Herbs for Shade - Which Ones to Choose?

Most herbs love a sunny location sheltered from wind. However, there are also those that prefer partial shade or don't mind being in partial shade. An herb particularly suitable for partial shade is chervil. Partial shade locations are also fine for lovage, valerian, and maral root.

Chervil

Chervil (lat. Anthriscus cerefolium) is a biennial plant belonging to the Apiaceae family (lat. Apiaceae). An alternative name is garden chervil. The folk name is "gourmet's parsley." Chervil grows to a height of around 50 - 70 cm. Its leaves are light green and pinnate. The flower is an umbel with white flowers. The plant resembles its relative, parsley. The aroma is gently anise-like, liquorice-like or peppery. The taste of chervil is spicy-sweet, reminiscent of parsley.

Growing Chervil

Chervil is undemanding to grow and can even be cultivated indoors. It grows in window boxes on balconies and, of course, in gardens, where it thrives best. Grow chervil in a partially shaded location, because in full sun it loses its typical colour and taste. In full sun, it also bolts very quickly, which would significantly shorten its period of usability. Indoors, it's more suitable to grow chervil on a north or east-facing window. Chervil thrives in light and well-drained soil, but at the same time needs adequate watering. You can ensure fresh chervil throughout the season by sowing progressively every 14 days. You can make the first sowing outdoors as early as March, provided night temperatures don't drop below 7 °C. Under protected conditions, you can sow almost any time. In beds, sow chervil in rows about 10 cm apart. Thin out grown seedlings to about 25 cm. Chervil doesn't tolerate frequent transplanting. After transplanting, it tends to bolt immediately. Water sowings and emerged seedlings regularly, otherwise they would flower quickly again. Fertilising is not desirable. Trim mature plants regularly so they don't stretch and continually produce new leaves. Chervil matures in approximately 6 weeks.

Uses of Chervil and Its Healing Effects

Chervil is often used in cooking. It has a long tradition in French and Italian cuisine. Chervil, together with parsley, chives, and tarragon, forms the mixture of French herbs called "fines herbes". Fresh young leaves with the strongest aroma are used for direct consumption. The leaves are harvested before the chervil flowers. The typical fragrance is lost during drying, therefore freezing is a more suitable preservation method. Chervil is added to vegetable soups, potato and vegetable salads. It goes well with delicate types of meat and fish. Chervil leaves are used as garnish for dishes. To prevent the aroma from escaping, chervil is added only to finished dishes. Chervil has a high content of vitamin C. A decoction from the leaves supports digestion, helps with stomach problems, and is also suitable for diets. Cotton pads soaked in the decoction relieve tired eyes. Chervil helps in reducing high blood pressure.

Interesting fact: Chervil was a popular Lenten herb in the past and was traditionally eaten on Maundy Thursday.

Lovage

Lovage (lat. Levisticum officinale) is also an herb from the Apiaceae family. Lovage can grow up to 2 m in height with good cultivation. Lovage is a very aromatic plant with a thick and branched rhizome and long roots. The leaves are long-stalked, 2-3 times pinnate. The flowers are umbels. Individual corolla petals are green to yellow-green in color.

Growing Lovage

Lovage seeds are sown in two periods, either early in spring - in March and April, or at the end of summer in August and September. In warmer areas, you can sow until the end of October. When sowing, remember that lovage is a robust plant, so sow it in rows at least 60 cm apart. Sow the seeds to a depth of approximately 3 cm. Lovage germinates slowly, be patient. Once the plants are about 10 cm tall, thin them out to a distance of approximately 15 cm. Alternatively, you can transplant the lovage plants to their permanent location at this time. Usually you will manage to grow many more seedlings than you need, so you can give some to your friends. Lovage thrives in ordinary garden soil, preferably with sufficient nutrients supporting growth. It will not do well in heavy and wet soils. Lovage is not demanding in terms of watering, only water it during prolonged drought. A suitable location is a sunny or semi-shaded spot. If possible, do not plant lovage in a location after other Apiaceae plants (carrots, parsley, celery, dill, or coriander) to prevent the spread of diseases affecting Apiaceae plants. Lovage grows in one location for several years.

