For ages, I have been meaning to try nasturtiums on a salad, or daylillies, or
some special succulent rose to eat. Here is a website devoted to 
Edible Plants .
On this list I would venture to taste about anything, which is far more than I
can say about exotic meats people eat around the world. If flowers to eat peaks
your curiosity, you may enjoy visiting whatscookingamerica.net
In the summer of 1991, I spent a lovely day on Martha's Vineyard with my parents.
I rented a moped and explored the island for a few hours. I remember this one phrase,
endless summer; it was the first time I had heard that expression.
And that expression is the popular name of a hydrangea, 
Endless Summer Hydrangea
that blooms all summer long.
Like most hydrangeas that are pink or blue, depending on soil ph. If you want blue
give it iron or aluminum sulphate, if pink, give it lime. Perhaps I have seen it
at a garden center before, I don't know. But it first registered on my mind, when
I saw its picture on the J.C. Raulston Aboreteum's website. Below is a part of the
newsletter I have pasted from this site.
Hydrangea macrophylla Endless SummerT PP15,298
The Endless Summer series of French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Bailmer' Endless SummerT) will rebloom all summer long. They are now so common that even Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouses and The Home Depot offer them for sale. Hybridizing those with the lacecap French hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla 'Veitchii') produced a mildew resistant rebloomer. A new one called 'Blushing Bride' will be available through a contract agreement between nurseries and the University of Georgia in Athens, in which the University gets a thirty-cent royalty on each plant. Hydrangea 'Waterfall' also blooms spring and fall, but gets mildew in the shade. Fresh from writing a book about hydrangeas, Mike explained how dormant (leafless) hydrangeas will root all year round from single node stem cuttings 6" to 8" long in a bark
The late plantsman, and Mentor to many students who attended North Carolina State
University in Horticulture did much to bring a great arboretum to NCSU. You can read
his old newsletters plus all the newsletters except the last by visiting this
website -www.ncsu.edu.
You will be enlightened for the time spent. I have seen photos of of so many plants, or heard commentaries on even more plants that I had no idea existed. Some of these
plants are now so common after being proselytized by the late J.C. Raulston.
You can also join the Friends of the 
J. C. Raulston Arboretum
.
Another unusual plant I ordered from Woodlanders Nursery in S.C. was the 
Paper Bush
- 
Edgeworthia papyrifera
.
I planted it at the woodland's edge. I wish I had a stream I
could have put it next to, along with the Fetterbush, Virginia Sweetspire, and my
Hummingbird Sweet Pepperbush. The Paper Bush is surviving, but I have to pour the
water to it. It hates 100 degree weather, but I hear it loves the high humidity we
have in Central Alabama. It is not recommended for zones lower than zone 8.
I read that they grow it at the Missouri Botanical Garden, but I guess they grow it
inside.
Native to the southeast, often found growing near streams and at the woodland's edge is 
Common Fetterbush - 
Lyonia lucida.
It grows around 3 feet tall and has pink flowers and is evergreen. Make sure though, it gets plenty of water.
I had one in my meadow garden that I planted this spring. It has been very dry here
in central Alabama. About 10 days ago we had 1/4" rain. So I didn't water it for 2
days. The 3rd day I think I watered it. On the 5th day after rain, I noticed that it
looked as if it was dying. I pulled it up and the soil was extremely dry. So I put
it in a pot and put it in my plant hospital, so it gets plenty of water and a close
eye. Hopefully, it will recover. If it lives, this fall I plan to put it near my
other plants, which like it wet, namely Hydrangeas, Virginia Sweetspire, and Clethra
'Hummingbird".
About 10 years ago when I was living in Mobile, Ala., one of my neighbors asked me
for advice on building a fence in her front yard. Her main concern was the proper
height. I figured since there were so many gardens with fences in Williamsburg,
someone there would guide us. So I called Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and I
was put on the phone with M. Kent Brinkley. He told me of a study a lady who had
work for
Colonial Williamsburg
had done this great study on fences. He also informed
me that he was writing a book on the Gardens of Williamsburg.
So when the book came out, I rushed to get a copy. It was a great book on the
lovely and simple formal gardens of the town of Williamsburg. Its photographs were
feasts for the eyes.
Not only was 
Edith Wharton
an accomplished American author of such literary works
as The Age of Innocence and the House of Mirth. She also coauthored a book with
her Architect friend, Ogden Cogman,Jr., "The Decoration of Houses". She was also
accomplished in garden design. She,like many garden designers today, believed that
gardens should have various garden rooms.
Her first home and gardens, The Mount, built in 1902 in Massachussets was of her design. In 1911, the Mount was sold. She wish to spend her life among other American
expatriates in France. She also wrote a book , "Italian Villas and Their Gardens".
If you are unable to visit the Mount, you may enjoy visiting its website -
www.edithwharton.org
In the ante bellum south, girls like Scarlett O'hara adored 
Lemon Verbena
It was in almost every plantation garden. The girls like to make sachets of it for its lovely fragrance. Many people like to flavor tea with lemon verbena.
In zone 7 or lower it is an annual. In zone 8, it survives most winters. In zones 9
and 10, it's defenitely perennial. Now it's great in 
the home garden
.
It likes it on the dry side. Here are some of the things you can make with lemon
verbena I found on The Garden Path Website by Brenda Hyde.
