If there’s any herb that has a long and storied history, it’s the white sage plant, also called salvia apiana. Used heavily amongst California tribal people for centuries, this plant has many names given by the tribes who used it. The Tongva, also called the Gabrielino tribe, called it kasiile and found it on hills around … Read more
So many catmint varieties, so little time! There are over 250 species of Nepeta in Europe and Asia. But only a fraction of these make it onto a gardener’s list of must-haves. Most catnip plants produce a tightly-packed cluster of green or grey-green leafy foliage from which brilliant catnip flowers spring forth in shades of … Read more
When Simon and Garfunkel recorded the song “Scarborough Fair,” they sang about parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. The first thought that goes through my head when I hear this song on the radio is “but what about basil?” I love growing basil! Maybe it took fifth place in Simon and Garfunkel’s lyrical choice, but it’s … Read more
Now is the time of year that most gardeners begin planning their garden for the New Year, making tweaks and additions to their existing garden plans in order to create a garden that is bigger, better, and more beautiful than previous years. However the scent and functionality of your garden is just as important as … Read more
These days, mint is everywhere. It’s in our chewing gum, tea, foods, and God knows our breath would be less than ideal if it wasn’t in our toothpastes. Because of this versatility, it should come as no surprise that mint is one of the most popular plants to have ever been discovered, and that peppermint … Read more