The newest Park Seed catalog has left the nest and is winging its way toward millions of customers even as I write. When you get yours, be sure to check out page 21 and the special Herb Garden Collection described there. Representatives from the Herb Society of America, undoubtedly the most knowledgable herbarians around, selected their top ten favorite herbs as part of their 75th anniversary celebration. And Park Seed is very proud to join in the celebration by presenting this collection to the public for purchase.
Park Seed has likely been offering herb seeds since 16-year-old George W. Park published his very first list. I know that my 1899 catalog refers to herbs. Today's catalog certainly has a long list of herb seeds, including ten that are certified organic. 
The idea for this 75th anniversary collection grew out of conversations at the 58th Garden Writers Association annual meeting in 2006. Stephanie Turner, our Director of Seed Product, worked with HSA Education Chair, Susan Betz to start the ball rolling. Susan Belsinger agreed to chair the ad hoc committee, which included Madalen Hill, Art Tucker, Chuck Voigt, Jim Adams, Francesco DeBaggio, and Gloria McClure.
According to an article in the Fall 2007 HSA Newsletter, "Belsinger charged the committee with selecting herbs that could be grown from seed ... 'that we cannot live without--herbs that we always grow--ones that we can recommend from experience.'" Along with Betz, Belsinger, the committee, and all of the Herb Society of America, we at Park Seed hope this list will inspire you to make herbs an integral part of your gardening experience. Here is a list of the final top ten herbs:
Sadly, I'm herb-illiterate--I really don't know much about Borage, Calendula, Sorrel, or Savory. I guess I have some studying up to do! Fortunately, the Herb Society website has some great information available, including free, downloadable profiles.
Since I've never even heard of Calendula (above right) before, I started my research by looking for it. The HSA provides a terrific little book that you can read online or download to print. As it turns out, Calendula has been selected as the Herb Society of America's International Herb Association's Herb of the Year for 2008. [Corrected 2/7/08] I also learned what a versatle player this powerhouse herb can be. Here's just a teaser from the HSA site:
"Legend and history surround the plant ... . Unlike many herbs where the foliage is aromatic, calendula boasts its beauty in the flowers of many colors and shapes. Calendula offers something for everyone – as a colorful flower in tussie-mussies, or for its color and flavor in cooking, potpourri and in medicine, both past and present."
In case you are wondering, a tussie-mussie is a small, fragrant bouquet. When you start exploring the world of herbs, the door is also opened to fascinating facts about history, horticulture, folk medicine, and much, much more.
Got to sign off now--I want to go read some more goodies from the Herb Society website. See you later! And if you've got herbal info or interests to share, please email me at ckuhl@parkseed.com.
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