Herbs, where and how?
Herbs are found both in romantic country settings, but are especially grown in modern city gardens where space can be limited.
Herbs in the garden
In beds and raised beds, you can plant various herbs. Delicate herbs need to be replaced each season, and you can cover the rest with fir branches for wintering. Be aware that some herbs spread more than others; for example, mint and lemon balm can spread profusely.
Herbs on the balcony
Depending on how much light your balcony gets, you can plant many herbs. In shady corners, you can, among other things, plant lemon balm and mint.
Herbs in pots
With a potted garden, you can change the look of your potted garden from season to season. Use frost-proof pots. Use everything from thyme, rosemary, and sage – most herbs can be planted in pots. And a pot will ensure that mint doesn't take over the entire garden.
Wintering
Many herbs can survive the Danish winter with a covering of fir branches or similar. They can also be stored in an unheated greenhouse. More delicate herbs can be harder to overwinter.
A selection from our range of herbs
Herbs are seasonal products. Visit the nursery from March to October and see our selection of herbs.
Anise Hyssop, Hummingbird Mint
Agastache spp.
Also known as liquorice plant due to its scent. It is a plant used for tea because it has notes of anise and mint. It flowers from July to October.
It is a good bee-friendly perennial. As it is a perennial, it should be cut back every autumn. Place in a sunny spot. Thrives in sandy soil. It is recommended to plant in a pot, as the plant spreads readily. Winter hardy, but can benefit from winter protection.
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Used for pesto, salads, and dressings. Thrives best in a greenhouse or a warm spot. Annual. There are various types of basil with different leaf shapes, colors, and flavors: Try Thai basil, Sweet basil, or Magic Mountain, for instance.
Thrives best in light and warmth. Most varieties do not tolerate low night temperatures, i.e., not below 10 degrees at night. Basil should be protected from heavy rain.
Basil
Ocimum x hybridum 'Magic Mountain'
Try this beautiful dark-leaved basil with purple flowers. Strong fragrance. This variety is not hardy but has good cold tolerance compared to other basils. Particularly good in pots, both outdoors and in a greenhouse. Does not tolerate drying out.
Nasturtium and other cress types
Tropaeolum majus
The picture shows nasturtium (Indian cress, Tropaeolum majus), with its edible flowers. Annual plant. Creeping and partially climbing growth. Tastes mustard-like.
In addition, there are various other types of cress used differently: Garden cress has a peppery taste, reminiscent of mustard and horseradish. Sea cress grows wild and is known as the Nordic Wasabi. Winter cress has yellow-green flowers.
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon flexuosus
Provides a rich lemon flavour and is particularly used in Asian cuisine. Lemongrass leaves are bruised before use to release their aroma. It is fibrous and used for flavouring but is not very pleasant to chew on.
Can yield a large harvest in a greenhouse. However, it also thrives in outdoor pots during the summer. Must be overwintered indoors.
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Provides a large, fragrant, and tasty yield. Can be used for everything from soft drinks, salads, and desserts, and also in e.g., Asian cooking. The plant should be placed in a sunny spot. It is winter-hardy.
To avoid extensive spreading of the plant, plant it in raised beds or pots.
Lemon verbena
Aloysia citriodora
Also called lemon beebrush. Good for tea and refreshing drinks. Also used in marinades, salads and desserts. The plant is sensitive to cold and thrives best in the garden from June to August (not below 10 degrees night temperature), with an extension in greenhouse conditions.
Can overwinter in a bright greenhouse or indoors. Height 60-120 cm.
Dill
Anethum graveolens
Good for potatoes, dressings, and salads. Requires plenty of water and nutrients for a good yield. Leaf dill can be sown from April and continuously throughout the summer. Can be sown outdoors. Annual. The plant does not tolerate drying out.
French Tarragon
Artemisia dracunculus
There are different varieties of tarragon. Many choose French tarragon due to its strong anise aroma, which many know from béarnaise sauce. Russian tarragon has a milder anise aroma. Perennial plant. Can sometimes overwinter in the Danish winter. French tarragon should be overwintered in a greenhouse or on a cool windowsill. The plant should be placed in a sunny spot and enjoys sandy soil.
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
With a taste and undertones of pepper, rosemary, and citrus. Strong flavour. Used as a spice in cooking, added at the end to prevent it from losing its flavour at high temperatures. Prefers a sunny spot. Plant in well-drained and sandy soil, and does not tolerate wet soil for extended periods.
Curry plant
Helichrysum italicum
Winter hardy. Thrives in sandy soil and is good in pots and window boxes. Used in the same way as bay leaves in hot dishes, but is not chopped, as it is removed before the food is eaten. Cannot completely replace the taste of curry, but gives a hint of curry. Produces beautiful yellow flowers that are not edible. Tolerates temperatures down to minus 15 degrees Celsius. Place in full sun.
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Leaf coriander is especially well-known in Asian cuisine. Perfumed and dominant flavour. Coriander is an annual plant. Place the plant in a sunny spot. Once it flowers, it won't yield many more leaves for harvest. You could also try Vietnamese coriander, which has a coriander flavour with a hint of citrus. Good in stir-fries.
