Feature plant of this month

Calendula officinalis

These bright yellow and orange flowers are a familiar sight in cottage and country gardens. The plant is a native of southern Europe but flourishes in cool, temperate climates. The petals have a pungent, spicy flavor and the leaves have a bitter aftertaste. It is used more for medicinal than culinary purposes. This hardy annual grows to a height of about 9-20 inches and has a long flowering period.

List of past newsletter issues:

..... pests and diseases .....

..... foliage annuals .....

..... winter damage .....

..... edging beds .....

..... palace gardens .....

..... formal hedge .....

..... small trees .....

..... private garden .....

..... ground covers ......

Landscaping with edible plants.

I would like you to look at ordinary fruit, herbs and vegetables in a different way. Lets look at strawberry and mint as a great ground cover, raspberry or blueberry as an informal hedge and carrots or savory as attractive edge plants for your flowerbed. As well, consider nasturtiums and pansies as colorful additions to your salads, Purple cone flower and St. John's Worth as healing medicinal plants to enhance your herbal tea.

I think that every garden should be decorative as well as useful. We are used to seeing traditional gardens where ornamental plants are orderly in their designated flowerbeds and vegetables are in rows in a square patch. It might seem more efficient but it is definitely not necessary. Your garden gate could be covered with beautiful flowers of beans; your rock garden could have displays of Lavender, flowerbeds can be enhanced by outstanding foliage of red beets, kale or showy rhubarb. Oregano has red foliage and will look outstanding backed up with lush foliage of Basil. Spring bulbs could be replaced with lettuce and radishes.

Don't stop your imagination from painting this incredible picture that will please your sight as well as your stomach. We are what we eat.

Landscape Designer and Horticulturist

Viktorie Hladik

..... house plants .....

..... conifers .....

..... winter preparation .....

..... garden year-round....

..... starting your landscape job .....

..... shade garden ......

..... landscape lights .....

..... designing your entrance .....

..... building a retaining wall .....

..... garden features .....

..... winter gardens .....