Best Flowering Herb Plants for Your Garden - Part One

A Cottage Garden's Flowering Herbs

Choose the best flowering herbs for your spring and summer garden. Bright blooms in beautiful colors with bold or delicate fragrances and culinary and medicinal potential can be part of your landscape. If you love flowering herbs, we have some suggestions for your herb garden. Our herb list includes some of the most popular and useful flowering plants available for the backyard garden. When space is limited, herbs give great value, and when space is abundant, they can provide that sense of bounty and possibility that is so wonderful about a classic cottage garden. Although most herbs produce flowers, herbs that flower beautifully aren't all that common.

Most herbs flower in one way or another*, but the results for many are unimpressive. We have compiled a list of herbs that flower and produce vibrant and attractive blooms. Don't be shy about trying new herbs in your landscape, or using old favorites in new ways. Did you realize dill flowers look very nice in garden bouquets, or that it's easy to harvest rose hips from your roses or use rose pedals to prepare simple rose water or rose oil recipes? 

Be bold this season, and make flowering herb plants the focus of your flower patch. Pollinators will flock to your garden, and birds will enjoy your flower choices, too. Strategic placements will also attract beneficial insects, and help repel common pests like aphids and whiteflies. Read on for tips in these areas.

When Thinking about Flowering Herbs,  Timing Is Important

Remember, herbs, like other plants, keep their eyes on the prize, which is to grow healthy and strong in order to flower and set seed. This progression creates advantages and challenges for herb gardeners. When plants are young, they produce abundant leaves with strong flavor. If you are growing herbs to use their leaves in cooking or for teas or medicinal purposes, this is the optimal time to harvest. Why? After flowering, the leaves of some herbs can lose flavor or become somewhat bitter. This is true of cilantro, oregano and basil, among others.

If leaf production is your goal when growing a particular flowering herb plant, you may want to delay flowering, especially for varieties that escalate their flower production, a process called bolting, when temperatures heat up in late spring or early summer. Just pinch back emerging buds until you're ready for your plants to flower. This retards but does not stop flowering. It does help increase leaf yields, though. Plants that benefit from delayed flowering include dill and cilantro. You might also want to try planting these fast flowering herbs on a staggered schedule, say once every two weeks in early spring.

If your main goal is to grow bouquet quality herbs that flower, allow plants to mature naturally, but be sure to follow best practices regarding soil quality, sun exposure, watering and pest control. This is good advice for all types of herb cultivation, but it is particularly important if you want large, healthy and attractive blooms.

Keep Your Herb Harvest Wholesome With Cautious Pesticide Management

When using herb flowers in cooking or home remedies, avoid treating them with pesticides. Whenever possible, prefer options like companion planting. If you do use pesticides, choosing control treatments commonly applied to vegetable and other edible crops are your best bet. You might consider options like insecticidal soap, neem oil or pyrethrin-based products. Read and follow the directions carefully. It's also a great idea to treat plants in the evenings after bees and other pollinators that have ceased their activity for the day.

Flowering Herb Selection and Harvesting Tips

Harvest edible herb flowers early in the day after the dew has dried and they have opened fully. Cut the stems on a diagonal, and place them in water in a cool, shaded indoor spot until you are ready to use them. For the best results, use edible herb flowers within a few hours of harvesting them.

If you forage rather than grow some of your herbs, avoid any you find near busy roadways. Polluted soil from car exhaust makes them undesirable. Also, avoid any flowers purchased in grocery stores or other markets if they were not grown specifically for culinary use. 

The following list of flowering herbs contains growing information, interesting  historical facts and insights into each plant's common uses. If you love gardening, herb lore, cooking with herbs or herb crafting with a focus on using herb varieties with abundant, attractive and useful flowers, these beauties deserve some consideration. As this is a large post, it was created in two parts. 

