#Growing Agastache

[wildrungarden]

6/25/24 ~ transplanted some of my neglected plants today. They’ve been under my porch outside. I’ve watered them everyday but haven’t don’t anything with them 😅😅 so I was productive today!

Featuring Martin 🐈

Items transplanted:

4x Agastache Lavender Martini

1x Thai Basil

1x Chrysanthemum

[gardenvarietygay]

Phlox divaricata ❤️

We grow almost all our own plants. The only stuff we buy in are some shrubs and a couple of species that are too unreliable to grow from seed. We purposefully try to sell our plants when they’re young both because we find they establish better and it’s logistically easier for us. That means it’s pretty rare we get flowers on any of our stock (except for some annuals and anise hyssop Agastache foeniculum) so when we get a shipment of phlox in full bloom it’s a delight. Especially since they are fragrant enough that the entire greenhouse smells like lilacs.

[brightgnosis]

I looked at both the front garden and the Hummingbird Oasis while I was waiting on my Incense Pot to cool down enough to handle. I'm loving how the Hummingbird Oasis is coming together now that the new plants are starting to bloom.

The 'Coronado' Hummingbird Mint (Agastache Aurantiaca) is doing so well right now. I'm absolutely loving the flowers on it, and the slightly minty smell that it puts off when you're close up to the leaves. I can't wait for the 'Summer Breeze' cultivar I also got to start blooming, too, now.

Also super excited because my Tall Verbena (Verbena Bonariensis) is finally starting to flower as well! It's so beautiful. The flower clusters are still really small right now since it's the beginning, but they can get huge; the plant itself can grow to 6 feet tall. I'm really looking forward to it.

The 'Dakota Burgundy' Beardtongue (Penstemon hyb.) and 'Peachy Pink' Scarlet Sage (Salvia Splendens Van Houttei) still aren't flowering yet, either. But that's ok!

[tintinntabuli]

The Lantana and Verbena Report: Did they attract pollinators as you promised?

(L) Coleus in front of ‘Little Joe’ Joe Pye Weed; (R) Persian Shield with sweet potato vine.

About a year ago I asked you guys – the savvy, experienced gardeners who read this blog – for what “Potted Annuals for Pollinators” you’d recommend. I was unhappy with some annuals I’d been growing near my front door – which do soooo well but attract nothing. But what could I grow instead, here and in the tomato-red pots in my back garden where the ‘Standing Ovation’ Little Bluestem weren’t standing after all, and were so lackluster that even a commenter here on the Rant called them “underwhelming”? The truth hurts!

(I’m keeping the Persian Shield+sweet potato vine combo shown above despite their lack of appeal for pollinators (though holes in the vine tell me it’s supporting something). Look how great they still looked on November 1 when this photo was taken! And in this spot very close to my front door, I’m okay with no flowers and no bees, which I don’t want in my house.)

Back to the question I asked readers – out of concern for wildlife, sure, but also, selfishly, so that I could enjoy watching them from my patio – your answers were almost thrilling in the possibilities they opened up for this old gardener.

You suggested:

Annuals: Salvia ‘Lady in Red,’ butterfly sage (Salvia guaranitica), Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’, blue salvias generally, lantana (several votes), verbena, verbena bonariensis, pentas, ‘African Blue’ basil, bronze fennel, zinnias, Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) (several votes), ‘Truffela Pinks’ Gomphrena, Lacy Phacelia, Teddy Bear sunflowers.Perennials: Red Valerian, lavender, Calamintha nepeta, single dahlias, catmints, gaillardias, “almost anything in the mint family, which includes Salvias,” wax begonias for hummingbirds, and as a filler, small hostas like ‘Golden Tiara’ or ‘Rainbows End.’

Wow!

What I Bought – Lantana ‘Red Spread’

After reading Ranter Elizabeth’s praise for the annuals she buys online, I chose one of her favorite suppliers (Select Seeds) and ordered some lantanas, and boy, did they perform! They bloomed like crazy until the first hard frost, and the growth pattern is perfect – mostly horizontal, so there’s need to hack them back to prevent flopping. I love the bold, vibrant color! Another wonderful surprise is that they don’t need deadheading. Not only do they bloom just fine without it, but the dying blooms (above) still look good right up until they fall off, so why bother?

Pollinator-wise, they performed like the champs you guys promised they’d be. Honestly I’d need a much better camera to capture the critters in stills, but I took videos throughout the season and I’ll have a short compilation to show you soon. (Preview: it’s the hummingbirds, sometimes two at a time, that steal the show.)

Here in my back garden, by mid-July I’d given up on the grasses in these pots and replaced them with some ‘Havana Red Sky’ lantanas that I found at my local farmer’s market. They took off right away and at the end of the season they were this size. And what a great match for the pots!

I was also happy to learn that lantanas are less thirsty than other annuals – I don’t think I ever saw them wilt.

What I Bought – Verbenas

The other completely new-to-me plant I bought from Select Seeds is this ‘Vanity’ verbena, which did attract some bees and butterflies but didn’t have much impact in my border. I’m going to try a shorter, bushier variety next time.

Extended Season for Pollinators – Done!

My tiny front garden was already attracting critters to the Joe Pye Weed, bronze fennel, Nepeta and wood aster, but with the addition of tropical annuals like verbena and especially lantana, the wildlife action now goes on continuously for a very long season.

Happier Gardener – Done!

So yeah, I love upping my garden’s game at performing important eco-services, like supporting pollinators.

But I’ll tell ya, adding SO many flowers to this small space outside my front door, near the patio where I sit and gaze upon the garden – that’s been thrilling! The combination of floral beauty with stunning insects swarming over them in the sun. You could say it’s upped my mental well-being.

Flowers just make us happy! They attract people to gardening and then reward their efforts with beauty to be enjoyed by them and their family and visitors.

Next month I’ll be ordering even more of your suggestions, for planting in pots and also to fill in open spots in my borders:

More ‘Red Spread’ lantana, plus some ‘Cherry Sunshine’‘Graffiti’ pentas‘Lollipop’ verbena‘Black and Blue’ salviaCosmos seedsPurple Bell vineI’ve already ordered a dwarf canna from a specialist, to replace the (nonblooming) banana in my largest pot.

That’s a lot to look forward to, for not a lot of money, or effort.

The Lantana and Verbena Report: Did they attract pollinators as you promised? originally appeared on GardenRant on December 22, 2023.

The post The Lantana and Verbena Report: Did they attract pollinators as you promised? appeared first on GardenRant.

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[vamphrt]

sigh

You love Luka Modric.

You grew up loving football, Real Madrid especially. You can remember the first time you watched a match, you can remember the exact moment you truly fell in love with the sport.

What are the chances that you’d come across him when walking home from school? You bombed the interaction abysmally, acting like a typical fangirl. He didn’t seem to mind, it was quite cute to him. He cursed himself for actually finding you adorable.

