27 Gorgeous Flowering Herbs for Culinary and Ornamental Use

Planning an herb garden can feel overwhelming. Choosing the herbs you cook with the most is the best place to start. 

Oftentimes, vegetable and herb gardens are neglected when it comes to ornamental beauty. Of course, the bounty is beautiful, but there is nothing wrong with wanting to up the flower power in your garden. 

This article provides you with 27 suggestions of beautiful flowering herbs that you can easily add to your gardens this summer. Let’s dig in!

Angelica

	botanical name Angelica archangelica
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-6 feet
	hardiness zones 5-8

Is your herb garden lacking height? Angelica can reach heights of three to six feet, producing gorgeous pink stems and lime green large flowers. This herb grows best in wet, soggy soil and would be a great solution for an area of your garden that is overly moist. 

Angelica is historically used to flavor liquors but is also popular as a cocktail garnish and in fish or egg dishes. Use in moderation, as this herb has shown mild toxicity to humans. 

Beebalm

	botanical name Monarda didyma
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-4 feet
	hardiness zones 4-9

Bee balm is a beloved perennial that is also an herb. This pollinator-favorite plant has many varieties, each with flowers that are typically in shades of red, pink, or purple. Borne on tall, straight stems, the flowers are a bit funky and look like pom-poms. 

Planting bee balm in your herb garden is a great way to break up green herbs with pops of flowers. These flowers will attract all sorts of pollinators into your garden, which will benefit the rest of your plants.

Borage

	botanical name Borago officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you are looking to up the beauty of your herb garden, borage is the perfect addition. This herb is as versatile as it is beautiful. The foliage is fuzzy and grey-green. The beautiful flowers nod above the foliage and are a pretty shade of purplish blue.

The entire borage plant is edible. Harvest the flowers and add to salads for a subtle cucumber flavor, or they can be candied and used in deserts. The leaves can also be added to salads, or used as a garnish for drinks and other sweet treats. 

Bouquet Dill

	botanical name Anethum graveolens ‘Bouquet’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

If you are looking for something a bit extra, bouquet dill is perfect! This herb gives you all of the deliciousness of classic dill with giant blossoms! The yellow flowers can reach up to six inches in diameter. The foliage is dilly and delicious. 

Allowing your dill to flower will stop the foliage production. However, it will lead to seed production, which is great for pickling. Bouquet dill is also beautiful when used as a filler flower in bouquets.

Calendula

	botanical name Calendula officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

Calendula, often known as pot marigold, makes a beautiful addition to any garden. These brightly colored flowers have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes, as well as a dye for fabrics and food. 

This pretty plant will grow up to two feet tall, producing brightly colored flowers in shades of golden yellow or red. Calendula is easy to grow and will self-seed right into your garden if you allow it, keeping the beauty coming back year after year with little effort from you. 

Cardinal Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-36 inches
	hardiness zones 10

Cardinal basil offers everything that the classic basil offers, with extra beauty! The blossoms on this basil variety are deep red. The foliage is densely packed and still has that perfect basil aroma. 

Add cardinal basil to your herb garden, but do not forget to cut the blossoms for your vase arrangements. Use the basil leaves fresh on salads or in sauces. 

Common Chives

	botanical name Allium schoenoprasum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

If you are looking for an easy herb to grow, common chives are a great place to start. This herb is easy to start from seed and will come back year after year with minimal maintenance from you. Common chives produce the classic green foliage that we know and love. With a mild onion flavor, chives can be used in many dishes. Their flowers are purple tufts of small flowers that make really pretty additions to your vase arrangements. 

Common chives can be grown in a container, raised bed, or right in the ground. This is a favorite snack of bunnies, keep that in mind when you are selecting a planting sight. Consider using a critter cover to keep them safe.

Common Oregano

	botanical name Origanum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-18 inches
	hardiness zones 4-10

Oregano is commonly grown in herb gardens for their soft and aromatic leaves. When left to flower, common oregano produces light pink blossoms that form at the end of long trailing stems. This herb is often used in Mediterranean dishes.

Oregano can be used both dried and fresh. If you are lacking garden space, oregano grows very nicely in hanging baskets. 

