Herb Society of America - New Orleans Unit

10/01/2026

09/28/2026

We have such a fantastic team that makes the amazing plant sales happen.
We are grateful to all of them!

09/25/2026

We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful Fall season to grow!
Come to the sale Sat Sept 26th!

So true!
I’d add to #3 that more established roots allows them to be more drought tolerant next summer.

09/24/2026

Are you dreaming of an herb garden? If you are addicted to gardening and need a fix, the Herb Society is here to help. Come to the Fall Plant Sale Sat Sept 26th. 9 - 2 2140 S Carrollton 70118.
Browse the tables of fresh herbs to add to your culinary dishes. You'll be adding flavor and nutrition! See less

09/23/2026

Make time for Thyme! Don't forget to share our event post with your friends.

09/21/2026

Lyreleaf Sage, Salvia lyrata, is an underappreciated native that deserves more attention. Lyreleaf Sage can make a great evergreen groundcover with its rosette of leaves and showy blue flowers on 1-2 ft stems in spring. It reseeds easily in loose, sandy soils and can form a solid cover with regular watering. It even takes mowing and some foot traffic. The exposed lower lip of this and other salvias provides an excellent landing platform for bees. When a bee lands, the two stamens are tipped, and the insect is doused with pollen.*
A member of the mint family, Lyreleaf Sage is not fussy about growing conditions and its flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies in addition to bees. It is found from Connecticut to Florida west to Kansas. In Virginia it is documented in all counties. The VA Digital Atlas indicates that it is found in lawns, fields, roadsides, clearings, mesic to dry forests and woodlands, well-drained floodplain forests, limestone and dolomite barrens. Common throughout.
*https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saly2

09/15/2026

What a great September meeting we had!Member Ben gave us a tutorial on photographing plants at the New Orleans Botanical Garden. Ben is on the Craft Committee. The Oct meeting will be hosted by the Botany & Horticulture Committee and the November meeting will be hosted by the Culinary Committee. This is what we do: share our knowledge and love of plants. PS Come to our Fall Plant Sale on Sept 26th. Look at our posts for more information.

05/06/2026

Join the California Botanical Society to learn more about Salvias! This stunning image is also available for purchase as a poster. The link is in the comments of their original post.

Our newest speaker in our 2026 Botany Speaker Series: Ricardo Kreibel, Assistant Curator and McAllister Chair of Botany at the California Academy of Sciences! He will be discussing; "Moving Flowers; Evolution of Floral Form, Function, and Pollination in Salvia"

The talk is Thursday, May 14, 7 p.m. find the zoom link at calbotsoc.org/home/botany-outreach/botany-speaker-series/

Learn more about him:
I am a Costa Rican biologist passionate about exploring and conserving plant diversity. My academic training includes a master’s degree in ecology and systematic biology from San Francisco State University, a Ph.D. in plant sciences from the City University of New York, and postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I currently serve as Assistant Curator and McAllister Chair of Botany at the California Academy of Sciences. My research centers on the taxonomy and evolution of the princess flower family (Melastomataceae) and the diverse genus Salvia.

This beautiful Salvia of the World Poster, was provided by Ricardo Kriebel as well!

05/03/2026

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy tea! A few of us visited Hennington House in Hattiesburg, MS where our gracious hostess, Catherine, served a spring Cherry Tea and wonderful savory and sweet bites. The gardens were beautiful! Where have you been to tea this spring? https://www.heningtonhouse.com/

04/22/2026

Basil!

Basil is categorized not just by flavor, but by morphology (shape and size) and essential oil profile.

The Genovese Class (The "Pesto" Standard)
This is the most commercially significant class. These are the large, "sweet" basils originating from the Mediterranean. You’ll find large, convex (spoon-shaped) leaves with a distinct aroma of cloves (from eugenol) and spice. Some key varieties are Superbo, Dolly, Genovese Gigante. This is the gold standard for fresh market sales and pesto production. Because the leaves are tender, they have a shorter shelf life, which is why it’s so critical to prevent wilting.

The Dwarf/Bush Class (The "Bonsai" Basils)
These are bred for compact growth and high leaf density. They are often used in ornamental landscaping or as a "living deterrent" on patios. They feature tiny leaves (often less than 1/2 inch) on a plant that naturally forms a tight, round ball. These are perfect for container gardening. Because of their high leaf-to-stem ratio, they offer a very concentrated "scent throw," making them excellent for natural fly repellent in small outdoor seating areas. Key Varieties are Spicy Globe, Boxwood, Greek Dwarf.

The Asian/Tropical Class (The "Exotics")
These varieties have a completely different chemical makeup than the European classes. They are often "hardier" in the humid heat of the southern US. These often feature purple stems and serrated leaves. Chemically, they are dominant in estragole (anise/licorice) rather than cloves. Key Varieties are Thai Basil (Siam Queen), Holy Basil (Tulsi), Vietnamese Basil.

The Citrus/Aromatic Class (The "Specialty" Scents)
These are basils that have been selected to mimic other botanical scents through high concentrations of specific terpenes like citral or limonene. These generally have narrower, flatter leaves. The scent is unmistakable and sharp. The high citrus-scented oil content makes them particularly effective at masking scents that attract biting insects. Key Varieties are Mrs. Burns' Lemon, Lime Basil, Cinnamon Basil.

The Purple Leaf Class (The "Ornamentals")
While edible, these are primarily grown for their striking visual contrast in the garden or as a garnish. Deep burgundy to nearly black leaves. They often grow slower and have a slightly milder flavor than Genovese types. These are excellent for "visual" sales at farmers' markets. A bunch of purple basil tucked into a bouquet of green Superbo creates an immediate shelf-appeal that commands a premium price. They’re also excellent for cut flower sales. Key Varieties are Dark Opal, Purple Ruffles, Amethyst.

Texas favors the Asian Class for its sheer resilience against dry heat. The humid areas of southern states demand the Genovese Class because there so many downy/powdery mildew varieties available.