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…

Flowering Herbs – How to Grow Them – How to Use Them

In the 1976 edition of the Rodale Herb Book, the flowering herbs were mentioned, along with how their blooms might be used in the home: Borage Calendula Chives Marigolds Nasturtiums Rose Petals Safflower Safron Crochus Violets The Rodale Herb Book, How to Use, Grow Buy Nature’s Miracle Plant – An Organic Gardening -10th Printing –…

Herb Garden Plans

Better Homes and Gardens Online is an invaluable resource–esspecially in terms of its database of free garden plans. Following are some BHG’s plans for Herb Gardens. Colorful Herb Garden Image Credit Better Homes and Gardens Online “Aromatic plants can be pleasing to the nose and the eyes alike. This colorful herb garden plan mixes foliage…

Growing Herbs – When to Plant Them

‘ Chevallier,  Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine,  pg. 286. Aloe Vera “Native to Africa, aloe vera is commonly cultivated as a potted plant and has two distinct types of medicinal use. The clear gel contained in the leaf is a remarkably effective healer of wounds and burns, speeding up the rate of healing and reducing…

Vegetables I’m Growing in My Garden 2024

Kitchen Herbs Basil Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Image Credit: gardenia.net Catnip Catmint (Nepeta Cataria) Image Credit: Outsidepride Seeds Height: 24″ Catmint ‘Walker’s Low’ Nepeta (Nepeta faassenii) – 3 plants Image Credit: American Meadows Height: 24-30″ tall Chamomile Chamomile Image Credit: Wikipedia Height: 8″ – 24″ Chives Chives Image Credit: Farmer’s Almanac Height: 6″ – 8″…

Herbs, Pollinators, Shrubs, and Flowers Planted in My Garden in 2024

I work in my garden almost every day, and planting is a continuum for me. I’ll start with December of 2023, when I planted 2 gallon-sized Zepherine Drouhin Roses. I planted them on each side of an entrance into my rose garden. I was a bit worried about how they would fare during the winter–especially…