Shade-Tolerant Herbs

Lovage Seeds (Levisticum officinale)

Grow a robust, aromatic herb with Lovage (Levisticum officinale). This perennial produces tall, leafy stems with a strong celery-like flavor, perfect for soups, stews, stocks, and herbal infusions. Hardy and long-lived, it’s ideal for herb gardens, perennial beds, and pollinator-friendly plantings.

How to Grow

• Sow seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors in spring.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.

• Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep and thin seedlings to 40–50 cm apart.

• Keep soil consistently moist until germination (14–21 days).

• Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost risk has passed.

• Harvest leaves and stems as needed; roots can be harvested in autumn.

Key Features

• Tall, leafy perennial with strong celery-like flavor

• Hardy, long-lived, and easy to grow

• Ideal for soups, stews, stocks, and herbal infusions

• Attracts pollinators and enhances garden biodiversity

• Suitable for herb gardens, perennial beds, and companion planting

Ideal For

• Herb gardens and kitchen beds

• Culinary use in soups, stews, stocks, and teas

• Perennial borders and pollinator-friendly plantings

• Long-term herb cultivation with minimal maintenance

Sowing

• Best time: Spring indoors or outdoors after frost

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 40–50 cm apart

• Prefers full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil

Quick Tip

• Regularly trim leaves to encourage bushier growth and a continuous supply throughout the season.

Sorrel 'Blonde de Lyon' Seeds (Rumex acetosa)

Brighten up your kitchen garden with Sorrel 'Blonde de Lyon', a traditional French variety producing tender, pale green leaves with a tangy, lemony flavor. Perfect for soups, sauces, salads, and omelets, this perennial herb grows quickly and provides harvests over a long season. Its sharp, refreshing taste makes it a gourmet favorite in classic French cuisine.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors once soil warms.

• Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

• Sow 0.5–1 cm deep in rows 30–40 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 20–25 cm apart for strong growth.

• Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage new growth.

Key Features

• French heirloom sorrel with pale green, tender leaves

• Distinct lemony flavor, perfect for culinary use

• Perennial, reliable harvest year after year

• Early cropping and fast-growing

• Excellent for soups, sauces, salads, and garnishes

Ideal For

• Traditional French cooking

• Adding zest to salads and omelets

• Perennial herb gardens

• Home cooks and gourmet gardeners

Sowing

• Best time: Spring or early summer

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: Thin to 20–25 cm, rows 30–40 cm apart

• Prefers moist, fertile soil in sun or partial shade

Quick Tip

• Cut back flowering stems to prolong leaf production and maintain flavor.

Marsh Mallow – Seeds (Althaea officinalis)

Marsh Mallow is a hardy perennial herb known for its tall, elegant growth and soft, velvety leaves. Traditionally valued for its medicinal properties, its roots and leaves can be used in herbal remedies, teas, and natural skincare preparations. The plant also produces attractive pale pink flowers that add charm to herb and cottage gardens.

Ideal for garden beds, borders, and natural herbal plots, Marsh Mallow is easy to grow and low-maintenance once established.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: April – May

• Depth: 0.5–1 cm

• Spacing: 40–50 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moist

• Watering: Regular watering until established

Key Features

• Hardy perennial herb with medicinal and culinary uses

• Soft, velvety leaves and pale pink flowers

• Ideal for teas, herbal remedies, and natural skincare

• Low-maintenance once established

• Suitable for herb gardens, borders, and cottage gardens

Harvest

• Harvesting period: Summer – Autumn

• Pick leaves and flowers as needed; roots can be harvested in autumn for medicinal use.

Short Tip

For a continuous supply, harvest leaves selectively and leave some to flower for seeds.

Dwarf Parsley 'Moss Curled 2' Seeds (Petroselinum crispum)

Enhance your garden and kitchen with Dwarf Parsley 'Moss Curled 2', a compact, slow-growing variety producing dense, bright green, finely curled leaves. Ideal for both ornamental and culinary use, its vibrant foliage adds texture to salads, garnishes, and cooked dishes. Perfect for containers, herb beds, and borders, it’s a versatile herb for every gardener.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors in early spring or directly outdoors after frost.

• Use fertile, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 20–25 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15–20 cm apart for strong growth.

• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushiness.

Key Features

• Dwarf, slow-growing parsley with finely curled, bright green leaves

• Dual-purpose: culinary use and ornamental appeal

• Compact size suitable for containers and small gardens

• Long cutting period for continuous harvest

• Easy to grow for beginners and experienced gardeners

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, garnishes, and cooked dishes

• Container gardens, herb beds, and borders

• Gardeners seeking compact, productive herbs

• Year-round kitchen harvest

Sowing

• Best time: Spring or early summer

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Row spacing: 20–25 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 15–20 cm apart

• Position: Sun or partial shade, fertile soil

Quick Tip

• Pinch outer leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth and longer harvests.