Dill ‘Tetra’

	botanical name Anethum graveolens ‘Tetra’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-5 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

‘Tetra’ dill is a bushy dill variety that will flower later in the season. This is helpful if you use dill all summer long because the flowers will not affect any foliage production. The foliage is lacey and attractive. When the flowers bloom, they dazzle with large clusters of tiny, light yellow flowers. 

This variety of dill is heat-tolerant and will not bolt. Use dill in fresh dishes such as salads or fish dishes. Also, use dill in pickling vegetables over the winter. 

English Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula angustifolia
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

English lavender, also known as common lavender, is a lovely perennial that doubles as an herb. This woody perennial produces aromatic leaves and classic purple blossoms. These can both be used in baking or for aromatherapy. 

Plant English lavender in a container, or use it as a low-growing border plant around a pool or walkway. This plant will return year after year. Plant in full sun!

English Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

Thyme is one of the most commonly used herbs in the garden, so why not grow your own? This herb is attractive, with small, soft green leaves growing on sprawling stems. The blossoms are small and white or light pink, but when the plant is in bloom, it is quite a sight. It looks like a carpet of blossoms. 

Plant English thyme indoors, or outdoors in containers or right in your vegetable beds. This herb can be used fresh, or dried and stored for later. 

Feverfew

	botanical name Tanacetum parthenium L.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-8

Feverfew is often confused with chamomile. If you love the look of chamomile but are longing for a perennial, feverfew is perfect for you. This pretty plant produces loads of flat daisy-like flowers. This plant produces a citrus scent that we enjoy but will also help to keep pests out of your edible garden. 

Add feverfew to raised beds, or pots. Keep in mind this perennial looks beautiful planted along a gardens edge, or a sunny border.

Garlic Chives

	botanical name Allium tuberosum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 3-9

Garlic chives are very similar to common chives in their growth habit. Where they differ is in their flavor. The foliage of this herb is tasty and can be snipped throughout the season and added to dishes that need a bit of fresh garlic flavor. Late in the season, garlic chives will produce beautiful white flowers. The flower clusters are made up of tiny star-shaped white flowers. 

Plant garlic chives in a container, and they will come back year after year. These chives also make great bedding plants. Be sure to snip a few flowers to enjoy in vases indoors or on a picnic table.

German Chamomile

	botanical name Matricaria chamomilla
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-30 inches
	hardiness zones 2-8

German chamomile is a lovely flowering herb. This plant produces daisy-like flowers with pure white petals and bright yellow centers.  It will bloom throughout the summer months.

German chamomile flowers can be used to make the eve popular chamomile tea. To make your own tea, harvest the flowers when they are in full bloom, ensuring that the blossoms are fully opened. Dry them, and store them in an airtight container until you are ready to brew a fresh cup of tea. Add the dried flowers to a tea infuser and add hot water. 

Greek Oregano 

	botanical name Origanum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Many vegetable and herb gardens will feature oregano for its aromatic properties and its versatile uses. This woody perennial produces small, soft green leaves. The flowers themselves are small and come in a pretty shade of light pinkish-purple or white. 

Green oregano produces long stems that trail nicely and can be planted in a container but are especially beautiful in a hanging basket. Harvest the leaves and dry them for use in sauces, meat dishes, or Greek and Italian dishes. 

Holy Basil ‘Tulsi’

	botanical name Ocimum tenuiflorum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18-36 inches
	hardiness zones 10-11

‘Tulsi’ holy basil is an ancient variety that is commonly used in teas. This quick-growing basil has a scent commonly described as bubble gum. This herb has been said to reduce stress. Grow your basil in a flower bed, a container, or even indoors for year-round use. 

Basil is not commonly known for its flowering ability. To promote more foliar growth, it is recommended that you deadhead your basil regularly. However, the flowers of holy basil are a pretty light shade of pink and grow on a spike. These flowers may lead to re-seeding.

Lady Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula angustifolia ‘Lady’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8-12 inches
	hardiness zones 5-9

You can grow common lavender from seed, but ‘Lady’ brags of its ability to bloom in the first year of growing. This plant will grow to one foot, producing the classic, beautiful purple flowers accompanied by small silver aromatic leaves. 

‘Lady’ lavender can be used in many ways throughout your garden. Grow plants about one food apart for a low-growing hedge. Plant it in containers, herb gardens, or rock gardens. 

