Dill is native to western Asia and the eastern Mediterranean region. The earliest known mention of this herb dates to about 3000 B.C., where it was mentioned in Egyptian medical texts.
The Romans considered dill to be a sign of good luck and the ancient Greeks viewed it as a symbol of wealth. It was used for protection from witches, evil and bad luck. But it's greatest use, was in the kitchen.
Dill was traded and transported across Asia, into Europe and eventually to the Americas. The herb evolved in the different cultures where it was used, providing us with a number of herb cultivars. As far as I know, dill has never been hybridized, but so-called "new" dills have come on the market through the process of selecting out desirable characteristics.
For example, Thai Dill (Thai Name: Pak Chee Laos) is a somewhat regional variety, used in seafood, and with fresh oysters. Thai dill is slightly more yellowish than the dill you may be used to, and has fleshier fronds that almost seem succulent. You can find Thai dill at Baker Creek Seed Co.
Here's a rundown of several dill cultivars. Some varieties are best suited for seed production, while others are better choices for more leaves (dill leaves are called, "dill weed.")
Bouquet - This is the most commonly grown dill variety. It has dark-blue green foliage that is highly fragrant as a fresh herb or as dried weed. The large seed heads also make this a good choice for pickling.
Dukat - This dill is sometimes called tetra dill and is primarily grown for its rich foliage which makes it ideal for salads. Especially sweet-tasting, imported Danish dill for finely cut blue green leaves that hold for fresh use longer than many other varieties. Also good for pickling. Available from Renee's Garden Seed.
Elephant - The best selection of late-flowering dill for longer season leaf cutting. Mid to dark green lush leaves. Late to bolt for extended harvest. You'll find this one at Burpee and Baker Creek Seed.
Fernleaf - This is a unique type of dill that grows about 18 inches high and therefore does not require staking. It's a compact multibranching plant; aromatic and flavorful, this extremely attractive introduction is suitable for small gardens and containers and is slow to bloom. Fernleaf dill looks wonderful in flower arrangements and is the best one for planting in containers. It's a good choice for seed production as well as dill weed. You can find this on the Nichols Garden Seed website.
Long Island - also sometimes listed as Long Island Mammoth - This is one of the most popular types of dill, and can grow up to 5 feet tall. Like other dills, it requires full sun. It's one of the best for seed production for pickling.
Mona (Anthethum graveolens 'Monia') - is a sturdy, compact variety. The shorter uniform plants are easier to harvest for fresh-markets. It has dark green foilage and is an excellent variety for containers, but is also well suited for field production. You can find Mona at Richters Herbs.
Superdukat - This was introduced in 1997. It has uniformly straight, tall stems, and is one of the easiest for harvesting large amounts. Superdukat also has more essential oil than the older dukat cultivar.
Vierling - This is a striking combination of steel-blue foliage and chartreuse blooms. Strong stems with early yields of flowers. Leaves have classic dill flavor for garnishing and culinary use. This is the best variety for cut flower and decorative uses. You can find this one at Johnny's Selected Seed.
Vulgare - Grows about 24 inches tall and is used for both seed and leaf production. This one is available from Pinetree Gardens.
