SMALL SPACE GARDENING - WITH HERBS, Miniature Perennials, 2020 Catalog - Mulberry Creek Herb Farm
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2020 Catalog SMALL SPACE GARDENING WITH HERBS, Miniature Perennials, succulents, & vegetable plants
WELCOME TO OUR 26th SEASON!
WE ARE BENEFICIAL BEAUTIES: expanded & updated
CERTIFIED Our eyes were opened when we walked the flower fields in Michigan on the last
ORGANIC day of the trials. Some flowers were still pumping out blooms & buzzing with bees,
butterflies and a hummingbird or two. We took note of those varieties. Many were
exhausted after having been fed continuous fertilizer with every watering. Their
TABLE OF CONTENTS page “drug” had been cut off at the start of the week and clearly these “addicts” were
Herb Fair News 3 going through withdrawls. Who need flowers that require that much attention?
So, we dropped some of the “addicts,” kept the work horses and moved several
Farm Events & Food Trucks 4
herbs to our beneficial beauty collection like baptisia, bee balms, catmint, echinacea
Plant Sales & Off Farm Sites 5
and ornamental sages, now listed on pages 6 through 9.
Beneficial Beauties 6-9
Herbs 10-33 SMALL SPACE GARDENING:
Miniature Plants Intro 34 The average sized lot in America is around 1/3 of an acre, while a typical lawn takes up 1/4 of an acre.
- Hardy Sun 35-41 Mulberry Creek is dedicated to providing inspiration, education and plants for gardeners who can only
- Hardy Shade 42-47 handle or occupy less than 100 square feet. Small gardens will be displayed throughout the greenhouses,
- Tropical Shade 48-50 featured in our FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEOS, and the stars of our “Small Space Seminars” weekend, (formerly
- Tropical Sun 51-55 the faery fest), April 18th & 19th. Here is a sneak peak, but first, stoke up your creative juices with:
Succulents, Hardy (large) 55 https://empressofdirt.net/gardencontainerideas/
Succulents, Tropical (large) 56-59 40 creative containers including bird cages, chairs, frames, doors, ... but, drain holes are mandatory!
Garden Fruits & Seeds 60
Vegetables 61-63
Windowsill & Patio Gardens
HOURS From the traditional pot of kitchen herbs to the whimsical, just
April 1-July 31 think of the many combinations that you could create on your
Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00-5:00 winter windowsill OR just outside your kitchen door:
Last 2 Sundays in April 1:00-5:00
All Sundays in May 1:00-5:00 - BUTTERFLY BREAKFAST - TASTE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
- EDIBLE FLOWERS - BUBBLY BEVERAGES & COCKTAILS
August & Mondays - Closed - MEDICINAL HERBS - BLUE FLOWERS & FOLIAGE
September-mid December
Thursday-Saturday, 10:00-5:00
Bonsais & Terrariums
mid December-mid March Art and horticulture meet with plants suited to the
open by appointment rigors of bonsai and terrariums. You can enjoy these
gardens, for years, inside and out.
CONFUSED?
Call ahead to be sure
419-433-6126
POT SIZES
- all plants are ready to grow!
- herbs are generally in 4” bio-pots Train & Miniature Landscapes
- vegetables are in 4 packs or 4” pots I hope we can get the outdoor train groomed and
- mini perennials are in 2” plastic pots moving by the April 18th. In any case we can assist
you, step-by-step, in outdoor scenes with not-even-
WE DO NOT SHIP
knee-high trees, shrubs and groundcovers for sunny
- we come to you via plant sales
or shady conditions.
- otherwise try Richters.com
PRICES IN THE CATALOG Succulent & Salad Gardens
- are 90% accurate (a few changes The easiest to grow of all, are succulents which soak in the sunshine and rains
happen between printing & reality) of the summer, then vacation on a winter windowsill. Two season salad gardens
- apply to the herb farm only can start with cilantro, lettuce and Swiss Chard. Keep the chard but replace the
- plant sales are more because of the greens with basil, nasturtiums and container tomatoes, for example.
added time, labor & mega booth fees
WE ACCEPT Square Foot Gardening
- cash, check Succession planting, specific plant varieties and
- V.I.S.A. , carefully planned spacing can provide most of your vegetable and herb
MasterCard, needs for at least a summer of fresh eating, perhaps even some food
Discover preservation.
2
MULBERRY CREEK HERBFARM
PRESENTS A
NEW ORLEANS:
vibrant gardens, food & music
Saturday, June 27th 10:00 - 5:00
Sunday, June 28th 10:00 - 4:00
$5.00 per adult (includes 1 free herb)
Kids under 16 are free
NEW ORLEANS IS
world-renowned for its distinct music, Creole cuisine, unique dialect, not to mention its annual celebrations,
most notably Mardi Gras. The historic heart of the city is the “French Quarter,” known for its French and
Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. Described as the “most unique” in
the United States, in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage, New Orleans was founded in
1718 by French colonists and was once the territorial capital of French Louisiana, before being traded to the
United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
OVER 60 ARTISANS WHO CRAFT WHAT THEY SELL
will be on hand to answer questions about their products and offer unique gifts for birthdays to Christmas.
JOIN US FOR FREE TALKS
We been lucky to have seasoned cooks, herbalists and gardeners share their knowledge freely, under the
garden pavilion. Topics will likely cover Creole cuisine, Southern plants, French home remedies, along with
herb and general garden presentations.
SOUTHERN GARDENS: HANGING BASKETS, ROD IRON FENCES and
vegetable beds brimming with okra, lima beans, peanuts, chile peppers, will highlight our herb fair gardens,
along with black-eyed Susan, oleander, lantana, crape myrtle, milkweed, maidenhair fern and hibscus.
CREOLE, CAJUN, & COMFORT FOOD TRUCKS
Several food trucks will be on hand to satisfy any palette from mild mannered American to sizzlin’ BBQ
GOT AN SUGGESTION FOR THE OFFICIAL FAIR
ICE CREAM FLAVOR?: Email it to mulberrycreek@yahoo.com
GET UPDATES:
CLICK ON THE “EVENTS” TAB @ mulberrycreek.com
3
FARM EVENTS: FOOD TRUCKS:
We get hundreds of requests for classes. Since 2015, we’ve hosted local food trucks
At Mulberry Creek, we offer classes during during weekends in May and our seasonal
most of our events, listed below. Details at events. Serving lunch approximately 11:00 -
https://mulberrycreek.com/Events/ 4:00. Menu subject to change, but close.
April 1st KIEDROWSKI’S BAKERY
OPENING DAY: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1st
New Orleans music (not a food truck)
Free Beignets & Chicory beignets & chicory coffee
in honor or New Orleans
April 18th & 19th herb fair theme
SMALL SPACE
SEMINARS HEAVY G’S FOOD TRUCK
windowsill & patio gardens SATURDAY, APRIL 18th
bonsai gardens lamb gyros, fajitas,
square foot gardening Philly burger, meatball &
miniature landscaping chicken parm wraps;
May 10th GAUCHO & GRINGA
MOTHER’S DAY TOAST SATURDAY, MAY 2nd
herbal beverage and American & Argentinian
a free plant for mom burgers, empanadas,
choripan (bratwurst)
June 13th
NATIVE PLANT SALE: THYME TRAVELLER
featuring the plants of SATURDAY, MAY 9th
Gale Martin, owner of BBQ chicken, lobster tots,
“Natives in Harmony,” veg. pita, green tomato
sand., “Steaker Mayfield”
June 27 & 28th
23rd ANNUAL HERB FAIR MOBILE MOJITO
New Orleans Theme SATURDAY, MAY 16th
American & BBQ food trucks empanadas, beef stew,
60+ artisans & artists rice & beans, pineapple
N’Orleans music, talks, gardens pie, & PARTY MUSIC!
