Three AAS-Award-Winning Herbs To Sow This Summer

Our new Fall catalog also offers three new herbs, which captured the coveted All-America Selections Award in 2015. These awards are given to only the finest varieties that pass exhaustive tests for adaptability and overall performance. Two perennials—‘Cleopatra Oregano’ and ‘Geisha Garlic Chives’—and annual ‘Dolce Fresca Basil’ are front-and-center—must-tries for all herb gardeners.

‘Cleopatra Oregano’ (85 to 100 days). “Anther winner of 2015 AAS honors due to its unique differences from the typical Greek oreganos. These seeds are organic, yielding a mildly, spicy, peppermint-like coolness that’s perfect for Mediterranean dishes, sauces and roasted vegetables. Compact, trailing plant grows to 12 inches, with lovely, silver-gray foliage to give it both a culinary and ornamental dimension. Ideal as a container plant, a groundcover or in the border. Dried leaves make a wonderful dried spice. Perennial. Direct sow anytime from spring through summer.”

‘Geisha Garlic Chives’ (75 days). “Winner of the prestigious 2015 AAS Award for its carefree, rapid growth and a sweet garlic flavor, described by AAS judges as ‘more refined’—not strongly garlic-flavored, but very aromatic and delicate tasting. Stems are 12 inches long and slender, wider and flatter than other garlic chives. Use in soups, stir-fry and compound butters. Blooms late with pure-white flowers that are irresistible to butterflies. Great for containers, or as an edging, or as a stand-alone beauty. Perennial. Direct sow anytime from spring through summer. Organic seeds.

‘Dolce Fresca Basil’ (about 70 days). “Won the coveted 2015 AAS Award by combining spectacular ornamental qualities with superior culinary attributes. Out-performs similar basils, with its superb drought tolerance and sweet, tender leaves. After harvest, plant is quick to recover, keeping the desired ornamental shape that’s ideal for containers or borders. Grows 12 to 14 inches tall, with a spread of 10 to 12 inches. Annual—not hardy—so bring inside for winter.”