December 15 , 2011
Cheery (and tasty) winter companions
Mush , schmush . Some plants went down in the former freeze , but the mommy barely shudder . ‘ Country Girl ’ chrysanthemum expect a vase on the Christmas mesa , though the faltering asters will be lead by then .
To tidy up a bite , I clipped off rain - souse expiration . A few moment of workplace means new flowers to resound in the New Year .
‘ Butterpat ’ mums are pitch up for champagne .
This beneficial hover fly ( syrphid fly ) warm up enough to get lunch . ( Sadly , one froze in the midsection of dinner ) .
Just a few frosty night rendered a semblance change . Since I adore Burgundy wine , I give thanks my Rusty blackhaw viburnum to satisfy me , even in brief , before its leaves hit the ground to enrich its dirt .
This newSalvia reglawanted to tell me that it ’s happy in its “ eternally home , ” even when it hold up into hiding soon . “ Do n’t bury me while I ’m gone ! ”
Its untried buddy already bewilder frost - burn , but the spiderworts are guarding the reglas from the shovel until belated spring . They ’re connect by baby blue - eyes that re - seed every year since 2009 whenMelissa at Zanthan Gardensdug up transplantation from her garden for me .
Salvia coccineashave gone to their forever home in the compost atomic pile . They leave a legacy through the seeds they frantically spew out the last few weeks .
A month or so ago , I planted cherviI near the summertime performer , A&M Texas Superstar angelonia , since I know it would strike the ground in freeze .
Over winter , Anthriscus cereifolium ’s a sunny footling herb to nail where I want more angelonia next summertime . By the time angelonias return to the nursery , the chervil will have checked out of its wintertime haunt . Until then , it ’s great in salad , sauce , or other recipes for a tinge of anise flavor .
Recently , when I find feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium ) grown by localGabriel Valley Farms , I nab a few to fulfil a spot in front .
In the past , I ’ve be intimate its prolific blank flowers that companion with spring medulla and into former summer .
InJudy Barrett’sbook , What Can I Do With My Herbs ? , I learned that bee do not like Tanacetum parthenium . She plant it around hummingbird feeder or doorways where you might not desire bee . So , do n’t let in them in your vegetable garden ! But for a few feverfew in your cosmetic garden , the bees will still zoom in on nearby feeding flowers this winter ! In my experience , feverfew ’s persistence in summertime and its replication depend wholly on conditions . What ’s been your experience ?
Nearby , I added red - veinlike sorrel . When it ’s not in our salad bowl , it ’s just so pretty !
One of my first wintertime annuals as a gardener was fragrant strain . This year , I just could n’t stand firm a repeat !
I paired them with my lilliputian leaf Jerusalem sage ( Phlomis lanata ) and silverish Heartleaf skullcap , FINALLY take a shit a comeback . Oooh , that late garden pink and silver to come ; what a wintertime combination .
Stock up your cheery front threshold and terrace containers for fragrant punch to greet your vacation guests !
Although rain - beat out , my new ‘ Sonnet Crimson ’ snapdragons are so poetic against the one ‘ Diamond Frost ’ euphorbia that made it through drought . After this exposure , I snipped the snaps for newfangled bloom to feed nectaring wildlife this winter .
lastly , I thank you all so much for sharing my lifetime and CTG this year!It ’s a full honor to wait on you . Your question , insight , and characterisation award you all an “ associate manufacturer ” credit to help gardeners share your concerns . Your direction is essential , and I thank you very much !
Tom and I also thank the gardenerswho supported CTG this year with their pledge of support ! And please give a vociferation out to our production underwriters , Geo GrowersandThe Planket . And to our 2011 local underwriters : Botanical Concerns , The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center , the Sustainable Food Center ( Sunset Valley Farmers Market ) , and Breed and Company .
Thanks to you , we ’re on the way to another 40 programs , coming your way starting January 7 ! well-chosen holiday and we ’ll see you in the New Year ! Linda
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