November 21st XTREME CUISINE
SWAGS & SALSA SATURDAY SATURDAY, MAY 23rd
Mark’s door swag class burgers, beef brisket, hot-
Salsa cooking class dogs, paninis, ice cream,
the best shakes ever!
December 5th & 6th
CHRISTKINDLMARKT PIG IN A DIRNDL
indoor artisan market DECEMBER 5th & 6th
gingerbread & lebkuchen brats, sauerkraut, spatzle,
glühwein & sausage cabbage, chicken paprikash,
christmas gift workshops shredded pork, strudel
4
PLANT SALES off farm: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
April 4th & 5th
E LLE&DSUCCULENT
(10:00 - 5:00 & 12-5:00) As I write, COVID-19 is impacting busineses. Our
MIDWEST N C
CACTUS SHOW first two plant sales were shut down and we assume
CAOH
Cleveland, www.cbgarden.org the rest will follow suit. THE BENEFITS & BOUNTY OF
GARDENING IS PRECISELY WHAT WE NEED NOW.
April 25th & 26th (10:00 - 4:00 both days)
We prefer face to face commerce. Our staff can give
MILL HOLLOW RESERVATION HERB SALE you instructions about every plant we offer. But when
Vermilion, OH www.metroparks.cc/events.php
carpooling is not an option and the plant sales aren’t
available, we can deliver plants to your local favorite
May 8th & 9th (9:30 - 7:00 & 9:30 - 5:00) garden center.
PHIPPS CONSERVATORY MAY MARKET
Pittsburgh, PA www.phipps.conservatory.org PLEASE ASK THEM TO CARRY MULBERRY CREEK HERBS
PERENNIALS & VEGETABLES, the only certified organic
May 15th - 17th (12-6:00, 10-4:00 & 10-4:00) collection available. Already, many of our garden
HOLDEN ARBORETUM PLANT SALE center partners have gone out of business.
Kirtland, OH www.holdenarb.org
Here is what’s left. Check mulberrycreek.com for up
August 14th - 16th (12-5:00, 9-5:00 & 9-5:00) dates as we add wholesale customers to our list.
MID-AMERICA BONSAI SOCIETY SALE
Chicago, IL www.midwestbonsai.org BERRY’S BLOOMS Medina
BOYERTS Medina
September 12th & 13th (9:00 -5:00) & (9:00 - 4:00) DAYS OF YORE Wellington
LAKEWOOD GARDEN CENTER Lakewood
7th US NATIONAL BONSAI EXHIBITION
Rochester, NY www.usnationalbonsai.com MUSTARD SEED MARKET & CAFE 2 in Akron
See mulberrycreek.com for far updates
Symbols:
Common Name: Hardiness:
Annual- lives one year or less; may re-seed BONSAI
We want to entice gardeners from 2 to 102. SPECIMEN OR
We think common names are less intimidating. Tender Perennial- overwinter indoors
Biennial- foliage 1st year; seeds the 2nd; dies COMPANION
Hardy Perennial- should last outdoors 5-7 years
Botanical name: Nothing listed?- refer to section title ex: “hardy sun”
BEES, BUTTER-
If you are seeking a specific FLIES and/or
plant, botanical names
don’t let you down. The
Sage, Mexican All-Purple $3.99 “HUMMERS”
Salvia leucantha ‘All-Purple’ Tender Perennial
first word (or genus) is Full Sun 4 - 5 x 5 feet Cut, Hummingbird
capitalized and the second Rises to 5 feet tall by August, when, fuzzy, blue spikes appear. DEER PROOF:
(species) is not. Often a Cut stems back 1/3 in June and July to promote more branching, though deer
third or more word appears flowering and compact height. Is an important pollen source can’t read this
in ‘single’ quotes. That is for bees and butterflies in the fall.
the cultivar.
NOT PRICKLY,
NO GLOVES
Height x Width: NEEDED
This is the approximate height & width
Light Requirements: you can expect for Northern Ohio at
When 2 ratings are listed, shoot for the maturity. Merely a spacing guide. TOLERATES A
first one. (Plant tolerates the second). STRAWBERRY
Example: “12 x 18 inches”= JAR POT
Full Sun or P. Sun (Part Sun)= 12” high and 18” wide in 5 or so years
plant likes afternoon sun
P. Shade (Part Shade) or Shade= Uses:
plant can only handle morning sun Offers just a few broad, popular uses for that plant but MAY REPEL
afternoon sun will likely burn it! is by no means the only ways you can utilize these plants. MOSQUITOES
5
c Beneficial Beauties d
We have tough standards. Some bloom all summer, others are seasonal, but none require an intravenous drip of blue liquid fertilizer to look
nice all summer. Notice we snitched plants from our herb section, because these are the top bee, butterfly, hummingbird attractors.
NEW! Asystasia, You’re So Vein $5.99 Bee Balm, Balmy Pink $4.49
Asystasia gangetica ‘You’re So Vein’ Tender Perennial Monarda didyma ‘Balbalmink Pink’ Hardy Perennial
P-Shade-P.Sun 1 X 1 Foot Butterfly, Basket, Terrarium Sun- P. Sun 15 x 12 inches Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds,
Unique, ruffled and puckered bright green leaves veined in bright white Butterflies, hummingbirds and other beneficial pollinators flock to the
sprawl over the ground, producing numerous 1 inch lavender-purple, white bright pink flowers atop a whirl of bracts that appear to burst out of the
throated trumpet-shaped flowers. It thrives in sun or partial shade and can globes from late spring to summer. Luckily the deer and rabbits do not.
tolerant dry conditions, heat, humidity, salty air, and poor nutrient soils.
Bee Balm, Balmy Purple $4.49
Baptisia $4.49 Monarda didyma ‘Balbalmurp Purple’ Hardy Perennial
Baptisia australis Hardy Perennial Sun- P. Sun 15 x 12 inches Bees, Butterflies
Full Sun 3 x 3 feet Ornamental, Butterfly
Vibrant reddish purple, shaggy flowers rest above
True blue, June flowers form on this, among the oldest this compact plant of very dark green, fragrant minty
known perennials. We pop the juicy flowers in our mouths basil-scented foliage. Create an eye-catching display of
for a fresh pea fix, though one individual I know, over- color in sunny borders with mass plantings, or use in
indulged in the buds and ended up with a minor belly ache. containers and beds. Resists powdery milde
Bold, contrasting foliage turns purple after a freeze.
Baptisia is a nitrogen fixing plant-that’s free fertilizer!
Bee Balm, Jacob Cline $3.99
Monarda didyma ‘Jacob Cline’ Hardy Perennial
Baptisia, White $4.49 Sun- P. Sun 2.5 x 2 feet Containers, Teas, Medicinal
Baptisia australis ‘alba’ Hardy Perennial
Choose this for its true RED flowers, extra mildew resistance, vigor and all
Full Sun 4 x 3 feet Ornamental, Butterfly the other attractive qualities. Even though they attract ever bee, butterfly
White flowering panicles rise above these towering giants, waving like a and hummingbird around, their spicy leaves & flowers produce nice teas.
flag, for butterflies to come hither. Native American traditional uses point
to its “false or wild indigo” common name as source of blue dye, but it’s c BUTTERFLYWEED & MILKWEED d
also used as an eyewash, tea, and poultice to relieve tooth pain.
