I grew up in a cotton-picking region near the Mississippi River in America’s Southeast. Cotton plants have blooms that look like okra and native hibiscus plants. While most people grow red zinger hibiscus for its health benefits and to make red zinger tea, I grow this shrub for its flower. The health benefits are simply…
Category: Cottage Garden Living
What Is a Hedgerow and Why Have a Hedgerow at the Back of Your Garden?
Goldenrod at the Very Back of Jacki Kellum Garden God planted the above stand of goldenrod next to the very back of my garden. This stand is not actually in my yard. It is at the back of an untended area at the back of my neighbor’s yard. Because I don’t have much control over…
Flowers that Bloom in My Mississippi October Garden
Hardy Pink Chrysanthemum – Jacki Kellum Garden Last spring, I planted some tiny starts of a perennial and hardy pink chrysanthemum, and it has thrived like no other plant in my garden. In fact, we suffered several days of nearly zero degree weather, sleet, and a deep freeze this past January, and my mums remained…
Ode to Early Fall – Celebrating September, a New School Year, and a Time When Life Begins Again
Ode to Early Autumn Sweet white fairy wings, Purple, when the poke plant sings, Dance across the arbor tall, Paint my garden–fall. It’s finally September, and I celebrated the changing of the months by taking a stroll through my garden. I noted that many of my early spring bloomers have shriveled and turned brown. Yet,…
A Historical Look at Healing Crones–Sometimes Grandmother Witches
I have begun to realize that I am edging toward becoming an old lady. And since I have been a committed gardener and herbalist for years, I chuckle when I think that many people probably believe me to be an Old Crone–A Strega Nona–A Grandmother Witch [Not Usually the Same as a Halloween Witch]. Image…
Recipes for Healthy Snacks – I AM how I snack
I have lived alone for many years, and I admit that I rarely cook–therefore, I don’t prepare healthy meals. Unfortunately, I still get hungry. I have no scheduled time for eating, and I postpone eating until I am ravenous, and then, I grab and consume whatever is available. For that reason, I have begun preparing…
How to Make Manuka Honey Salve – The Healing Benefits of Manuka Honey
Several years ago, I badly injured my leg when I trotted into a nale that was protruding from a board. The wound was deep — the nail dug all the way down to my bone. I went to the emergency room, and a wound specialist was called in to treat me. He prescribed several different…
Rose Essential Oil
I love the smell of roses so very much that I hardly expect anything of rose essential oil than to simply smell like a rose. Only today, I decided to see if rose essential oil also has healing qualities, and I was delighted: Rose essential oil has many potential health benefits, including: Skin care: Rose oil…
Native Iris – Blue Flags & Virginica Iris & Copper Iris
Iris virginica var. shrevei Southern Blue Flag Image Credit: American Meadows Height: 36″ “Behold the blooms of the Southern Blue Flag Iris, ranging from pale to deep purple, each with delicate veining and a bold yellow blaze. Curved petals make perfect landing pads for bumblebees, its main pollinator, and the easy-to-spot pattern attracts butterflies, too….
Saffron – Autumn Crocus – Herb & Essential Oil Blends
Saffron Crochus (Crocus sativus) Image Credit: American Meadows “Saffron is worth its weight in gold, so it pays to grow your own! These flower in fall and offer you pure, prized edible saffron on each flower’s stigmas. Easy to grow and exceptional in containers. (Crocus sativus)” American Meadows “Saffron: This is far and away the…