The Best Flowering Herb Plants to Grow

Anise Hyssop 

(Agastache foeniculum) 

Anise Hyssop

A North America  native, anise hyssop is a perennial in the mint family Lamiaceae that produces purple spikes that look a lot like a fluffy textured lavender. This plant is an aromatic bloomer from mid-summer to late fall and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden. If you want pollinators for your victory vegetable patch, plant anise hyssop and they will come.  The leaves and flowers of this plant are edible and taste mildly of licorice. They have antioxidant properties and make a tasty herbal tea, too.

Growing:

Hardiness zone: Anise hyssop grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8, which gives it a pretty wide range.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil and can adapt to soil types that aren't extreme. 

Sun and water: For the best results, provide full sun or dappled afternoon light, and allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings.

Color: Lavender, purple, blue

Other Tips:

• Deadheading encourages long and late season blooming. 
• **Anise hyssop's seeds benefits from cold stratification for a few weeks.  This prepares them for a spring wake up call. 
• Two popular anise hyssop cultivars are Golden Jubilee and Blue Fortune.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• This easy flowering herb can be susceptible to root rot in poorly draining soils. Good soil preparation and watering habits can help control this and make hyssop a much happier herb in your garden.
• Although the leaves are generally safe to consume, some people with sensitive skin may experience irritation when handling anise hyssop. Wear gloves until you know you're not affected.
• Anise hyssop can be used in herbal teas, added to salads and dried for potpourri and sachets. 
• It is also deer resistant.

Uses: Aromatic bloomer, edible blossoms, healing petals or leaves, pollinator friendly herb, herbal for tea infusion, tincture, floral bouquet

Angelica

(Angelica archangelica)

Angelica

Angelica is a towering biennial herb native to Europe and Asia. It produces clusters of white or greenish-yellow flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. Its small, delicate blossoms are arranged in an umbrella-shape with stalks that towers above the plant on sturdy, hollow stems. Angelica can reach a height of up eight feet but usually tops out at around six feet, so plan accordingly.

This flowering herb plant has a rich and fascinating history. It was once reputed to cure plague. Legends claim Archangel Michael revealed angelica's curative properties to a Catholic monk in a dream. Angelica is named to honor Archangel Michael.

In Europe, angelica was used to promote healing, and worn or carried as a protective talisman to ward off evil influences. Angelica root was also sometimes used as a digestive aid. Today it is known for it's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other valuable properties.

A floral bouquet of angelica flowers

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: Angelica grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7.

Soil: Prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil.

Sun and Water: This plant likes full sun to partial shade and needs consistent watering, especially during hot days. Poor water maintenance can easily kill it.

Color: White, beige

Other Tips:

• Angelica is a biennial. This means it completes its life cycle over the course of two years. It flowers in its second year, and then goes to seed.
• Start Angelica seeds indoors eight weeks before the last frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
• Angelica is a slow grower but has the potential to grow quite large. Its roots and seeds should be harvested in the second year.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• While generally safe for most people, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ingesting angelica.
• Contact with the leaves may cause skin irritation. (It's always best to wear gloves when handling herbs with which you are unfamiliar.) 
• Angelica has hollow stems that have been harvested and candied as a sweet treat for centuries. Angelica can also be used to make jams and jellies.

Add angelica to your flowering herb garden if you want to create height in the space and enjoy the idea of growing a plant with a rich history. Making your own candied angelica stems might have some interest too, especially if you like to make candied ginger or citrus.

Uses: Healing root herb, herb for cooking, floral bouquet, rich history

Bee Balm 

(Monarda didyma)

Bee Balm

Bee Balm (related to wild bergamot), a North American native flowering herb, is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). It's a beauty, with tightly clustered, tubular flowers that feature lobed lips and distinctly square stems. One of the most popular and common varieties of bee balm is scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma).

An aromatic bloomer, this flowering herb plant has a minty/citrus fragrance with a hint of something earthy like oregano. The scent is a magnet for bees and butterflies. The tubular flowers also make it a good nectar source for hummingbirds. If you're interested in attracting pollinators, or just love watching wildlife around your flower beds, this herb is a good choice.

