5 fun flavours to add to your herb garden

This season, when you're choosing what to plant in your garden, include a few of the less-common herbs with which to experiment in dishes and bouquets. Here are five fun flavours to get you started.

• Anise originated in the Middle East
• Small white flowers bloom in midsummer, followed by tiny licorice-flavoured fruits called aniseed
• Common constituent of cough medicines and of ointments that relieve itching
• Type: Hardy annual
• Height: 45 cm (18 in)
• Spread: 20–30 cm (8-12 in)
• Location: Warmth and sun, in light, well-drained soil
• Planting: Sow seeds in mid spring, 1 cm (1/2 in) deep in rows 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) apart. Thin established seedlings to 20 cm (8 in)
• Harvesting: About one month after flowering, when seeds are ripe but have not fallen, cut flower heads into paper bag. Thresh by hand over sheet of paper
• Uses: Cookies, cakes, candies, bread, applesauce, curries and stews

• Often called lemon balm
• Small white or pale yellow flowers appear in late summer and early fall, and are highly attractive to bees
• Type: Perennial
• Height: 60–120 cm (25-50 in)
• Spread: 30–45 cm (12-18 in)
• Location: Sun or partial shade, in any soil having good drainage
• Planting: Sow tiny seeds in pot in late spring
• Thin established seedlings to 5 cm (2 in) apart. When they are about 10 cm (4 in) tall, plant in garden, 30 cm (12 in) apart. Set out nursery-grown plants in mid-spring
• Harvesting: Cut shoots individually as soon as flowers appear, continuing until mid-fall
• Uses: Leaves lend gentle lemony flavour to puddings, soups, stuffings, punch, and other summer drinks. Pleasant garnish for fish and shellfish. Brew leaves to make excellent mild tea, which acts as gentle sedative

• Finely cut leaves and flat, greenish-white flower heads resemble those of carrots
• Seeds have been reputed to aid digestion, strengthen vision and improve memory
• Type: Hardy biennial
• Height: 30–60 cm (12-25 in)
• Spread: 20–30 cm (8-12 in)
• Location: Full sun, in ordinary well-drained soil
• Planting: Sow seeds in spring or late summer, 5 mm deep in rows 30 cm (12 in) apart. As soon as the seedlings are established, thin to 30 cm (12 in) apart
• Harvesting: Flowers appear in midsummer of following year. Cut heads as seeds begin to ripen. Pick leaves as needed
• Uses: Seeds add tangy flavour to baked goods. Sprinkle over pork, lamb, or veal before roasting, and on baked apples. Add to cheese dishes, applesauce, and apple pie

• Small aromatic leaves are shiny green
• Tiny lavender or pinkish-white flowers cover plant in midsummer
• Type: Annual.Height: 30–45 cm (12-18 in)
• Spread: 15–30 cm (6-12 in)
• Location: Full sun, in rich, light, well-drained soil
• Planting: Broadcast seeds in early to mid spring, in rows 30 cm (12 in) apart. Allow 4 wk. for germination. Thin established seedlings to 15–25 cm (6-10 in) apart
• Harvesting: Leaves are flavourful before flowers form in midsummer. Cut plant partially back for second crop
• Uses: Leaves have peppery, somewhat minty flavour. Use in sausages, stuffings, meat pies, soups, stews, bean dishes, rice, and sauces for pork, lamb, veal, and poultry

• Hybrid of T. vulgaris and a procumbent relative, T. pulegioides
• Looks like common thyme but grows lower and spreads by creeping along ground
• Type: Partly woody perennial
• Height: 15 cm (6 in)
• Spread: 30 cm (12 in)
• Location: Full sun, in almost any well-drained soil
• Planting: Set out nursery-grown plants in early to mid spring, 25 cm (10 in) apart
• Harvesting: Pick fresh leaves as needed. Cut leaves for drying just before flowers open in early summer
• Uses: Used in stuffing for veal and poultry. Mix chopped leaves into custards, puddings, and whipped-cream toppings

Adding new herbs each growing season is a fun way to shake up your garden as well as your flavour palate.