Most vegetables and flowering plants need sunny locations to do their best. But shady areas in your garden need not be bare, or without excitement, if you grow a wide selection of shade loving herbs.
Many herbs do equally well in the sun and in the shade, but some, especially the tender ones, are partial to shade, at least during the hotter part of the day.
The following herbs can be successfully grown in shady areas of your garden.
Calendula pot marigold
Calendula not only has multiple medicinal uses, but it also produces colorful blooms. It stimulates the immune system. Calendula draws aphids away from valuable plants. Calendulas are adaptable and don’t require much maintenance. You can grow them in containers or beds in full sun to shade conditions. They prefer cool temperatures and their flowers last longer in filtered sun or shady areas.
Catnip
Catnip is often grown for its beautiful ornamental properties. Catnip grows well in almost any soil, but does best in a moderately rich loam that is well-draining. It will grow acceptably in either sun or shade.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a delicate plant but produces the most popular and delicious tea made from leaves and stems. People have used chamomile as a traditional medicine for thousands of years to calm anxiety and settle stomachs. You can plant chamomile in the spring from seeds or plants. It grows best in cool conditions, and should be planted in part shade. The soil should be dry too.
Chives
Chives grow tightly packed meaning they are a great choice for small spaces. The leaves are thin and grass-like and impart a mild, onion-like flavor. You can use the pretty purple-pink flowers as an edible garnish. Chives aid in digestion and relieve gas. Ideal for them is rich, well-drained soil, although they can survive in less than ideal conditions too. They prefer moisture in the soil, yet water-logging should be avoided.
Cilantro
Coriander has similar growth habits and cultural requirements with the parsley. It is easily grown from seeds, and thrives in rich, moist soil. Although it can grow in full sun where ample soil moisture is present, there is the risk of the plant bolting. It also results in bitter leaves. Partial shade helps maintain the taste and flavor of the herb.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is thought by herbalists to help fight many woes, such as anxiety and stress. Other medicinal uses include a digestive aid if made into a tea. It can control bloating and vomiting. The calming tea relieves a headache and restlessness too. It should be grown in rich, moist soil. Lemon balm loves sun and warmth, but it can thrive in partial shade as well.
Mint
Mint is one of the best choices for a shady spot. Mint is a hardy perennial that will spread quickly if left untended. Great for teas and cooking!
Oregano
Oregano is an easy-to-grow perennial, and it is a very popular herb that finds a home in numerous Italian, Mexican, and Spanish dishes. Oregano does best in partial shade.
Parsley
Parsley is often grown as an annual, with the leaves or the entire plant harvested for the table in the first year itself. People use the root as a vegetable in stews and soups. The leaves refresh the breath when chewed. Parsley needs moist soil rich in organic matter to do its best. It is best in light shade for the lush growth of the leaves. Parsley prefers a temperature range of 70 to 85.
Thyme
Thyme grows well almost anywhere, and you can cultivate it as a perennial. It can survive drought and light freezes, however it requires some protection in winter. It can do well in sunny locations, but prefers shade, especially in summer, or in warmer areas. Frequent pruning keeps the plants healthy and green.
Tarragon
Among the different types of Tarragon, the highly aromatic French Tarragon is commonly used as an herb and deserves a place in the garden.
It is a slender plant with long, narrow leaves that have an anise-like flavor. Although tarragons are flowering plants belonging to the daisy family, French Tarragon rarely produces flowers. They are sterile anyway, so the herb has to be grown from either stem cuttings or root divisions.
Tarragon loves rich, well-draining soil, but poor soil intensifies its flavor. It should be watered not more than once or twice a week; the rhizomatous roots can rot in wet and waterlogged conditions.
The herb thrives in warmth, but cannot stand very high temperatures. It does well in places that get full morning sun, but requires afternoon shade, especially in warm areas.
Harvest the young stems for fresh herb or freeze or dry them.
Angelica
Angelica is a tall herb that has a celery-like flavor and can substitute celery in dishes. Candied stems of Angelica used to be a popular cake decoration.
Angelica has medicinal value too. The candied stems are often given to children to relieve digestive problems and cough.
Angelica can be grown in USDA zones 4-9. This sweet flavored biennial herb prefers woodland conditions, requiring ample shade and soil moisture to do well.
You need fresh seeds to grow Angelica because they lose their viability pretty quickly. The plants produce only leaves in the first year. These large leaves are highly divided into leaflets which give them a lacy look.
The tall flower stalks with fewer leaves come up in the second year, carrying large umbrellas of tiny, nectar-filled flowers.
You can plant Angelica in the shade of shrubs and trees where it can enjoy the dappled shade and the slightly acidic soil.
It needs plenty of space to grow and spread out, so it is fine to grow it in a remote part of the garden and gather the leaves and stem as and when required.
Ginger
This herb gives the ginger root used as a spice in cooking and as a medicinal herb to treat nausea and digestive problems.
The ginger root is actually a branching rhizomatous underground stem which send out top growth every now and then.
Ginger is a woodland plant of the tropics, and it can be grown successfully as a perennial in USDA zones 9-12.
Elsewhere, treat it as an annual, providing a warm, sheltered location. It is propagated by division of the rhizomes.
When planted in early spring, with at least one or two growing buds or ‘eyes’ to every section, they sprout new leaves in a few week’s time. Mulch it well to keep in moisture and provide warmth.
The plants complete their growth by the end of fall, the leaves dying out naturally.
The rhizomes can be dug up and stored in a cool place to be used as fresh herb, or dried to make ginger root powder.
Wild Ginger
This herbaceous plant with beautiful, heart-shaped leaves is commonly used as a groundcover in shady areas.
The rhizomes spreading underground beneath the thick leaf cover can be used in cooking to impart a spicy flavor to dishes. Native American Indians used wild ginger to treat cold and fevers.
Grow wild ginger anywhere in USDA zones 2-8, but give it moist, slightly acidic soil, preferably in the shade of tall trees.
You can plant small sections of the rhizome, each with an eye or two, in late fall or early spring. They will sprout soon and send out stolons to spread and cover the area with their attractive foliage.
Lemon Balm
This aromatic herb with a lemony scent has both medicinal and culinary uses.
The leaves can be used to flavor fish and chicken, but since it loses most of the flavor in cooking, you should add them towards the end of the cooking process.
Leaves can be used as a garnish for cold drinks and salads. Medicinal uses include a digestive tea made by steeping leaves in warm water. It can control bloating and vomiting. The calming tea relieves a headache and restlessness too.
Grow lemon balm in rich, moist soil. It loves sun and warmth, but it can thrive in partial shade as well.
It can be grown as a perennial in USDA zone 9-10, but may not survive cold winters elsewhere unless overwintered indoors or under heavy mulch. Frequent pruning keeps the plant bushy and prevents early flowering.
So, if you have shady places and in need of some green and color to fill the space, consider some of the above herbs.
Not only are they fun to grow, look great, but will also reward you with great seasonings for your meals and therapeutic needs.
Source: naturallivingideas.com