Organic herb seeds

Garden marjoram, Origanum vulgare , is that unassuming little clump that, once established, becomes a permanent fixture in the garden. Native to Eurasia, it has naturalized in many open landscapes, where its aromatic foliage and delicate flowers accompany the changing seasons. In a supportive vegetable garden, it easily finds its place along the edge, in a quiet, well-drained corner.

Its upright, branching stems bear green to greyish-green foliage that, when crushed, releases a warm, herbaceous fragrance. In summer, its small, pinkish-purple or whitish flowers form panicles that attract a wide variety of pollinators. A welcome presence, it integrates naturally into an approach to respectful cultivation: a reliable, robust plant that returns year after year and accompanies the gardener in the daily pleasure of fresh harvests.

Native to the Near East, Za'atar marjoram ( Origanum syriacum ) is one of those aromatic plants that embodies an entire landscape: bright sunshine, stony soil, hearty cuisine, and time-honored traditions. In the organic garden, it brings the characteristic fragrance of the za'atar blend—warm, slightly camphoraceous, and lemony—that immediately evokes flatbread, olive oil, and shared meals.

Its grey-green, slightly downy foliage forms compact clumps that establish themselves beautifully in well-drained soil. In summer, small, whitish to cream-colored flowers appear in discreet spikes, much appreciated by pollinating insects. A warm-climate plant, but adaptable, it thrives in pots or flowerbeds in cooler climates, provided it is given a sunny spot and fertile, never waterlogged soil.

In a garden in harmony with nature, Za'atar marjoram becomes a faithful companion in the vegetable patch: undemanding and fragrant, it complements the harvests of Mediterranean vegetables and finds its way into the kitchen every day. Its benevolent presence reminds us of the profound relationship between aromatic plants, culinary traditions, and the diversity of ecosystems.

Originating from the steppes and plains of Eurasia, Moldavian balm ( Dracocephalum moldavica ) discreetly establishes itself in the garden, offering its aromatic, lemon-scented foliage and surprisingly abundant blue-violet flowers. In a sunny corner of the vegetable patch or along a path, it creates a light yet distinct presence for a season, faithful to the age-old practices of harvesting and making herbal teas.

Its upright stems bear slightly toothed green leaves, and its flowering spikes of two-lipped flowers attract bees and other pollinators throughout the summer. In a garden in harmony with nature, Moldavian balm thus becomes an ally for the soil, biodiversity, and the table, where its leaves flavor infusions and simple culinary preparations.

Lemon balm is an aromatic and medicinal perennial plant known for its tender green foliage and fresh lemon scent. It quickly forms a dense clump of branching stems bearing slightly crinkled, oval leaves that are very aromatic from the first warm days.

In early summer, small whitish to pale yellow flowers appear in the leaf axils. Discreet but rich in nectar, they strongly attract pollinators, especially bees, to which lemon balm owes part of its historical reputation.

In the garden, Melissa officinalis is easy to grow and adapts to a wide variety of conditions. It prefers cool, well-drained soil and a sunny to partially shaded location. It grows quickly and vigorously, to the point of spreading if allowed to go to seed. It also thrives in containers, which allows for better control of its growth.

Spearmint, often called sweet mint, is one of those familiar plants that always seems to have had its place near the house, by a path, or in a damp corner of the vegetable garden. Native to Eurasia according to botanical sources, it has become widely naturalized and is now a common sight in many organic gardens, where it releases its characteristic fragrance at the slightest touch.

Its bright green foliage gives off a fresh, enveloping scent, quite different from the more pungent aroma of peppermint. In fertile soil and a garden in harmony with the seasons, spearmint quickly forms a dense clump, capable of spreading via its underground stems. It's a reliable plant for creating a quiet foraging corner, close to the kitchen or a frequently used path.

A companion to drinks, salads, and herbal teas, it also plays a vital role in the living garden: its pale, spike-like flowers attract various pollinating insects, and its dense foliage covers the ground and partially limits evaporation. Cultivated with moderation to respect its invasive nature, spearmint naturally integrates into a deeply rooted approach to gardening that respects all living things.

