LouC, I assume you're asking me.......it's a Duranta.
Here is one of my Purple Sage bushes. I use this for cooking pork and venison. I think it's better than the common sage. The hummingbirds were all over this and the Duranta yesterday.
Herbs in Texas?
brigidlily, I like the idea of having it sectioned off. That's going to look great once it gets filled in.
That photo was from May (the only one I had up here at work). It's quite a bit fuller now -- in fact, I've been pulling a lot out lately! The heat/humidity factor down here is enormous, so there are 3 rose bushes along the edge of each sector for shade, and passifloras growing along the arch in the middle.
Come to think of it, I may have a picture taken from the back porch. If I can find it, I'll post it.
here it is, taken in March
edited to say the passifloras weren't planted at this time, and it was in its very early stages. But it has been a real joy.
This message was edited Sep 17, 2007 11:03 AM
pod, I always grow a few herbs here and there. rosemary, basils, thyme but the rains did them in this year. The only one I replaced was the rosemary.
Why didn't you replace more of them? Was it too late in summer. Right now the fall herbs are hitting the GH and GCs. I don't need more but I still have to look!
My favorite herb plants are without a doubt the lemon scented. I have lemon grass, lemon basil, lemon balm and my A # 1 favorite lemon verbena. The balm is pretty hardy but I bring the lemon grass and lemon verbena in. They are in pots.
I had lemon thyme and liked it too. Unfortunately, it went to that great herb garden in the sky with all the rest of my thymes! Grrrrr!
Brigidlily ~ did you find the roses provided adequate shade? Any ideas on doing things differently next spring? And did you get on the roof for that first photo? LOL
you know, I never even considered buying herbs in the fall. Plus, the tropicals have my attention right now. I'm such a fickle gardener.
Pod, I have sweet basil and cinnamon basil growing rather slowly in the bed. Should I pot and bring in or will they winter over. Never had it in the bed before.
broncbuster, I have a duranta, but it's in a pot because I thought a freeze would kill it. I'm surprised you have it in the ground. Has gone through a winter yet? And do you protect in from winter winds?
Podster, where did you find allspice. That would neat to grow.:) BTW did you say you keep lemon grass in a pot to bring in? I have mine in the ground. It gets sun all day, no extra water, and no winter protection. Awsome plant. The leaves turn red in winter. It's almost prettier in winter than it is in summer.
I lost a large pot of lemon grass this past winter and was heartbroken. Yes, the new one is in a pot and will be cut back and come in. Perhaps being in a pot damaged the roots when it froze here.
I too lost every Duranta I have left out here. Hate to keep trying them if they don't want to overwinter here.
LouC ~ on the basil as I understand, it is like an annual. I know that some growers allow it to go to seed and then save that for next year. The basil will become bitter when allowed to bloom and seed. If I recall, I remember reading about someone rooting cuttings in water? If you really love it, I think I would do both. Dig some up to save and allow some to seed. I am guilty of letting mine go south and just replacing it next season... pod
Pod, do you think the lemon grass wouldn't come back if left in the ground?
I have been told it would come back in ground in this zone but the plant I have now is small. I started it from seed. I want it to get a bit stronger before I make it become hardier... poor little thing. lol The way yours turns with the sunlight and temp makes it sound like an ornamental grass. Very pretty.
I didn't mean to overlook your question earlier ~ if I ever do, just jog my memory. I suffer from sometimers disease. Sometimes I remember and sometimes, I don't. : ))
I bought the Allspice from Hirts Gardens. The leaves had been bent in shipping and when I opened the box, the fragrance was wonderful!. It is a tender tropical and will require protection. If you are interested, this is the scoop on it...