You had practically begged him to sign your shirt, a white crop-top that your mom had bickered was too revealing. He obliged, writing LUKA MODRIC on your back, right near the hem of your shirt. One hand rested on your bare lower back as he printed his signature. You vividly remember the butterflies that formed in your stomach because of his touch.

You were shaking by the end of the interaction. Quite embarrassing, really. He handled it well, like he’s dealt with it many times before. You okay, doll? He had asked. The nickname sent a jolt coursing through you.

F-fine. You could hardly muster up the brainpower to properly answer him. He just gazed on at you with a small smile. You felt that the interaction was over, he was slipping away right before your eyes. U-uhm. Lu- Modric? My 18th birthday was actually a few days ago. Do you think I could get a selfie as well? As like a b-birthday gift. It’s fine, if not-

He still can’t recall what compelled him to do what he did next. Sure, we can take a pic. Only if you promise to send it to me. You can take my number down, right? It was written in the stars, then.

You’re still so enamored by the memory.

The two of you shared many conversations in the days after. He rambled to you about football, his loneliness after his divorce, his kids, growing old. He couldn’t predict that it would blossom into what it is now: Something straight out of a fairytale. In the early stages, he concluded that you were just some ditzy fan with a fleeting interest, that nothing much would come of it.

God, how he was wrong.

It didn’t take long for the two of you to reconnect physically.

—

Luka was your first.

You had been talking for months. Sneaking out at night to meet him had become apart of your nightly routine.

You begged him to take your virginity. He had refused at first, because although he had those thoughts about you, acting on it would make it all very real.

He warned you that nothing would be the same after, you told him you didn’t care. You never really were the most mature girl in a crowd. Your age tends to show if you’re talked to for long enough. He didn’t feel like you were ready. Wanted you to keep hold of your innocence for a little while longer.

His resolve weakened over time. He gave in eventually, because like most men, he has needs. Needs that could really only be satisfied by you. Needs that could no longer be tamed and calmed by his hand and his whirring imagination.

You remember the night as if it were a dream. Sitting by the lake, a spot that you two claimed as your own. It was late, and the both of you were gazing at the stars. You couldn’t view him in all of his glory, the moonlight wasn’t strong enough. You made sure to feel him, instead. You felt his length. Your fingers traced over his abs. You toyed with his beard.

You can remember being engulfed by his scent. Traces of honeysuckle and agastache. You remember how he sounded, so sweet and vulnerable. He had showed a part of himself that night, one young and free.

You remember it hurting. Your eyes had welled up with tears, and he halted immediately at the sight of them. You had to convince him how badly you wanted it, because he wouldn’t continue if he thought you couldn’t take it.

Is it hurting? He had stopped to ask. No, it’s fine. You lied, because the pain could not change how much you wanted this. You’re about to cry, love. The expression he had offered you was full of sorrow, and you would do anything to will that away. Just first time jitters, I guess.

The pain soon turned into pleasure.

His hands found yours, pinning you on the blanket that he had laid out to protect the both of you from the prickly grass. You nipped at his chin as he slowly became one with you. He tasted so sweet, like a foreign flower of some kind. He bloomed like a flower that night, too. Showing you a side that was so beautiful and encompassing. You felt all-knowing, then.

He was so gentle, too. It wasn’t just sex to him, but an honor. An oath he had to fulfill and handle with care. You had allowed him to take something from you, to claim an important part of your womanhood. He swore that he wouldn’t make you regret it. Promised to himself that whoever came after him would not live up to his legacy.

He released in you. He didn’t even think twice about it. It was just something he’s used to. Something he does without fail. An act that makes him feel whole. You were fearful at first, pregnancy has never been something you sought after. Not at your age. Not yet. He said it would be fine, that if anything were to come of it then he’d be right by your side through it.

The two of you sat stunned in silence for a while. The reality of it set in with him. This was what he chose. He chose this. He allowed you into his life. It was scary to think about, really. How he found himself at the edge of a lake, filling a newly legal teen up with his cum. How little he cares about anything else. How much his heart yearns for you.

Now, sex and intimacy are no longer a foreign subject to the both of you. You’re able to welcome him between your legs with pride, and he’s able to take you in with a smile on his face.

—

You were nearly caught once. He became too lenient, too loving, too careless. Your parents had went away for the weekend, leaving you with the house all to yourself. Of course, you took this as an opportunity to welcome Luka into your home. To welcome him into your bed.

The whole endeavor was innocent, in your eyes. He cooked for you, a Croatian dish that you weren’t the biggest fan of, but you devoured it all the same. He allowed you in, offered up pieces of his culture, pieces of him. You were thankful for that. You welcomed him into your bedroom, allowed him into the place where you become your most vulnerable.

He practically worshipped you. He showed love to parts of you that you thought no one would ever appreciate. It was weird, at first, the way he was so willing to devote himself to your everything.

He had tasted you for the first time, then. It was frightening at first. You were relunctant, but he insisted. He begged, really, for you to allow him between your legs. He asked, and you delivered, because you cannot deny Luka Modric of what he wants.

You did not regret your decision.

The sensation of his tongue against your clit was foreign, but heavenly. You could not keep still at first, it was all too overwhelming. You bucked your hips, but he continued to lap at you, like everything depended on it. You buried your hand in his hair, unable to keep yourself quiet. You were loud that night, more than you had ever been. He adored it, how vocal you were, how much he was able to pleasure you. He worshipped you as if you were everything, as if you were his savior.

He fucked you sweetly, plowed you into your bed, made you feel as if nothing else mattered. He loved you, showed you so much love that night. All you knew was his touch, his scent, his voice, his being. You were surrounded by him, and only him.

Until you weren’t.

You cannot even remember how it happened.

I just came in you, doll. Gotta clean you up. He said, whilst you carelessly pulled your shirt over your head. There’s no time. I’ll do it when you leave. He rushed to pull on his jeans, nearly losing his balance as he jumped into them. I’m really sorry, they said they’d be gone until Sunday.

He sighed at that, frustration evident on his countenance. He knew it all was a bad idea. Getting close to you, fucking you, viewing your most important parts. You’re only just a kid, really. A kid in a big world you haven’t explored. A kid in a world dominated by men like him. The odds were against you from the beginning, and he aided them. For that, he felt ashamed.

You shooed him out the back door, whilst your parents were entering through the front. He ran into the night, disappearing behind a neighboring house. It was a close call, too close. The thought of getting caught sent chills down his spine.

When you greeted your parents, you could still feel his release dripping down your leg. He was less willing after that. Less willing to do things, less willing to see you, less willing to love you.

He grew cold. The two of you interacted less. You would no longer sneak texts to him during class. You would no longer slip out late at night to go visit him at the lake. You felt hopeless. He tried to ignore the void that formed in his heart. Things were over for a while.

