Culinary and Companion Herb Seeds
We are currently offering 23 varieties of Culinary and Companion Herb Seeds.
New, Dwarf Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) ($3.50)
Smaller more compact version of Summer Savory but with prolific leaf production. Makes an excellent all-purpose seasoning.
New, Flat Leaf Italian Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) ($3.50)
Taller plants and larger, glossier leaves than curled parsley. Strong great flavour.
New, Smokey Fennel ($3.50)
This bronze type fennel is especially grown for its dense and frilly leaf production. A striking garden addition, at an average height of 5 feet.
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) ($3.50)
Angelica plants are very stately and make arresting statements in gardens. They are biennials or short-lived perennials, sometimes lasting 3 or 4 years. Before flowering the immature stems are about a foot high, then the whole plant becomes a bold 5 to 8-foot presence. After maturing, the stalks of A. archangelica are large, ribbed, smooth, hollow, and often have a light purple cast. The stalk of A. atropurpurea is usually dark purple and the flowering heads are enormous. Each leaf of Angelica consists of numerous leaflets divided into two or three and again divided. The leaf edges are finely toothed. The flower head is a large spherical umbel with numerous tiny greenish-white flowers that are very attractive to bees. The taproots are short, thick and fleshy with many intertwining rootlets. Angelica Archangelica- The leaves look like huge celery leaves that grow on large stems. Bushes average 3-4 feet. Huge ball flowers tower over the bush, and are loaded with bees in summer. Classed as a biennial but can last longer on the coast. Sow in the fall or early spring. It is not a long lived seed, so store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to plant. Medicinally, the roots and leaves are used as an expectorant for chest ailments, a digestive aid and for urinary tract health. The stems and seeds have been used in confectionary and candied. Young flower heads are eaten in salads, omelettes and grilled with oil and vinegar. The seeds and roots are a source of essential oil, used for Vermouth. Aromatic licorice-flavoured leaves make nice tea, when dried. Fresh leaves can be used salads and cooked with fish or chicken.
Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) » certified organic ($3.50)
Anise hyssop is an erect, hardy but short-lived perennial that grows 2-4 feet high. Stems are square. Leaves are opposite, oval-shaped and heart-shaped at the base, about 3" long and 2" wide. The margins have sharp-edged teeth. The undersides of the leaves are covered with small soft grey hairs while the upper surface is hairless. Flowers are borne on dense spikes 2-4" long. Flowers are blue-purple. Anise hyssop's showy violet display lasts well into autumn and attracts many bees. Uplifting for tea or as a culinary seasoning.
Basil Thyme (Acinos alpinus) ($3.50)
Hardy perennial. Small bushy plants with light purple flowers. Very drought tolerant. Can grow well in poor soils. Used for flavouring and tea. Very pungent. Also known as Mountain Calamint.
Bronze Fennel ($3.50)
(Foeniculum vulgare) A glorious architectural plant with profuse bronze-coloured foliage. Licorice-flavoured leaves and seeds are great for tea. Medicinally for stomach and lungs. Short-lived perennial.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) ($3.50)
Coriander is a hardy annual that may reach 4 feet in height. The plant is usually called CILANTRO when referring to its leaves. The lower leaves are rounded and toothed. As the plant matures, the leaves become more finely divided and feathery. The flowers are in graceful, lacy umbels and the individual blossoms are pinkish-white. Bees love coriander flowers.
Cutting Celery ($3.50)
(Apium graveolens) Narrow, multi-stems and very leafy, strong flavour. Dense short plants. Excellent for cooking purposes. Perennial in mild climates.
Genovese Basil (Ocimum basilicum) ($3.50)
Large-leaf variety from Genoa area of Italy. Large plants, vigorously productive. Great for pesto. Start indoors in March.
Lemonella Balm (Melissa) ($3.50)
Selection of Lemon Balm used commercially for its high essential oil content. Carries a similar but more intense scent than the original. Tea calms the nerves and stimulates the heart. Very hardy and drought tolerant.
