It's usually paired with other words that indicate the degree of shade. In your garden, for example, there may be light shade, filtered shade, full shade or partial shade. It self-sows easily. Lemon balm may be used in teas, salads, and fish dishes or with fruit. Its dried leaves may be used in potpourris and sachets.
Plants grow leggy and thin unless they're cut back several times a year.
All herbs grown in shade will grow tall in an attempt to reach for the sun. Pinch the foliage back to keep plants compact and encourage new growth. Always use new leaves for cooking. Older foliage has a bitter flavor and a tough texture. Chives require frequent cutting to encourage production of new leaves.