It did not take long for him to warm up to you, though. He cannot hold a grudge for long. He cannot be without your touch for long. He had to justify it all in his head. It isn’t wrong, right? It can’t be wrong. You’re of age. A woman, able to make your own decisions. That is what he told himself. It’s chilling, really. How little it took for him to convince himself that he’s not a villain. He’s the good guy in this all, isn’t he?

—

It is the start of the La Liga season. You know his time will be occupied now, but he will make room for you. He always does.

You hate that you have to be kept a secret, but he always reassures you by reminding you that you’re his favorite secret to keep.

He has arranged a motel for the two of you. Usually, the location is much more grand, but this is last minute. This is urgent.

It is the same as all the other times, but he is reminded of how much he loves you. He’s reminded of how much he needs you, how much his body aches for yours. And how much you ache for him in return. You are a practically a mold for him, now. His body connects with yours, like two pieces of a puzzle. You are one with him, and nothing without.

He thinks that you will most certainly be the death of him.

You plant kisses close to his manhood. He hisses, because he knows you are teasing him. He will not allow you to force a reaction out of him. He is patient, unlike you.

His cock pulses at the feeling of your tongue dragging up the expanse of his chest. You swirl your tongue around his nipple, coining a soft sigh from his supple lips. He intertwines his hands with yours. Holds onto you so tight that his knuckles nearly turn white. It is almost as if he’s afraid that you will dissipate right before his eyes. He needs to have you, before that happens. He needs to have you forever.

You pull at his shorts, eager to reveal the hardened member that is concealed beneath them. He lets you, because he knows you do not want to wait. He knows you cannot maintain your patience for long when it comes to this. It is such a beautiful sight to see: You, excited and ready to take him. You reveal his cock from under his shorts, the tip is already wet with precum.

You become insatiable at the sight of it.

You’re ready to bring him to his release in your hand, right then and there. You’re sure he can read your mind, because he grumbles a “Don’t.” under his breath. You know the rules. How he only wants to feel your warmth around him whenever he releases. How obsessed he is with filling you up with his being.

You lay down on your back, the rough texture of the motel blanket pressing into your back. You do not mind it, nothing matters to you in this moment besides Luka. He is all you know. He pushes his hips forward, the head of his dick dipping into your entrance. Although you’ve been in this position many times before, the feeling overwhelms you every time. He groans, feeling how wet you are for him, feeling how reactive your body is to his presence. It is almost enough to make him come undone right then and there. He pushes more. And more. Until his being fills you completely.

He feels you clench around him, that is enough to get him to utter a simple Fuck under his breath. His thrusts start off slow, he is a patient man. The slow drag of it all, your warm skin, your quiet moans, it all surrounds him.

“Yes, please, Luka—” The words fall from your lips like a lullaby. A melody crafted only for his ears to hear. It is not in him to hold back anymore, he loves you too much. He needs you too much.

“Come,” He commands, breathlessly, stopping his movements. He pulls out of you, you groan at the action. “Want you on top of me. Wanna fuck you full of my cum.” He explains, his words sending jolts through you. He lifts you up off your back, guiding your legs around his waist.

You’re straddling him, now. Your legs tangled around his waist. Your fingernails tracing lines up and down his back. God, how you love his back. Your skin is scorching in the places he leaves his touch. He grips your waist, aligning himself with your entrance. He allows you to take in all of his length, slowly. He is in no rush, after all, he’d like to enjoy every second.

He’s muttering under his breath, now. Things like oh, God and that’s it. It is comforting to know that he is as much of a mess as you are, that the feelings you have for him are mutual. Not that you’d ever doubt it for a second, anyways.

You press down onto him, riding him at your pace now. The gasps that fall from his lips only make the knot in your core grow larger. He grips your hips, stopping you from chasing your orgasm. “Slower, my love. What have I told you about patience?” You groan at that, because you’re tired of waiting.

“You will get what you want in due time, love. I will fill you up soon enough.” This you know is true. He never leaves you dissatisfied. You are always left full. Full of his release, full of his love, full of him and only him.

He pushes in and out of you at his pace. It is just enough for you, but you're left wanting more, wanting everything. You wish to become one with him, to ration out pieces of yourself so that you can belong to him in some way.

He fills you up completely, lifting your hips, so that he can push into you deeply. It is all so overwhelming for you. The sight of him, his touch, his scent. His everything. He is encompassing. His presence is inescapable. As he’s inside you now, you realize that. That you will never be without him.

You come undone around him, he loses himself in the sensation. All he knows is you. You surround him. You overwhelm him. You make him feel complete.

He feels whole now, as you fall apart around him. He feels whole now, as you moan out his name. He feels whole now, as he fills you up with his cum.

There's a wave of calm that settles in the air. He pulls out of you, his dick pressing against your stomach. You think that he's finished, but he looks at you with a wanting gleam in his eyes. You feel like his presence is swallowing you whole in this moment.

He doesn’t hesitate to coat his fingers in his own release, whilst pumping his digits in and out of you. He looks down to admire the site of his release between your folds. “You take me so well, love. It’s almost like you want me to get you pregnant. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes! Yes!” You sputter out, your mind barely there, unable to process what he’s truly asking you. Your mouth falls open against his. He adds another finger, providing you with more relief. And you chase it, that high.

You’re riding on his fingers now, nails tracing rough scratches up and down his back. God, does he make you feel good. You arch your back, bucking your hips, whilst chasing that sweet release.

Your orgasm hits you like a wave, an overwhelming tide that sucks you into a sea of pleasure. Heavenly, almost.

The sound of your hurried breaths fills the ear. You gaze on at him, admiring his body. You wipe at the beads of sweat that have formed on his chest. He wraps his hand around your smaller one, offering you a smile. His smile is infatuating. You admire the lines that form around the corners of his lips whenever he laughs. You admire the crinkles that reveal themselves around his eyes whenever he finds something you say amusing. You admire everything about him. Sometimes you wish you could just devour him whole. You wonder if he would allow you to.

“Luka.”

“Hm?”

“Again.”

“Again?” He says breathlessly, because you drain the life out of him.

He doesn’t mind filling you up again.

You don’t mind milking him of everything he’s got.

—

“Luka?”

“Hm?” You watch as his toned chest rises and falls with every breath he takes. It is easy to become mesmerized by the way he moves. It is easy to get lost in the patterns of his being. You are enamored by him, everything about him. “What is it, my love?”

“Will I ever be able to be with you? For real?”

Silence fills the space between the two of you, and you think he’s fallen between the cracks for a second. It is scary, really. How much you’re counting on this to work out. How badly you need this to be your forever.

“Yes.” He finally says, but it’s a lie. As much as he loves you, this cannot be a forever thing. No amount of time will ever close the gap between you and him. He knows that, he’s mature enough to recognize that.

“When?” You ask, because the hiding is almost becoming too much to bear. You wish to love him wholly and freely.

“Patience, doll.” He clicks his tongue, coining a small sigh from you. “Why must everything be rushed?”