Bloodflower or Tropical Milkweed $3.99
Baptisia, Yellow $4.49 Asclepias curassavica Tender Perennial
Baptisia viridis’ Hardy Perennial Full Sun 2 - 3 x 2 feet Butterfly
Full Sun 3 x 3 feet Ornamental, Butterfly
Orange and red star flowers in 4” clusters are
Brilliant yellow flowers burst on the scene in June exhibiting perhaps the vital to Monarch butterflies all summer. Collect the
most enticing color and providing a “McDonald’s” for “Wild Indigo Dusky- milkweed pods to sow next spring, as it’s not hardy.
wing, Silver-Spotted Skippers and Hoary Edge Butterflies.”
Butterflyweed ‘Ice Ballet’ $3.99
Begonia Bossa Nova Pink Glow $5.99 Asclepias incarnata ‘Ice Ballet’ Hardy Perennial
Begonia boliviensis Tender Perennial
Full Sun Only 3 x 1 feet Monarch Butterfly
P. Shade - Full Sun 14 x 20 inches Baskets, Containers
Native to wet meadows and swamps, it grows very
Luminescent deep rose, bell-shaped, flowers cascade (like fuchsias) well in draining soils. The foliage emerges slowly each
continuously, from late spring to fall frost, smothering green, rose washed spring. Its deep tap roots prefer not to be disturbed once
foliage. Dig up the tubers just before frost for more baskets next year. established. Mildly fragrant, white flowers are followed by
lovely 4” seed pods.
Begonia Bossa Nova White $5.99
Begonia boliviensis Tender Perennial
P. Shade - Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Baskets
Butterflyweed / Pleurisy Root $4.99
Asclepias tuberosa Hardy Perennial
Masses of slender white blossoms dangle on Full Sun 1 - 2 x 1 feet Butterfly, Medicinal
soft, coral-pink stems, late spring to fall, amid lush,
Give yourself and Monarchs a bright orange, hardy, medicinal perennial.
green, arrow-shaped leaves. Heat and drought Powdered roots make a mean expectorant. Once established, don’t move!
tolerant. Before a fall frost, dig up the tubers,
store in a cool dry place and start over next year! Swamp Milkweed ‘Cinderella’ $3.99
Asclepias incarnata ‘Cinerella or Carmine Rose Hardy Perennial
deadhead /ˈdedhed/ verb Full Sun Only 3 x 1 feet Monarch Butterfly
Most annuals and many perennials will continue to bloom True milkweed can be downright invasive so we lean toward these vanilla
throughout the growing season if they are regularly deadheaded, scented, carmine rose-colored flowers for our butterfly sirens. Native Amer-
that is, the removal of faded or dead flowers from plants. Dead- icans used the roots for a healing bath. As the name suggests, it prefers
heading is generally done both to maintain a plant’s appearance moist, wet soils but is also tolerant of clay. Everyone adores them but the
and to improve its overall performance. deer.
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NEW! Candy Kisses $5.99 Heliotrope, Fragrant Blue $5.99
Syncolostemon X “Candy Kisses’ Tender Perennial Heliotropium arborescens Tender Perennial
P. Sun-P.Shade 2 X 1 Foot Butterfly Full Sun 2 x 2 feet Fragrance, Beneficials
This Australian native produces small brightly Everyone seems inherently drawn to the flowers,
colored variegated green and white leaves with
ready to inhale. Old-fashioned heliotrope was
dark purple stems. Summer long sprays of pink
flowers are continuous when deadheaded. known as the “cherry pie plant” for its rich, sweet,
dessert fragrance. Yes, it’s loaded with purple, long
season bee attracting blooms that you’ll remember,
Catmint, Creeping $3.99 well after summer’s end.
Nepeta mussini (faassenii) Hardy Perennial
Full Sun - P. Sun 1 x 2 feet Ornamental, Bees, Rock Garden
So hardy, so easy to maintain! Small, white-gray, fine toothed leaves
Lantana, Bandana Cherry Sunrise $5.99
form a natural mound, covered with blue flowers in June and occasionally Lantana camara Tender Perennial
Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Basket, Butterfly
fall. Although stronger and more pleasantly fragrant than common catnip,
it doesn’t attract the neighborhood cats, so it remains untouched. Plant We walked trial gardens in Michigan and this
several together in rock gardens for massive oceans of soft blue. was my favorite. Lantanas thrive on neglect,
putting up with drought, heat and less than
ideal soils. Violet, yellow and orange flower
Catmint, Six Hills Giant $3.99 clusters do not require deadheading to keep
Nepeta x ‘Six Hills Giant’ Hardy Perennial
blooming and attracting butterflies all summer.
Full Sun - P. Sun 2-1/2 x 5 feet Border, Bees
LANTANAS MAY NOT BE PET FRIENDLY.
This is “Creeping Catmint” on steroids! Tall mounds of sky blue flowers,
make a dramatic show planted among delphiniums, foxgloves and other
spikes. NEW! Lantana, Lemon Zest $5.99
Lantana ‘Bandana Lemon Zest’ Tender Perennial
Cardinal Vine $3.99 Full Sun 15 x 15 inches
Lantanas exceed our standards for thriving
Butterfly, Mixed Container
Ipomoea sloteri Annual Vine
under adverse conditions with a fair amount of
Full Sun - P. Sun 10 x 1 feet Ornamental, Bees, Rock Garden
neglect. Fragrant, though not lemon scented,
From mid summer to fall frost, true cardinal red, tubular flowers with
bright yellow flowers attract hummingbirds and
white or yellow throats flutter above a graceful, airy vine (related to morn-
butterflies.
ing glory) reaching for anything it can grab. Big favorites of hummingbirds
and other pollinators. Be aware that according to the
Humane Society of America, Lantana
c ECHINACEA d leaves may be toxic to animals.
$3.99
All are ornamental, medicinal, NEW! Lantana, Mango $5.99
butterfly friendly, and hardy. Lantana X ‘ Bandana Mango’ Tender Perennial
All love full sun and sandy loam. Full Sun 15 x 15 inches Butterfly, Baskets
Mango boasts the biggest blooms, brightest
colors (all summer) in the widest range of colors.
Echinacea, Paradox These mounded upright habits bask in the sun
Echinacea paradoxa var. paradoxa which is exactly where the butterflies like to be.
3 x 2 feet
Yes it is a yellow “Purple Coneflower.” Melampodium Golden Globe $3.99
Melampodium X Golden Globe Annual
Echinacea, Pastel Purple Sun - P. Shade 8 x 12 inches Containers, Deer Resistant
Echinacea pallida Bathed in sunny, yellow daisies, spring to fall,
2 - 4 x 2 feet these mounds of joy are tolerant of heat and
Pale, pink, droopy, narrow flower petals, shade, and do not need to be deadheaded for
leaves & roots are medicinally potent. Echinacea, Purple continuous blooming. Butterflies, bees and other
pollinators know this by its common names
Echinacea, Purple or Purple Coneflower “Butter Daisy or Gold Medallion Flower.” Deers
Echinacea purpurea just say go on to yummy entrees.
2 - 3 x 2 feet
This native, multi-talented, natural beauty is the quintessential herb and
our company’s logo! Ask Mark about his cold and flu preventing tincture. NEW! Plectranthus, Dwarf Variegated $5.99
Plectranthus neochilus’Nana Variegated Tender Perennial
Echinacea, Tennessee Sun - P. Shade 1 X 1 Foot Butterfly, Mixed Container
Echinacea tennesseensis 3 - 4 x 2 feet Also known as “Variegated Vicks Plant” for its minty aroma emitted
It displays smaller flowers than other coneflowers, but the petals on this from its velvety, green & white edged leaves. Purple blooms are perfect
variety turn upright and are darker purple, rather than droopy and washed for hanging baskets. Though drought tolerant, water deeply but only
out. In most every butterfly collection, these echinaceas are the foundation. when the soil is dry. Save a sunny window for its winter home.
