Culinary Herbs zone 7

Can I grow true French Tarragon in Z7b Texas? Alabama 8b was just too hot.

I'm going to try it this year for the first time, so I'm not much help. I do know it doesn't like to stay wet.

I've tried twice without success. In my opinion it is not the heat that it objects to, rather the humidity. In your area, perhaps the humidity won't be quite as tough.

Either way, I like it and will grow it as an annual if need be. I also have grown the Texas Tarragon. It is a pleasant flavor although coarser.

Thanks pod--
I guess I will have to settle for Tagetes lucida--to me it really tastes just as good--
Madeline Hill did manage to grow French Tarragon at Hill Top-- but only with great difficulty.
If it was difficult for the Julia Childs of herbs it will be impossible for me.
I am starting over, and getting older, so I have less of a desire to tackle the "difficult"
I have never ever been able to grow it even as an annual after 30 years of trying in Alabama--Just hoped North Central Texas might allow me to do so.

I will not move further north just to grow French Tarragon--:)

If 8b Alabama was too hot then I don't think anywhere in Texas will be cool enough.

I really like Madeline Hills' Southern Herb Growing as a reference on what I should hope for in east TX herb growing. Do not let getting older get in the way of your herbals and gardening. After all, you aren't too old to pick up and move across a few states. I would give the French tarragon one more try and please do report back. The humidity in north TX may not be as opressive as AL.

Thanks pod for the encouragement. Will give it another try and report back--
I think you might be right about the humidity--I tried to grow it inside at 70F in Alabama in bright window and it still did not work for me--
Maybe it's me and my brown thumb.
I owe you a chocolate Basil-- :)

By the way pod--how did your vanilla orchid do?

The vanilla orchid is doing wonderful in a neighbors plant collection. I have a great neighbor that loves orchids and has given me many succulents so I gave it to her. She was delighted. I told her I wanted a bean should it ever deliver. I just did not have a proper location for it and now I have a GH ~ oh well.

If you two ever hope to have a "bean" remind your neighbor that vanilla must be hand pollinated in this country to produce beans and she can cut and root about an 8 inch cutting to give one back to you.
And never-ever disturb the roots--it is a death sentence for that particular Orchid with no possibility for appeal by some Chicago lawyer. :)
http://www.orchidsasia.com/vanillaplants.htm

Thanks for that link. It has some good info. I will forward it to her with a hint for a cutting ~ when I get ready. LOL

kenboy---you are correct--I just looked up the" heat zone" map and even though I am way north of were I did live I am in a hotter zone. So I will just have to settle for Texas Tarragon--(Tagetes lucida)

In his book "Herbs for Texas", Howard Garrett says you can successfully grow real tarragon. Maybe you should try it in the shade to see if you have any success.

I have an older co-worker who is a Master Gardener and has lectured on growing herbs here in the area. She's been a member of the FW Herb Society for years. She says that you *can* grow French Tarragon here, but not as a perennial and not for very long. She's had the most success growing it on the east side of her house where it got morning sun and afternoon shade. The key is to keep it in an area where it gets good air circulation but is protected from the hot sun.

Thanks steph--and all--I will try that