Bee balm has an interesting history. Native American tribes used it medicinally to treat respiratory and digestive issues, and the Oneidna Nation in particular considered bee balm one of their six holy medicines.  European colonists also breweda tasty bee balm tea that was likely recommended to them by the Oswego People when black tea became scarce in 1773 after the Boston Tea Party.

Modern scientific research about the medicinal value of this easy to grow herb is limited, but it has a long folk history. (Please consult your doctor before trying any herbal remedy.)

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: This flowering herb grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.

Soil: Bee Balm likes well-drained soil, and will not fare well in dense clay.

Sun and Water: Provide full sun to partial shade. Requires regular watering, but allow the soil to dry slightly between times.

Color: Red, purple, pink, white

Other Tips:

• Pinching off spent flowers encourages continuous blooming.
• Bee balm can be invasive. It spreads through rhizome and seed propagation. To control it, divide plants every three years and remove flowers before seeds develop.
• The flowers and serrated leaves of bee balm are edible and can be used in teas and salads.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• This plant attracts pollinators like hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
• Dried bee balm flowers are an excellent addition to potpourri. 
• Bee Balm is susceptible to powdery mildew.  Provide plants with good air circulation and don't overcrowd them. Prefer watering in the morning rather than at night, and water from the bottom. Drip irrigation is an excellent watering method.
• Consider adding bee balm to your flowering herb garden if you are interested in  low maintenance options.

Uses: Aromatic bloomer, healing leaves, pollinator friendly, herb for tea, floral bouquet

Borage 

(Borago officinalis)

"The borage always reminds me of the clear blue sky." - Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift from the Sea

Borage

Borage is a stunning annual native to the Mediterranean.  Its clusters of bright blue, star-shaped flowers bloom from midsummer to the first frost.  Its flowers are small, but they look like jewels against the backdrop of borage's fuzzy, silver/green leaves.  Borage is easy to grow. Its leaves and flowers taste pleasantly of cucumber and make a unique addition to summer salads. It's flowers and leaves are also used in soups, stews, garnishes and beverages.

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: Borage grows well in Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil.

Sun and Water: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Needs moderate watering.

Color: Blue

 Borage flower frozen in an ice cube

Other Tips:

• Deadheading spent flowers encourages continuous blooming.
• Borage self-sows readily, so keep it contained. 
• Candied borage flowers are a popular decorative element for baked goods. They are also pretty when frozen into ice cubes and served in summer beverages. 

Candied borage flowers

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• Borage contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic in large quantities. Consume this flowering herb in moderation.

Uses: Edible blossoms, herb for cooking, garnish, rich history

Calendula 

(Calendula officinalis)

"Calendulas, like friendly suns, opened wide their petals to the warmth." - Elizabeth von Arnim, Elizabeth and Her German Garden

Calendula

Calendula is an annual flowering herb native to southwestern Asia and Europe.  It's common name is pot marigold, which should not be confused with French marigold (Tagetes patula). It produces daisy-like flowers in shades from white to nearly russet, although the most common cultivars are bright orange. These blooms have a flat center  bordered by a row of broad petals, often in a contrasting color.

Calendula was once known as "poor man's saffron" because it was used as an inexpensive saffron (Crocus sativus) substitute in cheeses and other foods. In the garden, calendula is a low maintenance choice that attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees. (Caution: It may also attract aphids and white flies.) It is a good companion plant for tomatoes, as it repels hornworms. 

Unfortunately, calendula can attract more harmful pests than it repels, so some gardeners grow it at a distance from vegetables and other plants. In this capacity it may act as a "trap" crop that draws pests away from more valuable plantings.

Calendula petals are the most commonly used part of this attractive flowering herb. They can be harvested fresh or dried for use in teas and salves to treat skin irritation, and as ingredients in soups and stews. Calendula makes a nice garnish and a colorful addition to salad.

Growing: 

Calendula grows in herb Hardiness Zones 3 to 10, and prefers well drained soil.  Like many of the flowering herbs on this list, it can take some neglect. Give it full sun and water it regularly.