“I am not rushing anything!” It is so frustrating when he gets like this, absent and unwilling. “Is it wrong for me to ask when I can finally publicly proclaim my love for you? Is it really wrong for me to want to know when you will truly be mine?”

“You’re still just a kid.” He is yours, he thinks. May it be in public or in private, he is yours all the same. Nothing will change that. Not your age. Not your immaturity. Nothing.

“You don’t treat me like a kid.”

“Yes, I do.” He’s never been one to tell you that you’re mature for your age, you’ve noticed that. He doesn’t ask you for much, either. Knows that you cannot provide him with what a woman his age can, but maybe that is the thrill of it all. Maybe that is what bonds him to you. What magnetizes the two of you together.

“So, you have sex with kids is what you’re saying?” You quip, because it’s annoying how often he treats you like you’re just a little girl. How he can go from pumping all of his length into you, to implying you’re a naive child who needs saving. After all, you’re an adult— In the eyes of the law, at least.

“Real mature. Ha-ha.” He expected you to say something of the sort. He rolls over, gracing you with the sight of his toned back. You trace your fingertips up and down the expanse of his back, his body like a forbidden temple you yearn to explore.

“I love you, Luka.”

He cannot find the words to express how he feels for you. His love for you is unfathomable. If only he could string parts of himself together to become whole again. If only he had wanted less, if only he could love you the way you’re meant to be loved.

You love him. You love him wholly. And he loves you back.

He loves you back, forever.

[whiskeynovember]

The only thing I've got for today is I moved the Boston cucumber seedlings to a new plot. I found a cutworm in the mix and was like "the fuck you don't!"

it's going to look much better, I think, than having everything crowding around one area.

my 10 gallon grow bags should be coming in today, and the 7 gallon ones on Monday. I'm excited to get the cucamelon in the 10 gallon, but I'm still sad about the one dying and nothing else growing. hopefully the new seeds I'll get on Monday will have better germination rates.

I'm getting some fertilizer prepped for tomorrow. I'm just going to do a light watering today. it's going to be in the mid 90°s all week.

transplanted tomato is still sad, but it looks like it's pulling it together. I have a female watermelon starting to form in my baby bush.

too many flea beetles found on my eggplants. the potted ones are so stunted and look like Swiss cheese, but I can already tell they're doing a lot better.

my strawberries are already trying to flower. I wasn't expecting that. I figured I'd just get a lot of leaves.

my Korean mint is sort of... I don't know. dying. the seeds im getting are a little different. I saw Korean mint and licorice mint used interchangeably, but I also see them as two different genus ( Agastache rugosa and Agastache foeniculum). I don't want to give up on this specific one because I think it's true Korean mint, so I'm gonna keep pushing through with it. part of me wants to transplant it back into a smaller pot to be able to better monitor it, but then I'm like... shit, I already threw all of the extra seeds in there. 🙄 I just need to make sure I'm not doing too much to it, like with my lemon balm.

speaking of which, lots of new seedlings. some seem a bit sad, but the sunlight might perk it up. I might need to set up a seedling tray for more direct sunlight and less, depending on needs. I think right now there's only a good 2 hours of direct that they're getting by being under the patio.

also, pulled the dead cucamelon out of the pot. one sprouted! hell the fuck yes. 🌱

[agritech08]

