Coriander leaves are called cilantro. The coriander plant is a rigid, strong smelling annual with a pronounced taproot and slender stems up to 2 feet. It features ferny pinnate leaves, rounded and parsley-like at base, umbels of small white or pink flowers formed in midsummer, followed by round red-brown seed capsules that are very aromatic when ripe.

Dill is one of the most common herbs in North America. It is an annual tall and lacey plant that grows 18-30 inches in height, with fine feathered blue-green leaves and hollow stems. It has small open umbels of creamy-yellow flowers in summer, followed by dark brown seeds.

Tarragon, an anise scented herb, comes in two varieties French and Russian. When speaking of tarragon if the variety is not specified you can assume it is the French type. It has a most pleasant aroma and is a more refined delicate plant than the Russian more robust, coarser, inferior in flavor plant.

Before modern medicine, horseradish was invaluable to people for maintaining various aspects of their health. It was used as a digestive, antiseptic, stimulant and to make poultices for rheumatism, chest complaints and circulation problems.

The various species all possess the familiar sulphurous smell, but individually they are valued as vegetables, herbs, medicines and decorative garden bulbs. Unfortunately I am slightly allergic to all forms of onions and garlic but nevertheless I have learned just the amount I can tolerate so I still enjoy them in moderation.

Growing Herbs Plants that are Healthy
A herb garden lasts forever so do not be hasty in getting started. Remember that many herbs are invasive, mint, tarragon and woodruff are irrepressible colonizers. They spread like weeds, their creeping roots eventually take over large areas of ground and neighboring plants will not restraint them. The picture I’ve [...]

Achieving a riot of brilliant color with herbs is not easy. Most herbs are subtly colored, low-key plants, which helps to explain the healing sense of refreshment and well being one experiences in a herb garden. Vibrant, exciting colors are only found in a few flowers and leaves.

The anise herb is known as the true taste of licorice. It is used in the making of many different and tasty liqueurs. The French pastis. the Greek ouzo, the Turkish raki, sambuca, absinthe all can attribute their distinct taste to the sweet and fragrant bouquet of Anise.

Angelica is also known as the Holy Ghost plant. It is a robust biennial or short-lived perennial plant and can grow to 6 feet in damp woodlands. It produces large leaves followed by tall hollow stems bearing heads of greenish white flowers in mid summer.

The best place to start when planning to grow your own herbs is with a tiny sunny spot near your house. This creates a two fold benefit. Firstly, you’ll smell their special aroma every time you pass them and secondly they are accessible so you can run outside and grab some anytime you need them.