As with other kinds of plants, herbs may be classified as annual, perennial, and biennial.
Many, many distinct kinds of herbs exist, each with its own individuality.
Should you have an interest in any particular kind of herb, you need to get information on it specifically to know the care it requires and to understand its proper usage.
This writing is intended as a beginning in your understanding of the basic different kinds of herbs and their usage.
The annuals, such as basil, cilantro, and summer savory, will be killed in the first frost of the year.
That being the case, they will have to be replaced in the home herb garden, either from seed or from a small plant, each year.
The perennials, such as sage and winter savory, can endure winter weather and will return every year.
The biennials will develop leaves during the first growing season, flowers and seed during the second season, and die.
Biennial herbs, such as parsley, angelica, or caraway, are planted from seed during late spring.
To get started in herb gardening, first ready the ground for planting by breaking it up into a loose consistency and then lightly dampen it.
Using shallow rows, plant the seeds and finally, tamp down the dirt over them.
If the seeds are very fine, they may be mixed into sand before planting, which will give a more even distribution.
You may want to use wet burlap or paper to cover the bed so that the ground will stay moist as the seeds germinate.
Further, herbs are categorized by their use.
The culinary herbs are likely of the most use to herb gardeners.
As the name suggests, they have a vast extent of usage in cooking.
Some have a very strong flavor, such as chives, thyme, basil, sage, savory, and marjoram, and are used to add that flavor to various kinds of foods.
Parsley is an herb which is very popularly used as a garnish.
The aromatic herbs have a pleasing aroma which comes from the flower or foliage.
Oils may be extracted from these herbs, such as loyage, mint, and rosemary, and used in the production of various perfumes, toilet water and other scents.
Parts of certain aromatic herbs are often used in linen or clothing drawers to freshen those items in the home.
In addition, they may be dried to make potpourri, in which form they will provide their pleasant aroma for a long time.
Popular herbs for potpourri are lavender and lemon verbena.
And some herbs, of course, are utilized as medicine.
Herbs historically have been prevalent in treatments to heal various bodily infirmities.
Modern medical thought is that certain herbs do have favorable effects upon one's well-being while others are ineffective.
The use of herbs for the treatment of medical issues should be carefully monitored.
While many herbs may be eaten without concern, there are others which can result in ill effects.
And there are those whose flavor, healing effect or aroma are not a factor in their usage.
They may just be appreciated for their appearance.
The ornamental herbs are known for their beautiful flowers and greenery.
The flowers may be whitish or light colored, like the crimson hue of valerian blooms, and the beautiful blue flowers of borage and chicory.
Even though herbs are classified in these ways, there are many which may be used for several different purposes.
One example of a multipurpose herb is mint, which is an ingredient in recipes, used in tea, and used for pest control.
No matter the purpose you have for herbs, with knowledge of the various plants you will be equipped to choose those that most fit your needs.