7
NEW! Sage, Hot Lips $4.99
c Attracting Hummingbirds d Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ Tender Perennial
Full Sun 3-1/2 x 2-1/2 feet Hummingbird
Perhaps the best place for a hummingbird feeder is hanging Delicate red and white, nectar rich blooms put
from a gutter, awning, or gazebo where the feeder sparkles but is on a stunning show throughout summer. Some
still shaded during the hottest part of the day. Siting within 10 to flowers will bloom in a solid red color, attracting
12 feet of a protective cover that provides shelter and perches to bees and hummingbirds, or they may be solid
give hummingbirds an easy, safe place to rest is also a good idea. white at times.
Here are a few other brightly colored, tubular flowers, other
than these sages, that attract hummers: perennial bee balms, Sage, Mexican All-Purple $3.99
columbines, daylilies, and lupines; biennials such as foxgloves and Salvia leucantha ‘All-Purple’ Tender Perennial
hollyhocks; and many annuals, including cleomes & impatiens. Full Sun 4 - 5 x 5 feet Cut, Hummingbird
Rises to 5 feet tall by August, when, fuzzy, blue
spikes appear. Cut stems back 1/3 in June and
c ORNAMENTAL SAGES $3.99 d July to promote more branching, flowering and
compact height. Is an important pollen source
As a member of the Lamiaceae family, along with basil, mint,
for bees and butterflies in the fall.
rosemary, savory, marjoram, oregano, hyssop, thyme, and lavender,
sage lists about 800 members in its immediate (Salvia) genus,
most of which are ornamental like the following selections below. NEW! Sage, Mirage Neon Rose 3.99
Consider this key: Salvia greggii Tender Perennial
Full Sun - P. Sun 13 X 15 inches Butterfly, Mixed Container
Full Sun Most are Tender Perennial Heat & Drought Tolerant
Attractive to bees, butterflies and especially hummingbirds Intense rose pink blooms send out the invites
for the neigborhood hummingbirds. This tidy
compact plant attracts makes an excellent
Sage, Big Blue $4.99 container plant or edging and requires less
Salvia longispicata x farinacea Tender Perennial maintenance than some of it’s larger cousins.
Full Sun 30 x 20 inches Lovely Hummingbird Magnet
Vigorous plants send up breathtaking blooms,
even in part shade. First of its kind from seed,
it’s a generous host to hummingbirds, bees and Sage, Silver $3.99
butterflies. It possesses robust, heat & drought Salvia argentea Tender Perennial
growth but does not demand deadheading. Full Sun 3 x 3 feet Bees, Ornamental
Selected originally for its BIG blooms and height A pillow of cuddly, plump silver foliage
along with a big benefits package. cradles elegant, lovely white spires that flag
down the local bees. Glistens with a full
Sage, Black & Blue $4.99 moon, inviting your eye sand your body to
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black & Blue’ Tender Perennial pause. (SEE PAGE 15 FOR SILVER GARDEN
Full Sun 3 x 3 feet Cottage Gardens PLANT IDEAS.)
Gorgeous cobalt blue with black blooms emerge
from black whorls along the tall flower spikes, rising
from lush, green, aromatic foliage. Adds a dark, Sage, Sinaloa Blue $3.99
dramatic contrast to any garden and saves on the Salvia sinaloensis Tender Perennial
water bill. P. Sun-Sun 14 x 14 inches
Butterflies, Rare Blue Flower Ornamental
Sage, Clary Sage $3.99 Cobalt blue flowers hover over bronzy red
Salvia sclarea Biennial Perennial foliage which can be more green with shadier
Full Sun 3 x 2 feet Ornamental, Female Medicinal condition. This close-up must be what it looks
Make room for this magic medicinal that soothes eye to menopause ail- to the butterfly and hummingbird population.
ments. You can work around its intolerance of high heat and humidity with
a layer of stone at the base. Enjoy the purple, pink and white whorls, then
cut flower stalks prior to seed being set, in order to coax a third year from
Sweet Potato Vines $4.49
Ipomoea batatas Annual
this biennial plant.
P. Sun - Sun 3 x 3 feet Butterfly
Sun or shade, heat or humidity, hang-
NEW! Sage, Clary Sage, Vatican Pink $3.99 ing baskets or luscious groundcover, these
sclarea var. turkestanica ‘Vatican Pink’ Biennial Perennial
bright green and deep purple ornamental
Full Sun 2 x 2 feet Ornamental, Medicinal
varieties are not picky though. Grown in
Please deadhead the statuesque, large white-pink bracts for encores. the sun, the colors are brighter and they
The grey green, aromatic foliage is valuable for freshening the eyes, treating
need more water. In the shade they may
kidney and stomach ailments, and interestingly, alleged to slow the aging
green up a bit, but aren’t as thirsty.
process. Can even add it to omelettes and stews if you are adventurous.
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Verbena, Butterfly $3.99
c Butterfly Gardening d Verbena bonariensis
Full Sun 3 x 3 feet
Annual
Butterfly
Pinkish-purple blossoms sway on top 3 feet,
BUTTERFLIES NEED HOST & NECTAR PLANTS slender stems, attracting the eye and horn of many
Butterflies lay their eggs on plants. These plants are called host drivers. It’s a natural cut flower which lures any
plants. When the caterpillar hatches from its egg it will feed on its butterfly in the neighborhood. Warning: it’s a self-
host plant. Some butterflies use only one kind of plant as a host sowing annual which happens to be fine with us.
whereas others use several to many different species. Use bark or other mulch where you don’t want it
to produce a bunch of babies next spring.
CATERPILLARS HOST PLANTS FAVORITES INCLUDE:
- herbs like asclepias (butterfly or milkweeds),
baptisia, citrus, dill, echinacea, fennel, hops,
Verbena, Homestead Purple $3.99
Verbena canadensis Annual
nasturtiums, parsley, rue and verbena
Full Sun 12 x 36 inches Ornamental, Butterfly, Bees
- also flowers such as aster, black-eyed susan
- grasses like little bluestem and orchard grass Attractive to bees, hummingbirds and butterflies, but not deer, this
- shrubs such as spicebush blooming machine of large, rich, velvety purple flowers perform from May
- vines such as passion flower and pipevine through the summer until frost. Choose it for the low-maintenance garden
- trees like aspen, elm, flowering dogwood, but be sure to allow plenty of room. Just look at our display in 1998 at the
pawpaw, prickly ash, sassafras, sweet bay bottom of the page!
magnolia, and willow
Adult butterflies feed on flower nectar and are not as specific
about nectar plants as they are host plants. Butterflies are attract-
ed to solid masses of color, flower fragrance, and flower shape.
BUTTERFLIES NEED THE NECTAR FROM:
- herbs such as bee balms, butterfly bush,
bloodflower or butterflyweed, catnip, chives,
echinacea, lavender, mint, oregano, sage,
verbena and thyme
- flowers like aster, black-eyed susan, liatris,
cardinal flower, coreopsis, cosmos, lantana
mexican sunflowers, petunia. sunflower,
violet, sedum and zinnia
- shrubs like butterfly bush
- vines such as passion flower
- trees like chaste tree & flowering dogwood
EXCELLENT REFERENCES:
gardenswithwings.com prairiemoon.com
americanmeadows.com OSU Extension 2 year old Ben on “Homestead Purple Verbena” is now 24!
prairienursery.com Holden Arboretum
c Attracting Bees d Zinnia, Double Yellow $3.99
Zinnia angustifolia Annual
WHAT CAN GARDENERS DO TO ATTRACT BEES?
Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Butterfly
1. Grow a variety of early to late season bloomers like borage, cat-
nip, feverfew, hyssop, lavender, mint, oregano, sages & thyme. Zinnias are easier to grow now, with an all
summer bloom despite heat, humidity and
2. Grow natives which often provide more pollen than hybrids.
drought. No deadheading required. Hundreds of
3. Provide nesting sites like brush piles, dead standing trees and
2” golden blooms flag down the butterflies.
clumping grasses.
4. Provide a water source for thirsty pollinators, especially in the
heat of summer. A shallow bowl or birdbath provides sufficient Zinnia, Profusion White $3.99
water. A few sticks placed in the bowl will provide a place for Zinnia angustifolia Annual
bees to land and perch, preventing drowning. Mud puddles Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Butterfly
can work too. This tough, resistant, spring to fall white
5. Limit pesticide use in the garden. blooming zinnia only asks that you give it room.
6. Develop a tolerance for “weeds” like: dandelions, milkweed, Just planting them a foot from their neighbor is
goldenrod and clover. enough to shoo away mildew. Well worth
7. Find out more: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/ENT-47 growing for the butterflies.
9
c Herbs & Magical Companion Plants d
Enjoy them all, for their edible leaves or flowers, healing or comfort, crafting or sheer beauty.
c AGASTACHE or ANISE HYSSOPS $3.99 d Angelica $3.99
Angelica archangelica Hardy Perennial
Better than a box of “Skittles,” agastaches come in assorted flavors: Shade 4 - 6 feet Culinary, Ornamental, Butterfly
anise, apricot, lemony mint and even root beer in a range of colors. Need a tropical, bold, 6 feet giant for a wet, shaded area? Stems are
Sun - P. Shade Drought Resistant Attract Bees, Butterfly, & Hummingbirds candied, added in slivers to your favorite rhubarb recipe, minced for jams
or simply eaten like asparagus. Leaves flavor pork, fish, cooked fruits and
Agastache or Anise Hyssop soups. Creamy yellow flowers produce long lasting seed heads followed by
Agastache foeniculum Hardy Perennial the death of the mother plant shortly thereafter. Seeds add a sweet, deli-
3 x 2 feet Hummingbirds, Culinary cate, anise flavor to stews and liqueurs.
Get comfortable. Got your cup of tea? Let’s begin.
Lavender purple spikes, July through September, Angelica, Korean $4.49
are cut fresh for flower arrangements or dried, Angelica gigas Hardy Perennial
while anise flavored leaves and flowers make a Shade 3 feet
refreshing summer tea. Easily grown hardy Chinese Medicinal, Ornamental, Butterfly
perennial, but, reseeds if flowers are not Dramatic, large foliage reigns in the
removed quickly, which can be a good shade, as 3 feet stalks balance base
thing. Tolerates partial shade. ball-sized purple clusters in 2-3 years.
I suggest you remove the flowers
during their glory to prevent this herb’s
demise or the birth of 100 more. This
“Dong Quai” herb stars in Chinese tea
and is a famous female medicinal.
c BASILS $3.99 d
Agastache Apricot Sprite Adored by butterflies, NOT mosquitoes!
Agastache aurantiaca Great in 12” or larger pots with other herbs
Half-Hardy Perennial
2 x 1 feet Culinary, Tea, Bees
Try this for your next salad: mixed Basil, African Blue
greens, ripe nectarines (or mandarin Ocimum x ‘African Blue’ Tender Perennial
oranges), toasted walnuts, “Purple Ruffles Sun - P. Shade 3 x 2 feet Culinary, Ornamental
Basil” and these subtle citrus/anise, bright Give it room to transform into a mound of dark
orange and yellow flowers. Dress with a green leaves with purple veins & flower spikes.
fruity viniagrette. Not only tasty, there’s Had it served with a pork tenderloin opened
silver foliage and slender height to admire. eyes- it is edible! Best basil indoors come fall.
Add extra color to the herb garden or even
large mixed containers. Basil, African Blue,Variegated
Ocimum x ‘Variegated African Blue’
Tender Perennial Sun - P. Sun
3 x 2-1/2 feet Culinary, Ornamental
Agastache, Sangria Claude Monet might have wept upon see
Agastache mexicana
2 - 4 feet Culinary Flowers, Beverages ing its pastel palette of white, lime and dark
green, splashed leaves. Almost as vigorous
Guilt free candy straight from the garden.
as “African Blue” with a milder flavor. Lovely
Our staff could not resist popping pink
in the herb garden. Begin by adding small
petals of sweet lemon-mint into their
amounts to meats, stews, corn and beans.
mouths when they bloomed for the first
time. Imagine pink confetti over melons
or the lemony leaves in your child’s tea. NEW! Basil, Amethyst
NOTE: SANGRIA PICTURED LEFT. Ocimum basilicum Annual
Full Sun 2 x 2 feet Culinary, Topiary
Agastache, Sunset Sweet Genovese-type with 3 inch stunning,
nearly black leaves for dramatic soups & salads!
Agastache rupestris
2 - 4 feet Hummingbirds, Edible Flowers
This hardy perennial is also known as Basil, Aussie Sweetie
“Root beer Hyssop,” for its subtle, sweet, Ocimum x citriodora ‘Aussie Sweetie’ Tender Perennial
sassafras flavor. Apricot-pink flowers Full Sun 3 - 4 x 1 feet Culinary, Topiary
spend the summer above finely cut gray Susan Belsinger describes it as “One of the most complex basil aromas and
foliage. That is, until you snip them to jazz the strongest. The first sniff is loaded with cinnamon and has a background
up fizzly beverages or sprinkle over fresh, of allspice & cloves. Pumpkin Pie spice comes to mind.” Add to peppers and
sliced peaches and ice cream. anything Italian. Makes an amazing 3’, non-flowering topiary in one season.
10Basil, Piccolino
c BASILS $3.99 d Ocimum basilicum Annual
1. Basil loves warm soil. Buy early, transplant into a gallon pot. Full Sun 7 x 7 inches Culinary, Containers
Patiently wait until Memorial Day to plant outside in ground. Genuine spicy, sweet Greek basil flavor comes in a neat, boxwood-like
2. Annuals (live 1 year) vs Tender Perennials (overwinter indoors) mound packed with 1/2” long leaves. Forget the chopping! Small, flavorful
3. Add nitrogen to your soil at planting to delay flowering and seed leaves make convenient garnishes and are easily clipped from the plant and
production, crucial for annual basils that love to flower. sprinkled over dishes. Put in a patio container outside your kitchen with
4. Best fresh. Or “food processor” leaves with olive oil. Pour slurry thyme and chives.
into ice cube tray. Freeze. Store cubes in freezer in containers.
