With the right plant selection and a little planning, you don’t have to choose between a gorgeous front yard and a productive kitchen garden. We asked gardening experts to identify their favorite perennials and biennials that seamlessly blend decorative appeal with culinary reward. The result is a list of six incredibly versatile, low-maintenance plants.
Whether you’re looking to soften a stone path, create a fragrant border, or simply harvest fresh ingredients for dinner, we’ve got you covered with expert-backed care tips and practical design ideas for integrating these hardy, edible plants into landscaping.
1. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary is one of the best Herbs for the landscape structure because it is both a woody perennial and an evergreen shrub, says Jessica Mercer, Ph.D., senior horticulturist at Plant addict Valley, in Nebraska. “It has narrow, fragrant leaves, woody stems and small blue-purple flowers, making it a useful ornamental plant for patios, walkways, kitchen gardens and near sunny foundation beds,” says Mercer. In temperate regions, rosemary plants can grow 4 to 6 feet tall, making them a good choice for a fragrant evergreen hedge or low privacy screen.
This herb thrives in warm areas, full sun and sandy soil that drains quickly. “It adds a beautiful shrubbery-type look to any garden landscape,” says Kitchen Garden coach and founder Corinne Beirne. The Nourished Garden. “And depending on the variety, it will hang over the sides too, delighting gardeners with its piney scent.”
One of the best parts is that each rosemary sprig is ready for dinner; It is commonly used as a seasoning for poultry, lamb, stews and soups. Beirne recommends cutting the soft stems for use, leaving the woody stems alone.
Best for: Planted near patios and walkways and in kitchen gardens
Hardness Zone: 8 to 11
2. Rishi (Sage officinalis)
Rishi is that Hardy perennial With soft, silvery-green foliage that can serve as an ornamental plant first and a kitchen staple second, it makes a great addition to any edible landscape. “The leaves can be gray-green, purple or variegated and pair nicely with ornamental grasses, lavender, thyme and other drought-tolerant perennials,” says Mercer. The leaves are usually used fresh or dried in cooking.
Mercer says to grow sage in full sun and well-drained soil. “Avoid overwatering once established; water only when the top 2 inches of soil is completely dry.” Also, give the plant a light trim in spring to prevent woody, bare growth.
Beirne says to lightly prune the plant after flowering to encourage more new growth. “Then it will keep coming back year after year with proper pruning and plenty of sunlight.”
Best for: Pair with ornamental grasses, lavender, thyme and other drought-tolerant perennials.
Hardness Zone: 4 to 10
3. Oregano (Oregano vulgaris)
Oregano, a low-growing, woody, deciduous perennial, serves as a Attractive edible ground cover For sunny, well-draining areas. “It has a loose, drooping or spreading habit with aromatic leaves that can be harvested for cooking,” says Mercer. These plants also attract pollinators like bees and butterflies to the yard.
Mercer believes that oregano works well at the front of a border, along a rock wall, or in raised herb beds where it can soften hard edges. “Once established, oregano is fairly drought tolerant and looks great on the sides of kitchen garden beds,” adds Beirne.
Oregano doesn’t require a lot of attention and doesn’t like to be overwatered, Beirne says. Just be careful when cutting this herb. If you prune too much, the stems can become long, thin and weak. But if you don’t spray them at all, they become woody. During the growing season, harvest 2- to 3-inch stem tips as needed for your recipes.
Best for: Grows as a ground cover and attracts pollinators
Hardness Zone: 4 to 10
4. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Widely used as a seasoning for soups, meats, and vegetables, thyme is a low-growing perennial with small leaves; Thin, woody stems; And a pleasant clover-like taste. Available in more than 50 varieties, thyme is the simplest Herbs to grow outside in the landscape because it stays low and relishes warm, dry sites once established, Mercer says.
Mercer recommends planting thyme in full sun and well-drained soil. “Erre on the side of less water because too much water can damage the roots,” she warns.
As far as design is concerned, Mercer says creeping thyme can edging paths and fill spaces between stepping stones, while upright culinary thyme fits well in herb gardens and small borders. “Wooly thyme is my favorite variety for ground cover because of its soft texture and color,” says Mercer.
Best for: Grow between stepping stones or as borders
Hardness Zone: 5 to 9
5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Beloved for its calming scent and vivid purple flowers, lavender is a woody perennial herb used to add a sweet, floral flavor to baked goods, syrups, teas, lemonade and other beverages. “Lavender is a beautiful edible plant for sunny borders,” says Mercer. “It’s pollination value, silvery foliage, Purple flower spikesAnd when you brush them or cut sprigs to bring them indoors, the scent comes through.”
Mercer finds that lavender works well along walkways, in gravel gardens or as a low edging plant. It needs full sun and sharp drainage. “Don’t plant it in rich, wet soil, especially in places that stay wet in the winter,” she warns. Also, trim the plant slightly after flowering to keep it compact.
Best for: Plant along walkways, in gravel gardens or as a low edging plant
Hardness Zone: 5 to 9
6. Parsley (Crispy parsley)
Available in both curly and flat-leaved Italian varieties, parsley is an adaptable biennial. “While considered a biennial, regular pruning will allow parsley to produce a consistent harvest year after year,” explains Beirne. “Many people use parsley as an annual because the flavor really starts to change after it starts to flower, but as long as you keep pruning and harvesting your parsley, it will continue to produce delicious leaves.” Parsley is very versatile, as it can be added to any meal, even as a garnish.
While it can handle full sun, parsley benefits Light or afternoon shade In hot, humid climates. Many gardeners choose to start this herb indoors in small containers 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. Once established in rich, consistently moist and well-drained soil, parsley plants spend their first year producing tasty leaves before transitioning to flowering in the second year. Parsley pairs well with flowers in garden beds and can be grown as a neat edging plant that provides a border.
Best for: Flower beds and borders
Hardness Zone: 5 to 11
All you need to do is take care of your lawn and garden
