The word aromatherapy has always made me think of potpourri, scented candles and bath oils. Yesterday, I attended a workshop by the above name from one of my garden groups (I belong to two). This one is known as the "fun" group and the other "the very serious group."
It was a smaller group today about seventeen people instead of thirty or forty. We had our coffee, tea, cookies, fruit and Welch's carbonated juice. Our aromotherapist arrived in a yellow BMW convertible, which I did not realize until I was leaving (whole new slant on aromotherapy).
Really, kidding aside, I learned a great deal about specific plants, their oils, medicinal value, and how to incorporate them into daily life. I now know that lavendar is the "angel of healing and purfication," basil helps to lift depression, bergamot opens your heart to love and life and clary sage is a powerful euphoric and relaxing aphrodisiac. Lavendar can be used full strength but many essential oils require mixing with a medium such as olive oil. Essential oils have been around for thousands of years being the first perfumes and medicines of bygone generations. This was definitely some serious learning today, but also fun!
We all made soap (I made lavendar soap), some purchased essential plant oils from our workshop leader, and as I was leaving warned her that she wouldn't be driving her car tomorrow (we're expecting 14" of snow). She said she had snow tires on that yellow summer car, but agreed she would probably spend the day in the house rubbing in the citrus oils (my conjecture) which are great for the gloomies!!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Monday, February 08, 2010
Some Favorite Border Annuals
I am always looking for interesting annuals to fill in my borders. Perilla Magilla (a relative of coleus) can be grown in full sun to part shade and has become a staple each year in the narrow area of my garden border. It does not have showy flowers, but it has beautiful magenta colored leaves similar to coleus. In my garden it grows close to three feet tall and about two feet wide. It looks wonderful next to David Phlox and blends in with pinks and blues.
Another annual that blends in beautifully with perennials in the border is Coleus 'Inky Fingers.' It is a weaver, trailing up to eight feet. Inky Fingers is described as mounding, but mine always sends out shoots on each side about four feet in length. It looks great with other brighter coleus plants, oranges, light greens, yellows. I plant it in the raised bed where I have boxwood bordering my patio.
Another annual that blends in beautifully with perennials in the border is Coleus 'Inky Fingers.' It is a weaver, trailing up to eight feet. Inky Fingers is described as mounding, but mine always sends out shoots on each side about four feet in length. It looks great with other brighter coleus plants, oranges, light greens, yellows. I plant it in the raised bed where I have boxwood bordering my patio.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Very Impressive Perennials
Whether it's in a border, as a screening plant or the focus in a backdrop, Persicaria Polymorpha(fleeceflower) will not dissapoint. This plant commands attention, and where I have it in a narrow border, you cannot help saluting it.
It is hardy down to zone three, grows five to seven feet tall and once established does not require much water. It blooms all summer and has fall and winter interest. Mine grows about seven feet tall, and I shared some divisions with my sister-in-law that she uses as a screen. I am going to divide mine this spring (which I haven't done for six years) in order to keep it out of the walkway.
Phlomis Tuberosa (jerusalem sage), grows to five feet, hardy to zone 5, is the lavendar-pink flower in front of the Persicaria. It is a lovely tall plant, but you will need to consider placement (I since have moved it). It flowers for a short period of time, so it is better placed with perennials that will take over for it when it's done
Helianthus Lemon Queen is a stunner in the late summer and fall garden. It can grow to seven feet tall, but after the first couple of years and having to tie it because it is along a narrow strip, I pinch it back in May. It then stays a more manageable height for my location. All of these are available at http://www.diggingdog.com/
Although, I noticed that they do not have "polymorpha" listed at this time - many other varieties.
It is hardy down to zone three, grows five to seven feet tall and once established does not require much water. It blooms all summer and has fall and winter interest. Mine grows about seven feet tall, and I shared some divisions with my sister-in-law that she uses as a screen. I am going to divide mine this spring (which I haven't done for six years) in order to keep it out of the walkway.
Phlomis Tuberosa (jerusalem sage), grows to five feet, hardy to zone 5, is the lavendar-pink flower in front of the Persicaria. It is a lovely tall plant, but you will need to consider placement (I since have moved it). It flowers for a short period of time, so it is better placed with perennials that will take over for it when it's done
Helianthus Lemon Queen is a stunner in the late summer and fall garden. It can grow to seven feet tall, but after the first couple of years and having to tie it because it is along a narrow strip, I pinch it back in May. It then stays a more manageable height for my location. All of these are available at http://www.diggingdog.com/
Although, I noticed that they do not have "polymorpha" listed at this time - many other varieties.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Martha's Got Her Groove Back
OMG! My March Martha Stewart Living came yesterday! I have always been a Martha Stewart fan, even when I refused to make the pansy cake that took four days, I have most of her magazines right back to the beginning. My children even call me "Martha," because I use so many of her recipes for our gatherings.