Nigella, often called black cumin in common parlance, is one of those delicate, airy annuals that gracefully integrate into the garden. From its Eurasian origins, it retains a taste for bright summers: its finely cut foliage creates a delicate green lacework that weaves easily among vegetables and flowers. When it blooms, its simple blossoms add a subtle touch to the vibrant garden and hint at the aromatic seeds to come.

In a harmonious and diverse vegetable garden, black cumin takes up little space, adapts to the changing seasons without any particular requirements, and provides its seeds for cooking. Its unobtrusive presence respects the balance of the fertile soil and integrates naturally into a respectful approach to gardening, where each plant finds its rightful place at the heart of the garden's ecosystem.

Native to the temperate regions of Eurasia, common oregano ( Origanum vulgare ) is one of those companion plants that naturally find their place in living gardens. At Jardins de l'écoumène, it is presented as a hardy perennial, ideal for borders and dry corners of the vegetable garden or herb garden, where its aromatic green foliage forms dense and inviting clumps.

In the garden, oregano establishes itself with remarkable consistency: once rooted in well-drained soil and a sunny location, it faithfully returns year after year. Its summer blooms, with small pink to purplish flowers, attract numerous pollinators and contribute to the garden's vibrancy in harmony with the cycle of the seasons. It is a reliable plant, both decorative and edible, whose fragrant presence complements the age-old practices of harvesting and drying herbs.

Greek oregano is renowned as the most flavorful of all oregano varieties. It forms a compact, well-structured plant, producing intensely fragrant leaves with a flavor far superior to that of common oregano. Its distinct and warm aroma makes it an essential plant for any herb garden.

It is easily distinguished by its always white flowers and by its stems, which are redder than those of the species from which it originates. The discreet yet elegant flowering attracts pollinators while keeping the plant's energy concentrated in the foliage.

In the garden, Greek oregano is very hardy, tolerating winters down to zone 3. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and grows best in light, well-drained, and preferably calcareous soil. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance. As with many aromatic plants, overly rich soil can diminish the intensity of its flavor.

In the ecumene, Greek oregano is perceived as a plant of character and restraint. It reminds us that the most powerful aromas often arise from simple, well-balanced conditions, where the plant can fully express its nature.

Curly parsley is one of the most widespread and widely used herbs in the world. In Levantine cuisine, that of the eastern Mediterranean countries, it holds a central place, comparable to that of maple syrup in Quebec cuisine. It is used on all five continents, as a spice, as a herb, and as a true leafy vegetable.

The plant has an upright, vigorous, and well-structured habit. Its dense, finely cut, and curly foliage offers a highly prized decorative texture, making it one of the most common ornamental garnishes in cooking. This vigor also allows it to withstand cold well, extending the harvest period late into the season.

In the garden, curly parsley is easy to incorporate into flower beds, vegetable patches, and container gardens. It thrives in rich, moist soil and prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. Its steady growth allows for repeated harvests throughout the season.

Native to the Mediterranean basin, Italian parsley with its large, flat leaves has become a staple in kitchen gardens. Its deep green, finely cut clumps provide a discreet yet constant presence in the vegetable patch, always ready to offer a handful of fresh greens for everyday cooking.

In the garden, this so-called "Italian" variety is distinguished by its particularly fragrant foliage, highly prized in cooking. It thrives along the edge of flowerbeds, in a quiet corner of the vegetable garden, or mixed with other aromatic plants to create a vibrant, nourishing space. Its consistent yield throughout the season makes it a reliable plant for ecological gardening, where harvesting is done as needed while respecting the natural cycle of the seasons.

Old Acadian Savory is a heritage variety deeply rooted in the cultural and human history of Atlantic Canada. Towards the end of the 19th century, its seeds were passed on to Jean Prudent Robichaud , a resident of Robichaud Township in New Brunswick, by an Indigenous woman from Burnt Church . Since then, the plant has been passed down through generations within this extended family, eventually reaching Norbert Robichaud in Bathurst, who contributed to its modern-day dissemination.

