Roses, Cocoa Mulch, and Turmeric
In response to a query posed in a recent column regarding favorite rose varieties and their care, I received the following response from Scott Corwin, who gardens in Glendora, and whose roses were bl...
Category Archives: Herb Gardens
African Blue Basil is Truly Good
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” This well-worn adage has near universal application, except in the case of African blue basil. Imagine acquiring a plant in the spring that is only...
Cilantro, its Kin, & Pest Control
Based on my experience, there is no plant easier to grow from seed than cilantro. If you doubt my word, purchase a packet of cilantro seeds (also known as coriander) for a dollar or two and disperse ...
Lemon Verbena: A Must Have Plant
Some plants should be in everybody’s garden, and lemon verbena is one of them. Lemon verbena is not a glamorous plant, and that is probably why everyone likes it; what one person considers gorg...
An Herb Garden
Certain plants are like friends with whom you are close for a period of years only to lose track of them — for no good reason — with the passage of time. You remember the fine times you s...
Water Rosemary Twice a Month in Hot Weather
Could you please suggest what to plant along my driveway? There is sun all day and everything I plant burns up. The driveway is 20 feet long by 4 feet wide. There is no water supply there so I have t...
A Lifetime Supply of Bay Leaves
This past month’s correspondence included two questions about herbs, one question about a tree for autumn color, and one question about care of container plants that get soaked in the rain. Q: ...
Live to 116? Drink Lemon Balm Tea
If you want to live for a hundred years, it might be wise to grow an herb that has the texture of crepe, the fragrance of lemon and the name of a pretty girl. According to Modern Herbal (Dover Public...
Herb Gardens Thrive All Year Long
Thanksgiving should serve to remind Valley gardeners of our good fortune, especially at this time of the year. Above all, we should be thankful that the ground in the Valley never freezes. This means...
Helichrysum
Do you like the smell of curry, the classic seasoning of Indian cuisine? If so, you should think about growing curry plant (Helichrysum italicum). Its fragrance is identical to that of curry seasonin...
