Natures Lore Page 3

Heliotropum arborescens species ………. Fragrant Heliotropes

Like the name states, the flowers of this tender perennial that is a native to Peru offer fragrances that are sweet and intoxicating, as well as spectacular. This herb can be grown in a pot, in the garden, or in a hanging basket, where it performs superbly. The varieties we offer prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade. Feed the heliotropes frequently with plant food for a continuous supply of blossoms. Lush green leaves accompanied with a selection of flower color, size and fragrance are offered; dark-purple five-inch flowers of 'Sally Reath,' amethyst three-inch flowers of 'Iowa,' four-inch light-purple blossoms of the Purple, and three-inch almost pure-white flowers of the White. All possess a different aromatic mixture that scents the air with fragrances that range between vanilla and baby powder.

Just as alluring are the three-inch lavender-blue blossoms of Strawberry, and three-inch purple flowers of the Hyacinth-Scented Heliotrope, both as sweetly scented as their names suggest. The spring-in-bloom scent of the Hyacinth-Scented makes it an herb lover's favorite, as well as a 1984 exclusive of Well-Sweep.

Laurus nobilis & L. n. 'Aurea' ………. Sweet Bay & Golden Bay

In its native area, the Mediterranean, Sweet Bay can achieve a height of forty feet. In the warmer regions of Italy, there are estates surrounded with twenty-five foot tall hedges of this plant. Also known as Sweet Laurel or Bay Leaf, it is one of the most widely known culinary herbs. Not as well known, but with similar growth and uses, is the more decorative variety, Golden Bay. These plants are tender perennials that grow well in a half to full day of sun and make a superb potted topiary, providing flavor and decoration year round. The Golden Bay is definitely the most stunning of the two, with its new growth having a spectacular golden tinge.

Lavandula species ………. Lavender Varieties

The traditional scent of lavender has been savored for centuries. This plant is valued in the home as well as industry; potpourris, sachets, perfumes, bath products, and flavoring are just a few of its myriad uses. With its reputation as a sedative, people once wove this herb into their hats in order to ease tension.

Well-Sweep offers an enormous selection of lavenders in a variety of flower size and colors. Bloom time, height and type of plant growth make them an interesting and attractive perennial. Most varieties have purple flowers with silvery-grey foliage, but there are exceptions. The lavenders thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and mulching with sand will promote healthy growth. A sweet soil, accomplished by adding pulverized or granular lime, will increase plant vigor, oil production (which creates a stronger scent), and an abundance of flowers. Since these plants nearly double in size each year, they should be spaced two or more feet apart for optimum growth.

Some of our best selling lavenders at Well-Sweep include:

'Hidcote'Lavender - Known as a show-stopping plant for its strong-scented, dark-purple flowers, silver-grey leaves, and 24-inch height.

'Jean Davis'Lavender - A very hardy, pink flowering plant with a height of 18 inches, this lavender has a strong scent. We have had great success with it in our formal knot garden, for it makes a dense hedge when kept trimmed.

'Pastor's Pride', 'Sharon Roberts,' and 'Two Seasons' Lavender - These varieties all produce two flower crops per year when spent flowers are removed.

The Lavandins, fast becoming popular, are natural and bred hybrids of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, including some of their subspecies. These lavenders are great for the beginning gardener because they are easy to grow, noted for vigorous growth and high oil yield. Some of the Lavandins are: 'Grappenhall' Lavender, known for its growth of up to 36 inches; 'Provence', with its strong scent and robust growth; 'Dutch', 'Giant Hidcote' and 'Seal', all early bloomers; and 'Fat Spike', with its large, spiked flower heads, which are great for weaving lavender wands.

Myrrhis odorata ………. Sweet Cicely

Native to Northern Europe, this perennial likes to grow in partial to full shade in rich, moist soil. The soft ferny leaves, stalks, and seeds have a sweet anise-licorice flavor. These leaves can be chopped and added to cakes, biscuits, salads, or omelets. The green, unripe seeds or black, ripe seeds can be eaten raw or chopped and added to breads, pies, salads, or fruit desserts. Sweet Cicely seeds can also be soaked in vodka to create an unusual drink or sprinkled on top of cookies to add accent and flavor. An oil from the seeds is used to flavor liqueurs.

The dried leaves and seeds of Sweet Cicely hold their fragrance and are nice when used in potpourri and sachets. This decorative plant grows to about twenty-four inches in height and adds an interesting texture to the shade garden. It has small white flowers and lacy light-green leaves. Sweet Cicely is a treasure in the garden as well as the kitchen.

