Due to coronavirus-19 and our concerns for the health of members and visitors, our meetings this year will be virtual and limited to members only. We look forward to being able to invite visitors again.
If you are interested in membership, please use our Contact Form and let us know.
Stay healthy!!
If you are interested in membership, please use our Contact Form and let us know.
Stay healthy!!
FROM OUR MEETINGS...
During our 2020 - 2021 year we are studying the National Herb Garden in the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington D.C. Each month will feature a different specialty garden. Some of the details will be featured here.
THE NATIVE AMERICAN GARDEN, discussed by Terry Wheeler
This garden features an array of plants from Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) to Adam's Needle (Yucca filimentosa). "The Native American Garden is a place to pause and to appreciate the rich resources of the United States. It is a place to learn about the foods, flavorings, sweeteners, dyes, medicines, and more that have been used historically and remain available to us still. The Native American Garden is a tribute to the wealth of the earth and to the Native Americans who graciously shared their knowledge of plants with newcomers from Europe." (1)
1. Schlosser, Katherine K. (2007). The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs, Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, LA. pg. 276.
THE NATIVE AMERICAN GARDEN, discussed by Terry Wheeler
This garden features an array of plants from Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) to Adam's Needle (Yucca filimentosa). "The Native American Garden is a place to pause and to appreciate the rich resources of the United States. It is a place to learn about the foods, flavorings, sweeteners, dyes, medicines, and more that have been used historically and remain available to us still. The Native American Garden is a tribute to the wealth of the earth and to the Native Americans who graciously shared their knowledge of plants with newcomers from Europe." (1)
1. Schlosser, Katherine K. (2007). The Herb Society of America's Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs, Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge, LA. pg. 276.
Left: Wild ginger, Asarum canadense Center: Black Cohosh, Actaea racemosa Right: Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis
Photos by K. Schlosser
Photos by K. Schlosser
FROM OUR GARDENS...
While we are all "sheltering in place," we are looking for ways to connect with one another and to share our gardens with friends beyond our own small circle. Therefore, we are featuring here some photos from our personal gardens. ENJOY!
Winter In Our Gardens
FROST FLOWERS
These fleeting beauties look as though they are made of cotton candy and they are not flowers. They are found on those days when the ground is still warm and the air suddenly drops below freezing. This morning it was 30°, humidity 66%, dew point 18°, and the wind was still. You also need a few plants around that, though they may have died above ground, still have roots that are sending sap up the stems through capillary action. When these conditions exist you might find a frost flower.
The frost flower is formed as sap is pumped up the stem of the plant. As the sap reaches a break in the old stem, or ruptures the dried stem, it seeps out and freezes as it hits the cold air. As more sap moves up, the ice is extruded, often forming odd ribbon like shapes, sometimes curling around and forming what can even look like petals. These little icy confections are incredibly fragile, some very thin and melting at the slightest touch or at the first hint of sunlight.
Among our native plants that can form frost flowers are white crownbeard (Verbesina virginica), yellow ironweed (Verbesina alternifolia), and frostweed (Helianthemum canadense). Mine, as pictured, is growing from common dittany (Cunila origanoides), a plant with a fragrance of oregano and thyme and has had some culinary uses.
These fleeting beauties look as though they are made of cotton candy and they are not flowers. They are found on those days when the ground is still warm and the air suddenly drops below freezing. This morning it was 30°, humidity 66%, dew point 18°, and the wind was still. You also need a few plants around that, though they may have died above ground, still have roots that are sending sap up the stems through capillary action. When these conditions exist you might find a frost flower.
The frost flower is formed as sap is pumped up the stem of the plant. As the sap reaches a break in the old stem, or ruptures the dried stem, it seeps out and freezes as it hits the cold air. As more sap moves up, the ice is extruded, often forming odd ribbon like shapes, sometimes curling around and forming what can even look like petals. These little icy confections are incredibly fragile, some very thin and melting at the slightest touch or at the first hint of sunlight.
Among our native plants that can form frost flowers are white crownbeard (Verbesina virginica), yellow ironweed (Verbesina alternifolia), and frostweed (Helianthemum canadense). Mine, as pictured, is growing from common dittany (Cunila origanoides), a plant with a fragrance of oregano and thyme and has had some culinary uses.
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FROST-EDGED PLANTS
In addition to Frost Flowers, seen above, this morning (December 15, 2020) we had frost delicately covering the edges of evergreen leaves on many plants, including those with herbal uses seen below.
Hexastylis virginiana, long ago roots were used for flavor.
Thymus vulgaris, Thyme
Heleborus species. Helebore, Christmas or Lenten Rose. A few historic uses for medicines, but also used as a poison.
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Heuchera americana, Alumroot. Used for medicinal purposes historically.
Rubus calycinoides, False creeping raspberry. No herbal uses, but pretty in the garden year round. Spreads with abandon, but forgiveable.
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Herb Gallery
Nothing better than a lovely picnic featuring herbs with a group of friends.
Arbor at the National Herb Garden, US National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.
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Monarda bradburiana, formerly M. fistulosa, eastern beebalm.
Allium schoenoprasum, Chives
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Armoracia rusticana, Horseradish
Calendula officinalis.
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