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Serena® Blue Angelonia

2012
01.28

Look For This Plant

Serena® Blue Angelonia

Serena® Blue Angelonia is a lush green plant with true blue flower color. photo by PBH

(Angelonia angustifolia) is some times called Summer Snapdragon. This sweet blue flower bloomed late spring, all summer and until frost.

No matter where you plant it, this perky upright flower is drought tolerant, heat tolerant and low maintenance. Honestly, this plant received no extra attention. I did not fertilize the angelonia all season. It did receive occasional watering during a long summer of drought.

I can only imagine how beautiful the angelonia would be with a little attention, regular watering and fertilizer. The plants reached over a foot tall with bright green foliage and narrow leaves. I planted this Ball trial in a raised bed in full sun.

The plant grew to just over a foot tall and at least that wide. Blooming nonstop all season, Angelonia needs no pinching or deadheading.

This Serena® Blue Angelonia is a clear blue upright continuous bloomer. Two more new varieties, Serena Waterfall Mixture Angelonia and Serena Mixture Improved Angelonia are beautiful color combinations. Also in this series are lavender, purple and white.

Serena® angelonia blue was a trial plant sent to me by Ball Horticultural Company  for evaluation. Angelonia is much hardier than the delicate looking blooms and foliage appear. It is truly care free. There was no hint of disease or insect damage.

I love the non fade blue color that was not phased by last summers extreme heat. I would buy this plant again and would recommend it to my friends.

More color choices:

Waterfall Mixture photo: Ball

Mixture Improved photo: Ball

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: , , , , , Category Ozarks Travel Examiner |

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Secret Valentines

2012
01.20

When we were courting, my first husband gave me flowers all the time. He always brought me flowers. It is one of the reasons I fell in love with Jules.

He doesn’t bring me flowers anymore. Thank heavens. After we were married, instead of buying flowers, he bought me three acres. Now I grow my own flowers.

These days, if my husband bought Valentines Day roses, I might reply – in a most loving way, of course – “Are you nuts? We can’t afford roses in Winter!” Joint bank accounts and the frugal habits of a gardener will win out over seasonally inflated prices every time. Jules is my first and only husband and lifetime valentine.

Young women sometimes sit around waiting for flowers to be delivered to them. It takes a while to figure out that we get much more when we give. When we get a little older and wiser we know that sending secret valentines and friendship cards is as heartwarming as finding one in your own mailbox.

Drop a valentine in the mail to someone who might not get one. Warm up a frosty February day with a random act of kindness.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. – Winston Churchill

Tags: , , , , Category Ozarks Travel Examiner |

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A New Superfood

2012
01.14

Grow your own superfoods in the back yard. Indigo Rose Tomato is the first high anthocyanin tomato.

saladette tomato

Anthocyanin rich, organic tomato is now available to home gardeners. Photo: Helen Hilman

Jim Myers, dept of horticulture at Oregon State University has been working on this one for ten years. He’s still working on Indigo Rose, and you can expect some more traits.

Indigo Rose Tomato
70 days from transplant to harvest.
1-2 ounces each
indeterminate
organic

What are Anthocyanins?

Anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits and vegetables. From fighting cancer to fighting wrinkles, anthocyanins are regarded as one of the best reasons to eat deep colored fruits and vegetables. Food scientists and horticulturists are interested in these compounds because of their importance to the color quality of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables.

In business for more than 60 years, Nichols Garden Nursery has seed for the New Indigo Rose Organic Tomato. Nichols is an original signer of the Safe Seed Pledge, and offers no GMO/Genetically engineered seeds or plants. All their seed are untreated.

I’ve been buying herb plants and vegetable seeds from Nichols for more than 20 years. I call Rose Marie Nichols McGee when I have herb question. One of my favorite food garden blogs is her Garden Pantry.

Buy seed here:

Nichols Garden Nursery is an independent family business serving home gardeners for more than 60 years. Phone – 800-422-3985.

Johnny’s Selected Seeds helping families, friends, and communities to feed one another by providing superior seeds, tools, information, and service. Phone – 877-Johnnys (877-564-6697).

Tags: , , , , , , , Category Ozarks Travel Examiner |

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Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis

2011
12.19

“There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” – Shakespeare’s Hamlet to Ophelia

RosemaryRosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) - Christians referred to rosemary the “Holy Herb,” associated with Mary, who, according to Spanish legend, draped her cloak over a rosemary bush on the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, turning the color of the blossoms from white to blue.

Rosemary was once used by the poor or lower classes as a substitute for expensive frankincense or myrrh-based incense in ancient Greece and Rome. Before the advent of modern medicine rosemary was burned, along with juniper berries, as a disinfectant in French hospitals.

Romantically, rosemary’s legend grew in the 14th century, when 72-year-old Queen Elizabeth of Hungary used rosemary as a medicine for her rheumatism and gout. Her potion of rosemary and lavender supposedly so enhanced her health and beauty that it fanned the passions of the 26-year-old King of Poland, who requested her hand in marriage. The potion became known as Budapest or Hungary water and was the beauty aide of choice for women for hundreds of years.