5. Keep flowers & leaves clipped and use in tomato soup, sweet Basil, Pesto Perpetuo
corn, Italian sauces, garlic bread, poultry dishes, even ice cream. Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Ruffles’ Annual
Sun 18 x18 inches Culinary, Ornamental
Basil, Cinnamon No flowers, just tons of rich, smoky basil
Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’ Annual flavor for endless batches of pesto and drizzles
Full Sun 1 x 1-1/2 feet Culinary, Ornamental of basil oil over pasta. Add chopped basil to
Red veined, green leaves and purple stems plus flowers from pink to olive oil, store in refrigerator and use it up in a
purple, create such beauty, we’d grow it even if it didn’t flavor fruit, pan- week. Windowsill herb oils are not considered safe.
cake syrup, and beef. Don’t be fooled by imposters. Not all cinnamon basils
are created equal. Basil, Purple Ruffles
Ocimum basilicum ‘Purple Ruffles’ Annual
NEW! Basil, Dolce Fresca Sun 2 x 1-1/2 feet Culinary, Ornamental
Ocimum basilicum Annual Large purple leaves with ruffled edges and pink
Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Culinary, Patio Containers flowers create this striking, pleasantly mild, (so
Grew this for Western Reserve Society and fell in love with its healthy, add generously) basil touch to vibrant salads.
fragrant, bushy Genovese-type basil. Critics agree as it was a 2015 All Create a bold display with gold sweet potato
America Selection. vine, and bronze fennel if you have the room.
Basil, Holy or Tulsi Basil, Red Genovese
Ocimum sanctum Annual Ocimum basilicum ‘Genovese Freddy’ Annual
Sun 1 x 1-1/2 feet Medicinal, Culinary, Ornamental Full Sun 21 x 18 inches Culinary
India’s most sacred basil is steeped in the Ayurvedic tradition, and is used “Red Freddy” is the first red-leaved basil with authentic, genovese basil
to adapt to stress, lower cholesterol, provide pain relief, and boost the flavor. Large, deep red, fragrant leaves are just a pluck away from gorgeous
immune system. Filled with antioxidants, it also livens up pork and rice too. pesto. Plants are slow to flower (that gives you more time to harvest) and
benefit from pruning, to promote branching, higher yields and better flavor.
Basil, Lemon Meringue
Ocimum citriodora ‘Lemon Meringue’ Annual RUTGERS SERIES:
Full Sun 2 x 2 feet Culinary, Containers Years ago, downy mildew hit basils, particularly the beloved Italian
Somehow, this basil self seeded, right next to my kitchen window, in a and other annual basils. World renowned Rutgers University, devel-
5” layer of mulch, after a fierce winter. It has exceeded any lemon basil oped these varieties, with all the flavor plus disease resistant super
we have raised for robust growth, large leaves and lemon flavor. When you powers beyond downy mildew.
indulge in a sweet recipe, first infuse these leaves overnight, in any liquid
you might add. We will still offer “Mrs. Burn’s Lemon” for those loyal to it. NEW! Basil, Rutgers Devotion
Ocimum basilicum Annual
Basil, Lime Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Culinary, Ornamental
Ocimum citriodora or O. basilicum ‘Lime’ Annual This is the spicy, ruffled genovese-type, healthy and just as flavorful!
Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Culinary
Lime basil has a particularly potent flavor that even increases with NEW! Basil, Rutgers Obsession
freezing, a great way to preserve basil. “De-flowerering” is helpful for Ocimum basilicum Annual
herbs, but vital to citrus basils. Prevent premature death. Eat the flowers. Full Sun 16 x 18 inches Culinary, Ornamental
Here’s a compact, dark green, glossy “Italian Large Leaf” basil-type.
Basil, Mini Purple
O. basilicum ‘Minimum Pur. Well Sweep’ Tender Perennial Basil, Sweet Genovese, Eleonora
Full Sun 7 x 7 inches Culinary, Ornamental Ocimum basilicum Annual
Simply crumble the tiny, purple leaves over pizza, salads or fish. Flowers Full Sun 18 x 18 inches Culinary, Containers
are delayed so you have time. Introduced by Cyrus Hyde at “Well-Sweep Remains the queen of all full, Italian flavored basils and the easiest
Herb Farm.” Genovese to grow. Harvest weekly, in its prime, to keep the young leaves,
which are the most flavorful, coming. I can smell the basil butter over sweet
Basil, Pepper corn right now!
Ocimum selloi Tender Perennial
P. Sun - P. Shade 2 x 2 feet Culinary, Ornamental Basil, Sweet Thai
Sturdy, polished, green, bell pepper and basil flavored leaves are more Ocimum basilicum ‘Sweet Thai’ Annual
tender and delicious, grown in filtered sunlight to afternoon shade. Red- Full Sun 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 feet Culinary
dish-pink flowers never stop, but, don’t diminish the flavor either. Tolerates With purple stems & blooms, at first glance, it might look like “Cinnamon
cool temps and the indoors next fall. See “Pepper Basil” in the “Herb Basil,” but its 2 inch green leaves are distinctly spicy, with anise and clove
Companion’s” Feb/March 2004 issue. tones. Essential in Thai & Vietnamese cooking, beef, salsa and spring rolls.
11Bay Leaf $5.49 Celery, Amsterdam Cutting $3.99
Laurus nobilis Tender Perennial Apium graveolens Biennial
Full Sun 5+ x 5 feet Moth Repellent Full Sun 1 x 1 foot Culinary
How many of you are guilty of harboring Celery substitute, but MUCH easier to grow; No blanching required. Also
dried up, ancient bay leaves? Leaves lose 50% known as “Love Straw” for its hollow stalks, which are perfect for sipping
of their flavor in just 6 months. Reward your- delightful tomato drinks and “Bloody Marys,” during our down time. (Down
self with sweet, fresh leaves. The difference is time? Just kidding. Valerian tea is what we should be sipping now and
amazing! Fresh bay adds full flavor to stews, again.) Stalks and leaves can be substituted whenever celery is needed.
sauerkraut, beef, pork and, coupled with red
wine, is the secret to terrific spaghetti sauce. Celery, Par-cel $3.99
Grow directly in ground for maximum growth. Apium graveolens Biennial
Dig up and repot in fall for an ideal houseplant. Full Sun 1 x 1 foot Culinary
Think celery flavor with a touch of parsley, no stalks, just tender foliage.
Borage, Blue or White $3.99 Plant next to the back door to harvest regularly for soups, sauces or anytime
Borago officinalis Annual you don’t have celery stalks or parsley sprigs handy. Compared to growing
Full Sun 1 - 2 x 3 feet Culinary, Borders, Bees stalked celery in the garden, this is a piece of cake, no blanching required.
Need a quick cucumber substitute? Make space for a summer display of
periwinkle or white star-shaped flowers. Harvest just opened blooms and Chamomile, German Zloty $3.99
young, non-prickly leaves, for cool salads or “V-8” drinks. Borage was used Matricaria recutita (chamomila) Annual
to “cheer up the sad” and an integral part of summer solstice celebrations. Full Sun 1-1/2 x 2 feet Tea, Medicinal
Harvest is easier with larger flowers and heavier yields. Pluck entire
Calamint, Alpine $3.99 flowers. Dry on a horizontal window screen. After two to three days, place
Calamintha nepeta var. nepeta Hardy Perennial a tray, under a screen and rub flowers. Only white petals and yellow centers
Sun - P. Shade 1 x 1 foot Culinary, Faery, Landscape should fall through to tray. Stem and green caps may aid in digestion, but
Definition of the ideal perennial: low maintenance, no dead heading are usually too bitter for Americans’ palettes. We make a tea using one tea-
with a perfect mound of delicate, sweet, lilac-blue flowers from June until spoon dried herb per one cup simmered water for the occasional insomnia.
after a fall freeze. Foliage has minty fragrance, but it doesn’t trespass. I
consider it an essential faery garden plant that chefs call “Nepetinella.” Chamomile, Roman Double $3.99
Chamaemelum nobile ‘Flore Pleno’ Hardy Perennial
Calendula, Alpha $3.99 Full Sun 1-1/2 x 2 feet Tea, Medicinal, Beneficials
Calendula officinalis ‘Alpha’ Annual Drought tolerant, deer resistant, takes light foot traffic, accents rock
Full Sun 2 x 2 feet Medicinal, Cosmetic, Cutflower gardens,.... it does everything but make a good cup of tea. I prefer “German
Clear, bright blooms are easy to see but its chemistry suggests a high resin Chamomile.” This aromatic, dainty, double white flowering herb makes for
content, so admire it or infuse in oil for a healing skin preparation. There an exceptional, all summer-blooming, lawn substitute or groundcover.
are many medicinal uses as well.