Medicinal Effects and Uses of Lovage

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) has its place both in the kitchen and in folk medicine. In cooking, lovage leaves are consumed both raw and cooked. Lovage leaves are very aromatic, so you only need to add a little to your food. It works best in potato soup and vegetable soups. You can also flavor sauces and braised meats with lovage. Lovage has many beneficial effects. It stimulates appetite, improves digestion, and reduces bloating. It positively affects gallbladder function and helps dissolve gallstones and kidney stones. A decoction from lovage seeds is served as a digestive liqueur. Tea made from leaves (both fresh and dried) provides relief for gout and rheumatism. Lovage has a strong diuretic effect.

Lovage is not suitable for long-term excessive use!!! It should be completely avoided by people with severe kidney disorders and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Interesting fact: Lovage is often called "green Maggi" because of its strong aroma.

Valerian

Valerian (lat. Valeriana officinalis) is an herb from the valerian family (Valerianaceae). Valerian is also known by many alternative names. The most commonly used are garden heliotrope, all-heal, or setwall. Valerian is a perennial herb, reaching a height of 50 - 150 cm. The stem is straight and hollow, with a grooved surface structure. The leaves are opposite and pinnate. The flowers are white or reddish in color. The flowers are arranged in flat, umbel-like inflorescences. The fruit is a small, single-seeded, flat achene with fluff. The flowers initially have a pleasant scent, but later develop an unpleasant smell. Valerian blooms in July and August.

Interesting fact: The distinctive smell of valerian strongly attracts and excites cats, which is why it's sometimes called "cat's root"

Growing Valerian

Medicinal Effects of Valerian

Valerian affects not only cats but also humans. An infusion made from dried rhizome is consumed for its calming effects, works against insomnia and headaches. Valerian tincture is also frequently used. It is primarily intended for treatment of spasmodic pain associated with fainting, stomach cramps and bloating. Valerian tea can help reduce exam anxiety. In the past, valerian was also used against fever.

Warning: The calming effects of valerian are quite strong, therefore do not use it before driving a motor vehicle or before other activities requiring increased attention!!!

Maral Root

Maral root (lat. Rhaponticum carthamoides) belongs to the Asteraceae family (lat. Asteraceae). Other synonymous names for maral root are leuzea, rhaponticum, and Russian leuzea. However, maral root is the most commonly used name. The homeland of maral root is southern Siberia, therefore it tolerates our climatic conditions without problems. Maral root grows to a height of about 1 meter. The rhizome is more woody, horizontally positioned. Many weaker and flexible roots grow from it. Several unbranched and cobweb-hairy stems grow from the rhizome. The leaves gradually decrease in size towards the top. The flowers are pink-purple with a five-part corolla.

Growing Maral Root

Growing maral root is not complicated at all, it is very hardy. Plant seeds in loamy-sandy soil with a moderate content of humus and nutrients. You can sow directly in the garden bed when temperatures reach 5 - 6 °C, i.e. during March and April. Plant 2 - 4 seeds in one hole at a depth of about 3 - 4 cm. Autumn sowing at the end of September is also possible. By winter, the maral root will manage to grow 8 - 12 true leaves and will then survive the winter period without problems. You can also pre-grow maral root seedlings in a cold frame to accelerate their growth. Maral root likes plenty of moisture. It thrives in sunny and partially shaded locations. During the season, regularly loosen the soil around maral root and remove weeds from its surroundings so they don't deprive the plant of nutrients.

Uses of Maral Root and Its Healing Effects

The most commonly used part of maral root is the rhizome with roots, which is macerated in alcohol. It is harvested in autumn during the third year of cultivation, when the root ball is sufficiently large. The flowering herb is also collected. Maral root helps to strengthen immunity and improves adaptation to stress. Maral root is highly invigorating, which is particularly useful during convalescence after serious illnesses such as cancer, tumour diseases, mononucleosis, or Lyme disease. Maral root has a mild anabolic effect on muscle mass growth and positively affects the central nervous system. Maral root is a suitable dietary supplement for people who need to concentrate, study, or simply improve their memory. Drinking a decoction of maral root reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Maral root acts as an aphrodisiac.

Interesting fact: The name "maral root" was given by Russian settlers in the Altai region, as they observed maral deer digging up the roots of this plant with their hooves in autumn and winter and eating them with great appetite.

Herbs suitable for growing in shaded locations are few and far between, but there are some that prefer or at least tolerate partially shaded sites. Plant Chervil, Lovage, Valerian, and Maral Root in partial shade.