Culinary Herbs

Learn how to grow and prepare herbs. Find out how to recognise and grow a variety of common and exotic culinary plants. Get knowledge and enjoy the pleasures of preparing novel, creative recipes using herbs. Discover how to preserve flavour by drying and other means (eg. herb oils, salts, vinegars). https://agritech.college/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Commercialflowercult.mp4   Forever alter your cooking style The majority of people today only seldom utilise herbs in their cooking, but as your knowledge grows, you may discover a whole new world of culinary possibilities. When chefs and professional cooks comprehend how diverse cultivars of a herb can have minor flavour variations, they can accomplish so much more. The location of the herb's cultivation, the season, the rate of development, the sections that are harvested, and the time of year can all affect the flavour. You can expand your knowledge and opportunities for producing and using culinary herbs by becoming more familiar with a wider variety of herbs than you have in the past. One of our students studying culinary herbs commented: "Interesting and it has greatly increased my knowledge of herbs," D. Christian is a student of culinary herbs. Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: - Introduction - Scope and Nature of Culinary Herbs - Herbs and Horticulture - Accurately Identifying Herbs - Plant Classification, binomial system - Finding the group a herb fits into -Monocotyledons and Dicotyledons, Plant Families - Pronouncing Plant Name - Resources - information contacts (ie. nurseries, seed, clubs etc. - Culture - Overview - Soils - pH Requirements - Improving solid - Potting mixes - Plant Nutrition and Fertilizers - Water Management for Herbs - Diagnosing Plant Health Problems - Pests, Disease and Environmental Problems - Planting, staking, and establishing herb plants, etc. - Growing Herbs - Propagation of herbs - Seed Propagation - Cutting Propagation - Potting Media - Division, Separation, Layering - Rejuvenation of Perennials - Designing a Culinary Herb Garden - Creating a Kitchen Garden - Planning a Fragrant Herb Garden - Companion Planting in Your Design - Cooking With Herbs - General Guidelines for Using Herbs in Cooking - Harvesting Herbs; roots, leaves, seed, fruits - Handling after Harvest - Drying Herbs - Hints for Using a Range of Selected Herbs in Cooking - Herbs For Garnish - Herbal Teas: What & how to use different herbs - Herb Vinegars, oils, butters, cheeses, salts, sugars, honey,, etc - Herb Confectionary, Cakes, etc. - Selected Herb Recipes - Using Herbs with Fruit - Most Commonly Grown Varieties. - Review of many Common Culinary herbs, including their culture and culinary use - Over 20 herbs reviewed in detail, incl. Alliums - Many additional herbs summarized - Other Important Groups. - Lamiaceae (mint family) herbs - Lemon Scented Herbs and their uses - Hyssop - Mints - Bergamot - The Basils - Origanum species - Rosemary - Salvias - Thymes - Lavenders - The Lesser Grown Varieties - Agastache - Agrimony - Visnaga - Apium - Arctium lappa - Bundium - Capparis; and many more - Using Australian Native Plants as Flavourings - Special Assignment - A PBL Project on a selected genus of culinary herbs Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading. Aims - Explain the system for naming plants, the main families into which herbs fall, and the resources available to growers of culinary herbs. - Explain the best ways to handle the cultural demands placed on culinary herbs. - Explain the various sexual and asexual reproduction techniques, as well as how cutting material is handled and how seeds are typically stored. - Describe how to utilise herbs in cooking and which herbs go well with particular cuisines. - Talk about the most popular types of herbs used in cuisine. - Compare various culinary herbs that belong to the same plant family. - A variety of lesser-known culinary herb types are discussed. - Describe the functions of several culinary herbs within a certain category of herb plants.   HERB HARVESTING GUIDELINES When the oils are at their highest level, harvest the herb leaves. This can occur at any time between late spring and early autumn, generally right before flower set. Up to 75% of the season's growth can be harvested. - Autumn is the time of year when herbs are removed for their roots. - Many species of flowers, such as those from chamomile and borage, can also be employed. They need to be picked just as the flowers are beginning to open. - Harvesting herbs, such as dill, for their seeds should be done after the seed pods turn grey. So be sure to act quickly—before the pods separate. - Before they fully bloom, gather herb flowers like chamomile and borage. When the plant has enough foliage to sustain growth, start harvesting the herb. Harvesting Tips for Herbs - Harvest prior to blossoming to maximise leaf output. - Early in the morning, once the dew has dried, harvest. - Flowers should be picked before they fully open since the flavour and oil concentration are at their peak. - After the first frost, avoid harvesting leaves because doing so could harm the plant. - Herbs should be pruned back in the early summer to promote fresh growth. Harvesting Resources for Food and Medicine Plant components like leaves, petals, roots, bark, bulbs, and other parts are frequently used in cooking and making herbal medicines. But, in order to receive the best effects from these herbs, they must be carefully picked, handled, and most importantly, collected at the right time of year. - Always gather leaves in the middle of the morning on clear days, after the dew has dried. Collect the majority of your medications as the plant begins to bloom. The second year of growth is the optimal time to collect leaves from biennial plants. Spread the leaves out on a spotless, dry surface to dry. Until they are completely dry, stir them occasionally. Remove any leaves with blackened stems from moisture and any leaves that have turned green. - Flowers should be picked up as soon as they bloom. Similar to drying leaves, only save the ones that retain their original colour. - Bulbs should be harvested as soon as the plant's leaves turn brown (usually in autumn). The bulb's outer scales should be removed, and it should be dried using artificial heat, but not above around 37°C. The bulb may need to be sliced into slices so that it can dry. - It is best to harvest bark in the spring or autumn. Remove the outer bark first because it is typically needed. It is best to dry most barks in sunshine (but not wild cherry). - Gather seeds as soon as they are ready. Only seeds that are larger and more developed are beneficial.   Grow Your Own Tea and Prepare It There are a few things to keep in mind while growing your own herbs to use in teas. First of all, some herbs are perennials and some are annuals. Typically, perennials have woody stems and include herbs like sage, thyme, oregano, and rosemary. Annuals have more meat, like basil and coriander. The longevity of herbs, however, can vary depending on where you live. Several annual varieties thrive in warmer climates where they have an endless growing season. They are less likely to survive the winter temperatures in colder places and will eventually disappear. Utilize species plants rather than cultivated types of herbs because it is believed that the latter have fewer active ingredients (in some cases). The climate in your area plays a role in the quality of the herbs as well. The majority of plants require a lot of sunlight to encourage oil production. Herbs have distinct fragrances that come from their essential oils, which also give meals and teas their flavour when consumed. Place your herbs where they will benefit most from exposure to sunlight if you are growing them in a cooler climate. Most perennial herbs thrive in a warm, sunny location, but many do not require very rich soils. Several herbs, including those that make deliciously reviving teas like mint, rocket, parsley, and mustard, prefer a semi-shaded location and moist soils. There are numerous species of some herbs, such as the mints, each with a distinctive flavour. Why not cultivate a variety of kinds for various teas? Horseradish and mint both have extremely invasive root systems, therefore it is better to grow them in pots to prevent them from encroaching on garden areas. Several other herbs can benefit from containers as well because you can move them about to receive the sunlight and, if necessary, store them in a greenhouse for the winter. If there is room, it is typically advisable to grow different species in separate containers because they may grow at different speeds. Open-air annuals and delicate perennials can be winter-protected with a cloche or cold frame. Apart from those that require moisture, avoid over-watering the herbs because this makes the leaves wet and decreases their potency when used in herbal tea or medicine.   Several well-known plants for tea - Herbs - lemon balm, chamomile, fennel, mint, catnip, oregano, sage, thyme, parsley, rosemary, chives, dill, lavender, basil, lemongrass, echinacea - Trees and shrubs (leaves) - blackberry, raspberry, Backhousia citriodora, birch, lemon myrtle, lemon or orange verbena, linden (Tilia cordata). - Trees and shrubs (flowers) - rose, elderberry, citrus, hibiscus. - Garden weeds - dandelions, nettles, goldenrod (Solidago spp.), ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), purslane (Portulaca oleracea), wild mustard, red clover, milk thistle (Silybum marianum). - Annuals and perennials – Marigold (Calendula officinalis), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum or C. morifolium) nasturtium, pansies, violets, honeysuckle (flowers only), carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus), alliums, hollyhock (Althaea rosea), sunflower. How to Prepare Tea Teas use a variety of plant components, so if your favourite herb unexpectedly blooms, don't worry—you can still use those flowers. The softer tissues of the plant make the ideal tea ingredients. The fleshy developing tips of shoots, leaves, and flowers are examples of them. It takes more time and effort to break down the roots and toughened woody stems, therefore they are not good for a rapid brew. Furthermore, you won't want to take out the plant's roots if you intend to maintain it for its foliage. You only need your herbal plant components and boiling water to create tea. Typically, one cup of water should be added for every tablespoon of herbs. For one ounce, or 28 grammes, of herb, that works out to about 250ml of water. For herbs with a milder flavour, you might use up to three tablespoons. To impart the herb's flavour or essence into the water, cover the plant with boiling water and let it steep for a while. Place the herbs in a separate pan and pour the hot water over them if you're heating the water in a pan rather than a kettle. Let the herbs to soak without putting the pan back on the heat of the stove.   WHAT ROAD WILL THIS PATH TAKE YOU? Your knowledge of how to make food taste different and better will grow as a result of learning how to grow and use culinary herbs. The very least that this course might be able to accomplish for you and your family is to provide you with a more varied diet. For the majority of students, however, the application of what they learn will go beyond their own personal use, enhancing their chances for success in business and the workforce. - The food that chefs and caterers produce will be able to take on new flavours. - The ability to develop and market a greater selection of goods will allow herb nurseries and herb shops to better position their products for sale. - This course may serve as motivation for producers of herbal goods to create new goods.  - This could be the first of several courses leading to a higher qualification, the beginning of a business venture, or advancing one's profession.   Read the full article

[wildrungarden]

5/4/24 ~ Why in the world am I starting seeds when I can’t even transplant everything I have?! Good question 😆

Some of these will be transplanted outside in the ground so its all good 🤗

Plus I haven’t even started all of my other vegetables yet!

⭐️In this tray:⭐️

1.) Black & Brown Boar Tomato (probably the only regular sized tomato I’ll be growing this year other than my 2 grafted ones from school).

