda	didyma		Bee Balm
Monarda	fistulosa		Bee Balm, wild
Monarda	hybrid	'Lambada'	Bee Balm, Lemon
Monardella	odoratissima		Coyote Mint
Nepeta	hybrid	'Six Hills Giant'	Catmint, hybrid
Nepeta	racemosa	'Walker's Low'	Catmint
Nepeta	x faassenii		Catmint
Ocimum	americanum		Basil, Lime
Ocimum	basilicum citriodora	'Mrs. Burns'	Basil, Lemon
Ocimum	sanctum		Basil, Sacred
Ocimum	americanum		Basil, Lime
Origanum	dictamnus		Dittany of Crete
Origanum	majorana	'White Anniversary'	Marjoram, Sweet variegated
Origanum	x majoricum		Marjoram, Italian/Sicilian
Pelargonium			Geranium, Scented
Pelargonium	capitatum	'Attar of Rose'	Geranium, Scented; Rose
Pelargonium	citrosum	'Prince of Orange'	Geranium, Scented; Orange
Pelargonium	crispum		Geranium, Scented; Lemon
Pelargonium	crispum	'Variegated Prince Rupert'	Geranium, Scented; French Lace
Pelargonium	fragrans		Geranium, Scented; Nutmeg
Pelargonium	fragrans	'Variegata '	Geranium, Scented; Nutmeg, Variegated'
Pelargonium	graveolens		Geranium, Scented; Rose
Pelargonium	nervosum		Geranium, Scented; Lime
Pelargonium	odoratissimum		Geranium, Scented; Apple
Pelargonium	quercifolium		Geranium, Scented; Staghorn Oak
Pelargonium	quercifolium	'Chocolate Mint '	Geranium, Scented; Chocolate Mint
Pelargonium	radems	'Dr. Livingston '	Geranium, Scented; Rose, Skeleton
Pelargonium	scabrum	'Apricot '	Geranium, Scented; Apricot
Pelargonium	sp.	'Candy Dancer '	Geranium, Scented
Pelargonium	sp.	'Charmay Snow Flake '	Geranium, Scented
Pelargonium	sp.	'Frensham Lemon '	Geranium, Scented; Frensham Lemon
Pelargonium	sp.	'Grape Leaf '	Geranium, Scented; Grape Leaf
Pelargonium	sp.	Rober's Lemon Rose '	Geranium, Scented; Lemon Rose
Pelargonium	sp.	'Spanish Lavender '	Geranium, Scented; Spanish Lavender
Pelargonium	sp.	'Torento '	Geranium, Scented; Ginger
Pelargonium	tomentosum		Geranium, Scented; Peppermint
Pelargonium	x scarboroviae		Geranium, Scented; Strawberry
Perovskia	atriplicifolia		Russian Sage
Phlomis	lanata		Jerusalem sage
Plectranthus	sp.		Oregano, Cuban
Pogostemon	patchouli		Patchouli
Polygonum	odoratum		Coriander, Vietnamese
Pycnanthemum	pilosum		Mountain mint
Salvia	apiana		Sage, White
Salvia	clevelandii	'Aromas'	Sage, Cleveland
Salvia	clevelandii	'Winifred Gilman'	Sage, Cleveland
Salvia	darcyi		Sage, Darcy
Salvia	discolor		Sage, Peruvian
Salvia	dorisiana		Sage, Fruit-scented; Peach
Salvia	elegans	'Freida Dixon'	Sage, Pineapple
Salvia	elegans	'Honeymelon'	Sage, Pineapple
Salvia	guarantica'		Sage, Anise-scented
Salvia	guarantica x gesneraeflora	'Purple Majesty'	Sage, Anise-scented
Salvia	melissodora		Sage, Grape-scented
Salvia	mexicana	'Limelight'	Sage, Mexican
Salvia	microphylla		Sage, Little-leaf
Salvia	sclarea		Sage, Clary
Sambucus	nigra	'Black Beauty'	Elderberry, Black
Santolina	chamaecyparissus		Santolina, Gray; Lavender Cotton
Santolina	chamaecyparissus	'Lemon Queen'	Santolina; Lavender Cotton
Santolina	chamaecyparissus nana		Santolina, dwarf Gray
Santolina	officinalis		Soapwort
Satureja	montana	'Prostratus '	Savory, Winter, creeping
Tagetes	lemmonii		Marigold, perennial; Copper Canyon Daisy
Tagetes	lucida		Tarragon, Mexican; Sweet Mace
Tanacetum	parthenium	'Aureum'	Feverfew, Golden Feather
Tanacetum	vulgare var crispum		Tansy, Curly
Teucrium	chamaedrys		Germander; Wall germander
Teucrium	marum		Thyme, Cat
Thymus			Thyme
Thymus	herba-barona		Thyme, Caraway-scented
Thymus	praecox	'Albus'	Thyme, Creeping; Mother-of-thyme
Thymus	pseudolanuginosus		Thyme, Woolly
Thymus	pulegioides	'Doone Valley'	Thyme, Lemon
Thymus	serpyllum		Thyme, Creeping
Thymus	sp.	'Coconut'	Thyme, Coconut
Thymus	sp.	'Lime'	Thyme, Lime
Thymus	sp.	'Orange Balsam'	Thyme, Orange
Thymus	sp.	'Oregano'	Thyme, Oregano-scented
Thymus	sp.	'Spicy Orange'	Thyme, Orange
Thymus	x	'Elfin'	Thyme, Elfin
Thymus	x citriodorus		Thyme, Lemon
Thymus	x citriodorus	'Aureus'	Thyme, Lemon, golden
Thymus	x citriodorus	'Lemon Mist'	Thyme, Lemon
Tulbhagia	violacea		Garlic, Society