Quoting:
This is a small tree with oblong, feathery, aromatic leaves from the glandular dots on the underside. It sheds leaves twice a year. Plant is dioecious ( some actually function as male and others as fruiting female trees )
Zone 10-11
Semi tender
leaf damage at 30F
limb damage at 26F
Full sun to light shade
Regular water.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The name allspice came into usage during the 17th century, stemming from the description that it is a blend of cloves, juniper, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. The Allspice tree is closely related to the clove tree, Oleum pimentae. The oil of both spices share the same principal constituent.
The allspice tree begins to fruit when 7 to 8 years old and it comes into full bearing from 15 years. The small flowers are quickly followed by small berries that resemble that resemble black peppercorns.
The fruits special qualities reside in the rind. The berries are collected as soon as they have reached full size, but while still unripe and green, since they lose their aroma upon ripening owing to loss of their volatile oil.
Harvesting of the berries is performed by breaking off the small twigs that bear the bunches. These are then spread and exposed to the sun and air for a few days, the stalks removed and the berries then ready.
There are both male and female allspice trees. The so-called male trees rarely bear fruit. There is no way to tell which is which before the time of fruiting.
So essentially, I have to wait for about 7 years before it blooms and then it may not bloom if it is a boy. So, I rub the leaves and enjoy the fragrance. The leaves can be used in cooking for seasoning like you would use bay. Some consolation....
That's really neat Podster.:) I'll put that on my wish list. Never thought of growing allspice. I like it though.
I don't know if I have a picture of my lemon grass in winter. I doubt it. I'll try to remember to take a picture of it this winter.
For those who were talking about rosemary... the trailing kind will root where it sits on the ground. Mine's in a pot, so I just pinned a couple of branches to 4" pots, normal potting soil, and covered the pins. They did need the pins, though.
I've never been able to keep rosemary over the winter. For you guys who do, do you do anything special for it? I have a new wall that would like to have something permanent trailing over it.
I've kept lemon grass alive for about nine years. It's planted below a south facing retaining wall.
Almost lost it the first winter because it was planted out in the open, then transplanted to it's own little micro climate where it's flourished.
That may be the answer for the lemon grass when I plant it ~ thank you Jabee. Do you mulch it overwinter?
Pbtxlady ~ I have the trailing but am training it to grow up in a 10" hoop shape, rather like a standard. It shares blooms all thru the winter. I do like it.
Although you are in a cooler zone, you might try what Jabee suggested by stretching your zone and planting it by a building or fence where it will receive reflected sun and heat during winter. Also shelter from winds. Worth a try. There is apparently more than one type of hardy upright rosemary. I only know of one variety of trailing rosemary and don't know how hardy.
I don't mulch the lemon grass but I don't cut it back until February or March.
I've been searching for lemona verbena. Too late for this year but for next- does anyone have any suggestions in the Austin area or online within Texas?
Silverfluter, I've only had my Duranta in the ground since April. I have it planted against a south-facing wall. Mitch has one that survived the winter in the ground, so I'll be asking him what's his secret. I also have a plumbago and a foxtail fern that are in the ground, so I'll have to take care of those, too. I'll let you know come spring.
Jabee, maybe you almost lost your lemon grass because you have more sand. Our soil here is very rich sandy loam.
You are a zone warmer than me. I don't protect mine or water it and it has no trouble increasing every year. In fact this year I am going to divide it and put some in another bed.
And if you ever get down to the African violet nursery on I10 north of SA, they should have lemon verbena. I have also seen it at the Rose Emporium in SA. You could also try The Natural Gardener in Austin.
Broncbuster, I'll definitely want to know how your duranta and foxtail fern comes through the winter. I also have a foxtail fern that I have been taking to the gh for winter, but that's not nearly as much work.:) The duranta is in a huge pot. Does foxtail spread underground? I try to be very careful about what I plant in the ground. Ferns can be invasive too.
Silver, from what I've read and heard about foxtails, they are slow growers and don't spread like other ferns. I've had mine since May and it has only put up 2 new 'tails'. I'm thinking of painting a 5gal bucket with a really bright decorative design and putting it over the fern this winter. I'll use one that is more translucent so that it gives a greenhouse effect. On second thought, I'll probably have my wife paint the bucket......she's good at making floral designs. I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out.
pod, the roses are just now getting big enough to provide much in the way of shade. Maybe next year I'll have something to report. First year sleep, second year creep, third year leapl.