2.) Dragon’s Egg Cucumber

3.) Tokiwa Tokyo Green Cucumber

4.) Agastache - Lavender Martini

5.) Burmese Okra

6.) Jing Orange Okra

7.) Lettuce Leaf Basil

8.) Nasturtium

[unofficialchronicle]

Best Flowers to grow with Dahlias: 

(my favs)

1. Cosmos: A summer sensation in full sun, the delicate, squarish petals of cosmos (Cosmos spp.) may be orange, red, pink, purple, red, yellow, white, or bicolored.

2. Anise Hyssop: Perfect for Zones 4 to 9, the blue, lavender, or purple multi-flowered spikes of native perennial anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) are a cheerful summer sight in full-sun placements. (Hyssop is an ancient herb with many uses, including in za’atar) 

3. Snapdragon: A sun-loving perennial in Zones 7 to 10 and an annual elsewhere, snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) has upright spikes of rainbow-colored, two-lipped blossoms.

4. Zinnia: Annual zinnias (Zinnia spp.) grow in Zones 2 to 11 from summer through fall, glorying in full sun in a broad spectrum of colors ranging from brilliantly saturated to understated pastel.

5 Lantana: Sun-loving lantana (Lantana camara) is a perennial in Zones 10 and 11 and an annual elsewhere. Its clustered multicolor blooms create a vibrant and long-lasting summer-through-fall display. With heights and spreads of one to two feet, lantana performs well in front bed placements, borders, and containers.

Source: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/dahlia/dahlia-companion-plants.htm

(Other herbal companions for dahlia might be mint, thyme, and rosemary. Read more at Gardening Know How: Dahlia Companion Plants – Companion Flowers That Complement Dahlia Plants https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/dahlia/dahlia-companion-plants.htm)

[greysbattle]

Agastache kudos mandarin

Adapted well to growing in areas that have hot, humid summer weather.This prolific new compact hybrid has an impeccable habit, increased hardiness, disease resistance, and tolerance of wet, cold soils Loved by hummingbirds and butterflies, yet ignored by deer and rabbits. Improved cold hardiness over a wider range of the US (especially wetter parts of the country). Agastache 'Kudos Mandarin' PP 25,33 Cheerful, carefree, summer-long color for beds, borders, or containers.PP 25,381 Agastache is a genus of about 30 aromatic species native to central and eastern Asia, Mexico, and the United States. Drought resistant once established, it will be a special attraction for hummingbirds. A range of bright and unusual flower colors. Agastache 'Kudos Mandarin' is a diminutive plant that maintains a tidy, upright habit while producing clear, eye-catching orange blossoms over a long season.A compact and bushy form - much more compact than other Agastache.So we decided to add some more of their hybrids to the High Country Gardens line-up, the Kudos™ series. The Terra Nova breeders had several primary goals on which they focused to breed the Kudos™ series. Happy in poorer soils, avoid overly rich or wet soil. Short, compact plants produce loads blooms that last and last. Very long-lasting, bright orange blooms on upright, compact mounds of fragrant blue-green foliage. Dan Heims, owner of Terra Nova Nursery in Portland, OR has been a visionary breeder of perennial plants, and is renowned for his groundbreaking breeding work with Heuchera (Coral Bells) and Tiarella (Foamflower).Ībout a decade ago, he became enamored with Agastache, and with his team of plant breeders, began work on the creation of new garden worthy hybrids. I’ve been very impressed with Terra Nova’s ‘Blue Boa’, a, tall, long-blooming lavender-purple flowered hybrid that we’ve offered through High Country Gardens since 2017. Mexican Hyssop / Hummingbird Mint: Patent PP25381.

[igrowhort]

Agastache Lavender Hyssop Native Wild Flower Herb Garden Pollinator

Agastache Lavender Hyssop Native Wild Flower Herb Garden Pollinator Plant

Agastache Lavender Hyssop Native Wild Flower Herb Garden Pollinator Agastache Lavender Hyssop a native wildflower, at home in the herb garden and known as one of the top ten native pollinator plants to grow from seed at home. Fill your garden with wildlife by growing these anise-scented pollinator magnet perennials that also attract the American Goldfinch and Hummingbirds. I have grown…

[cantankerouscatfish]

so we’ve spent the past couple days digging up some of the garden beds at work (quite literally; L used the bobcat to scoop out two of them) and trying to figure out how to remake them. they were just full of thistles. and I was supposed to run out for Preen today but clear forgot. uhhh oops ANYWAY

the long strip between the employee walkway and the front of the building never gets any water but it does fry in the afternoon sun. there was an old lavender in there that kept reaching onto the walkway, and a russian sage that always got big and sprawly. yanked ‘em both out. literally the only things I left in there were some yucca and eastern prickly pear. and the spring bulbs.

then I threw in some stuff that will hopefully be smaller and easier to manage. agastache, couple types of sedum, milkweed (for science, it’s probs gonna die), gaillardia, smaller-growing lavender, bergenia (also for science). some other stuff.

it looks so sparse now but it’ll grow. and if we gotta fill in spaces, so be it.

L wanted to rototill the other two beds but the tiller is ancient and finicky and we got it going out back but couldn’t restart it out front. J said that the manager (who is away on vacation) is the only one who can keep it running. scrap metal!! what a waste of half an hour. ;n;

[blackswallowtailbutterfly]

Dug out one of the areas the Canada goldenrod had planted itself in, which is a very bad spot for such an aggressive plant. Ended up with like an armload of rhizomes. Took one piece and transplanted it to the area I had initially planned for that species, but the one I ordered ended up being an aster of unknown species. I cut the shoots off the rest and will be eating them. Still have to grab the rest growing in the other area. Got all the weeds and garbage out of the front, and cut off and chopped of the dead bits. These will disappear as birds and squirrels take them to build their nests, but for now it’s a natural mulch. I didn’t have time for the side or the back, but I’ll do the side at least tomorrow. I did however take look through to see what’s coming up!

