There are many herbs which will do very well for you in Athens. A great place to find out what you can grow perennially is Thyme after Thyme nursery in Winterville. They will have hardy rosemary, chives (many kinds of chives do well here) fennel, and more. Now is a great time to plant annual herbs that are short lived here (due to heat) like arrugula, cilantro, parsley...
I grow spanish lavender right in the ground. I just make sure the soil is well ammended if it's clay. Last year I ordered many unusual varieties of this plant, and all have done exceptionally well. It's not as heavily scented as other lavenders, but I find it's longer lived.
Other great perennial herbs are some forms of edible thyme (not creeping, doesn't taste so great). Lemon thyme in regular and variegated forms do well, especially when trimmed back in the spring. French and English thymes also do OK if the soil is well draining (but not too dry). Sage also likes well drained soil, lemon balm is best in part-sun and if you give it lean, dry soil it won't spread so much.
Oreganos are fantastic. Greek Oregano isn't always long lived, but in well drained soil, it's by far the best tasting oregano. I grow many others as ornamentals.

I grow lots of other unusual herbs, most I just grow for ornamental value, not necessarily medicinal (they are not cullinary). The odd thing is, these are all herbs which are not supposed to do well here as it's too warm and humid. With the right soil, and trial and error you can find out what will do best for you. Don't be afraid to kill something. Killing a plant is often the best way to learn how to make the next one survive, lol.

GGG

Aries,
When did they change our zone? I am in Commerce and have heard nothing about it. We have a garden club meeting on Tuesday. I will see what others have heard.
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