SHADE HERBSCAPE

There are several herbs that prefer at least part shade, however all herbs grown in the shade will grow taller in an attempt to reach for the sun, so pinch foliage to keep compact and encourage new growth.  When you plant in shade you want to make sure there is plenty of organic material added to the soil. 

In nature, these plants can be found growing in the dappled light below trees, or at the edges of forests, where the sun shines directly on them for only a short time each day. Parsley, anise hyssop, lemon balm and shiso are among the best herbs for dappled light or areas that receive only a couple of hours of direct sun daily. Also, be aware that many of these herbs such as sweet woodruff, violets, and mints will spread rapidly, so keep an eye on them.  If you want to add some color you can add heliotrope, catmint and daylilies.  Here are the herbs that should do well:

 

American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

 

 

 

 

 

Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)

 

 

 

 

 

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

 

 

 

 

 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
Mints (Mentha spp)
Parsley (Petroselinum spp)
Shiso (Perilla frutescens)

 

 

 

 

 

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

 

 

 

 

Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

 

 

 

 

 

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.”
Psalm 24:1-2