Chervil, Brussels Winter $3.99
Cardamom $4.99 Anthriscus cerefolium ‘Brussels Winter’ Annual
Elettaria cardamomum Tender Perennial Sun - P. Sun 1 - 2 x 2 feet Culinary, Butterfly
Shade 3 - 5 x 3 feet Culinary This European variety is larger and slower to bolt than ordinary chervil.
This tropical is the source of the very expensive cardamom seed. It must Use fresh or frozen leaves in salads, soups, fish, white sauce and quiche,
reach mature height to flower and set seed, so plant it outside in May for ideally fresh or cooked less than five minutes. Start in early spring with
growth, then enjoy the spicy, fragrant foliage, indoors, from September lettuce since it’ll bolt into flowers with summer heat. Collect seed and plant
through April. Cardamom is an easy houseplant since it’s hard to overwater. in August for a fall crop.
BAPTISIAS, BEE BALMS, CATMINTS, ECHINACEAS &
SOME SAGES FLEW OFF TO “BENEFICIALS” c CHIVES $3.99 d
These herbs offer edible flowers and medicinal qualities, but they
Cut back to 1” high after blossoming to prevent reseeding. You’ll
are best served, in our opinion, with the bee, butterfly and humming-
be rewarded with a second flush of growth. Use the flowers fresh,
bird attractors listed in the beneficial beauties, pages 6-9.
in salads and vinegars, for a no tears, sweet, “Vidalia” onion or garlic
flavor. Flowers and foliage make elegant bouquets as well.
Catnip, $3.99 Scissor snip foliage to use fresh or freeze by placing a single layer
Nepeta cataria Hardy Perennial of leaves on a cookie sheet. Freeze about 30 minutes or until stiff.
P. Shade - Shade 2 - 3 x 2 feet Culinary, Butterfly, Bees Throw in labelled freezer bags. You’ll be able to pull them out one
Since this is the original “6-pack of beer” for cats, protect new plantings blade at a time.
until they’re established. For humans, a soothing tea can be made from two All chives are hardy perennials and loved by butterflies & bees
teaspoons dried leaves per one cup of water to aid in sleeping, colds and
fevers. Remove flowers before they mature to prevent major self-sowing.
Catnip doesn’t mind a few hours of shade or morning sun. Chives, Garlic ‘Nira’
Allium tuberosa ‘Nira’ Hardy Perennial
Catnip, Lemon $3.99 Full Sun 1 x 1-1/2 feet Edible Flowers & Leaves
Nepeta cataria Hardy Perennial Truth be told, I want a prep chef not a pool boy, if I had my drothers.
P. Shade - Shade 2 - 3 x 2 feet Culinary, Butterfly, Bees So when I spot an herb that is easy to chop (or in chives case, snip with
If you want an upgrade in aroma, inhale this subtle, citrus version. Kitty scissors), I take it. ‘Nira’ has a subtle garlic flavor and wider, flat leaves for
might not be AS attracted to it, but the butterflies still are particularly if “Garlicky, Mashed Potatoes” or blanched peas with white chive blossoms.
planted in a sunny spot.
12NEW! Chives, Onion ‘Polyvit’ $3.99
Allium schoenoprasum Hardy Perennial c CILANTRO: May to December d
Full Sun 1 x 1-1/2 feet Edible Flowers & Leaves Year-round cilantro flavor begins with two plants put in the ground,
If you like to haul in a big harvest at one time, try this highly uniform, dark late April. Allow one to flower, form seeds and drop them. Leave
green with slightly thinner leaves and vigorous growth chive from Germany. the other for harvesting. Keep the dropped seeds moist until they
sprout. As those sprouts grow, you will eventually harvest them, as
Chives, Onion ‘Staro’ $3.99 the other plant is seeding out. Repeat several cycles. That leap frog
process can take you into November.
Allium schoenoprasum Hardy Perennial
Full Sun 1 x 1-1/2 feet Edible Flowers & Leaves OR, plant the cilantro impersonators listed below.
Choose this white globed chive for its thick leaves which makes harvest,
fresh use and freezing easy. Any time you need onion flavor, just grab your Cilantro ‘Santo’ $3.99
scissors. My “Secret Indulgent Omelette” recipe calls for cream cheese and Coriandrum sativum ‘Santo’ Annual
chives foliage garnished with edible chive blossoms. P. Sun 18 x 12 inches Culinary - Leaf & Seed, Butterfly
This selection is slow to bolt which is a plus for cilantro. Use the tender
FISH TACOS leaves to add a citrus-like taste to salsa, salads, seafood, guacamole and
Make this as simple (avocados, no dressing) or as complex as you other Mexican dishes, especially those that include limes. Coriander, the
have time and desire. Grill or saute the fish and chiles. 4 servings seed, harbors a roasted orange flavor destined for curry powder, rice dish-
es, orange marmalade breads, and applesauce.
SALSA:
3 napa cabbage leaves, shredded
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced small bolting /ˈbōltiNG/ verb
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons cilantro, roughly chopped Bolting is when plants’ central stalks shoot up in a short amount of
optional: 3 jalapenos, seeded, sliced and sauteed OR grilled whole time, triggered by heat, a cold spell, day length or other factors.
smoky salt seasoning & fresh ground pepper
fresh lime juice Most plants bolt due to hot weather. When the ground goes above
a certain temperature, this flips a switch in the plant to produce
1 pound mahi mahi fillets SMOKY SEASONING: flowers and seeds very rapidly and to abandon leaf growth almost
1 tablespoon light olive oil 1/4 cup coarse sea salt completely. It is a survival mechanism in a plant but, unfortunate-
smoky seasoning 2 table. grated lime zest ly, it renders the plant bitter.
8 tortillas, warmed 2 tsp. smoked paprika
sliced avocado or guacamole 1/4 teaspoon cayenne Lettuce, cilantro, and other vulnerable plants should be planted
cilantro-lime dressing in, or going into, cooler months (April or August), protected from
hot afternoon sun or fluctuations in temperature and harvested
Combine cabbage, tomatoes, onion, cilantro and seeded & sliced frequently to ward off flowers and encourage leaves to grow.
jalapenos. Season with smoky salt, pepper and fresh lime juice. Set
aside.
Heat a non-stick or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Coat c CILANTRO IMPERSONATORS d
the fish with the oil, then sprinkle the smoky seasonings over both
sides of the fish. Add fish to the skillet, and cook about 3-4 minutes Cilantro, Vietnamese $3.99
per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Persicaria odoratum Tender Perennial
To assemble the tacos, heat the tortillas, add the salsa. Top each P. Sun - P. Shade 6 x 12 inches Culinary, Groundcover
taco with fish, avocado or guacamole & dressing. Season with a This looks, grows and is, in fact, related to “Smart-weed.” (Aren’t they
touch more smoky seasoning, if desired. all?) Heat will not kill it, but afternoon sun will, so plant it in a shaded,
summer garden, then a winter hanging basket to bring in and flavor
CILANTRO LIME DRESSING shrimp, enchiladas, and pork meals, all year.
