June,
1999
Steamy
summer has come to Horsetail Haven, Ann Marie's home garden in Austin,
Texas
Agastache
Aggregation
Only
one of the 30 species of agastaches found world wide had thrived in Ann
Marie's garden prior to 1999. This spring the temptation to try more
of these versatile plants came by way of a High Country Gardens catalogue
(1-800-925-9387). The agastache trials were on...
Agastache
foeniculum
Commonly
called "anise hyssop" for its licorice scent and hyssop like square stems
(true hyssop is Hyssopus officinalis), this is an old standby at
Horsetail Haven. Grown in full sun, it makes a forty inch plant that
is covered all summer long with spikes of bluish purple flowers.
It is constantly decorated with lovely bumblebees that are attracted to
its sweet nectar. In Austin, TX, it seems to be a short lived perennial
that will reseed itself. It has shown some tolerance to heavy clay
soils but does best in a well draining bed.
Agastache
rugosum
Planted
in Horsetail Haven once before, this mint scented perennial quickly died
in full sun. This spring brought a new plant that was placed in a
partly shady location. On June 1st the eighteen inch high plant was
covered with lovely bluish purple spikes of flowers that are adorned with
elegant stamens that extend beyond the petals of the tubular blossoms.
Agastache
x "Blue Fortune"
New to
the garden, this hybrid has an appearance similar to A. foeniculum
and A. rugosum with ovoid shaped leaves featuring toothed edges.
It has an anise scent and is just beginning to show flower buds that should
soon yield purple flower spikes.
Agastache
rupestris
Completely
different in appearance is this airy plant whose long, thin, gray leaves
give it a willowy look. Listed as growing to thirty inches, this
new plant has been cut back twice to encourage bushiness. It is now
eighteen inches high and is beginning to show flower buds. Its highly
aromatic foliage has an anise fragrance with a hint of citrus. Grown
in full sun and well draining soil, the blossoms are described as being
salmon tinged with smoky lavender. What a sight they will be!
Agastache
aurantiaca
Also called
"orange hummingbird min", this newcomer to the garden is reputed to attracted
both hummers and butterflies. It requires good drainage and has been
planted in a sunny location. The fragrance of the foliage seems to
be that of mint mingled with the pungent aroma of the common marigold.
In bud on June 1st, it should be covered with tubular, orange blooms in
a few weeks.
Agastache
cana
A native
to west Texas, this plant has light green, triangular leaves that appear
and smell similar to A. aurantiaca. Described as having tubular,
raspberry blossoms in autumn, this 1999 planting has not yet shown any
flower buds.
Now
Blooming
Lantana,
White Datura, Agastache rugosum, Shrimp plant, Calamint, Yarrow, African
Blue Basil, Echinacea, Feverfew, Roses-Old Blush, Marie Pavié &
August Renoir, Salvias-greggii, guaranitica, coccinea & "Indigo Spires",
Now
Being Eaten
Tomatoes,
Green Beans, Swiss Chard, Carrots
New
Additions
Thanks
to a kind visitor to the garden- Calamintha niebita, Germander "tutti-frutti"
and Westringia "Wynyabble Gem". Also new is a Morning Glory Rebar
Teepee planted with "Heavenly Blue" Morning Glories
Use
Your Herbs
Pineapple
Rose Freeze
4
Cups Pineapple Juice
10
Rose Scented Pelargonium Leaves
2
Cups Sugar
1/2
Cup Lime Juice
Heat
pineapple juice slightly. Add rose scented pelargonium leaves and
use a spoon to gently bruise them against the sides of the container.
Cover and let steep 30 minutes. Remove leaves. Add sugar and
lime juice and stir until dissolved. (Heat slightly to speed dissolution)
Cool the mixture and freeze using an ice cream freezer or the shallow pan
in the freezer technique*. Garnish with pineapple sage or scented
pelargonium leaves and flowers when serving.
*pour
liquid into a shallow baking pan. Place in the freezer. Stir
with a fork every 30-45 minutes until frozen.
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