And so far, of the 172 plants I have planted (and I have 72 more on the way, starting mid-May!), the following are showing signs of life or even leafing out: *EDITED TO ADD THOSE I NOTICED TODAY (DAY AFTER POSTING)*

001. Achillea millefolium (yarrow) 3rd year! 002. Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair fern) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 003. Agastache foeniculum (anise hyssop) 4th year! 004. Agastache scrophulariifolia (purple giant hyssop) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 005. Allium canadense (Canada garlic) 5th year! 006. Allium cernuum (nodding onion) 5th year! 007. Allium schoenoprasum (chives) 4th year! 008. Allium stellatum (pink onion) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 009. Allium tricoccum (ramps) 3rd year! 010. Amelanchier canadensis (Canadian serviceberry) 4th year! But still too young for fruit. 011. Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly everlasting) 5th year! 012. Andromeda polifolia (bog rosemary) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 013. Aquilegia brevistyla (smallflower columbine) 4th year! 014. Aquilegia canadensis (eastern red columbine) 5th year! 015. Arabis alpina (alpine rockcress) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! The first one I attempted was extremely root-bound coming out the pot and sadly did not survive the winter, but this one did! 016. Argentina anserina (silverweed) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 017. Armeria maritima (Thrift seapink) 3rd year! 018. Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) 3rd year! But still too young for fruit. 019. Artemisia ludoviciana (white sage) 3rd year! It was supposed to be A. frigida, but...it’s not. lol Thankfully it’s not too aggressive so far. 020. Aruncus dioicus (bride’s feathers) 3rd year! 021. Asarum canadense (Canada ginger) 4th year! 022. Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed) 4th year! 023. Asclepias sullivanti (prairie milkweed) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 024. Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed) 3rd year! 025. Asimina triloba (pawpaw) 5th year! But still too young for fruit. 026. Asplenium trichomanes (maidenhair spleenwort) 3rd year! 027. Athyrium felix-femina (lady fern) 3rd year! 028. Caltha palustris (marsh marigold) 3rd year! 029. Campanula rotundifolia (harebell) 5th year! 030. Cardamine concenata (cutleaf toothwort) Came out of dormancy for it’s 1st year! 031. Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! It’s a parasitic plant, so I planted it at the stone line so it could feed off the grass, and close to the sunchokes so it can feed off them too, plus there are cedar roots from the trees by the well, and I’ve just transplanted Canada goldenrod nearby so I think it will be okay! 032. Ceanothus americanus (New Jersey tea) 3rd year! 033. Cerastium arvense (field chickweed) 4th year! 034. Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) 4th year! But still too young for flowers. 035. Clinopodium arkansanum (wild savoury) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 036. Comptonia peregrina (Sweetfern) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 037. Coreopsis lanceolata (lance-leaved tickseed) 3rd year! 038. Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! The squirrels did not dig it up this time! 039. Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) 3rd year! But still too young for flowers. 040. Cystopteris bulbifera (berry bladder fern) 3rd year! 041. Dalea purpurea (purple prairie clover) 042. Drymocallis arguta (prairie cinquefoil) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 043. Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower) 5th year! 044. Erigeron glabellus var. pubescens (streamside fleabane) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! I put it in a very narrow ugly side area. Should help to pretty it up along with black-eyed susan and whatever else I think will go nicely there. 045. Erythronium americanum (trout lily) 3rd year! And not only that but despite not flowering and my not seeing any dropper stems last year, the thing has somehow spread itself. I have no idea how I missed the number of droppers that would have been necessary to make this happen but I’m not complaining. Be nice if one of them flowered this year though. 046. Eupatorium purpureum (sweet Joe Pye weed) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 047. Fragaria vesca (woodland strawberry) 3rd year! Mine has white strawberries. Apparently that can happen with this species. Still taste like strawberries. I hope it makes lots this year. 048. Fragaria virginiana (Virginia strawberry) 3rd year! Would be awesome if it made more than flowers this year though. 049. Galium boreale (northern bedstraw) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! My first attempt died. Probably because it was potted too long and planted too late. 050. Gaultheria procumbens (American wintergreen) 4th year! It’s not doing the greatest, likely due to how root-bound it was when I got it, but it’s been hanging on. I’m getting it a friend this year, so hopefully that will help. 051. Geranium maculatum (wild geranium) 4th year! 052. Geranium robertianum (herb Robert) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 053. Geum aleppicum (yellow avens) 4th year at least! I don’t know for sure, because it was already here when I moved in. It’s native so it gets to stay. 054. Geum canadense (white avens) 4th year at least! I don’t know for sure, because it was already here when I moved in. It’s native so it gets to stay. 055. Geum rivale (purple avens) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 056. Geum triflorum (prairie smoke) 5th year! 057. Grindelia squarrosa (curly cup gumweed) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 058. Helianthus nuttallii (common tall sunflower) 4th year! 059. Heliopsis helianthoides (false sunflower) 3rd year! 060. Heuchera richardsonii (prairie alumroot) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 061. Hibiscus moscheutos (swamp rose mallow) 4th year! And coming up early this year, too! 062. Hierochloe odorata (sweetgrass) 5th year! It flowered two years ago. I hope it does again this year. 063. Humulus lupulus (Hop) 3rd year! The current shoots are likely to die though Last year I swear they died five times before it finally took off but eventually it did and had a whole growing year. I expect the same this year. 064. Hydrophyllum virginianum (Virginia waterleaf) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 065. Juglans nigra (black walnut) Likely somewhere around 150 years old, judging by the size. I obviously didn’t plant it, but it is on the property so it’s mine while I live here. 066. Juniperus horizontalis (creeping juniper) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 067. Liatris spicata (dense blazing star) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 068. Lilium michiganense (Michigan lily) 4th year! 069. Lindera benzoin (spicebush) 5th year and flowering! 070. Linum lewisii (blue flax) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 071. Lysimachia ciliolata (fringed loosestrife) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 072. Mahonia repens (creeping Oregon grape) 3rd year! 073. Maianthemum stellata (starry false Solomon’s seal) 3rd year! 074. Mentha arvensis (wild mint) 4th year! 075. Menyanthes trifoliata (bog bean) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 076. Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells) 4th year! 077. Mertensia virginica (Virginia bluebells) 3rd year! 078. Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot) 5th year! 079. Monarda punctata (spotted beebalm) 3rd year! And coming in much quicker than last year. 080. Oenothera biennis (evening primrose) Seeded! I had thought my previous plant’s seeds hadn’t taken when no new plants had come up that year, but there are a couple this year close to the area I had it in, so it looks to have successfully reseeded itself after all! 081. Oenothera fruticosa (narrow-leaved sundrops) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! And this species is perennial rather than biennial like its cousin. 082. Oligoneuron rigida (Stiff goldenrod) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 083. Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern) 3rd year! I’m hoping the meadow sundrops, cup plant, and zigzag goldenrod will help shield it this year. They like part sun/part shade, but the past couple summers were still pretty hard on it. 084. Opuntia fragilis (fragile prickly pear) 4th year! The spring rains are always hard on it, though, and it takes at least a couple weeks in the heat of late spring to recover, so I don’t think it will produce fruit any time soon, certainly not this year. 085. Opuntia humifusa (eastern prickly pear) 3rd year! It did not like this winter though (took the one before it like a champ, though), but it’s showing signs of recovery. 086. Osmundastrum cinnamomea (cinnamon fern) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 087. Oxalis stricta (yellow wood sorrel) Successfully reseeded! I mean, it basically grows as a weed, so it’s quite prolific. Doesn’t really have an effect on surrounding plants, though, and it’s delicate, so it’s good to have a ton of them if you want to cook desserts or make jams or something with them. They are deliciously tart. 088. Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) 4th year! Might be older though. It was tiny when I got here (much bigger now!) but I didn’t plant it so I couldn’t judge its years based on size. 089. Phlox divaricata (woodland phlox) 3rd year! 090. Polygonatum biflorum (smooth Solomon’s seal) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 091. Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas fern) 3rd year! 092. Prunella vulgaris (common selfheal) I didn’t plant it so I don’t know how long it’s been here. We’ll call it year 5, but it is native and a pretty little thing, with edible and medicinal uses. 093. Prunus nigra (Canada plum) 3rd year! But still too young for fruit. 094. Prunus pumila (sand cherry) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 095. Prunus serotina (black cherry) 4th year! But still too young for fruit. 096. Pycnanthemum tenuifolium (slender mountain mint) 4th year! 097. Pycnanthemum virginianum (Virginia mountain mint) 4th year! 098. Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) 5th year! 099. Rosa blanda (smooth rose) 4th year! Maybe it will bloom this year. 100. Rubus occidentalis (black raspberry) 5th year! This was supposed to be R. strigosus but...I discovered otherwise when the berries turned black instead of remaining red. lol 101. Rubus strigosus (American red raspberry) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! And is hopefully actually R. strigosus this time. lol Pretty sure it’s not R. occidentalis again, though, because it’s much more aggressive. 102. Sambucus canadensis (common elderberry) 5th year! Hopefully this year it makes more berries and they don’t all fall off before turning ripe this time. 103. Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 104. Sisyrinchium montanum (blue-eyed grass) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 105. Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) This is its 3rd year since planting itself! We’ll see how it likes the new area I put it in. 106. Solidago flexicaulis (zigzag goldenrod) 3rd year since planting itself! 107. Solidago nemoralis (grey goldenrod) 3rd year! 108. Solidago simplex (spike goldenrod) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! First one I tried died. Maybe wasn’t getting enough sunlight. 109. Spiraea alba (white meadowsweet) 5th year! 110. Sporobolus heterolepis (prairie dropseed) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 111. Symphoricarpos occidentalis (western snowberry) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 112. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus (coralberry) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 113. Symphyotrichum ciliolatum (fringed blue aster) 4th year! 114. Symphyotrichum laeve (smooth aster) 4th year! And spreading where it shouldn’t. Going to try eating the shoots. 115. Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (panicled aster) 4th year! And I’m going to have to do something about those shoots too because that’s getting a little crazy. 116. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England aster) 3rd year! 117. Thalictrum pubescens (tall meadow-rue) 118. Thuja occidentalis (eastern white cedar) Likely around 20 years old or so. There’s a row of them next to a wall. Mine while I live here. 119. Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio spiderwort) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 120. Trillium erectum (red trillium) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 121. Trillium flexipes (nodding wake-robin) 3rd year! 122. Trillium grandiflorum (great white trillium) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 123. Urtica gracilis (stinging nettle) 4th year since it planted itself in my garden at the old place and I took it with me to the new place! 124. Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry) 5th year! Not doing well, though. I have to figure out a different spot for it. 125. Vaccinium corymbosom (northern highbush blueberry) 5th year! Last year I had to transplant it because it did not like the spot it was in. Hopefully it does better in its new home. 126. Verbena hastata (blue vervain) 3rd year! 127. Verbena stricta (hoary vervain) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 128. Viburnum lentago (nannyberry) 4th year! But still too young for fruit. 129. Viburnum nudum cassinoides (witherod viburnum) 4th year! But still too young for fruit. 130. Viola blanda (sweet white violet) 4th year! 131. Viola canadensis (Canada violet) 4th year! 132. Viola labradorica (Labrador violet) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 133. Viola nephrophylla (northern bog violet) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 134. Viola palustris (marsh violet) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 135. Vitis riparia (riverbank grape) 3rd year! 136. Waldsteinia fragarioides (barren strawberry) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 137. Zizia aptera (heart-leaved alexanders) Survived its first winter into 2nd year! 138. Zizia aurea (golden alexanders) 4th year!

