French Tarragon

A.K.A: Tarragon, Dragon's-Wort, Dragon Herb
Position: Full Sun
Soils: Well-drained/light, Clay
Flowers: Seldom flowers in th UK
Features: Drought Resistant, Culinary Herb
Hardiness: Half Hardy
Height: 120cm
Spread: 30cm
Propogate: Root Cuttings / Division in spring, softwood cuttings [difficult]
Companion Plants: Aromatic foliage can help disguise other plants from pests

French Tarragon is a perennial herb much valued in the kitchen and one of the mainstains of French cuisine. Its aniseed flavoured leaves go especially well with chicken and are also used for flavouring oils and vingers. It is one of the herbs that make up fines herbs and is also an essential ingredient for bearnaise sauce.

The name derives from the latin dracunculus (Little dragon), which describes the coiling root system, this translated into the french Esdragon which became corrupted into the english Tarragon.

How to Grow French Tarragon

French Tarragon can be very difficulty to grow from seed so it's best to buy established plants from nurseries. It is usually propagated through root division in spring or for the more ambitious from softwood cuttings in the summer. Tarragon is a member of the daisy family [Asteraceae] however it very rarely flowers in the UK climate and is reported to be sterile.

It prefers Moist Soil but well drained soil in a sunny position but it can toleratePartial Shade. It's not a difficult plant to look after once growing however it doesnt grow particularly quickly so you may need a few plants if you do a lot of french cooking and plan to harvest often.

It is slightly tender so unlikely to survive a cold winter without protection. It will continue to grow and provide a harvest during the winter months if plants are cut down, brought in and over wintered on the kitchen windowsill. Storing fresh tarragon can be achieved by Drying or freezing the leaves during the summer without losing too much flavour.

Growing French Tarragon by intercropping can help discourage pests

Russian Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculoides) is hardier and easier to grow from seed however its not nearly as flavoursome and is less desirable in the kitchen.

If required a more suitable substitute to grow might be Tagetes lucida (AKA Mexican marigold, Mexican Taraggon). Its not quite as strong in flavour as the french tarragon but better than the russian plus it should flower and set seeds which aren't sterile. Its also reputed to be a good companion plant with pesticide properties so may be worth considering in the ornamental kitchen garden?