Peppermint Herb

The Peppermint, 'Mentha silvestris crispa', is a spreading plant with numerous upright shoots that may reach a height of 2 feet. Dark green leaves are produced from reddish stems. Peppermint grows best in moist soils. Peppermint makes a refreshing herbal tea. Use 2 TBSP of fresh or 1 TBSP dried for each cup of tea and steep for 5 minutes. Herbal users promote drinking peppermint tea during meals or after meals to aid digestion. Lots of fresh mint leaves, chopped with some whole for garnish, improves every fruit salad and most green salads.

The Basil Italian Large Leaf, 'Ocimum basilicum', is a sweet basil that is particularly good for pesto and is also excellent for fresh use. There is nothing like the smell of basil, it is the smell of summer. There is no more useful herb. The Italian Large Leaf Basil has just that, a larger leaf than other basils. Fresh basil makes a nice tea, an excellent vinegar, and tastes great fresh with fish, poultry, rice, mild vegetables, eggplant and many others. Plant 1 to 2 weeks after the last average frost date. Place the Basil seeds in well drained soil with lots of organic matter.

The Marjoram Sweet, 'Origanum majorana', has a sweeter, milder flavor than Oregano. Some describe the flavor as having a hint of balsam. Try substituting Sweet Marjoram for Oregano in many popular dishes such as eggplant Parmesan or pizza. The plants are bushy, 1 to 2 foot tall and 2 foot wide.Marjoram is used with sausage, egg dishes, cheese dishes, lamb, veal, fish, green vegetables, darrots, beef, eggplant, cauliflower, dressings, squash, and tomatoes. Legend has it that if you touch Sweet Marjoram before bedtime, you will dream of your future spouse.

The Greek Oregano, 'Origanum vulgare hirtum', is a more prostrate and more highly scented than Italian oregano. Origanum vulgaris hirtum is the true Greek Oregano with flavor so intense it numbs the end of your tongue when fresh, and like all culinary oreganos, the flower of Greek Oregano is white.Greek Oregano chopped and mixed with garlic, salt, and olive oil makes a great marinade for pork, beef, or roasted potatoes. Add a little Rosemary to the marinade and use it on poultry. Greek Oregano can be used fresh or dried.

The Rosemary plant, 'Rosmarinus officinalis', has a piney flavor and is a must for lamb, pork, poultry, carrots, and peas. Rosemary is an excellent container herb for indoors and adds a wonderful aroma. The very aromatic smell of the rosemary will make you fall in love with this herb. The Rosemary has very narrow grey-green needlelike leaves that are 1/2 to 1 inch long. Both the leaves and the flowers are edible. Plant in the spring. Common Rosemary has great versatility in landscapes, containers, and gardens.

The Sage Tricolor, 'Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor', has green, white, and purple varigated leaves and the color intensifies in full sun. Tricolor Sage is beautiul in the garden. Salvia officinalis is the basic sage long famed for culinary and medicinal value, but it is also highly decorative in the garden. It one-ups the usual Purple Sage by mixing green, white, & purple foliage on a single pubescent-leafed plant. This eye-catching variegated sage makes a perfect evergreen edge for a sunny border.