Shade tolerant herbs add texture to a shady spot.
Success in shade gardening can be chancy if the right plants are not incorporated.
Geraniums are an annual and a good choice for a shady spot.
Geraniums must be re-planted every year.
Rosemary is grown as a perennial in zones 8-10.
If there is a hard winter and the temperature drops below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the plant may die.
Dill is also grown as a perennial in zones 2-9.
Germander is grown as a perennial in zones 5-9.
It is cultivated for its oval shaped leaves and aromatic red or purple blooms.
Germander is propagated by layering, cuttings, or divisions of mature plants.
Three of the easiest deep shade herbs to grow are themints,lemon balm, andcatnip.
Growing Mint in the Shade
One of the mostshade tolerant herbsin the south is mint.
Keep the soil moist where mint is growing.
It loves water and is a good choice to grow in water areas.
Mint can be an invasive herb if allowed to spread without barriers.
To avoid invasion, plant it in containers that are at least ten inches deep.
It is grown as a perennial in zones 5-9.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balmis another shade loving herb that is easy to grow.
It may be started from seed, cuttings, or from divisions.
It prefers sandy soil.
Pick lemon balm leaves often to add to teas and meat dishes.
This help keep the plant thinned to avoid powdery mildew.
Insects are not usually a problem with lemon balm.
It is grown as a perennial in zones 4-9.
It is also called sweet balm and sometimes bee balm.
Catnip
Catnipis one of the easiest herbs to grow.
It willthrive in sunor shade.
It can be sown quite easily from seed and can also be grown from cuttings.
It self-sows rapidly and can be an invasive herb if allowed to propagate on its own.
It blooms small white blooms throughout the summer.