Plant Gardens 101

Common Thyme or English Thyme (Latin name Thymus vulgaris) is a Mediterranean native plant, perfect for dry herb gardens. This versatile plant is a favorite ingredient in kitchen gardens, grows well between rocks or spilling over containers and is a staple in classic Medieval knot gardens.

These herbs grow as small shrubs or shrublets with tiny, oval leaves measuring just 1/4 inch long. They are perennial and flower in late spring to early summer in little whorls on the tips of the stems. The flowers are shaped like tiny trumpets, usually in white or pale violet. (more…)

The sage herbs you cook with in the kitchen also a makes a delicious addition to dry gardens. They grow to a height of three feet tall and almost as wide. The stems are square and woody, usually covers with short hairs. All parts of this grayish green plant are aromatic. Salvia leaves are long and thin, up to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch across. They are crinkly, fragrant and sticky and can be used in cooking either fresh or dried. Culinary Sage or salvia officinalis is native to the Mediterranean region, making it a perfect plant for dry gardens. Sage grows in full sun to partial, dappled shade, and are hardy to about 20 degrees.

Sage plants flower in the summer with upright usually with blue or light blue flowers. They are beautiful in arrangements, or dried for kitchen decoration. Salvia can tolerate regular garden watering, but will also do well in drought conditions. After a few years they will need to be cut back to remove dead branches and maintain shape. (more…)

Fragrant rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) is a perennial, evergreen shrub. Not only are they wonderful cooking herbs, they are also dependable plants to use in any drought tolerant garden. These small shrubs are native to the Mediterranean region which is known for mild winters, hot summers and generally low rainfall.

Some common names for rosemary include, Dew of the Sea, Compass Weed and Elf Leaf. In medieval lore, rosemary was used to promote good health, healing and protection. Rosemary was hung over doors to keep thieves away and worn to relieve depression and improve mental powers. It can be burned as an incense whole and has been used as a substitute for frankincense. In Victorian times, rosemary was used as a symbol of remembrance and carried by brides on their wedding day.

Rosemary has fragrant, sticky, pine needle-like leaves with deep green on top and white underneath. Mature rosemary branches are brown and have a thin papery covering that looks like peeling bark. Rosemary plants are easy to grow in containers and can also be used for bonsai. Rosemary can be shaped into small cone-shaped trees for Christmas, or grown inside of mesh cages and shaped into fantastic topiary creations. Left untrimmed, rosemary has a draping growth habit and will be seen hanging over pots, or tumbling down slopes. Pinch the tips of the branches to encourage shrubbier growth – and use the fragrant leaves in your dinner. Rosemary blooms in winter and early spring. Flowers are usually blue, but white and pink varieties can be found at specialty nurseries or online seed catalogues. The flowers are small, just under 1/2 across, but they cover the tips of the stems in a way that makes the entire plant turn blue. For dramatic impact in the landscape plant a row of rosemary up high in a rock garden, or on the top of a set of garden steps. A bank of blooming rosemary tumbling over the edges looks like a wave of blue and green. When rosemary is brushed it releases a cloud of refreshing fragrance into the air. (more…)

This favorite garden plant is known for bright red or hot pink flowers has the Latin name Pelargonium and the common name Geranium. Pelargonium hortorum are also called Common Garden Geraniums.

Perennial garden geraniums grow up to 3 feet tall (or more) and have a shrubby habit. The round, slightly ruffled leaves are slightly hairy and aromatic measuring from 1 to 3 inches across. Older plants have woody stems. Leaves can be solid green or have edging in red, yellow or brown. There are many different hybrids of geraniums, some with scalloped leafs and some with colorful edges or centers.

Their asymmetrical flowers have two petals that point up and three that point down. Some resemble orchids and are bred to have similar colors. Pelargonium flower colors range from white to pink, deep reds, purple, peachy oranges, to deep salmon. Color hues can be gentle pastels or neon bright colors that stop traffic. (more…)

Succulents are perfect plants for xeriscape gardens or container gardens and are easy to root and grow. Once you learn how easy it is to propagate succulent plants, it’s a great way to expand your plant collection – and it’s free! You can use this planting technique with succulent plants from the Crassula family like Jade (C. ovata), Spoon Jade or Gollum Fingers (C. Portulacea, Rosary Plant (C. Rupestris), and Crassula tetragona. This propagation technique also works on other cactus and succulent plants like Aloe Vera, Echeveria, Aeonium and Baby Jade (Portulacaria afra).

Planting Succulent Cuttings: Start with a cutting about 4 – 6 inches long. Bury about half the stalk in soil. This will give you deep roots and helps the plant withstand drought better. Trim off the last few leaves to make a bare stalk if you need to. The leaves can be planted too; bury about half the leaf, cut side down. Most succulent plants and shrubs will form roots on the joints in their stalks. I have great success rooting succulents without rooting hormone, and don’t recommend bothering with it for succulent plants or cacti. (more…)

Kalanchoe plants are pretty dry garden bloomers known for their bright colorful flowers. They’re great succulent plants for dry landscapes or as houseplants in container gardens indoors. Kalanchoes are in the Crassulaceae or, Stonecrop family. Most varieties are perennial and evergreen.

One of the most popular form of kalanchoe species grown today is kalanchoe blossfeldiana and its many hybrid plants. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana plants grow up to 2 feet tall and as wide. They have large, leathery leaves about 2 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. The leaf edges are usually lightly scalloped and may have a slight tint of red or other color. Some hybrid plants have smooth edges and different colors on the leaf.

Flowers bloom in upright, large clusters from 2 to 3 inches across, and are made up of small daisy like flowers of 5 petals. The stamens are usually yellow and can stand out brightly depending on the flower color. Flower colors can range from white, yellow, orange, red, pink and everything in between. Flowers can also be creamy, dreamy pastels, or have flowers with more than one color, but kalanchoe blossfeldiana are mainly known for neon bright colors. These drought tolerant plants make a bold statement in the garden with their glowing, bright flower colors. Bloom is heaviest in spring, but they can bloom all year with a little feeding of fertilizer after the first bloom.    (more…)

Euryops, or Yellow Daisy Bush are drought tolerant shrubs that flower almost all year round. They have bright yellow daisy-like blossoms that cover the shrub like a golden cloak. Their leaves are dark green with deep serrated edges that resemble Shasta daisy foliage. They can be useful as a quick fix for a bare garden bed or placed in the middle of the border.

Euryops pectinatus are native to South Africa, making them perfect choices for dry, arid gardens anywhere. They can grow to a height of 6 feet tall and about 4 feet wide. These shrubs grow evenly and keep their somewhat round shape by themselves. Euryops are good to use for growing a low screen or bold color impact when planted in groups. (more…)

Lavender is an aromatic herb grown for centuries and appreciated for its fragrant, purplish blue flowers. These small, drought-tolerant shrubs take full sun to partial shade outdoors. They can take moderate water, but can also survive in low water gardens once established (usually after a year). The flowers bloom on long, square-shaped stalks and buds can be up to two inches long.

Lavender leaves are very aromatic and can be sticky with essential oils. The flowers are great in fresh bouquets. They can also be used for flavoring in salads or vinegars. Dried bouquets and flowers are used in crafts and as home decor. (more…)