Tips for Planting Herbs: Contain Invasives, Design for Sun and Shade

1. Crowd Control for Invasive Herbs

Tansy, catnip, comfrey, horseradish, lemon balm, hops, artemisia, all mints—these spread aggressively via underground runners. Contain each in a 12″ nursery pot sunk into the ground; the pot stays hidden but keeps roots in bounds.

2. Mint in Barrels

No herb collection is complete without mint. Prevent takeover by planting each variety (orange, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate) in its own half‑barrel or container—attractive and limiting.

3. A Tisket, A Tasket: Basket Planter

Recycle an old basket into a charming edge‑of‑garden planter. Fill with soil, sow seeds or nurse tender seedlings until 6″ tall, then transplant to garden or larger pot.

4. Here and There: Strategic Placement

Integrate herbs into new or established beds for nonstop blooms. Best planting times: spring after soil warms, or early fall. Pair chives and sage with spring bulbs—they peak as bulb foliage fades. Stagger basil and dill from early to midsummer for harvest into fall.

Great Herbs for Full Sun

Basil, Chives, Cilantro/Coriander, Comfrey, Dill, Fennel, Lavender, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Salad Burnet

Great Herbs for Partial Shade

Angelica, Bee Balm, Catnip, Chervil, Feverfew, Hyssop, Lady’s Mantle, Lemon Balm, Lovage, Mint, Sweet Cicely, Sweet Violet, Sweet Woodruff, Wintergreen