Quick Growing and Usage Chart for Herbs

Name	Hardiness	Growing Conditions	Height / Spread	Uses
Basil Ocimum basilicum	Tender annual	Full sun. Rich and well-drained soil.	9"-36" ht. 6"-12" spread	Leaves used in soups, salads, sauces, vegetables, and other dishes. See other cooking uses. Basil can also be used as a facial splash “tea”. See also basil essential oil.
Borage Borago officinalis	Hardy annual	Full sun to light shade. Rich soil is preferable. Ensure adequate draining.	12"-40" ht. 18"-24" spread	Salads, cream cheese, yogurt, teas, infusions, tisanes, garnishes, candied, potpourri, floral arrangements, folk remedies. Prolonged use and consumption of Borage, especially in large amounts, should be avoided. See also borage seed oil.
Calendula Calendula officinalis	Hardy annual	Full sun to light shade. Fairly rich soil desirable with adequate draining.	12"-24" ht. 6" spread	Salads, stews, soups, breads, rice, cakes, desserts, herb teas, bouquets and potpourris, colorant for commercially prepared cheeses and butters, skin and beauty care, first aid. See also calendula oil.
Dill Anethum graveolens	Hardy annual	Full sun. Moist, well-drained soil.	24"-36" ht. 12"-24" spread	Salads, sauces, seeds and leaves used in pickling. See other culinary uses.
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare	Tender perennial	Full sun. Rich and well-drained soil.	36"-48" ht. 18"-24" spread	Seed used as spice and infused in tea. Leaves and stems used in salads, soups, sauces, garnishes, and with meat. See other cooking uses. Fennel is also used in beauty creams, skin care, and the seedheads are sometimes used in wreaths and bouquets. See also fennel essential oil.
Oregano Origanum vulgaris hirtum	Zones 5-11	Full sun. Sandy, well-drained soil.	12"-24" ht. 12"-24" spread	Leaves used in sauces and in egg, tomato, pasta, and cheese dishes. Often found in Italian cuisine.
Parsley Petroselinum crispum	Hardy annual	Full sun to partial shade. Moist, well-drained soil.	6"-12" ht. 6"-12" spread	Leaves used in salads, sauces, with vegetables and poultry, as a garnish, and in beauty applications including baths, soaps, shampoos, and lotions. See other cooking uses.
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis	Zones 8-11 in situ	Full sun to partial shade. Sandy, well-drained soil. Don’t over-water.	48"-60" ht. 36"-72" spread	Used fresh or dried to flavor lamb and poultry, soups, and sauces. See other cooking uses. Also found in skin care applications and herbal baths. See also rosemary essential oil.
Sage Salvia officinalis	Zones 4-8 in situ	Full sun. Rich, well-drained soil.	12"-30" ht. 12"-24" spread	Poultry, dressing, soups, sauces, sausage, as well as other uses.
Thyme Thymus vulgaris	Zones 6-9 Annual in northern climates	Full sun to partial shade. Average, well-drained soil.	6"-12" ht. 6"-12" spread	Soups and chowders, cheese, salads, chicken and fish marinades, and other uses.

For more in-depth and extensive information on a particular herb, be sure to visit the individual herb profiles.

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