So most but it’s still early and I wasn’t looking super hard in the side and front areas, so we’ll see how many more will join us this year.

[meetinginsamarra]

A Study in Butterflies

Butterflies love the purple coneflowers, growing in abundance this year. Which is fine because I love both.

Taking a picture is not that difficult, you just have to move slowly to get close and wait patiently until they open their wings which are usually folded when feeding on a blossom. Like this Painted Lady.

Here are 7 species I have captured so far, all common. Common brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)

Peacock butterfly (Aglais io) and Cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae) on Agastache rugosa “Alabaster”

Gatekeeper female (Pyronia tithonus ) and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

and finally Cardinal male (Argynnis pandora) and in flight most likely Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperans)

[inthecityofgoodabode]

April 2022: A Little Work In The Garden

A honeybee visiting our Japanese maple’s blossoms:  

I had never seen this before so I got a little obsessed with it:

We placed the obelisk & planted the fragrant clematis to run up it today. We also planted the Lady of Shalott rose in the foreground: 

We thinned out the verbena in the pot in the foreground (That is about a quarter of what had been there) & planted ‘Tango” agastache in the pot behind it: 

We repurposed our old wine rack. We planted clematis to grow up it but it has two hooks so one has a hanging basket & the other a bird feeder. It also has two shelves that we could put pots on but we want to give the clematis all the light it can get to become established: 

[appleandelder]

I’ve been browsing seeds and perennial catalogs trying to figure out which herbs/aromatics I want to add this year

Sweet cicely myrrhis odorata is defintely in the to-add list. it blooms during the durth time for the bees. Also seems like a really great ally to get to know (whoops native sweet cicely are species of osmorhiza; myrrhis is native to Europe)

Another sweet plant I was recommend to grow is sweet fern comptonia peregrina not common locally but a staple to Rhode Island where I grew up and a native aromatic

I want to establish my artemisia bed, most of the plants I have growing around in random places so I want to bring them all together. I have mugwort artemisia vulgaris, wormwood artemisia absinthium, french taragon artemisia dracunculus, and I have seeds from the annual sweet annie artemisia annua, my favorite perrenial grower has a few others, I might consider adding southernwood artemisia abrotanum particularly a camphor cultivar.

I am also considering adding spotted bee balm monarda punctata to my patch of mondaras (scarlet and rose didyma and wild fitulosa)

And I definitely need to grow more anise hyssop agastache foeniculum it’s a favorite I don’t have enough of

I want to find some seeds to grow a patch of rabbit tobacco pseudognaphalium obtusifolium because I haven’t found any growing locally yet

I grow a little bit of holy basil ocimum tenuiflorum every year but this year I want to do I whole bed of tulsi vana ocimum gratissimum

I know I want to plant some spice bush lindera benzoin but I’m not sure where to find them.

I’ve been thinking about clary sage salvia sclarea, costmary chyrsanthemum balsamita, and true hyssop hyssopus officinalis but I’m not quite sure

I’d love to hear your favorite aromatic plant(s) especially if it’s rather unusual :)