Rosemary for cooking, a favorite winter herb, I use it fresh and dried. One of my favorite ways to cook with rosemary is to put a sprig in the body cavity of a game hen before roasting. Or, drizzle a little olive oil over new potatoes or whole fingering potatoes, then sprinkle a little salt, and a few crushed rosemary leaves before baking.

Rosemary tea is made by steeping a short sprig in hot water for about 5 minutes. Or, put a teaspoon of dried rosemary in a warmed teapot and add a cup of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes.

Medicinally, rosemary tea is said to be good for colds, flu, indigestion, headache and fatigue. It is an antioxidant, antiseptic, antidepressant, a circulatory stimulant. Rosemary is a rich source of vitamin A and vitamin C, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, and zinc. 

Tags: , , , Category Herbs in the garden, Herbs in the kitchen, Home Garden, My Back Yard, Ozarks Travel Examiner |

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GBBD December, 2011

2011
12.16

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day December 15, 2011.

The only thing blooming in my house is the yeast. (I’m making bread today)

I killed all my Amaryllis this past summer. But more bulbs arrived today. However, I may not even have amaryllis blooms next month, January, because it will take at least 6 weeks for blooms to appear.

But enough of the pity party. A ring of the door bell, and This sweet poinsettia was standing there in the hands of my sweet neighbor. “You always give me flowers all summer long. So I thought I would give you one today.”

This sweet red poinsettia flower, in a 4" pot, is now sitting on my mantel.

So, my blooms are store bought.

The result of the blooming yeast is here:

Multigrain bread baked in my oven on a pizza stone.

 

Garden Blogger Bloom Day is a project of Carol at May Dreams Gardens. You are welcome to join.  She invites all gardeners to share what is blooming in their garden every month on the 15th.

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Superbena® Verbena hybrid

2011
12.16

Look For This Plant

Superbena® Royale Iced Cherry Verbena hybrid

Last spring three superbena® Royale Peachy Keen Verbena hybrid plants arrived for trial from Proven Winners. Three superbena® Royale Iced Cherry Verbena hybrid plants arrived at the same time. The beautiful, healthy plants that were delivered to my address do not get special treatment.

The joy in growing trial plants is that I get to see new introductions a year before they are available in our local garden centers. When you see the plant locally, I can tell you about how well it will do in your garden.

These superbena® plants went right into 14” hanging baskets filled with a good quality light potting soil. Each basket had a dose of slow release fertilizer mixed into to potting soil. They were watered regularly, but there was no additional fertilizer put into the baskets.

These plants are self-cleaning, which means no deadheading needed. They don’t need pruning, but I trimmed the Iced Cherry, or cut it back. It did become a little fuller with more branching, which meant more flowers.

I did not give the Peachy Keen verbena a “hair cut”. This plant does well without pruning. So, I won’t bother when I grow these Superbena again. Peachy Keen has a wide color variation which I think would be a great advantage in mixed containers or in a flower border.

There were no diseases or insect problems with either plant. Planting in hanging baskets usually eliminates any concerns of powdery mildew. If you are starting with clean potting soil and not over crowding the plants, there is no reason to expect any disease or insect concerns.

If ever there was a trial for heat tolerance 2010, (zone 6) was that test. Day after day of

photo PBH

oppressive heat and in full sun, the superbena® Royale series Verbena continued to bloom and thrive.

Superbena comes in a variety of reds and purples. They will faithfully flower all summer. Plant them anywhere you would grow summer annuals like geraniums and zinnias. Choose a location where you can appreciate their color variationsPWlogo

I would buy these plants again. I do recommend them. Be sure to stop by the online PW site to see all the colors of superbena® Verbena.

Here is a PW I’ll be looking for: Superbena® Burgundy – Verbena

 

Tags: , , , , , Category Home Garden, Oh Grow Up!, Ozarks Travel Examiner |

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Growing Herbs in Winter

2011
12.15
fresh cut herbs

fresh cut herbs brought indoors, will stretch your fresh herbs by about two weeks.

I’m starting seed in the Aerogarden this week.

Aeroponics is a soil-free growing method where plant roots are suspended in air within a 100% humidity, highly-oxygenated growing chamber. Because the roots are bathed with ideal levels of nutrients, water and oxygen, plants grow significantly faster, are healthier and have a higher nutrient content than plants grown in soil. It’s like having a little green house on the kitchen counter.

I’ll grow bright green lettuces and herbs all winter. The 70 million Americans buy organic products weekly will appreciate the simplicity and convenience of Aerogrow.

This little table top garden is a defiant cabin fever cure for us die hard gardeners. AeroGarden is not promoted to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or “cabin fever.” Still anything that tricks my plants into believing the sun is shining, has a positive affect on my attitude.

Gardening is America’s #1 hobby with more than 70 million active gardeners. There are 18 million fresh herb gardeners which is up 41% since 2000.

Small, sweet as candy, little strawberries that you can grow from seed. photo PBH

This little table top garden provides fresh herbs for my cooking all winter. A sprig of fresh basil or parsley will add sparkle to any dish.

