<p>I knew I forgot my favorite herb, which is sage, because that you can allow to flower. For Virginia, it will winter over</p>
<p>The only grass I have left in my yard is the strip down the middle of the driveway ( we live in the city- but an old house and it had never been paved over 
)</p>
<p>I actually reseeded grass- but it is kinda slow to start up- so I am planting chamomile which is more dense & faster.
I also have planted lots of low growing thyme all around which is a good groundcover because dense and doesn’t mind you stepping on it ( smells great when you do)</p>
<p>Mint you should always grow in pots unless you don’t mind it sprouting up where ever.
I guess I am getting off track- I thought this was a garden thread!</p>
<p>I love cardamom.
I used to like biscotti when that was the only flavor- now you can’t even find it and I am not motivated enough to make my own.</p>
<p>emeraldk - is your low growing thyme in sunny or shade? I have this really large shady area that I am always searching for something to grow that does not require replanting every year (impatiens did well there but have to be replanted every year and it is a large area). One of these days when (if) we have the money I may just get the area paved over.</p>
<p>Thyme prefers sun, but I find mine survives in the shade, it doesn’t spread like it did when I had a sunnier garden.</p>
<p>Remember also that there are different types of curry spice mixes, such as Jamaican, Indian and Thai. I find the jamaican style to be sweet.</p>
<p>I second the thought about growing your own herbs on the balcony, porch, etc. Currently I am growing basil from seed and have rejuvenated frail Italian parsely and rosemary plants from the garden shop.</p>
<p>for shade there are several perennials- although I can’t think of any herbs- Hosta * is * edible though.( spreads in clumps and you have to dig up and divide every once in a while)
Hellabores like shade & they * reseed* also have winter bloom which is nice.</p>
<p>I use kinnickinick as a low growing native groundcover ( but it likes sun best), salal ( galutheria) likes shade- has larger leaves and is more like a shrubby thing in the shade ( denser in sun)
Also I just planted some nepalese raspberry which is low growing and will even fruit in shade.
Sarcococca likes shade is evergreen, has fragrant flowers in winter & hooker humilus is lower growing ( sweetbox)
Thyme, sages both like sun with well drained soil.
but both are pretty tolerant- cause now my front yard has shade in the afternoon after the neighbors trees have gotten huge.</p>
<p>Have any of you herb growers tried growing tarragon? It’s one of my favorites. I’ve actually substituted it for basil and cilantro in Thai and Vietnamese dishes and it’s delicious. Not the same as the other two, but still tasty. (The fresh tastes much better than dried.)</p>
<p>swimcatsmom, how about moss for your shady area? Don’t pave it over! Depending on where you live, if you pick up leaves and twigs and don’t put lawn fertilizer anywhere near it, you will eventually have moss. After years of trying to maintain a lawn in our shady areas, we’ve let the moss come in and it’s beautiful and green all year around. Doesn’t need fertilizer, mowing, weed killers. You can let it dry out and it will turn a bright green at first rain.</p>
<p>Use plenty of tumeric…they are finding all sorts of health benefits. </p>
<p>[20</a> Health Benefits of Turmeric](<a href=“http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html]20”>http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html)</p>
<p>Download the Penzey’s spice/herb catalog (I lOVE their stores and buy their spices and herbs in bulk, then freeze)
[Spice</a> at Penzeys Spices View Catalog](<a href=“HomePage | Penzeys”>HomePage | Penzeys)</p>