Color: Orange, russet, white

Other Tips:

• As with many flowering herb plants, deadheading spent flowers (pinching them off) encourages heavy blooming throughout the season and discourages self seeding. 
• Some individuals with allergies to daisies or ragweed may have an allergic reaction to calendula, so use caution when introducing it into your garden.

Uses: Edible blossoms, healing petals, pollinator friendly herb, companion herb plant,  herb for tea, salve, culinary garnish, floral bouquet

Chamomile 

(Matricaria recutita)

"The chamomile, the only white flower that looks well on a grave." - Henry David Thoreau, Journal

Chamomile

Like calendula, chamomile is an annual flowering herb, in this case native to Europe and western Asia. It produces small, daisy-like flowers with white petals and bright yellow centers. Its delicate appearance is enhanced by it's feathery green leaves. There is evidence chamomile was used in ancient Egypt as a soothing tea, and cosmetically for skin and hair care.

There are two main chamomile varieties: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). German chamomile is more commonly used for teas and medicinal purposes, and is the flowering herb variety we are interested in here.

Growing:

Chamomile does well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7. This flowering herb likes well-drained, loamy soil and full sun to light shade. Water it on a regular schedule to keep it from fading during hot spells.

Color: White

Other Tips:

• Sow seeds directly outdoors in early spring or started chamomile indoors a few weeks before the last frost date for your area. 
• Its small flowers are the most commonly used part of the plant, and can be harvested fresh or dried for use in calming teas, potpourris or crafts. Chamomile tea smells pleasantly of apples and hay.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• People with allergies to ragweed or daisies may also have allergic reactions to chamomile.
• Although there is interest in the use of this flowering herb for a number of medical conditions, and reports of its medicinal use date back to ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, self treating with chamomile is not a substitute for professional medical treatment for digestive issues, anxiety, diabetes and other conditions.

 Dwarf chamomile ground cover

There is also a dwarf Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) that makes an excellent ground cover and lawn substitute. It grows between 2 and 4 inches (5 cm) high. Be sure to source the dwarf variety, as standard Roman chamomile can grow to 6 to 12 inches high.

Uses: Aromatic bloomer, healing petals or leaves, pollinator friendly, herb for tea

 Chives 

(Allium schoenoprasum)

"Chives are the grass of the kitchen." - Author Unknown

Chives in bloom

A versatile perennial flowering herb native to Siberia and central Asia, chives are a popular culinary herb in many kitchens. This herb is not famous for it's blooms, but the hollow stems of the chive plant produce feathery but vivid flowers in pink to deep lavender from early to midsummer. 

Chives have a long history of culinary and medicinal use dating back centuries. At one time, they were believed to ward off evil spirits.

Growing:

Chives will perform well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9. It likes well drained soil but isn't fussy. It will perform best in full sun to dappled shade. Regular watering is important.

Other Tips:

• Divide chives every three years or so to prevent overcrowding. Chive flowers are edible and make a nice addition to salads. They are an attractive garnish, too.
• Chive leaves are the most commonly used part of this flowering herb. They can be harvested throughout the growing season by simply snipping them with scissors. Avoid taking more than one third of the plant during any single harvesting session.
• For winter access to chives, consider chopping bunches, placing them in a water slurry and freezing them into ice cubes. Drying chives is also an option, although dried chives tend to lose their flavor after a few months.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow: 

• Individuals with allergies to onions or other allium plants may have allergic reactions to chives.
• Chive vinegar is a classic herb project you can make with chive flowers. Beyond tasting wonderfully oniony, chive flowers also turn the vinegar a deep ruby color.

Uses: Edible blossoms, companion herb plant, herb for tea and cooking, garnish

Comfrey 

(Symphytum officinale)

"Comfrey, the herb that knits broken bones." 