Over the past several years, her magazines have been a leaf through, maybe one idea or a recipe here and there. But, I never gave up on you Martha! Then yesterday, I could barely get off of each page, one after the other I was captivated - a multitude of houseplants on Martha's front porch, step-by-step directions for faux stone pots and tables, outdoor lighting, the five senses in the garden, daisies, fragrant gardens (I am definitely seeing a different Martha).
The food is really doing me in. How can I possibly cook all of these recipes (I am beginning to feel like Julie from Julie and Julia). In Good Things Martha talks about infusions of herbs, tarragon, lemon verbena, thyme and peppermint and then gives directions how to make a tower of herbs with clay pots. Martha, you are really on a roll - haven't seen you like this in years!
The recipes have got me in a tizzy, braised carrots with feta and parsley, walnut stuffed chicken roulades, a salad with heirloom tomatoes, peaches and ricotta, tangerine and lemon marmalade crepes and she continues on and on ending with a flourless apple pecan torte. I haven't even touched on half of what is in this issue - it's unexplainable, but Martha certainly has gotten her groove back!
Over the past several years, her magazines have been a leaf through, maybe one idea or a recipe here and there. But, I never gave up on you Martha! Then yesterday, I could barely get off of each page, one after the other I was captivated - a multitude of houseplants on Martha's front porch, step-by-step directions for faux stone pots and tables, outdoor lighting, the five senses in the garden, daisies, fragrant gardens (I am definitely seeing a different Martha).
The food is really doing me in. How can I possibly cook all of these recipes (I am beginning to feel like Julie from Julie and Julia). In Good Things Martha talks about infusions of herbs, tarragon, lemon verbena, thyme and peppermint and then gives directions how to make a tower of herbs with clay pots. Martha, you are really on a roll - haven't seen you like this in years!
The recipes have got me in a tizzy, braised carrots with feta and parsley, walnut stuffed chicken roulades, a salad with heirloom tomatoes, peaches and ricotta, tangerine and lemon marmalade crepes and she continues on and on ending with a flourless apple pecan torte. I haven't even touched on half of what is in this issue - it's unexplainable, but Martha certainly has gotten her groove back!
Friday, February 05, 2010
All Season Borders
Borders can be one of the most difficult areas of garden design. They can be straight, curvy, narrow or wide or all of these together. I admit my choice is to have all of these characteristics in a border. For many years I had borders that hugged my home, straight up against the house going all the way around from back to front. My borders were beautiful but only during the month of July. I planted all summer flowering perennials because I did not know how to plan for all season interest,
What is wonderful about gardening is that you are always learning, changing, reinventing. Evergreens and dried grasses add winter interest, structures such as pergolas, arbors, tuteurs and seating are all part of keeping your attention in the colder climates.
Daylilies bloom throughout three seasons, roses bloom three seasons, Rozanne perennial geranium, Max Frei perennial geranium and on and on. Blubs of course are a staple for spring bloom and there are many fall blooming plants. Don't hesitate to put annuals in your border to keep it in continual bloom.
Highs, middles and lows are important in plant selection. Don't be afraid to put a very tall grouping next to a lower grouping, keep the wave going visually with plants, not just sculpting out the border. Use some weavers, those long viney plants that crawl throughout the border. Repeat plants, repeat colors, repeat viney, tall, short, etc. Oh, I could go on forever, but there is always another day to talk about specific plants.
What is wonderful about gardening is that you are always learning, changing, reinventing. Evergreens and dried grasses add winter interest, structures such as pergolas, arbors, tuteurs and seating are all part of keeping your attention in the colder climates.
Daylilies bloom throughout three seasons, roses bloom three seasons, Rozanne perennial geranium, Max Frei perennial geranium and on and on. Blubs of course are a staple for spring bloom and there are many fall blooming plants. Don't hesitate to put annuals in your border to keep it in continual bloom.
Highs, middles and lows are important in plant selection. Don't be afraid to put a very tall grouping next to a lower grouping, keep the wave going visually with plants, not just sculpting out the border. Use some weavers, those long viney plants that crawl throughout the border. Repeat plants, repeat colors, repeat viney, tall, short, etc. Oh, I could go on forever, but there is always another day to talk about specific plants.
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