Lavender

Lavender

In harsh Wisconsin winters, lavender needs a bit of protection.  It won't become the 3 foot tall shrub it can be in milder climates, but it's worth growing just the same.  Its soap-and-water-scented leaves and flowers were traditionally used to freshen linens. 

Half-hardy perennial.

Parsley

Parsley

When sowing the seeds for this annual, water them initially with boiling water!  It sounds a little crazy, but is will greatly hasten germination.  The tasty leaves are also a favorite of yellow swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.