St. John’s Wort – Seeds (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a hardy perennial herb known for its bright yellow star-shaped flowers and long history of use in traditional herbal medicine. It grows easily in gardens, meadows, or wildflower plantings, attracting pollinators while adding natural beauty.

Often valued for its ornamental and herbal qualities, St. John’s Wort thrives in poor soils and sunny locations, making it a low-maintenance addition to cottage gardens and naturalized landscapes.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors: February – April

• Sow outdoors: April – June, or autumn for natural stratification

• Depth: Surface sow – seeds need light to germinate

• Spacing: 30 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile, sandy or rocky soils

Key Features

• Perennial herb with golden yellow, star-shaped blooms

• Attracts bees and pollinators

• Grows well in poor, dry soils – low maintenance

• Suitable for borders, meadows, and herb gardens

• Traditional herb, long valued in folklore and medicine

Flowering & Harvest

• Flowering time: June – September

• Blooms can be collected at peak flowering if used for herbal purposes.

Fine Leaved Chives Seeds (Allium schoenoprasum)

Add fresh, mild onion flavor to your dishes with Fine Leaved Chives, a classic herb with slender, dark green leaves and delicate edible flowers. Ideal for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, this perennial herb is easy to grow and provides harvests year after year. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers.

How to Grow

• Sow indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors in spring.

• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.

• Sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 20–25 cm apart.

• Thin seedlings to 15 cm apart.

• Harvest leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth.

Key Features

• Perennial herb with fine, slender leaves

• Mild, fresh onion flavor for culinary use

• Compact and easy to grow in beds or containers

• Long-lasting harvest year after year

• Attractive edible purple flowers

Ideal For

• Fresh salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes

• Container and herb gardens

• Gardeners seeking perennial, low-maintenance herbs

• Adding flavor and ornamental interest to beds

Sowing

• Best time: Early spring indoors or direct sow outdoors

• Depth: 0.5 cm

• Row spacing: 20–25 cm

• Plant spacing: Thin to 15 cm apart

• Harvest: From 8–10 weeks after sowing

Quick Tip

• Trim leaves regularly to promote fresh, tender growth and prevent flowering if desired.

Chervil – Seeds

(Anthriscus cerefolium) – Classic Culinary Herb

Chervil is a delicate, aromatic herb with finely cut, fern-like leaves and a subtle aniseed flavor. Often called the “gourmet’s parsley”, it is an essential ingredient in French cuisine and one of the traditional fines herbes (with parsley, tarragon, and chives). Best used fresh, chervil enhances soups, salads, omelets, fish, and sauces, adding a refined, mild flavor.

Key Features

• Type: Annual culinary herb

• Height: 30–50 cm

• Leaves: Finely cut, light green, fern-like

• Flavor: Mild anise, delicate and fresh

• Harvest: 6–8 weeks after sowing

• Use: Fresh leaves for seasoning

Ideal For

• Culinary herb gardens & kitchen windowsills

• French and Mediterranean dishes

• Continuous harvest in small spaces

• Pairing with parsley, tarragon & chives

Sowing & Growing

• Sow outdoors: March–August, directly into the soil.

• Depth: 0.5 cm, thinly in rows 20 cm apart.

• Germination: 14–21 days at 12–18°C.

• Position: Partial shade, moist, humus-rich soil.

• Harvest: Young leaves as needed.

Care Tips

• Regular sowings every 3–4 weeks ensure a constant supply.

• Avoid hot, sunny locations (prefers cool shade).

• Use leaves fresh – drying reduces flavor.

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' – Seeds (Rumex sanguineus)

Sorrel 'Bloody Dock' is a striking perennial herb known for its vibrant red-veined leaves and tangy, lemony flavor. Perfect for salads, soups, sauces, and garnishes, it adds both visual appeal and a refreshing zest to culinary creations.

Easy to grow and hardy, this variety thrives in garden beds, borders, or containers, providing both ornamental beauty and flavorful leaves throughout the growing season.

How to Grow

• Sow outdoors: March – June

• Plant spacing: 20–25 cm between plants

• Position: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil

• Care: Water regularly; remove older leaves to encourage new growth

Key Features

• Perennial herb with striking red-veined leaves

• Tangy, lemony flavor perfect for salads, soups, and sauces

• Hardy and easy to grow

• Suitable for garden beds, borders, or containers

• Adds both ornamental and culinary value

Harvest

• Harvesting period: 50–70 days after sowing

• Pick young leaves regularly for the best flavor and tender texture.

Short Tip

Harvest leaves from the outer edges to encourage continuous growth and maintain vibrant color.