Lovage ($3.50)
(Levisticum officinalis) Old time garden favourite. 6-foot perennial. Refreshing scent to the celery-like leaves. Beautiful broad flowers attract beneficial insects. Leaves used sparingly add wonderful depth to soups and stews.
Angelica atropurpurea ($3.50)
Very striking purple-tinged foliage and stems. Huge disc flowers in second year, on 5-6 foot stems. Young stems and leaves are used in salads or added to fish dishes, soups and stews. Leaf stalks and stems are candied. Native to North America. A great addition to the perennial border and herb garden. Also known as Masterwort.
Madia sativa ($3.50)
Madia is full of small yellow flowers on 4 foot tall stems. This sticky aromatic annual has many historical uses by native Americans in California and Chile. The seeds are rich in protein and oil, which was extracted by boiling. It has also been cultivated in Europe as an olive oil substitute for its sweetness and high quality. Thrives in dry habitats. A Sanctuary Selection.
Darki Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) ($3.50)
Dark-green intensely curled heavy leaves. Excellent cold tolerance. Holds for a long time when cut. European award winner.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) ($3.50)
Lemon Balm is an upright, tender perennial that grows to about two feet. Its stems are hairy and branching. The leaves are 2"-3" long, oval or heart shaped, deeply wrinkled and have scalloped edges. Flowers are white to light blue and occur in whorls around the leave axils. Leaves are opposite each other on square stems, like most members of the mint family. Excellent companion and bee plant. Refreshing tea from the leaves. Effective against herpes. Perennial.
Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum) ($3.50)
Perennial clumping herb, 18" tall, with white flowers. The leaves are hollow, round, reed-like spears. Flowers appear from June to August. The tightly crowded bulblets grow in clumps and have the appearance of flattened miniature onions. Use the narrow leaves for a mildly garlic-flavoured garnish in soups, salads, sandwich fillings.
Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare) ($3.50)
Greek Oregano is a perennial to two feet high, which spreads to form a dense cluster. The green, rounded leaves are less than an inch long. Beneath the small white flowers are green bracts. The leaves and calyces are usually covered with glandular dots, and the stems with rough, coarse, glandular hairs. The plant has a very pungent penetrating smell. (Wild Marjoram, which is often mistaken for Oregano, does not have glandular hairs and has a weak musty odour.) Great aromatic flavouring for cooked foods and salads. Good companion plant.
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) ($3.50)
Sweet Cicely is a hardy perennial that grows 2-3 feet high. The fern-like leaves are finely divided, about a foot long and covered with downy hairs. The stem is hollow and striated. Inconspicuous white flowers are borne on compound umbels in May and June. Culinary with sweet licorice flavour. Lovely shade-tolerant plant. Use leaves in mixed salads or cook with acid fruits to reduce need for sugar. Needs cold period to germinate.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) ($3.50)
Hyssop is an aromatic shrub-like perennial that produces spikes of indigo flowers. It grows to 2 feet. Leaves are about an inch long, lance-shaped and have short petioles. Flowering is from June to October. Excellent bee plant. Culinary uses. Deters cabbage moth in the Brassica patch.
Lemon Catnip (Nepeta cataria ssp. citriodora) ($3.50)
Cherished by cats and bees. Excellent tea plant, with a nice lemon/minty flavour. Cold remedy. Use fresh or dried.Hardy perennial, grows to 4 feet tall.
Dill (Anethum graveolens) » certified organic ($3.50)
Dill is a hardy, fragrant annual that grows from two to four feet high. Stems are smooth, ribbed, hollow, and have a bluish-green cast. The finely-divided linear leaves envelop the stem with a thin sheath. Tiny yellow flowers grow on terminal umbels up to 8 inches across. Chopped leaves great in salads, with sour cream, cucumbers. Seeds for dill pickles.
Summer Savory (Satureja hortensis) » certified organic ($3.50)
Summer savory is a hardy annual, growing to one-and-a-half feet tall. Its leaves are linear to lance shaped, up to an inch long, without teeth and with the edges slightly rolled back underneath. The slender, hairy stems have a purple cast. Flowers are white to light lavender and are borne on separate whorls. Fine all-purpose green seasoning for soups, stir-fries, salad dressings, beans