Lovage

	botanical name Levisticum officinale
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-4 feet
	hardiness zones 4-8

Lovage is a less common herb that deserves a place in your landscape. This plant is closely related to celery, and it is easy to see why. The leaves are quite similar to those of celery. Look for large yellow or green flowers to appear in late spring to early summer. 

Add lovage to your herb or vegetable garden. Do not plant near celery or rhubarb, as these plants do not make good companions for each other. 

Munstead Lavender

	botanical name Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Munstead’ lavender is a very popular variety of lavender. This variety will remain attractive all year long in your garden, blooming twice beginning in the late spring. Harvest the flowers to encourage a second bloom. 

Plant ‘Munstead’ in containers near your herb garden, or right in your herb garden. This herb is a good candidate for your perennial beds as well. Lavender prefers soil on the drier side. If your soil is too rich, containers are the way to go!

Nasturtium

	botanical name Tropaeolum majus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-10 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

For vertical gardeners, nasturtium provides unique round leaves coupled with bright and edible flowers. The leaves are uniquely round, whereas the flowers are flashy and bright, commonly coming in shades of orange and red. 

Adding nasturtium to your edible garden has many benefits aside from its beauty. Simply plant them in a window box where they can trail or along a trellis so they can climb. 

Peppermint

	botanical name Mentha x piperita
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

We all know and love mint. This aggressive growing herb produces gorgeous green leaves that will often take on a hint of red or purple. When allowed to flower, you will be blessed with many small purple blossoms. 

Because of its aggressive nature, it is recommended that you grow mint in a container. Peppermint is an excellent candidate for a hanging basket in a sunny location. 

Pineapple Sage

	botanical name Salvia elegans
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones 8-10

Grown both for its stunning red flowers and its intoxicating aroma, pineapple sage is a “must grow” in your edible garden. The red blossoms are pollinator magnets, while the edible leaves can be added to salads or used in garnishes for cocktails or other dishes. 

If you do not have a lot of space for this large plant, pineapple sage will grow well in a container. On the other hand, if you are looking for a plant to use as a privacy screen, pineapple sage is the plant for you.

Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 4-5 feet
	hardiness zones 8-10

Rosemary is a very versatile herb when it comes to uses in your garden, as well as cooking. The fragrant leaves resemble pine needles and grow up the woody stems of the plant. The flowers are petite and purple. 

If you live in a cooler zone, bring your potted rosemary indoors to continue its growing season. Use this herb fresh right off of the plant, dry it, and store it for later use, or make your own herb-infused oil.

Sorrel

	botanical name Rumex scutatus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9

Sorrel is not a commonly used herb in American cooking, but it is crucial to French cuisine. This herb is grown primarily for its leafy greens, but when the weather warms up and the herb bolts, you will be rewarded with gorgeous purple flowers. 

Use sorrel leaves with eggs, salads, or soups. This is a beautiful plant to add directly to your vegetable or herb garden. 

Spearmint

	botanical name Mentha spicata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 4

Spearmint is related to peppermint, with a more mild and sweet flavor. Spearmint spreads vigorously through rhizomes, producing healthy green leaves and beautiful spiked purple flowers. 

Use spearmint in teas and salads or as a garnish on dessert. It is best to plant this perennial in a container to prevent aggressive spreading throughout your garden. 

Summer Savory

	botanical name Satureja hortensis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

Summer savory is a bushy annual herb. It produces small white flowers which will grow scattered throughout the plant. The small dark green leaves can be used to flavor many different dishes and can be used fresh or dry. The flavor is similar to thyme.

Summer savory is an annual. However, winter savory is a semi-evergreen herb that may work better for your garden. Flowering will stop the foliage production. The leaves should be harvested shortly after flowering, if not before. 

Sweet Thai Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflora
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 2-11

Sweet Thai basil is very similar to Italian basil. The leaves are deliciously aromatic, but this plant produces purple flowers rather than white. The deep purple stems give the entire plant a beautiful contrast. 

Sweet Thai basil is often used in Asian dishes, however its flavor is useful in soups or broths. Once your basil flowers, it will stop producing foliage. Be sure to deadhead as long as you would like to harvest fresh leaves.