Easy week night supper: grilled boneless chicken breasts served over
a hearty green salad, and this dressing. Papalo $3.99
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped Porophyllum ruderale Annual
1 clove garlic 2 tsp balsamic vinegar Sun 5 x 3 feet Culinary, Butterfly
3/4 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated 1/2 teaspoon salt Common names, “Bolivian Coriander” and “Butterfly leaf” hint to its
1/4 cup lime juice 1/4 cup cilantro leaves flavor, (between arugula, cilantro and rue or like a mixture of nasturtium
1/3 cup honey 1/2 cup EV olive oil flowers, lime, and cilantro) and use. It provides nectar to feeding butter-
flies, and attracts bees and other pollinators. Restaurants in Mexico may
Place the jalapeno pepper, garlic clove, and ginger into a food
have a sprig of papalo (PAH-pa-low) in a glass jar of water, on the table,
processor. Pulse until the jalapeno and garlic are finely chopped.
next to the salt, pepper and salsas, ready to be added raw, to soups, tacos,
Pour in the lime juice, honey, balsamic vinegar, and salt, add the
tortillas or beans.
cilantro leaves; pulse a few times to blend. Turn the food processor
or blender on, and slowly drizzle in the olive oil until incorporated
into the dressing. Season to taste with salt before serving.
Pepicha $3.99
Porophyllum tagetoides Annual
GUACAMOLE Sun - P. Sun 2 x 1 feet Culinary, Medicinal
3 small avocados, halved & pitted 1 clove of garlic, minced Described as “cilantro times 10” with wispy foliage and purple, poppy-
1/4 cup red onion, diced 2 table. cilantro, chopped like flowers. Flavor is described as mint, citrus and pine or cilantro with
juice of 1 lime 1/2 teaspoon sea salt lemon and anise. Anyway, you’ll like it in salsa, corn, squash and other
Mexican fare- and no metallic aftertaste that some experience with cilan-
Add all the ingredients to a bowl. Mash with a fork until the gua- tro! Holds up to summer’s heat due to its native roots. Used traditionally
camole reaches your desired texture. Taste & adjust the seasonings. as a liver cleanse and more.
13c CITRUS $5.99-$12.99 d c CUBAN OREGANO $3.99 d
Like Ohio snowbirds, citrus spends its summers in the garden with We have met so many gardeners who’ve become discouraged
the herbs, then vacations indoors before a fall frost. We enjoy an with plants in hanging baskets and strawberry jars, because they die
ample crop of citrus, all winter, including fruit for our Key Lime and so easily. Our “Jar Gems”TM survive despite heat & the occasional
Lemon Meringue pies at Thanksgiving! Citrus is a tad picky, so: lack of water. They include ice plants, “Society Garlics,” and
- Avoid wet, soggy soils. Allow soil to dry, in between watering. these “Cuban Oreganos,” the most drought tolerant of all.
- Set outdoors, late spring, in full sun, protected from the wind.
- Bring indoors to a cool, bright, southern window with humidity. Cuban Oregano, Golden Ruffles
- Citrus self pollinates but help with a paintbrush doesn’t hurt. Plectranthus (Coleus) ambionicus’Golden Ruffles’ Tender Perennial
Shade 4 x 5 feet spread Baskets
Citrus, Calamondin Variegated How about a “Survivor” for the shade?
Citrus x Citrofortunella microcarpa variegatus In fact, that’s where it’ll produce the
Full Sun 2 x 4 feet Bonsai, Edible Fruit best color. Much like the variegated
Loaded with antioxidants, zinc, & vitamins, form, but, with a warmer gold and green
this gorgeous citrus tree, is a hybrid of the pattern, scalloped edges and thick, wavy
mandarin orange and kumquat. Cream lined leaves. Decidedly, more ornamental, than
leaves, highly scented flowers and flavorful, but so valuable in a hanging basket.
edible fruit are standard for this All you need is one plant per 12 inch pot.
winter windowsill conversation piece. It will fill in and overflow by July.
Citrus, Meyer Lemon Cuban Oregano, Grey
Citrus meyeri (C. limon ‘Meyer’) Tender Perennial Plectranthus sp. Tender Perennial
Full Sun 2 - 3 x 3 feet Culinary, Fragrance, Butterfly Full Sun 6 x 8 inches Culinary, Ornamental
Because it’s believed to be a cross between a lemon and an orange, the This is a favorite cooking variety of the
lemon sized fruits are more sweet than tart. Stretch beyond pie and perk local Puerto Rican community. Gray leaves
up entrees with smoked salmon, roasted cornish hen, even thinly sliced are arranged so perfectly on fuzzy gray
with goat cheese and rosemary on pizza. stems that, I daresay, look unnatural!
Equally perfect mounds do not trail like
Citrus, Myrtle-leaf the other cuban oreganos listed here,
Citrus myrtifolia Tender Perennial nor is the overall appearance at all
Full Sun 2 x 3 feet Bonsai, Containers similar. People love its tidy looks and
Outdoors, fragrant white flowers entertain your nose, while small oranges minty, oregano scent, inside or out in the
decorate this compact citrus on your winter windowsill. These sour or bit- garden. It’s nice to have a plant that,
ter oranges are essential to Italian cocktails and carbonated soft drinks. No stars in a winter windowsill yet doubles as a
thorns to avoid when pruning this tree into a lovely bush. summer border plant among ornamentals & edibles.
LIMONCELLO Cuban Oregano, Marble
This recipes makes 8 pints and takes about 2 weeks to “mellow.” Plectranthus marginata ‘Fosteri’ sport Tender Perennial
Use any or all of my suggested herb and herb combinations. Sun - P. Shade 4 x 5 feet spread Baskets
This survivor boasts dark green and
SIMPLE SYRUP: chartreuse leaves, scalloped edges and a
6 cups water 5 cups sugar 4 bunches of lemon verbena minty, oregano scent, like “Golden
12 large organic lemons Ruffles,” however, the color
8 cups (80 proof) vodka, “Svedka” is Mark’s choice holds up to full sun. For a
8 bunches (3 stems x 2” long) of ANY or ALL of the following: stunning combination, grow
ginger mint, pineapple mine, strawberry mint, pineapple mint as a groundcover carpet
tangerine sage, sunset anise hyssop, lemon thyme, rosemary with red “Coleus” rising
sparkling mineral water up through it or add any
ice plant and society
Day one: garlic for an easy care
Prepare the simple syrup by bringing the water and sugar JUST hanging basket.
to a boil, in a medium-sized saucepan, dissolving the sugar as you
stir. Add fresh lemon herbs, cover, turn off heat and keep it on the
burner for just 5 minutes. Take pan off heat and cool overnight.
Cuban Oregano, Variegated
Plectranthus (Coleus) ambionicus
Day two:
Tender Perennial Sun - P. Shade
1. Peel lemons. Scrape off white layer if it is thick. See note*
5 x 5 feet trailing Culinary, Baskets
2. In each pint jar add:
- the peels of roughly 1-1/2 lemons; try one with 1 orange’s peel Hard to kill and edible! We’d forget
to water our own baskets on the porch
- a different fresh herb (or combo) listed above
for a week, but they’d bounce back.
- 1 cup vodka - 1 cup simple syrup
Use fresh in Mexican cooking as an
3. Store in a cool, dark cupboard and shake daily.
oregano substitute. Mince it and add
Day 14:
to chicken salad along with “Pineapple
Strain and serve cold with a splash of sparkling mineral water.
Sage.” Its green and white variegation is a
Store in refrigerator for easy serving.
joy to use in the landscape, container, moss basket,
*Note: squeeze the peeled lemons and make real lemonade!
groundcover or sunny window houseplant.
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