- Nicholas Culpeper, The Complete Herbal

Comfrey bell blossoms

Comfrey is native to Europe and western Asia and produces attractive tightly grouped purple (or sometimes white, yellow or blue) flowers in late spring. This flowering herb has a long history of medicinal use. Widely known as knitbone, it was originally used for wound healing, inflammation and in the treatment of sprains and broken bones. Unfortunately, comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can cause liver damage if ingested or absorbed through cuts or abraided skin. Some sites on the internet still recommend ingesting comfrey to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, or topically to treat bruises. Ingesting comfrey is not recommended as it is associated with serious health risks.

That doesn't mean comfrey isn't a great addition to the garden, though.  This flowering herb is a great source of soil nutrients like the big three, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It's roots also burrow deep into the soil, accessing micronutrients often not available to herbs and other flowering plants with shallow root systems.  It can be used as a mulch, compost enhancer or other soil component. If you're interested in learning more about the value of comfrey in your garden, take a look at: 7 Comfy Uses in a Permaculture Garden.

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: This adaptable herb thrives inc USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.

Soil: Likes moist, well-drained soil with lots of organic matter. Give this herb plenty of compost.

Sun: Provide full sun to partial shade.

Water: Needs regular watering.

Color: Purple

Other Tips:

• Comfrey is a fast-growing spreader. Plant it in a location where it has room to roam, or restrict it to a container.
• Comfrey's leaves and roots are nitrogen rich and make a great addition to the compost pile.  For the best results, compost comfrey before using it as a soil amendment.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow: 

• Wear gloves when handling comfrey to avoid skin irritation. Do not consume this herb internally in any form.

Uses:  Floral bouquet, soil amendment

Curry Plant 

(Helichrysum Italicum) 

Curry Plant's everlasting flowers

Curry plant is a small shrub native to the rocky region around the Mediterranean coast. Its name suggest it has value as a cooking herb, but that's deceptive. Curry plant can be used in cooking, but it isn't a common ingredient in curry blends. 

It's real value is it's bright yellow, everlasting blooms, which are popular in dry flower arrangements, and it's beguiling fragrance. Curry plant produces small, button-shaped flower clusters that bloom all summer and have a fragrance some say is reminiscent of blended curry spices, while others believe it smells more like maple syrup. Its silvery-green leaves create a nice contrast to other green foliage in the garden. 

Color: Yellow

Other Tips:

This unique flowering herb can also be used (sparingly) to complement the flavor of stews, egg dishes and more. 

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: This fragrant flowering herb thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10.

Soil: Curry plant prefers well-drained, sandy or rocky soil. Use caution because this flowering herb will not tolerate soggy conditions.

Sun: Likes full sun.

Water: Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Avoid overwatering.

Color: Yellow

Other Tips:

• Curry Plant is a low-maintenance perennial in warmer zones.
• Prune after flowering to maintain a compact and attractive shape.
• Happily this plant is pest and disease resistant.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• The strong fragrance may not be for everyone.  If you do think it smells delicious, though, consider planting it near your deck or kitchen window.
• Excessive handling of leaves may irritate sensitive skin.
• Curry plant can be a good choice for gardeners looking for a low-maintenance and fragrant border shrub for a sunny location that drains well.

Uses: Aromatic bloomer, herb for cooking, floral bouquet, dried floral

Dill 

(Anethum graveolens)

Dill

Dill is as of the most popular culinary herbs grown in backyard gardens. Its delicate blooms are very effective at attracting beneficial insects. The true value of the dill, though, is its fresh, lemon-citrus aroma and distinctive, subtly sour flavor. Dill leaves add a unique twist to fish, chicken, potato and egg dishes as well as dill pickles and dill vinegar.

Dill is mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus from Egypt and the Bible, giving it an enviable historical pedigree. Today, gardeners grow dill for its use in the kitchen and for the lovely, feathery foliage that makes it an attractive plant for an herb patch or patio display.

Because it's so popular, there are lots of dill varieties to choose from. Some have been specifically cultivated for their strong flavor, while others for their small (pot friendly) size and still others for their bountiful seed production or large, yellow flowers. Choose an application, and there will be a dill cultivar to fit the bill.

