Both the dictionary and botany experts define herbs as plants grown for flavor, fragrance, or medicinal purposes, often including spices such as cinnamon and even edible flowers in their descriptions.

When most people think of herbs, though, it's the culinary herbs that come to mind. From the parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme of song to the basil and oregano that are staples of Mediterranean cooking, herbs are the plants that add seasoning to food.

Herbs are among the easiest plants to grow. They're generally not fussy, nor are they prone to many pest or disease problems. They also don't need a lot of room to spread out, making them ideal for small spaces.

While herb gardens used to be formal affairs, laid out in elaborate geometric patterns, in today's gardens you're just as apt to find herbs mixed into a vegetable garden or planted among flowers and shrubs in a bed or border. Herbs like thyme and chamomile can be used as a ground cover or to form a path or even a "lawn."

Taller herbs, such as an upright rosemary or lavender, work well as a low hedge. Or, you can plant a large container with a variety of herbs to have handy by the kitchen door. In fact, mint is so invasive that it's best to keep it confined to a pot.

If you're more adventurous, you may want to try growing some more-unusual herbs, such as cilantro (also called Chinese parsley, and its seeds, coriander), chives, dill, marjoram, and tarragon. Venturing even further afield, you can grow herbs for tea, like chamomile and sweet woodruff (a good choice for a shade-loving ground), specialty seasonings such as chervil, lemon balm and lemon grass, and sorrel, or even those feline favorites, catmint and catnip.

And don't overlook adding some edible flowers to the mix. Lavender, cloves, cottage pinks, feverfew, scented geraniums, Johnny-jump-ups, nasturtiums, pot marigold (calendula), and sweet violets are all fine additions to any herb garden.