June, 2000
Gardening fun in the sun in Austin, Texas
Food, Flowers, Fish
June brings baby fish, many blossoms and a few veggies to Ann Marie's garden.  On the edible front, sweet 100 tomatoes are ripening and green beans are being harvested.  Swiss chard continues to supply more than enough of its deep green leaves.  The fig tree nearest the compost pile is loaded with fruit but Ann Marie hasn't been able to beat the raccoons to any of the ripe ones.  The basil is becoming lush...it must be pesto time.  Okra plants are about eight inches high so a bubbling pot of gumbo making is still a dream.  The peppers are putting on a few fruit, but thanks to an early mowing by friendly snails the peppers are way behind those of other gardeners.  Habaneros are just beginning to show yellow color and there are a few golf ball sized sweet peppers.

Although the garden is predominately green herbs, there are splashes of color.  Surprise sunflowers are popping up thanks to avian landscape designers.   The cheerful yellow flowers are always welcome guest in the garden.  The crimson François Rabelais rose is in its second bloom of the year and midnight blue Salvia guaranitica adds a dramatic touch to a perennial bed.  The most outstanding June bloom is the Trachelium.

TracheliumTrachelium caeruleum
This beautiful member of the campanula family is perennial in zones 8-9, but those of you in the cold country  can enjoy it as a summer annual.  It is a shrubby evergreen in Austin, Texas and tolerates dry shade.  It can also be grown in full sun if given a bit more water.  Sometimes called "blue throatwort", the literature says a white form is also available but Ann Marie has not seen it in local nurseries.  Trachelium is a useful addition to the perennial border and blooms reliably throughout the summer.  It also is a butterflynectar plant and a  long lasting cut flower.  A cheerful bouquet is made when it is paired with medium sized sunflowers and green filler foliage.

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