Low-Growing, Native Perennial: Houstonia purpurea
Name: Houstonia purpurea, aka Hedyotis purpurea aka Venus’s pride Type of Plant: This is a low-growing perennial that is native to the Eastern United States, west to Oklahoma and south down to Florida. Hardy from zones 3 to 8, this plant flowers in May into...
I Love Wooly Thyme
Name: Thymus pseudolanuginosus aka wooly thyme Type of Plant: A low growing perennial herb hardy in zones 5 to 8. This is not the thyme used for cooking, but a great plant for groundcover in full sun, well-drained locations. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I love this...
I Love Berried Treasure Red Strawberry
Name: Frageria ananassa aka Berried Treasure Red Strawberry from Proven Winners Type of Plant: This is a perennial strawberry that flowers repeatedly and continually forms tasty fruit. Hardy from zone 4 through 9, a plant for full sun. Why I Love/Hate this plant: The...
Tuscan Kale: A Must-Grow Vegetable
Name: Brassica oleracea ‘Lacinato’ aka Tuscan Kale Type of Plant: This vegetable is one of the easiest to grow and longest producing plants in the garden. Why I Love/Hate this plant: I picked kale from the garden this week, in mid-December. I’m frequently...
Early Morning Stories
There was just a dusting of snow on the ground when I went outside this morning, but that small change in the look of the landscape alerted me that stories were being told everywhere I looked. There were thousands…perhaps millions of conversations and narratives...
I Love Kalanchoe daigremontiana
Name: Kalanchoe daigremontiana aka mother of thousands Type of Plant: This is a succulent that is grown as a houseplant in cold climates. It’s native to Madagascar, and hardy in zones 9 through 13. Why I Love/Hate this plant: This plant is a study in all the wonderful...
I Love Red Burgundy Okra Plants
Name: Abelmoschus esculentus aka red burgundy Okra Type of Plant: Okra comes from northern Africa, and this red version was developed at Clemson University and was introduced in 1983. It is a tall growing plant that is a member of the mallow family and is both...
I Love Rosmarinus officinalis, aka Rosemary
Name: Rosmarinus officinalis, aka rosemary Type of Plant: One of the most useful herbs to grow. A hardy shrub or groundcover in zones 8 and above, and some varieties a marginally hardy (depending on the winter) plant in zone 7. This can be grown in a pot and brought...
A Thank You Note To My Garden
As I finished my sermon for Sunday at the UU Church of Barnstable, I was reminded of this post I wrote on Whole Life Gardening a few years ago. It’s a long overdue thank you note. Dear Gardens, Yesterday I was reminded that sending you a note of appreciation is...