In the spring, I start seeds in the AeroGarden. Last spring I had great success getting tiny sweet strawberries to grow from seed. Picking these tiny French Alpine strawberries (fragaria vesca) are like finding candy in the garden. Buy strawberry seed at Renee’s Garden.

Tags: , , , , , , Category Herbs in the garden, Herbs in the kitchen, Home Garden, Oh Grow Up! |

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Wordless Wednesday

2011
12.14

Buck Trent

Category Ozarks Travel Examiner |

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Bread and Soup: Using Herbs in Winter

2011
12.11

My favorite fast food during the hectic holidays? Bread and soup.

BBQ Rosemary

BBQ Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis 'Barbeque' has especially good flavor and aroma, great choice for cooking. photo PBH

Throw the soup or stew ingredients in the crockpot. When you come home from work or Christmas shopping, a hot, healthy meal can be mere minutes away. Now add biscuits, because hot fresh biscuits are fast and easy to make. In the time it would take to get drive-thru on the way home, you’ll be sitting down to a bowl of bliss that will warm your heart and soul.

Before the holidays, replace your old herbs. Saving dried herbs for special occasions is a bad idea. Begin using dried herbs as soon as you buy them so you will get a taste of the herb at its best. Then, you will be able to judge when herbs should be replaced because of age, light or heat exposure. Rub a little dried herb on to the palm of your hand and if can not smell or taste the flavor, empty the jar and replace it with new. If your jar of dried herbs tastes like paper dust or a dried front lawn, it’s time to replace the herbs.

Refresh spices. If your spices are not fragrant, don’t waste the time and ingredients of a recipe by using flavorless herbs and spices. Before baking season, buy a new box of baking powder and baking soda. Hot from the oven herb biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to winter stews and soups.

tomato soup and grilled cheese

Creamy tomato soup with mini grilled cheese toast. photo: PBH

My favorite cheese biscuit recipe comes from Simply Recipes: Cheese Biscuits recipe. I use 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped chives instead of scallions and sharp cheddar cheese. Best thing is, you can double the recipe and freeze the cut biscuits before baking. Later, retrieve the frozen dough and bake while the stew is simmering. They are so good and so easy, you will always want to keep a few in the freezer.

Though buying herbs in bulk is economical, it may not be the cook’s choice. Herbs tend to lose their flavor when exposed to air and light. Buy small amounts of herbs and refresh your supply regularly for the best flavor. The economy comes from using less of the dried herb when it is fresher and more flavorful.

Do not store your herbs above the stove. Heat will quickly deteriorate their flavor. Store dried herbs in a cool, dark, dry, air-tight container. If you keep them out on the counter, use a dark tinted glass container or a tin.

Guaranteed Herbal Magic

1/2 teaspoon of rosemary. I’m not kidding. Add rosemary to your favorite biscuit recipe. Or add a bit of rosemary to beef stew, vegetable soup, chicken and dumplings. It’s magic.

Everyone will love your cooking and you will become an herbal goddess of the kitchen. (Tiara not included.)

cheese soup

Make a double batch of soup, freeze half. A good quick meal will always be on hand.

Tags: , , , , , , , Category Herb Companion, Herbs in the garden, Herbs in the kitchen, Home Garden, Oh Grow Up!, Recipes |

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Try Vacation for Vacations

2011
11.22

If you have a cut Christmas tree, look for a new product called Vacation. It will keep the tree green and fresh much longer. But I have to tell you how I use it – on potted poinsettia plants.

Vacation

Vacation is biodegradable and contains no toxic chemicals.

Vacation can also be used on poinsettias and other potted plants to keep them from drying out. Just mix two capfuls of Vacation with a cup of water (or three ounces per gallon of water). Apply the solution as a watering to the entire pot until the soil is saturated. Poinsettias will then survive without water for up to two weeks.

You can be the sweetheart neighbor or daughter with the green thumb, if you add this to the potted poinsettias before you give them as gifts. It will keep Auntie from overwatering her plant if you include a tag. “ Do not water this plant until: January ____.” (Over watering is what kills most poinsetties at home).

Fresh Christmas Trees
Vacation, an all-natural plant anti-transpirant, will keep your Christmas tree fresh for up to three to four weeks. One 8-oz. bottle of Vacation with one gallon of water is all it takes. Vacation is biodegradable and contains no toxic chemicals.

Summer and Winter Vacations

Pretty Much Picasso

Supertunia® Pretty Much Picasso™ Petunia from Proven Winners survived a week's vacation with no water.

My summer vacation is no picnic for the plants left unattended while I am away. But now they can have Vacation when I am on vacation.

While you are getting the 8 oz bottle of Vacation, get an extra bottle because this product saved my container plants and a hanging basket last summer while I was on vacation. What a pleasure to come to home to blooming plants.

I only tell you about products I have used and Vacation saved my plants this summer and it is now keeping the poinsettia looking a lovely as when I brought it home.

An 8-ounce bottle of vacation sells for $14.95 online at Nature Hills. Or, find a retailer near you at Natural Industries

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