Monday, May 23, 2011

Gardening tidbits: some herb faves

...and we've been gardening a little too!

herb faves collage mel stampz

A few plant faves...

I thought I'd share a couple-few pics of the zillion herbs
that we're planting in terracotta pots since the varieties
are some that you green thumbs might find neat:



Cuban Oregano
A succulent oregano that I adore. Cuban Oregano is
quite drought-tolerant. It overwinters indoors
relatively well, and the leaves have a juicy crunch.



Boxwood Basil
I jumped for joy when I found this Boxwood Basil at the
Rona nearby. I saw them at Home Depot as well (in B.C. Canada)
It's less leggy/flimsy-stemmed than its large-leafed brethren
and looks more like an ornamental.



Gold Dust Rosemary
Love the colour on this variegated cultivar Gold Dust Rosemary.
Haven't tasted it yet, but I imagine it tastes like Rosemary ;o).



Sorrel
A perennial leafy plant with spinach texture and
a very zingy lemony taste. Sorrel is best used sparingly
(use it more like the herb it is than like a salad leaf)
since it has oxalic acid. So tasty though!


and last but not least, one non-edible fave:


Stock flowers
This one's not unusual at all. In fact, it's a very traditional flower
but one that I've never grown and that I wish I'd always done.
Did you know that Stock flowers smell indescribably amazing?
If I had to describe it I'd say they have a hint of nutmeg.

Also being planted: fern leaf dill; 2 traditional dill; 3 cilantro; thai basil; lime basil; traditional basil; parsley; english thyme; lemon thyme; ginger mint; peppermint; spearmint; lemon balm; catnip; chives; golden oregano; spicy oregano; traditional oregano; dwarf marjoram; golden-tipped marjoram; barbecue rosemary; traditional rosemary; green onions; and sage

Anywho, I hope you are having a spring that's bursting with green, or a great season in general wherever you are,


P.S. a big thank you to Katrina of Pugly Pixel fame for the photo styling elements: Scallop edges (adapted by adding my own pattern) & Tape Strips. Her premium access for 30 days was the best $5.oo I've ever spent & her tutorial on how to use photo overlays in photoshop is just plain "WOW." Her free section is delectable.

4 comments:

Dawn said...

oh, I'm drooling! beautiful herbs kiddo!!
we've had so much rain we can't even think of planting!! and you know how big our garden is! ack!

you enjoy for me, ok?!
hugs

Suzi said...

Yummy pictures! My son is a commercial salmon fisherman; tonight for Bristol Bay. Off season he works on an organic farm. He's teaching us a lot about herbs, etc., especially which ones go well with salmon! There's a whole world of flavors out there to explore, but my favorite is still of the chocolate variety! Feel well, Mel!

Arlene said...

What wonderful photos. I feel I could reach out and touch those herbs. I'm now hungry!

Dotty Jo said...

I love herbs - I've planted more than ever this year! Jo x