I've sure learned a lot -- such as don't try motherwort down here! I never did have any luck with lavender, but I put some under the protection of one of the 2 rose bushes that got big (the blush knock out) and it's blooming! My first blooming lavender! My thyme has tried and tried and tried but not much success. It browns from the bottom, which I THINK is indicative of the humidity. That's why I'm interested in the purslane -- it's VERY happy here!
Pod, my dad planted his foxtails in the ground last year. One survived, but it never did well this year. I buried mine in pots so I could bring them in. They both did much better.
The rosemary I get every year at Calloway's must not be the hardy kind, because they're in full sun all winter. I brought one in last year, but it didn't like the dry heat in the house either. (Same with the basil.) I wish I could find one that would live. The lady down the street has one that's about 8 years old.
Someone asked about saving tropical hibiscus (or was that another thread?). I bring those inside too. They usually look pretty awful by January, but they do survive and recover in the spring. The one I have now stayed green and bloomed in my kitchen every day last winter. Very cheery on a cold Feb morning.
(Yes, my kitchen does get very crowded for three months. Looking hard at those homemade greenhouse photos... :)
That's too bad that Charley's GH doesn't have cold frames anymore. I wonder why.
Broncbuster, that's a good idea about painting the bucket. You could also use an old nursery pot. Would be much cheaper. You can buy them for a couple of dollars at some nurseries if they also do landscaping. Their customers have no use for the pots their plants were in, so the nursery sells them.
I have a tropical hibiscus that goes in the gh for winter. The only time I ever had a problem with it was when I also had an angel wing begonia in there. The mealy bugs were everywhere.:(
I lost a large foxtail fern last year and cried. It was gorgeous but I figured it would be hardy like the asparagus fern. I had a smaller foxtail that I had saved. Odd how the dead foliage on that plant was really attractive tho.
Pbtxlady ~ when you bury your pots, do you cover with a mulch to hide the pots?
Jabee ~ if I may say ~ if you get your hands on L. verbena, you will never be without. I mail ordered mine a few years ago. I have never seen one around here for sale. It is not necessarily an attractive plant till you rub the leaves and smell. It will make the taste buds salivate!
Broncbuster ~ if you fix the bucket for a small greenhouse, don't forget to remove it on warmer days. That would surely cook the fern.
Brigidlily ~ I get so ill about the thymes and this year some of the oreganos too! Mine are affected the same way. I keep trying but wonder if I need to enjoy them in the winter ~ not summer. You have been making me research the purslane. Will post if I find anything interesting.
Silverfluter ~ I've not had mealy bugs on the Angelwing begonias do you think they are the attractant? Never even when brought in for winter.... hate to say never ~ that is tempting fate! lol
So speaking of the fading thymes... this summer I lost all the thyme, the better part of the marjoram, most of a delicate variegated pineapple mint (saved a few cuttings) and again ~ the ornamental oregano. I love that plant and am struggling to succeed with it. It has lasted better this year than last. I still have a few live stems. GRRRRrrrrr.
I know this problem is not unique to me ~ so does anyone have any thoughts or ideas on how to prevent this? Assistance will be appreciated!
Ornamental oregano ~ Kents Beauty
Has anyone tried Salad Burnet? It is a winter plant like parsley. It has a very unusual spiral growth and tastes like mild celery.
Parcel ~ yes Celery flavored parsley and I liked it. Salad Burnet I will have to research... sounds good.
Umm I have a question and it may be rather silly but as some of you already know I am new to Texas so I am re learning gardening for Texas.
I have Texas sage growing back of the house is this not only a bush but an herb or is it just a bush by that name?
