When people think of landscaping, they often picture ornamental shrubs, flowering perennials, and evergreens. But one of the most overlooked design strategies is using perennial herbs in landscape design, especially in USDA Zone 7b!

Many herbs are not only edible, they’re hardy perennials, drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and visually stunning. When planted correctly, they perform just as well as traditional ornamentals!

This guide covers 14 perennial herbs that thrive in Zone 7b, plus tips on how to successfully mix them into your landscape for beauty and function.

Landscaping with perennial herbs is a smart, sustainable option. These plants offer:

• Year-after-year growth (true perennials or reliable overwintering)
• Support for pollinators like bees and butterflies
• Edible harvests without sacrificing curb appeal
• Excellent performance in full sun and well-drained soil

• A natural, cottage-style or Mediterranean landscape aesthetic

Edible landscaping is growing in popularity, and perennial herbs are one of the easiest ways to get started.

All herbs listed below are true perennial culinary or medicinal herbs that reliably overwinter in Zone 7b when planted in appropriate conditions.

Evergreen, woody, and architectural, rosemary works beautifully as a low hedge, border plant, or foundation accent. In Zone 7b, cold-hardy varieties can overwinter reliably when planted in well-drained soil and a protected, sunny location. Its needle-like foliage provides year-round structure, fragrance, and culinary value.

Tri-color sage features soft gray-green leaves edged with creamy white and pink, adding subtle color and texture to landscape beds. It functions as both an ornamental accent and a culinary herb. This perennial thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and blends well with stonework, gravel paths, and other Mediterranean-style plantings.

Common sage offers velvety, aromatic foliage and produces subtle spring blooms. Its compact, mounding habit makes it ideal for edging beds or weaving into perennial borders. This hardy herb provides year-round interest and reliable harvests.

Thyme is a low-growing perennial herb that excels as a groundcover in sunny, well-drained areas. Creeping varieties soften pathways and thrive between stepping stones, while English thyme works well along bed edges. Tiny flowers attract beneficial insects.

Oregano is a hardy, spreading perennial that fills gaps in garden beds with soft green foliage. It blends effortlessly with other perennials and provides consistent culinary harvests throughout the growing season.

Lavender is a classic perennial herb valued for its silvery foliage, upright form, and fragrant purple blooms. In Zone 7b, it thrives in full sun and excellent drainage and works beautifully as a border, hedge, or focal herb planting.

Chives form tidy clumps of grass-like foliage and produce purple flowers in spring. They are ideal for edging garden beds and provide early-season interest along with edible greens.

Garlic chives are taller than common chives and feature flat leaves with a mild garlic flavor. Their white late-summer flowers extend seasonal interest while maintaining their value as a true perennial herb.

Lemon balm offers bright green foliage and a fresh citrus scent. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and works well along informal edges or herb-focused landscape areas. Regular trimming keeps it tidy and productive.

Mint is a vigorous perennial herb best planted where it can be contained or allowed to spread freely. It adds lush greenery, fragrance, and culinary versatility to dedicated herb areas within the landscape.

Lovage is a tall, bold perennial herb with celery-like foliage. It works well as a backdrop plant in herb gardens and edible landscapes, returning reliably each year.

French tarragon is a true perennial herb in Zone 7b when given good drainage and winter protection. Its soft, wispy foliage blends beautifully with other herbs and provides high culinary value.

Sorrel produces bright green, leafy growth early in the season and tolerates partial shade. It works well in mixed herb beds and provides dependable perennial harvests.

Rue features blue-green foliage and a structured growth habit that adds formality to herb-focused landscapes. It is drought-tolerant, long-lived, and reliably perennial.