Maegan-Leigh JacobsIf you take a look at most herb gardens, you’ll notice the usual suspects: cilantro, rosemary, oregano, thyme, parsley, sage, basil, and mint. These plants are popular as culinary herbs, and the need for them in many of your “usual” recipes. Adding rare herbs to your herb garden can introduce you to new flavours and add a little spice to your garden.
Welcome to the world of weird and wonderful herbs to grow in your garden! To top off your outdoor dining experience this spring, grow some of these favourite unusual herbs that you’re unlikely to find in stores.
Borage
Unsplash
The flavours of borage are difficult to pin down, described as both sweet and salty with a mild cucumber taste. This makes the leaves very versatile in the kitchen. This plant also has stunning blue flowers that attract masses of bees to the garden and are also edible.
Summer Savory
Pixabay
Savory is an ideal herb for meat dishes, with a gentle peppery taste that makes it popular in warm dishes from cold regions. Summer savory is sweeter and milder than winter savory, which has a strong earthy taste.
Lovage
Pixabay
A wonderful leafy plant in the garden, lovage is just as good in the kitchen. It has strong flavours of celery and parsley that make it a great addition to flavour-packed stews. It also has an interesting earthy scent with a touch of anise.
Chervil
Pexels
Chervil has a similar flavour profile to lovage, focused on the parsley more than celery. It has a gentler taste, more suitable for warm dinner dishes. Use in salad dressings or mix into mayonnaise for a unique condiment.
Lettuce Leaf Basil
Unsplash
This unique basil variety has interesting textured leaves with a range of flavours. You can look forward to the fresh tastes of mint with a touch of pepper and clove – a combination unlike any other herb available.
A version of this article was originally published in the Garden&Home September 2022 printed magazine.
Feature image: Unsplash
