Friday, September 4, 2009

THE BEST OF OUR GARDEN - PICTURES / SPRING
















Falling...


September song with

promise of shorter days and

cooler nights splendor...



David and I are currently taking a landscape design class. One question that came up asked us to consider what design services were we thinking of providing? As I reflected on my own experience, and what have I learned that could be of remote interest to others. What could be my niche? Well, the most fun I've had is learning about herbs and appreciating not just their beauty but their various uses.

No matter what level of gardening you enjoy, now that we are all spending more time at home, looking to squeeze as much from our dimes as we can, please consider growing more herbs. Not only are they spectacular specimens in the garden, they are of ultimate practicality. I see myself of assistance to those who love to cook from their own Italian and Mexican gardens (happily assisting in my personal crusade to pepper the planet with salsa gardens) and surely some must have considered by now tea gardens. How satisfying it would be to come home after a stressful day, snip a handful of mint and relax with this refreshing tea? Yes, there are decorative ways to contain its wandering habit.

If I had to pick just one to entice you with, it would have to be lemon verbena.


I want to share with you a great article I found above with uses and recipes for this amazing herb. Allow me to wax poetic about its unique long lasting fragrance. A multitasker to be sure, used in potpourri, cooking, baking and delicious tea! Can you just imagine using this lovely syrup in your late summer beverage? Are you like me and enjoy orange peel in your coffee, then why not try a sprig of lemon verbena in your next carafe? Who do you know would enjoy a humble gift of lemon verbena vinegar? Even if you only tuck some leaves in your sugar bowl, wouldn't it be worth it? Alas, this herb does not winter well in our cold climate, so please give it serious consideration on your spring planting list. Your welcome.