For thousands of years, humans have used herbs to delight the senses with fragrances and flavors; they've also long been used to soothe ailments via active ingredients that still form the bases of modern medicines such as aspirin and codeine. A home gardener's options range from incorporating a few oft-used herbs into a small container garden to planting a traditional kitchen garden in the yard. All of the following plants offer us a range of uses (including aromatherapy, recipes and attracting bees) and can be grown in or out of containers in any size outdoor space.

*Mint

Mint plants are available in a range of varieties from traditional (peppermint, spearmint) to novel (chocolate, pineapple and apple mints). The plant's bracing fragrance and robustness in growing make it a delight in any garden -- with the caveat that it will take over the garden if not contained. Mint sends out "runners," shoots that take root everywhere they can, so plant mint in containers rather than directly into the ground. Fresh or dried leaves make superb tea; pluck and chop for use in tabbouleh, lamb dishes, smoothies, sorbets and anything else that calls for a cool bite. Mix mojitos and mint juleps for guests without having to dash to the store for pre-cut, lifeless sprigs.

*Rosemary

Rosemary gets its name from Latin "ros marinus," or "dew of the sea." When the plant is in bloom, tiny sky-blue flowers dot its pinelike branches. Rosemary thrives in Mediterranean climes and is unsurprisingly prevalent in Italian and Greek recipes. Also hailing from the Mediterranean are thyme and its cousin oregano, which flourish in dry, rocky soil and lend intense yet familiar flavors to bread stuffing, roast chicken, roasted potatoes, stews and more. All three of these herbs are combined in the classic seasoning blend, herbes de Provence.

*Lavender

Lavender is legendary for its fragrance, which stars in bath products, candles, sachets and even recipes -- honey lavender ice cream, anyone? Some varieties don't work as well in food due to too-intense notes of camphor; Lavandula angustifolia, or "Munstead," is a variety commonly used in cooking. Lavender works well in landscaping as a hedge or even a topiary; its gorgeous lilac-colored flowers draw bees -- and (human) eyes -- to your garden. Hang-dry them in bunches for bouquets, potpourri and other garden-fresh gift ideas.

*Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena and Lemongrass

Lemon balm, lemon verbena and lemongrass are all herbs whose green leaves, when crushed to release their essential oils, smell uncannily like bright, sweet citrus. Chop blades of lemongrass for Thai recipes; delicately scented lemon balm tea is a traditionally medicinal anxiety soother. Lemon balm -- like its relative, mint -- grows in almost any soil and tolerates shade, while lemongrass and lemon verbena love heat, sun and soil that drains well. Find lemon verbena on store shelves in candles and in bath products such as soaps and lotions; grow your own for on-demand aromatherapy (scent: verdant lemon candy) and for use in cocktails and cool dishes.

*Basil

Basil is an easy-to-grow annual whose distinctive taste and smell are easily recognizable in Italian dishes such as pesto, Caprese salad and pizza margherita. Unlike the other (perennial) herbs listed here, basil grows well and easily from seed, so skip the wilted, plastic-wrapped plants in the produce section and opt for a packet of seeds instead.

*Chamomile

Also great to grow from seed is chamomile, well-known as a traditional bedtime tea. Sow in the ground or in a wide pot. Its name in Spanish is "manzanilla," or "little apple," for the flowers' faint apple aroma when they're fresh. Dry the small, daisylike blooms on fine screens and store; a teaspoon infused in hot water makes a delicious tea. German chamomile, the preferred variety for tea-making, is an annual, but if you leave some flowers to go to seed, it will likely reappear next season.

Growing a few key herbs at home can help you add brighter, fresher and deeper tastes and scents to your recipes and routines. In the garden this year, let your plants do the multitasking by bringing aesthetic beauty, well-being benefits and big flavors to the table.