Hollyhock– Alcea rosea

Origin: Europe

Looking for a lovely flowering plant that will draw hummingbirds and butterflies? Why not try the Hollyhock. A hardy biennial, hollyhocks of old were tall, swaying beauties. However, now days these have been replaced in many cases by shorter hybrid versions.

Fortunately you can still get seeds from some of the older types.

Often regarded as perennials, hollyhocks will in fact, return for a year or maybe two afterwards, if cut back immediately after finishing flowering.

Another trick is to allow the seeds to mature, then thin out the seedlings and refresh the soil with compost. This will provide you with more vigorous plants. Your hollyhock seedlings can then be relocated to spread more of the wealth.  

The post June 2005 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

Pansy– Viola x Wittrockiana

Origin: Europe

Pansies thrive in cool weather, bringing bright color to the spring garden then fading in the heat of summer, only to return in full foliage during the autumn months. As edible flowers go, they are one of the top ten favorites.

The name pansy comes from the French pensee for thought or thinking of you. In Victorian times, pansies codified ” I think of you” in the language of flowers.

Pansies prefer rich, loamy, well-drained soil that is on the moist side. They should be grown in full sun or preferably light shade since it does not dry out as quickly. In cold climates, you can start the seeds of these annuals ten to twelve weeks before the last frost. Transplant outdoors as soon as the soil can be worked.

To extend the blooming period, pick soon after the flower opens. Pansies will keep for several days in the refrigerator, but are best when freshly picked. Finally, in case you were wondering, Pansies have a slightly green or grassy flavor if you eat just the petals. If you consume the whole flower, there is a wintergreen overtone.

Pansy Cashew Dip

• 1 Cup sweet orange juice
• 8 Ounces cashew butter
• 15 to 20 Pansies with petals shredded
• 5 Whole Pansies

Blend juice and cashew butter together until smooth. Gently mix in shredded pansies. Garnish with whole pansies.

Tastes great as a dip for carrots, broccoli, celery, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes. 

The post May 2005 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

Tall Fernleaf Fiddleneck or Bee Plant  – Phacelia tanacetifolia

Origin: South Western USA and Mexico

As we start the New Year, the focus will be on those plants which represent rich biodiversity, playing host to countless organisms in order to encourage a well-balanced ecosystem. With this in mind, we will start with a plant commonly known as “the bee plant.”

The Phacelia is highly attractive to honeybees, bumblebees and other valuable pollinators. It provides both pollen for protein (which is needed for egg production) and nectar for carbohydrates (which is needed for energy). Phacelia’s habit of quick growth and long flowering make it ideal for an insectary plant.

Used in California vineyards, Phacelia is being imported to Europe where it works well as a cover crop and as bee forage. An annual, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil in partially shaded conditions since the seed requires dark for good germination. However, it is hardy enough to tolerate full sun and does require a minimum of thirteen hours of daylight to initiate flowering.

Although it is known as a California wildflower, the Phacelia is highly adaptable to a wide range of climatic regions and growing conditions. The soft lavender blue flowers open approximately six to eight weeks after germination, inviting beneficial insects to the garden for an additional six to eight weeks. 

The post January 2005 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

Gerbera Daisy – Gerbera jamesonii

Origin: South Africa

The Gerbera Daisy produces lovely flowers, which in its natural state are red, yellow or orange. Commercial growers have expanded on the color palette with pink, white, salmon, and crimson blooms. The Gerbera provides a wealth of long-lasting flower, especially if brought indoors in the autumn and kept on a cool window ledge. If its needs are met, the Gerbera will continue blooming all winter long.

But this daisy isn’t just another pretty face! It has proven extremely effective in removing chemical vapors from the air, especially benzene (cigarette smoke). The Gerbera likes bright light but not full sun. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy because it can get root rot if over-watered.    

Why not brighten up you and your pets fall days with a Gerbera Daisy or two?

The post October 2004 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

Chive: Allium schoenoprasum

Origin: Unknown, possibly Asia

Each spring I’m surprised to find my little pot of chive has survived another long cold winter. Over the years, I’ve done little or no mulching but my trusty chive plant not only soldiers through but also prospers by spreading seeds for volunteer plants all around the vicinity. First the long, tube-shaped leaves appear. They are quickly followed by lovely purple blossoms, which stay nice for a relatively long time. I feed these blooms to my lorikeets, which relish the tasty treat. Sometimes I can even convince my other birds to sample a chive bud or two.

 The chive (singular use for the plant, plural form for the spice) is a member of the onion family. The fresh leaves are normally what is consumed but frozen will do in a pinch. They have a milder taste than onions or garlic.