Growing: 

Hardiness Zones: This adaptable flowering herb thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but is somewhat adaptable.

Sun: Likes full sun.

Water: Requires regular watering, especially during high summer.

Color: Yellow

Dill vinegar with a decorative dill flower.

Other Tips:

• Dill is an annual flowering herb. That means it sprouts, set seed and dies in a single season. 
• It can be sown directly outdoors in early spring or started indoors a few weeks before the last frost in your area. 
• The leaves and seeds are the most commonly used parts of this flowering herb. Fresh leaves can be enjoyed throughout the growing season, while seeds are harvested in late summer when the flower heads dry and turn brown.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• Dill tends to "bolt", or intensify its flowering efforts early in summer at the cost of leaf production. As the leaves are usually the most valued part of the plant, some of the newer varieties are designed to delay bolting.
• Dill has a strong flavor that may not be to everyone's taste. Start with a small amount and adjust the quantity you use in your recipes accordingly.
• Dill flowers make an attractive garnish.

Uses: Aromatic bloomer, edible blossoms, herb for cooking, floral bouquet, pollinator friendly, garnish

Echinacea 

(Echinacea purpurea) 

Echinacea

So many herbs that flower come to us from Europe or Asia that it's nice to report on an important North American native flowering herb like echinacea. This beauty is a  perennial native to the eastern and central United States. Its daisy-like flowers bloom in midsummer, and this show of bright color continues until the first frost. Unlike traditional daisies, its blossoms have an exaggerated, dome-shaped center circled by long, slanting petals in colors from purple to pink.  Echinacea is also known as purple coneflower. It's an easy care herb.

This plant is well known for its history of medicinal use. Indigenous tribes used echinacea to treat respiratory problems, toothache, snake bit, to aid in wound healing. Modern gardeners grow echinacea for its lovely flowers, its value in attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, and also for its potential medicinal benefits in helping to boost the immune system. It's leaves, roots and flowers are often consumed in the form of a relaxing tea. (Consult a healthcare professional before using Echinacea medicinally.)

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: This resilient herb thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil but is somewhat adaptable.

Sun: Needs full sun to thrive

Water: Requires regular watering, especially during the first year.

Color: Purple, pink

Other Tips:

• Deadheading encourages robust blooming.
• Echinacea readily self-sows. To control its spread, remove spent flowers before seeds develop.
• The above-ground parts of the plant are the most commonly used for medicinal purposes.

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to this flowering herb. Consult with a healthcare professional before using it medicinally.
• Important Note: Echinacea should never be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by individuals with autoimmune conditions.

Uses: Healing petals and leaves, pollinator friendly herb, herb for tea, floral bouquet

Evening Primrose 

(Oenothera biennis

"The evening primrose is a flower of the night, a shy and delicate creature that opens      its petals only under the cover of darkness." - Unknown

Evening Primrose

Evening primrose is a biennial. It is one of those interesting plants with a two year life cycle. It grows to maturity in the first year and then sets seed and dies in the second year. Its large, eye catching flowers open in the late afternoon or early evening with four delicate petals surrounding a central cluster of stamens.  You can see yellow evening primrose flowers above, but they are also available in pink and white.  While this flowering herb has no culinary value, Native Americans have used it for its medicinal value in wound healing and to treat skin irritation. Evening primrose oil is a popular ingredient used in the treatment of eczema and other skin conditions, although research into it's effectiveness is still ongoing.

Growing: 

Hardiness Zones: This adaptable herb thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil.

Sun: Tolerates full sun to partial shade.

Water: Needs moderate watering. For the best results allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings.

Color: Yellow, pink, white

Other Tips:

• As with many herbs and other plants, deadheading encourages flowering.
• Use some caution as this plant self-sows aggressively.
• Medicinally, the oil extracted from the seeds of evening primrose are the most commonly used part of the plant. (Please consult your healthcare provider before attempting to use any herb for self treatment.)

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• Evening primrose contains small amounts of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be toxic in large quantities. 
•  This easy flowering herb is a great candidate for a wildflower garden.