Also I don't know if any of you have used this place to order from but I found it last week when I was browsing around dreaming of what I am going to do with 2.4 acres of land
they have herbs
http://www.tastefulgarden.com
The only thyme that has ever survived in my yard was planted in the retaining wall, with part shade. There are times when it looks straggly, but it has suvived over a decade. I also have an oregano that is hardy, although I have never used it in my food. Sometimes planting with almost 1/2 lavasand will help. I always plant my lavender like that.
podster-
You are so right about lemon verbena. I used to buy it locally and loved it but haven't been able to find it for years. I ordered from Richter's last year but was very disappointed with the plants and they never really took off. Where did you get those you ordered?
Phyllis, what I have that is called Texas sage is not an herb. It is greyish leaves and blooms purple.....as far as I know it is not edible.
Where is Josphine? She will know. Also known as frostweed......Hey, Jo......
On L. verbena ~ It has been a few years but I'm almost certain it was from a regular ebay seller. I've not seen it elsewhere commonly. Did you not bring yours in for winter? This past year I thought it was dead ~ in the plant shelter but amazingly it acted deciduous. Don't know if it really is...
Banana ~ where do you get the lavasand? What type of thyme? The oregano I have smells like pizza ~ lol It is a common one.
Mibus2 ~ I will have to tour the tasteful garden. The only Texas sage I know is an ornamental not edible? I loved mine till a bad little boy dog ate it! Does it look like one of these... http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher%5Bcommon%5D=&searcher%5Bfamily%5D=&searcher%5Bgenus%5D=Leucophyllum&searcher%5Bspecies%5D=&searcher%5Bcultivar%5D=&searcher%5Bhybridizer%5D=&search_prefs%5Bblank_cultivar%5D=&search_prefs%5Bsort_by%5D=rating&images_prefs=both&Search=Search
Thanks, pod. Forgot for a minute.
Hmmmm... pod, I potted both in black nursery pots, and then sank the pots up to about an inch from the top. The pots weren't really visible so I don't think I mulched much, but you could if needed. The only reason for doing it was to be able to get them out easily when the frost came.
This year I gave one away and repotted the other in a real pot, which I didn't sink. It's more visible, and I thought prettier, than it was in the ground.
Texas Sage Leucophylum frutescens is used as a medicinal herb,
in this Texas Herbal
"Silverleaf, Texas
Leucophyllum frutescens
Location: in central, western, and southwestern Texas, also planted along highways and culverts.
Medical use: used my Mexican indians for chills and fevers"
However, I think one of our members Bronckbuster uses it in cooking if I am not mistaken.
That is what I know about it use other than being an Endemic Texas plant and very beautiful.
Josephine.
Sorry forgot the link to the Herbal; http://www.angelfire.com/tx6/trickcoyote/tpwv.html
This message was edited Sep 18, 2007 10:13 PM
Podster,the cheapest place I find lavasand is at Lowes. I don't know what kind of thyme it is, but I can try to root some for you.I think the oregano is Mexican Oregano, I'll get a pic and check the smell .
ok mine is like that so not an herb...darn ...lol
and yes check them out they have herbs on sale 15% off I think it said
geez I wish I could win the lottery then I could go crazy fixing this place up plant wise and landscaping it ...oh but wait you have to play it to try and win it uh...hehehehe
me, too. Think I have won more than anyone because I have never, ever played.....therefore, I have never lost....hehehehe
Banana ~ very pretty beds. I wish we had a scratch and sniff feature on DG. Especially when it comes to herbs. LOL
Mibus does your Tx sage look like one of them? According to Ms Josephine, it would be considered a Texas herb. There you have it! Maybe the Broncbuster can share which one he has and how he uses his...
LouC ~ DH says the same. He wins $2.00 weekly by not playing. lol
Yeah Pod mine has a greenish grayish leaves on it with purple flowers.
will have to see if maybe I can get Bronc to share since I am planning on bringing trees for him and Mitch to the swap ...lol