Home		Heliotropum arborescens species ………. Fragrant Heliotropes Like the name states, the flowers of this tender perennial that is a native to Peru offer fragrances that are sweet and intoxicating, as well as spectacular. This herb can be grown in a pot, in the garden, or in a hanging basket, where it performs superbly. The varieties we offer prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade. Feed the heliotropes frequently with plant food for a continuous supply of blossoms. Lush green leaves accompanied with a selection of flower color, size and fragrance are offered; dark-purple five-inch flowers of 'Sally Reath,' amethyst three-inch flowers of 'Iowa,' four-inch light-purple blossoms of the Purple, and three-inch almost pure-white flowers of the White. All possess a different aromatic mixture that scents the air with fragrances that range between vanilla and baby powder. Just as alluring are the three-inch lavender-blue blossoms of Strawberry, and three-inch purple flowers of the Hyacinth-Scented Heliotrope, both as sweetly scented as their names suggest. The spring-in-bloom scent of the Hyacinth-Scented makes it an herb lover's favorite, as well as a 1984 exclusive of Well-Sweep. Laurus nobilis & L. n. 'Aurea' ………. Sweet Bay & Golden Bay In its native area, the Mediterranean, Sweet Bay can achieve a height of forty feet. In the warmer regions of Italy, there are estates surrounded with twenty-five foot tall hedges of this plant. Also known as Sweet Laurel or Bay Leaf, it is one of the most widely known culinary herbs. Not as well known, but with similar growth and uses, is the more decorative variety, Golden Bay. These plants are tender perennials that grow well in a half to full day of sun and make a superb potted topiary, providing flavor and decoration year round. The Golden Bay is definitely the most stunning of the two, with its new growth having a spectacular golden tinge. Lavandula species ………. Lavender Varieties The traditional scent of lavender has been savored for centuries. This plant is valued in the home as well as industry; potpourris, sachets, perfumes, bath products, and flavoring are just a few of its myriad uses. With its reputation as a sedative, people once wove this herb into their hats in order to ease tension. Well-Sweep offers an enormous selection of lavenders in a variety of flower size and colors. Bloom time, height and type of plant growth make them an interesting and attractive perennial. Most varieties have purple flowers with silvery-grey foliage, but there are exceptions. The lavenders thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and mulching with sand will promote healthy growth. A sweet soil, accomplished by adding pulverized or granular lime, will increase plant vigor, oil production (which creates a stronger scent), and an abundance of flowers. Since these plants nearly double in size each year, they should be spaced two or more feet apart for optimum growth. Some of our best selling lavenders at Well-Sweep include: 'Hidcote'Lavender - Known as a show-stopping plant for its strong-scented, dark-purple flowers, silver-grey leaves, and 24-inch height. 'Jean Davis'Lavender - A very hardy, pink flowering plant with a height of 18 inches, this lavender has a strong scent. We have had great success with it in our formal knot garden, for it makes a dense hedge when kept trimmed. 'Pastor's Pride', 'Sharon Roberts,' and 'Two Seasons' Lavender - These varieties all produce two flower crops per year when spent flowers are removed. The Lavandins, fast becoming popular, are natural and bred hybrids of Lavandula angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia, including some of their subspecies. These lavenders are great for the beginning gardener because they are easy to grow, noted for vigorous growth and high oil yield. Some of the Lavandins are: 'Grappenhall' Lavender, known for its growth of up to 36 inches; 'Provence', with its strong scent and robust growth; 'Dutch', 'Giant Hidcote' and 'Seal', all early bloomers; and 'Fat Spike', with its large, spiked flower heads, which are great for weaving lavender wands. Myrrhis odorata ………. Sweet Cicely Native to Northern Europe, this perennial likes to grow in partial to full shade in rich, moist soil. The soft ferny leaves, stalks, and seeds have a sweet anise-licorice flavor. These leaves can be chopped and added to cakes, biscuits, salads, or omelets. The green, unripe seeds or black, ripe seeds can be eaten raw or chopped and added to breads, pies, salads, or fruit desserts. Sweet Cicely seeds can also be soaked in vodka to create an unusual drink or sprinkled on top of cookies to add accent and flavor. An oil from the seeds is used to flavor liqueurs. The dried leaves and seeds of Sweet Cicely hold their fragrance and are nice when used in potpourri and sachets. This decorative plant grows to about twenty-four inches in height and adds an interesting texture to the shade garden. It has small white flowers and lacy light-green leaves. Sweet Cicely is a treasure in the garden as well as the kitchen.
Introduction
Special Events
Gardener's Q&A
Directions
Catalog
Photo Gallery
Nature's Lore
Next Page
Previous Page
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1