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Herbs lend aromatic infusions to elegant culinary creations and to backyard barbecue delicacies. Whether you are a cook with novice or expert kitchen prowess, long term garden herbs will enhance the flavor of any dish. These hardy herbs stand the test of time, and have wide-ranging capabilities for flavoring favorite dishes.

Parsley is probably the most popular kitchen herb for a few reasons. It is hardy, meaning that it will overwinter in cold climates. In the Seattle area, where winters are wet and cold, parsley will return in spring with a flourish. It is also useful for flavoring almost any dish, whether it's a juicy hamburger, or a bowl of steaming minestrone. It's beauty also pairs well along with other spring and summer flowers, with its long spikes of frilly leaves. Parsley is a truly classic herb.

My favorite is Lavender with it's many varieties, aromatic scent and colorful sprays. It seems to grow everywhere in the northern hemisphere, and works well as a garden showstopper and culinary partner. It is a perennial bush that will return year after year, providing inspiration in the kitchen. Drying lavender is easy and the tiny, fragrant kernels can be baked in dough, infused in water or tea, and tucked under a pillow for a peaceful nights rest.

Thyme is another long term herb, useful for cooking and garden decor. Its spindly strands and delicate leaves appear graceful in a terra cotta pot. It will come back every year and provide lasting flavor with its many varieties. Soups and stews. meat and potatoes, risotto and pizza dough all benefit from thyme's sweet and powerful infusion.

Rosemary is another companion herb every gardener or cook should invest in. It is also a hardy perennial and can be used for dishes requiring a little extra punch. It is typically used as a roasting herb, with its long branches reminiscent of evergreen trees, stuffed in the cavity with complimentary flavors like lemon and orange.

Go to any garden store or nursery and they are sure to have a section dedicated to these lovely herbs. They are inexpensive when purchased as seeds, or in small containers. Rest assured they will grow and become beautiful garden elements. Some of my most pleasurable memories are when I've gone out to the garden to clip a branch here, or a few leaves there for cooking.

If you are so inclined, plant an herb garden. You won't soon regret it and the aforementioned varieties will make beautiful additions to your garden, and will become your top secret kitchen ingredients.

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