In 2012, a joint investigation by Ms. Gauvin and Mr. Robichaud documented the origin and unique characteristics of this savory, which is noticeably sturdier and more flavorful than the common variety. Following this research, seeds were entrusted to the Atlantic Seed Bank and the Canadian Seed Library , ensuring the preservation of this treasure of plant heritage.

In the garden, this savory stands out for its vigor, compact habit, and rich aroma. Hardy to zone 4, it flowers profusely throughout the summer, attracting a wide variety of pollinating insects. Its abundant flowering and fragrant foliage make it as beautiful as it is useful.

In the local community, Old Acadian Savory is seen as a plant of transmission and recognition. It embodies the circulation of knowledge between Indigenous cultures and gardening families, as well as the importance of the living conservation of heritage seeds.

Common sage is an iconic perennial aromatic plant, cultivated for centuries for its culinary, medicinal, and symbolic uses. Its thick, velvety, grey-green foliage gives off a powerful and instantly recognizable fragrance, evoking both Mediterranean cuisine and ancient gardens.

In the garden, sage is distinguished by its undemanding nature. It thrives in light, well-drained soil and is more susceptible to waterlogging than drought. Once established, it becomes very hardy and requires little maintenance. Its spring to summer blooms, often bluish to purplish, attract numerous pollinating insects.

In the local world, common sage is seen as a plant of stability and discernment. It reminds us of the importance of cultivating hardy perennials, capable of lasting for years and offering, season after season, a useful presence both in the garden and in the kitchen.

Native to East Asia, purple shiso ( Perilla frutescens var. crispa ) has long graced the gardens and kitchens of Japan, China, and Korea. In a vibrant garden, its deeply serrated, dark purple foliage, sometimes tinged with green, immediately catches the eye. It establishes itself as a light and airy aromatic annual, discreetly accompanying the cycle of the seasons.

In the vegetable garden, purple shiso thrives in borders or among leafy greens. It appreciates welcoming soil rich in organic matter and the gentle warmth of summer. Its fragrance, somewhere between basil, mint, and anise, makes it a valuable companion for a diverse and productive garden. In an environmentally conscious approach, it is often allowed to flower for pollinators before harvesting a few seeds, in an age-old practice of seed stewardship.

German thyme is a hardy, evergreen perennial, prized as much for its longevity as for its rich fragrance. Compact and well-structured, the plant forms a small, resistant subshrub over the years, perfectly suited to simple, well-drained gardens.

In summer, it is covered in small, highly nectariferous mauve flowers that attract numerous pollinating insects. Its fine, green, and aromatic foliage remains decorative all year round, even during the cold season.

In the garden, German thyme prefers light, dry to moderately dry soils and dislikes excessive moisture. Once established, it requires very little maintenance and tolerates drought well. It integrates naturally into flower beds, herb gardens, rock gardens, or borders.

In the ecumene, German thyme is perceived as a plant of stability and continuity. It embodies those modest but essential perennials, capable of offering, year after year, flavor, resilience and a discreet presence in the garden.

Growing wild on heaths, sunny embankments, and rocky outcrops across Europe, creeping thyme ( Thymus serpyllum and related species) is a small, creeping perennial that forms dense mats. Its slender stems grow close to the ground, taking root wherever they can and gradually weaving a fragrant cushion that gently accompanies the changing seasons.

Its tiny, green to grayish-green foliage releases a thyme fragrance at the slightest touch. In the heart of summer, a myriad of small pink to mauve flowers cover the clumps, attracting a swarm of bees and other pollinators. In a thriving garden, creeping thyme provides a discreet yet essential presence: it protects the soil, tolerates drought, and naturally finds its place in a supportive vegetable garden, along pathways, or in a quiet corner left to attract bee-friendly plants.

Hardy and well-suited to poor, dry soils, it integrates easily into a respectful cultivation approach, where observation, understanding, and gentle action are taken to support the plant rather than force it. Once established, this fragrant carpet becomes a reliable plant, faithful year after year.