Tag: native plants

So far. No good. Sow what?!

(or… “Seasons Whither” – Machine Head is better than Megadeth. Fight me!)

All things change. Things change and not always for the better. I am really beginning to believe that the vegetable garden embraces chaos and grows (or doesn’t) in whatever way it damn well pleases!

In its present state of existence, it’s doing its best (given its caretaker). If it were to be judged by its peers, it’d receive a participation trophy.

However, a few things are hanging on; a few things are pretending to be fine; a few things have fully embraced the art of dramatic decline. I walk out there and think, “Sow far, no good, so what?” That’s become my mantra.

This season really has not gone as planned. Oh, and I planned! Check out my garden plan right here if you don’t believe me.

Every winter I detail out the garden beds with tidy intentions and a hopeful list of vegetables. I believe that obviously, they’ll thrive, because I definitely can give them all the time, energy, and attention they’ll need! [insert eye roll here]

This year life threw back its head and let out a loud, maniacal laugh. It then followed up with a buttload of chaos. Purely for some additional drama, life decided to fart in my general direction.

Something is eating the pole beans…again!

Did I mention I also believe the weeds have unionized? I swear they’re working in shifts around the clock:  morning crew, afternoon crew, night crew. They are all clenching their fists‑full of weeds and rising up like they’re staging a tiny botanical revolution. The weeds are very much here, very much thriving, and very much convinced they own the place.

Gnomey chillin’ by the pool.

I know what you’re thinking. It can’t be all that bad, right? Ok, well, you’re right. I just have a hard time finding the Sun behind the clouds. ENOUGH with the doom and gloom! I’ll sprinkle in some positivity…

Around the yard all the native perennials I’ve planted over the years are flourishing. I believe they have a secret connection with the Universe. They’re lush, have grandiose blooms, and are absolutely unfazed by my lack of time, energy, or watering strategy. I’d even call them workhorses. They certainly don’t need me to supervise (unlike those crazy gnomes. I believe at least one of them has been sleeping in my carrots! They’re blaming the neighbor’s cat, but I’m not too sure about that excuse.).

I am excellent at growing herbs! The chamomile is radiant. The basil is acting like it’s auditioning for a cookbook cover. I’ve been able to harvest the cilantro so many times that I’ve just let it go to seed to save for coriander.

Ok, honestly? I’m starting to believe that I should just lean into this. The perennials are outstanding. The herbs are fantastic. The weeds are…enthusiastic. Maybe this is the garden telling me what it wants to be. Maybe next year I’ll plant more perennials and fewer vegetables that require emotional support and constant supervision. Maybe the garden is teaching me that growth doesn’t always need a plan. Sometimes it just needs space. Sometimes it just needs a season that withers and wanders and still manages to bloom yet in a different way.

Here’s to the things that thrived without me. Here’s to the things that tried. Here’s to the weeds who think they’re the center of the Universe. Here’s to the perennials who actually are.

Here’s to a season that hasn’t gone how I expected, but still grew some unexpected joys I believe are worth carrying into the chaos.

Native Perennial Series: Chamomile

Chamomile is a lovely plant for a garden. It has a soft vanilla fragrance, interesting leather-like leaves, and adds a nice, bright element to the colors of the garden with its small white and yellow daisy-like flowers.

Chamomile, that is native to the United States, is also known as Pineapple Weed or Wild Chamomile. Its Latin name is matricaria discoidea. It has been used for centuries by Egyptians, Romans, and Anglo-Saxons in a tea, tincture, or salve to cure stomach aches, skin irritations, menstrual cramps, and many other ailments. Sometimes this plant is confused with Feverfew  (tanacetum parthenium) as the flowers look similar and they both help thwart headaches.

chamomile_peter-rabbitChamomile’s medicinal qualities and its hardy nature also appear in many historical works of literature. Peter Rabbit’s mother gives him chamomile tea to cure his belly ache after he’s eaten too much food in Mr. McGregor’s garden as written in Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

In Shakepeare’s King Henry IV (part one, act 2, scene 4) Prince Henry is told:

For though the chamomile, the more it is trodden on, the faster it grows, yet youth, the more it is wasted, the sooner it wears.

Good to note that chamomile is an excellent plant to place along the edge of pathways due to its durability. Stepping upon it will release its soft vanilla fragrance with every footfall.

Chamomile easily propagates by seed.

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Chamomile grown in my very own garden!

Once planted and left to go to seed, those seeds will germinate in the earth and pop up the next spring. Plant chamomile where it is warm and sunny as it prefers sunny areas and well-drained soil.

To save chamomile for drying in use for tinctures, salves, and teas, it is best to clip the flowers the day they open up all the way. They dry easily in brown paper bags and this is the best way to preserve the plant. Add with other herbs in teas, enjoy it by itself, or add it to potpourri for a pleasant smell in the bedroom, kitchen, laundry, or bath.

Chamomile’s vanilla-like scent and unique look will add years of enjoyment in a native perennial garden. Enjoy its beauty while you sip on some calming, chamomile tea!

Read more of my native perennial series here. Thanks for visiting!

Image sources:  Peter Rabbit photo is from http://www.luponde.co.uk/wp/?p=150; header photo is from https://pixabay.com/en/matricaria-discoidea-pineappleweed-846635/; insert photo credit April McLeish

Purple Coneflower (echinacea): Beautiful and Beneficial

Purple coneflower (echinacea) is one of the easiest native perennials to grow in the midwest United States. I live in northwest Indiana and these plants have propagated like crazy. Not only is it beautiful, but it benefits our health and our environment. If you’re looking for a great starter plant to beautify your yard and benefit the local bee or butterfly population, start growing purple coneflower (echinacea).

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A ladybug rests on a purple coneflower.

 

 

Purple coneflower is a native plant to the United States, which means it was not brought here from another location. It has been on this continent for centuries. It has adapted to the soil, rainfall amounts, pests, and diseases that could make it impossible for another type of plant to survive without a large amount of expensive, chemical care. Since it is a native plant, no fertilizer or pesticide is needed to have these beautiful plants flower and propagate.

Purple coneflower is a native species. They will attract the natural pollinators of the area. Some of the beneficial insects that frequent these flowers are ladybugs, bees, and butterflies. Goldfinches will benefit as well and be a daily visitor to your yard simply by allowing purple coneflower to go to seed in the late summer. Look at the ingredients list in any store-bought goldfinch bird seed and you will see this as the ingredient. Save yourself money and grow your own! Even purple finches have stopped by my home for a visit.

 

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Purple coneflower that has gone to seed along with a grasshopper photo-op.

If you harvest the roots of echinacea, as it’s known medicinally, you can use it as an immune-booster. Again, look at the ingredients lists of some of the  homeopathic cold and flu remedies and it will be on that list. Native Americans and early settlers used the dried roots as a tea for fighting off illnesses. It has antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiallergenic properties (source:  All About Herbs).

 

Purple coneflower grows approximately two to three feet tall, depending on its age, and prefers sunny areas although it will grow well in partial shade. It has a daisy-like flower and comes in many different colors. The main types of coneflower are echinacea angustifolia, echinacea pallida (these are the best grown for medicinal purposes) and echinacea purpurea.

If you’re looking for a carefree flower to add a cottage element to your yard, or simply want to attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies and bees, plant purple coneflower (echinacea). It will be attractive and help support the natural wildlife in your area.