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                                       NC Unit, Herb Society of America, Inc.
​                                             2025 - 2026 Program Schedule

Explore the wonderful world of growing herbs in your
​outdoor/indoor garden with our members.

 Meetings begin at 9:30 am

September 18    Native Herbs in our Gardens and Kitchens, Kathy Schlosser
October 16         What is Happening to our Pollinators & How Can we Help?, Carmen Atwater
November 20   Natural Dying, Barbara Harris
December 18     Holiday Celebration
January 15           Herb Essential Oils, Their Uses & Cautions, Kathy Schlosser
February 19        TBA
March 19             How Recipes Tell Kitchen, Garden and Personal Stories, Sheri Castle
April 16               Guilford Hills Spice Blends, Chad Smith
May 21                Annual Meeting & Picnic

If you are not a member and would like to attend any of these meetings, please complete the form below for details.

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Spring dreams.....

Salvia border at the National Herb Garden in Washington, DC c. Anne Abbott

Basil Border at NHG. c. Anne Abbott

Bay leaves c. Kathy Schlosser

Dianthus plumarius has the same spicy scent as D. caryophyllus. c. Anne Abbott

Gardening in containers at the National Herb Garden.

          DOWNSIZING YOUR GARDEN?

The vernal equinox that announces Spring arrives when the Sun is located directly over the equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night.  We gardeners watch our calendars, knowing that Spring will be about March 20 or 21 this year.  That gives us several weeks to prepare for the joyous months of planting, tending, and harvesting our food, herbs and spices, and flowers.  Following are a few suggestions to get you started, especially if you intend to care for a smaller space this year.

                          Small Gardens Suggestions

Whether your focus is on containers or filling in small spots around your property, these plants may work well for you:

Salvia rosmarinus, rosemary--  Several species are available in small sizes: ‘Blue Boy’ 14 inches; ‘Salem’ 15 inches; ‘Tuscan Blue’ 18”; ‘Prostratus’ grows out more than up.

Laurus nobilis, Bay tree--has the potential to grow quite tall, but with regular pruning can be kept to a manageable standard size.  It survives our winters, especially in a slightly protected spot.

Salvia officinalis, Garden Sage—this one will stay relatively small if you regularly snip the plant to use the leaves in cooking.  Left to its’ own, it can reach 1’ to 2’ tall with equal spread.

Ocimum basilicum, Sweet basil—an annual that is another basic herb for cooks. Grows to 18”-24”.  Species that are resistant to downy mildew include ‘Prospera’, ‘Rutgers Passion’, and ‘Rutgers Obsession.” (info from NC State University Extension Service (https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/ocimum-basilicum/ ).

Thymus species, Thyme—Lemon thyme (Thymus xcitriodora) is one of the more fragrant species and has glossy green leaves and pink flowers. Perfect at the edge of a garden area, and can be coaxed into performing well in containers.

Satureja montana, Winter savory. A tidy perennial with evergreen leaves (fragrant throughout the year) and tiny white flowers in late summer. Grows to about 12” tall and wide. You can harvest year-round, using the most recent leaves.

Dianthus caryophyllus,clove pink or carnation.  Another perennial with pretty clove-scented flowers; it grows from 12” to 24” tall. Generally in shades of red, pink, and white—often a combination. The fragrant flowers were once used in wine glasses, and it still makes for a lovely beverage.  When purchasing plants, try to find one with flowers to be sure you are getting a fragrant plant…many are grown for looks rather than fragrance.


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The Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma called the month of February the Frog Moon in the expectation that by the end of the month the frog clan would be croaking. Charles Abbott in 1899 said that tree frogs will peep “once in February, thrice in March, and all day long in April.”  

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​A Few Winter Recipes   ​CLICK HERE

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One of the best bits of advice to gardeners was given by Alexander Pope, writing in 1738, as he encouraged gardeners to

​“consult the genius of the place in all.”
To build, to plant, whatever you intend,
To rear the column, or the arch to bend,
To swell the terrace, or to sink the grot;
In all, let Nature never be forgot.
But treat the goddess like a modest fair,
Nor overdress, nor leave her wholly bare;
Let not each beauty ev'rywhere be spied,
Where half the skill is decently to hide.
He gains all points, who pleasingly confounds,
Surprises, varies, and conceals the bounds.
                                            Epistles to Several Persons: Epistle IV

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"And the Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast
Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest."
                           Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

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Helleborus, Lenten Rose. Survived the ice and snow! c.KathySchlosser

Maidenhair fern, Adiantum pentatum, an early riser. c.Katherine K. Schlosser

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WE ARE PLEASED TO INTRODUCE OUR COMMUNITY SPONSORS:

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SereneScapes can be reached at:
    4533 June Avenue
    Winston-Salem, NC  27106
        Phone: ​(336) 970-7962

Designing gardens to restore and refresh your mind and body! We provide garden design, installation, maintenance, planting and restoration. We specialize in pollinator free gardens. We offer Free Personal Garden Consultations.

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Find Soviero's at:
    3818 N. Main Street
    High Point, NC
          Phone:    336-885-3800
   Soviero's Tri County Garden Center
3818 N Main Street
High Point, NC 27265

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