 I started my main chive plant from seed about four years ago and have kept it in a pot on my front step for easy access although I wouldn’t consider it an ideal location. The chive plant likes a sunny location with medium moisture. I try to fertilize it once a month during the spring and summer. Over the years, my main plant has “spawned” off many baby plants, which I often dig up, put in a pot and give to friends. As you can see in the picture I’ve got another chive plant growing right next to my pot of chive.

If you are looking for a good-looking, easy grower that works as beak food for your birds, the chive plant is the answer.       

The post June 2003 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

White Dragonflower:Physostegia virginiana alba

Origin: Virginia, USA

Want to attract butterflies to your garden? Then why not add White Dragonflowers to your outdoor plantings this spring. An easy care perennial, this attractive plant will produce spikes of unusual snapdragon-like white blossoms throughout the summer into early autumn. 

 Dragonflowers are also commonly known as the obedient plant because each individual flower can be placed into a new temporary position as if it were hinged. The white variety has a more compact form with less of a tendency to flop than other cultivars of the species. White Dragonflowers grow best in full sun with medium moisture and well-drained soil. They don’t like to sit with “wet feet”. 

 Growing anywhere from 1 ½ to 2 feet, the Dragonflower does like to spread so it should be divided every two to three years to keep it under control. Tolerant of various conditions, it grows
in zones 3 to 9.

 An exceptional plant, which can add contrast to other cultivars, the White Dragonflower is wonderful for naturalizing in a wild garden, prairie or meadow. 

The post May 2003 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

Dwarf Korean Lilac – Syringa meyeri

Origin: China

In my part of the country, we are finally starting to dig out from underneath the snow. One of the events that signals Spring has officially arrived is the blooming of the lilacs. Every year Rochester, New York holds a Lilac Festival (www.lilacfestival.com) to celebrate the occasion. Highland Park is filled with the the beauty of thousands of lilacs and if you close your eyes, you can catch their sultry perfume before you even reach the park. So in honor of this year’s upcoming festival, I’ve chosen the Dwarf Korean Lilac as April’s featured plant.

 A member of the Olive family, the Dwarf Korean Lilac is a free-flowering deciduous shrub, which grows four to six feet in height and has a spread of four to five feet. It produces violet or icy blue sweetly fragrant single flowers arranged in dense clusters covering this shrub in a profuse bloom from late April to mid May.  What makes this particular variety special is that it doesn’t spread or produce suckers.

The Dwarf Korean is easily grown in average well-drained soil and does best in full sun. This particular lilac is very resistant to mildew. And it has no serious insect or disease problems. Hardy from zones 3 to 7, it produces excellent fresh cut flowers, although you’ll probably be sharing them
with the native fauna. Bees, butterflies and some early arriving hummingbirds heartily enjoy the nectar from lilac bushes.

 If you are in the western New York State area May 9^th thru the 18th, plan to make a side trip to Highland Park for the Rochester Lilac Festival.

The post April 2003 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.

Orchid Trees –  Bauhinia ssp.

Origin: India, China, and Madagascar

Here’s a genus of plants that are definitely favorites. Bauhinias were named in honor of the brothers Bauhin, who were Swiss botanists of the 16^th to 17^th century. The common name, Orchid Tree was probably given because their blooms resemble orchids even though they aren’t related. The twin lobed leaves also lend them a tropical aura. But in actuality they are more of a sub-tropical, hardy to zone 10 (22 degrees F or –6 C). Some of the species adapt themselves nicely to pot culture so they can be grown indoors or out.

 Orchid Trees enjoy full sun to light shade and need moderate watering. They are sensitive to chlorosis, the build of chlorine from treated water. However, this can be treated with iron chelate. I recommend fertilizing twice a year organically, followed by a thorough flushing with rainwater.

 I have grown Orchid Trees in my bird room for many years. It’s important to keep it misted at least every other day. And during the month of December, my Orchid Trees experience a massive leaf drop almost like clockwork. However, it replaces the leaves with new buds in a matter of a few days. 

 Orchid Trees bloom in the winter to early spring. The tree is covered in spectacular orchid-like flowers. Here are some examples of a few species in various colors that work well in containers.

 Enjoy the show!

 Purple Orchid Tree – Bauhinia purpurea or variegata

  White Orchid Tree aka Love Tree – Bauhinia alba

 Pink Orchid Tree aka Butterfly Tree – Bauhinia monandra

Red Orchid Tree – Bauhinia galpinni

The post March 2003 appeared first on Exotic Edibles.