Shade tolerant herbs

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Artemisia	vulgaris	'Oriental Limelight'	Mugwort, variegated
Chamaemelum	nobile		Chamomile, Roman
Codonopsis	pilosula		Dang shen
Eupatorium	rugosum	'Chocolate'	Snakeroot, White
Galium	odoratum		Sweet woodruff
Ginkgo	biloba		Maidenhair tree
Ocimum	basilicum		Basil, Red Rubin Purple
Origanum	majorana	'White Anniversary'	Marjoram, Sweet variegated
Rosa	californica		Rose, California wild
Salvia	madrensis		Sage, Forsythia
Sambucus	nigra	'Guincho Purple'	Elderberry, Black
Sambucus	nigra	'Madonna'	Elderberry, variegated Black
Stevia	rabaudiana		Stevia
Symphytum	officinale		Comfrey
Symphytum	officinale	'Pink'	Comfrey, Pink

Tea

Genus	Species	Variety	Common name
Agastache	foeniculum		Hyssop, Anise
Agastache	mexicana		Hyssop, Lemon Scented Mexican
Agastache	rupestris		Hyssop, Desert
Aloysia	triphylla		Lemon verbena
Chamaemelum	nobile		Chamomile, Roman
Cymbopogon	citratus		Lemon grass
Echinacea	purpurea		Coneflower
Humulus	lupulus		Hops
Hyssopus	officinalis		Hyssop
Matricaria	recutita		Chamomile, German
Melissa	officinalis		Lemon Balm
Mentha			Mints
Mentha	aquatica	'Citrata'	Mint, Orange
Mentha	aquatica	'Lime'	Mint, Lime
Mentha	arvensis	'Banana'	Mint, Banana
Mentha	arvensis	'Variegata'	Mint, Ginger
Mentha	spicata		Mint, Spearmint
Mentha	suaveolens	'Apple'	Mint, Apple
Mentha	x piperita		Mint, peppermint
Mentha	x piperita	'Candy'	Mint, Candy
Mentha	x piperita	'Chewing Gum'	Mint, Chewing Gum
Mentha	x piperita	'Grapefruit'	Mint, Grapefruit
Mentha	x piperita piperita		Mint, Chocolate
Monarda	didyma		Bee Balm
Nepeta	cataria		Catnip
Ocimum	basilicum		Basil, Cinnamon
Salvia	africana-lutea		Sage, Golden; Beach
Salvia	dorisiana		Sage, Fruit-scented; Peach
Salvia	elegans		Sage, Pineapple
Symphytum	officinale		Comfrey*
Symphytum	officinale	'Alba'	Comfrey*, White

* Comfrey is considered carcinogenic; tea is no longer recommended.

Trees

Genus	Species	Common name
Ginkgo	biloba	Maidenhair tree
Laurus	nobilis	Bay Laurel
Sambucus	nigra	Elderberry
Vitex	agnus-castus	Chaste Tree
Vitex	negundo	Chaste Tree, black
Vitex	rotundifolia	Chaste Tree

Top of Page

Return to Home Page

© 2008 Don Shor, Redwood Barn Nursery, Inc., 1607 Fifth Street, Davis, Ca 95616
www.redwoodbarn.com
Feel free to copy and distribute this article with attribution to this author.