Lemon Verbena Potpourri
You will need:
dried peel of one lemon
2 cups dried lemon verbena leaves
1 cup dried chamomile flowers
6 inch cinnamon stick, crushed
1 cup dried calendula petals
1 tsp. orris root powder
2-3 drops lemon verbena essential oil (optional)
Dry the lemon peel by scraping it off the lemon with a vegetable peeler, spread on paper and dry in a warm place for about 2 weeks, until crisp. Mix all the ingredients together. Seal in a tin and put in a warm place for about 2-3 weeks, shaking occasionally. Use to scent a room, or for sachets. Add more essential oil as the smell fades. Adapted from Kitchen and Herb Gardener by Richard Bird and Jessica Houdret
Lemon Verbena Syrup
Ingredients:
1 cup lemon verbena leaves
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
Blanch the lemon verbena leaves in boiling water briefly to brighten the color, then immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat and cool. Place the lemon verbena and cooled syrup in a blender and purée on high for 2 minutes. Chill overnight, then strain through a fine mesh strainer. Keep leftovers refrigerated. Use with ice cream, pound cake or other light desserts, as well as fruit.
Lemon Rose Tea
Ingredients:
1/2 cup torn lemon verbena leaves
1/4 cup rose hips
Honey
Place 4 cups of water in a teakettle or medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the lemon verbena and rose hips. Remove from the heat and steep for about 15 minutes. Return to the heat and simmer for 1 minute. Pour into individual tea cups or mugs, sweeten with honey and serve.
Lemon Verbena Cake
Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup butter flavored shortening
2 drops lemon extract
2 cups cake flour or regular flour sifted several times
1/4 cup fresh chopped Lemon Verbena leaves
5 eggs
Cream together the sugar and shortening until well mixed. Add the eggs 1 at a time, mixing for one minute after each addition. Add dry ingredients gradually, scraping down the sides. Add the extract and the verbena leaves. Pour into a Bundt or tube pan, which is well coated with the shortening and floured. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until golden brown (testing with a toothpick). Remove to a cooling rack for 15 minutes. Remove from pan onto a serving plate. Drizzle with glaze or dust with confectioners' sugar.
Lemon Verbena Scones
Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh lemon verbena leaves
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup milk
Preheat oven to 425º F. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and brown sugar. Cut in the butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the lemon verbena leaves; mix until combined just combined. Make a well in the center of flour mixture. Add the egg, yogurt, and milk, stirring well. Mix in with the flour mixture to form a soft dough. Coat a12-inch cast iron skillet with a non-stick cooking spray. With floured hands, pat the dough into skillet. Cut with a sharp, serrated knife into eight wedges. (You can also pat the dough into a circle this same size on a baking sheet, and then cut into wedges.) Bake at 425º F for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Serve warm. Makes 8 servings.
Raspberry-Lemon Verbena Butter
From The Herb Companion
Ingredients:
1/2 pound unsalted butter
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
4 ounces fresh or frozen raspberries (not in syrup)
1 small handful young, tender lemon verbena leaves
Thaw the raspberries if frozen, and pour off any excess liquid. With all ingredients at room temperature, blend butter, sugar, and raspberries until smooth (about 3 minutes). Strip out any large veins in the lemon verbena leaves, then add the leaves (chopped if you're mixing by hand) and blend until the texture is pleasing.
Lemon Butter
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Grated peel of 1 lemon
4 to 6 fresh very finely minced lemon verbena leaves
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and purée until smooth. Refrigerate covered about 2 hours until firm.
Lemon Verbena Hair Rinse
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons lemon verbena leaves
1 cup boiling water
Pour the boiling water over the lemon verbena leaves. Steep for about an hour. Strain the mixture, discarding herb. Use as a rinse after shampoo and conditioning your hair.
Salt-Free Herb Seasoning
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried dill weed
1 tbsp. dried lemon verbena
1/2 cup dried minced onion
1 tbsp. dried lovage, or celery seeds
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. dried marjoram
In batches, grind all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container out of the sunlight and away from heat.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is an avid gardener, freelance writer, mom and wife. She is also editor of Old Fashioned Living.
Today I was surfing the web and found a great website about a small garden in
Florence, Alabama. Florence is on or near the Tennesee River in Northeastern
Alabama. The couple started the garden in 1992. There were no mature trees or plants.
In 2007, it looks great for a 15 year old garden.
The owners have nice antique roses, perennials, vines and lovely shrubs and
trees. They have added many features to the garden such as garden walls, trellises,
and arbors and etc. You may visit the website at home.hiwaay.net.
What I found unique about this garden was a reddish violet wall(much bluer than mauve), faced down with perennials of colors that blend well with the wall - some blues and pinks. It also features a lovely native oakleaf hydrangea. How nice
are pictures of the home garden.
.
I just went on the Missouri Botanical Gardens' website. It's phenomenal! Only
wish I could get to St. Louis soon. The web-site's virtual tour takes you through the
different gardens. I spent a couple hours on it. You can also take a virtual tour
of Horticulture, which I am saving for another day.
Of course I had heard of the climatron. After all, who in the Western Hemisphere
hasn't. It's amazing, but then so is the Japanese Garden, the Chinese Scholars'
Garden, and all the other gardens.
The Gardens began as Henry Shaw's country place in the 1850's. Shaw erected a house
and maze garden, and other gardens to remind him of his native country, England.
He kept adding buildings, hired a botanist from Germany. Today it is a national
historic site and a leader in botanical research
So if you got a free afternoon to surf the web, visit www.mobot.org.
I promise you will be the more enlightened for it.
Also as a bonus for homeowners, they have 8 acres devoted to 23 suburban sized
Contemporary Garden Design featured gardens, with 
Contemporary Garden Decor
.
It's such a great looking plant. I bought a couple of 1 gallon pots of
Moonbeam Coreopsis last
year to set out in the home garden
. It was beautiful last year, but so far this year,it just sits. It is neither growing nor blooming. Does anyone know what's going on with this plant. It is sorely missed.