Uses:  Healing seeds, petals or leaves, pollinator friendly herb, floral herbal tea, floral bouquet

Feverfew 

(Tanacetum parthenium)

"Feverfew, a plant whose fragrance evokes both the garden and the apothecary." - Unknown

Feverfew

Feverfew has clusters of small, daisy-like white petaled flowers with bright yellow centers that bloom throughout the summer. They look like chamomile blossoms but on a taller plant with feathery, almost fern-like leaves.  This delicate flowering herb was used historically to treat fever and headache (the name is a not so subtle clue), and at one it time was nicknamed "medieval aspirin". Today, some herbalists suggest that it may be effective as an extract, tea or in capsule form to treat ailments as diverse as migraine, toothache, colitis, arthritis, menstrual cramps and more.  

Those are high expectations for one unassuming herb. Use caution, though. We realize feverfew it is currently experiencing a moment in the treatment of migraine, but always consult with a physician before changing your care routine.

Growing:

Hardiness Zones: This herb thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 7.

Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy soil

Sun: Likes full sun to dappled light.

Water: Needs regular watering but can't stand boggy soil.

Color: White

Other Tips:

• The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant for potential health benefits. 

A Few Cautions and Reasons to Grow:

• While safe for most people as a garden addition, some individuals with allergies to ragweed or daisies may experience allergic reactions to feverfew.
• Feverfew is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Consult with a healthcare professional before using feverfew medicinally as it can interact with prescription and over the counter medications.

Uses:  Medicinal seeds, petals or leaves

For more, see: Best Flowering Herb Plants for Your Garden - Part Two

Part Two Includes information about:

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

"There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can."

                                                           - Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic (1995)

English Lavender

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

"Meadowsweet, the flower that smells of summer and dreams." - Unknown

Meadowsweet

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

There has fallen a splendid tear

From the passion-flower at the gate.

She is coming, my dove, my dear;

She is coming, my life, my fate.

                         --  Alfred Tennyson

Passion Flower

Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)

Pineapple Sage

Rose - Damask Rose (Rosa Damascena)

"If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose,

spring would lose its loveliness."

               – Therese of Lisieux

The rose is a flower of love. 

It is also a flower of war."

-Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose

Damask Rose

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

"Where rosemary flourishes, the woman rules"  - Medieval adage 

Rosemary

"The scent of geraniums, so familiar and comforting, reminded her of her grandmother's garden." - Unknown

Scented Geranium

Statice (Limonium sinuatum)

"Statice, a flower that whispers of eternity." - Unknown

Flowering statice

Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)

"Strawflowers, a reminder that beauty can endure even in the harshest conditions." - Unknown

Strawflower

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Petite Sunflower

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

O, weeping willow shed your sorrow

         on whispering breeze to soothe your grief

         within whose breath's a healing yarrow

         to whisk away tears upon your leaf. 

                        Susan Ashley, Venus Gifts a Yarrow's Kiss

Yarrow in bloom

Landscaping always looks so much more attractive and inviting when it includes  flowering plants. When choosing herbs that flower, though, there are benefits beyond simply cultivating beautiful greenery. Add useful and beneficial flowering herbs to your list of considerations when planning your spring garden this year. Happy planting!

*Some varieties of flowering herbs have newer cultivars that do not flower. This is a workaround for herbs that tend to become bitter after flowering. Research your choices To avoid being disappointed.

**Cold stratification is a technique used to simulate winter for seeds that need a period of cold to help them germinate. This mimics what happens naturally when seeds are dispersed in autumn and sprout in spring. Here's how it works:

Seeds from some plants enter dormancy in winter and will not germinate without a period of cold temperatures. Gardeners can simulate winter by placing these seeds in a cool environment, like a refrigerator, for a period of time. Removal from the cold  breaks dormancy, and the seeds begin their vegetative stage. Cold stratification improves germination rates for these types of seeds, and a brief stint in the refrigerator is a great workaround. anise hyssop, arnica, coneflower and lavender.