Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’

Origanum vulgare 'Aureum'

Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’    Family: Lamiaceae
(oh-RIG-an-um vul-GAR-ay)

Common name: golden oregano
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 12 in (30cm) Spread: 12-18 in (30-45cm)
Aspect: morning sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: An herbaceous perennial with a spreading habit. Small, fragrant, ovate leaves are a bright golden-yellow colour. Small, tubular, pink to lavender-coloured flowers appear above the foliage in early to late summer.

 

Special Notes: Culinary herb; use same as species. Golden colour holds best in cooler weather. Less scorching on the leaves if given partial shade during the hottest part of the day. Clip back hard in late June or early July to maintain its low, creeping habit. Drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant. Propagation by division in early spring or autumn; basal cuttings in late spring.

 

RHS Award of Garden Merit 1993

 

 

Posted on May 10, 2013

Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum Crispum’

Origanum vulgare 'Aureum Crispum'

Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum Crispum’
(oh-RIG-an-um vul-GAR-ay)
Family: Lamiaceae

Common name: golden curly oregano, golden crinkled oregano
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 6 in (15cm) Spread: 12-18 in (30-45cm)
Aspect: morning sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: An herbaceous perennial with a slow, spreading habit. Small, fragrant, crinkled leaves are a bright golden-yellow colour. Tiny clusters of pink flowers appear above the foliage in early to late summer.

 

Special Notes: Culinary herb but with a milder flavour than the species. Best used fresh; not cooked. Golden colour holds best in cooler weather. Provide relief from hot mid-day sun to prevent scorching. Drought tolerant once established. Deer resistant. Propagate by division in early spring or autumn; basal cuttings in late spring.

 

Posted on May 10, 2013

 

Rumex sanguineus var. sanguineus

Rumex sanguineus

Rumex sanguineus var. sanguineus
(ROO-meks san-GWIN-ee-us)
Family: Polygonacee

Common name: bloody dock; red-veined dock; bloody sorrel
Zone: 4 – 8
Height: 10-15 in (25-38cm) Spread: 6-12 in (15-30cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright habit and a long tap-root. Bright green, lanceolate leaves have a gentle ripple and are distinctively marked with deep red veining. Tiny, star-shaped flowers are borne on erect stems in June through July. Flowers start out green then turn reddish-brown before producing dark brown seeds. Seeds ripen late July through September.

 

Special Notes: Native to Europe, northern Africa and southwest regions of Asia. Flowers are hermaphrodite – have both male and female organs. Cut plant back hard after flowering to produce a fresh flush of leaves. Leaves are edible but contain oxalic acid which gives them an acid-lemon flavour. Safe to eat in moderate amounts. Oxalic acid concentration level is lower in young leaves; increases as leaves age. Limit amount of leaves in diet if you suffer from arthritis, rheumatism, kidney stones, gout or hyperacidity. Problems may include slugs, snails, rust, leaf spot and smuts – a plant disease caused by a particular fungus. Propagate by seed; division in spring or fall.

 

Posted on May 7, 2013

Agastache foeniculum ‘Golden Jubilee’

Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee' - flowers

Agastache foeniculum ‘Golden Jubilee’
(ag-ah-STAK-ee foe-NIK-yew-lum)
Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: golden anise hyssop
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 24 – 36 in (60 – 90cm)
Spread: 18 – 24 in (45 – 60cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: average; well-draining
Water: moderate

Description: An herbaceous perennial with an upright, clump-forming habit. Oval, closely-toothed, golden leaves are slightly hairy on their underside. Short spikes of lavender-purple flowers appear from mid-summer through to early autumn. Small seeds are black.

 

Special Notes: Very first golden-leaved agastache bred by K. Sahin Zaden in Holland. Named in honour of Queen Elizabeth celebrating her 50th year reign – her Golden Jubilee. Leaves have a pleasing anise scent when rubbed. Great for tea. Seeds may be used in baking. Perfect dried flower. Attracts bees and butterflies. Relatively few pests and disease problems but watch for powdery mildew. Propagate by seed, by cuttings in early spring or in summer, or by division in early spring or autumn. Will self-sow.

 

Posted on April 28, 2013

Agastache rugosa

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Photo coming soon

Agastache rugosa                                Family: Lamiaceae
(ag-ak-STAK-ee roo-GO-sah)
syn. Lophanthus rugosus

Common name: Korean mint; purple giant hyssop
Zone: 5 – 9
Height: 24 – 36 in (60 – 90cm)
Spread: 24 in (60cm)
Aspect: full sun; partial shade
Soil: moist; well-draining
Water: regular

Description: An herbaceous perennial with an erect habit. Oval, closely-toothed, medium green leaves are slightly hairy on their underside. Short spikes of lavender-blue flowers appear from mid-summer through to early fall. Small seeds are black.

 

Special Notes: Native to Korea, Japan, China and Vietnam. Leaves have a strong mint and liquorice scent when rubbed. Ornamental and medicinal plant used for teas, seasoning meats and in Eastern medicine. Perfect dried flower. Attracts bees and butterflies. Relatively few pests and disease problems but watch for powdery mildew. Propagate by seed, by cuttings in early spring or in summer, or by division in early spring or autumn.

 

In our Zone 7a garden: I have placed a few of these plants in my front bed where they must compete with the roots of my mature Aesulus hippocastanum (European horse chestnut) and Acer saccharinum (silver maple) trees. The soil is not stellar in this area of my garden and I have a hard time getting enough water to the plants. The two trees are famous for sucking all of the benefits out of the soil. Having said that, Agastache rugosa is one plant species that survives in my garden under these tough conditions, despite what the reference sources stipulate are its growing needs. Of course, it is not as lush as if it were provided fertile soil and adequate water but by planting more plants close together I can achieve roughly the same effect as from one plant alone.

 

Posted on March 13, 2013

 

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