Angelica
Angelica archangelica
Biennial or perennial. However, it will wither after flowering in its 3rd year. The stems can be candied. And the stems can be used with, for example, cooked rhubarb to reduce the need for sugar. Has a perfumed and sweetish taste, and is used in limited quantities. Place in full sun to partial shade, keep moist.
Bay Leaf
Laurus nobilis
True bay leaf. Used for pickling, stews, and soups, among other things. The leaves can be used fresh or dried. Perennial. Evergreen. Place in full sun to partial shade. Not winter hardy, but can survive mild winters. Position in a sheltered spot. Good for pots. Can also be overwintered at 10-16 degrees Celsius.
Must not be confused with daphne laureola or cherry laurel, which are poisonous.
Lavender
Lavandula
Can be used for everything from soap, bath salts, tea, lavender sugar, and lavender syrup. Has a distinct flavor, so use sparingly. True lavender is winter-hardy, while not all other types are. Place in full sun in sandy soil. Prune heavily in early May.
Moroccan Mint
Mentha spicata
Perennial and winter-hardy. Spreads rapidly and can be contained in pots. Many varieties; try, for example, Moroccan mint, which is used in ample quantities in the drink 'Mojito'. Used for soft drinks, tea, desserts, and in food. Place in a sunny spot and well-drained soil. Dies back and should be cut down in spring. Try fun crosses: banana, orange, chocolate, and grapefruit mint (not all are hardy).
Parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Biennial, but new plants should be planted every year. There are several different types of parsley: flat-leaf and curly parsley. The leaves are used in cooking for everything from parsley sauce to pesto. Place in partial shade.
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Winter-hardy. Produces white or purple flowers. The plant is used to season food and can also be used in pesto. The flowers can also be used. Keep moist.
Wild Garlic
Allium ursinum
Used for pesto, with potatoes, and for BBQ food, among other things. Produces white flowers. Found wild in nature, especially in wooded areas, but can also be cultivated in gardens. The plant is winter-hardy.
Must not be confused in the wild with the poisonous lily of the valley – you can identify wild garlic by its strong onion smell.
Roman Chamomile
Anthemis nobilis 'Plena'
Perennial. Strong fragrance and suitable for pots. Petals can be used in soft drinks and tea.
Rosemary
Rosmarinus officinalis
There is an upright and a creeping rosemary. Particularly good for oven and grilled dishes. The creeping rosemary produces beautiful small bluish-purple flowers, which can be used in salads, desserts, and rosemary (flower) sugar, etc. It can also be used in oils to infuse flavour. Easily grown in pots placed in a sunny spot, and looks beautiful well into summer and autumn with its Mediterranean appearance. Can advantageously be stored for winter at 5-10 degrees Celsius or covered outdoors during winter.
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Beautiful perfumed scent and flavour. Perennial, can be sensitive to frost, but common sage can overwinter outdoors. Good in pots. Place in a sunny spot. Thrives in sandy soil. Cut back in spring to encourage dense growth. Also try making the most delicious sage crisps.
Purple Sage
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'
Purple and green foliage. This sage has a slightly milder flavor. Thrives in full sun, preferably in somewhat sandy soil. Perennial, but should be stored in a sheltered location as it is more delicate than common sage.
Wood sorrel, yellow, sour clover
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'
The picture shows sour clover, which is not directly a sorrel but is used in the same way, especially as a garnish in salads and desserts.
Wood Sorrel, red, shamrock
Oxalis vulganicola 'Rosea'
The picture shows shamrock, which is not directly a sorrel but is used similarly, especially as a garnish in salads and desserts.
Other sorrels: Garden sorrel and French sorrel with a tart taste. Most often used in salads. Garden sorrel and French sorrel are winter hardy. Place in full sun or partial shade. Can spread, and can advantageously be planted in pots, but prefers more space.
Thyme
Thymus vulgaris
Hardy plant that can withstand harsher conditions and is good in rock gardens. Especially used in oven and grill dishes. Various varieties, e.g., lemon thyme. Winter-hardy, but can benefit from being covered with spruce branches.
Garden insects and bees are very fond of the plant.
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthium
Wormwood is a beautiful plant with decorative silver-grey foliage and yellow flowers in July to August. It grows up to 100 cm. If grown in a pot, it can be overwintered in a greenhouse. It is used, among other things, against moths and for making schnapps. Place in a sunny spot.
Horned Violet, perennial
Viola cornuta 'Wisley White'
Edible flower. Blooms from May to September. Place in sun to partial shade.
Horned Violet, spring and autumn flower
Viola cornuta
Spring and autumn flowering plant. We recommend that you either sow it yourself from seed or buy Danish products if you use it in dishes as an edible flower. Used on salads, cakes or as decoration in ice cubes.
Lemon Marigold
Tagetes lemmonii
Flavoring in food and tea blends, as well as decoration on cakes and salads. Plant outdoors in late May in a sunny location. Grows to about 40 cm tall. Blooms until October. Can advantageously be planted in nutrient-poor soil.