Christina the Mausi set her ukulele down for a few hours, put pen to paper and proposed a layout of plants for my previously barren front yard, “Stonehenge.”
After getting the requisite OKs from a select group of VIP(s), I implemented her proposal nearly verbatim.
And thar she blows.
Foreground to background, we have santolina (apparently, a relative of the citronella plant), lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme. The latter three, you can eat. The former two, you can’t–but I’ll try smoking them on Friday night.
So now, my garden is full of herbs. But there’s one that will not–repeat, NOT–ever be found in Stonehenge…
JASEMINE!!!
Ahh, that turned out beautifully! Great job. Just wait until the plants fill out a bit and you’ll be the talk of the town.
I’ll be a smart-ass with finely honed Googling skills here and say that the Santolina chamaecyparissus, aka lavender cotton, is actually a member of the Asteraceae family – asters, daisys, sunflowers etc. You’ll see the resemblence when the little yellow flowers come out. I don’t know if I’d smoke it, but word has it you can use it to repel those pesky moths. That’s certainly something.
The garden looks great, but…
Isn’t a vicious, barking dog a mandatory fixture of a Spanish yard? I remember walking down my sister’s street when she lived in Madrid, and every yard seemed to have a German shepherd or a Doberman barking behind the gate looking to maul any passerby that got too close.
Nice work Sal & Christina, but I am disappointed by the lack of a garden gnome.
I’ll be certain to bring one along when I am in your neighborhood.
https://www.hotlink.com/customergnome/productImages/TGC004_c.jpg
I second the garden gnome! And I thought it was “parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme”?
It’s raining today, but if it ever stops I might blog about the little flowers that I planted last weekend. Last year, our ravenous neighborhood rabbit population ate half my flowers. This year, I took Shane’s grandpa’s advice and sprinkled Irish Spring soap shavings around them, and the rabbits haven’t touched them. (I take my tiny gardening victories where I can get them.)
Oh and a big PHOOEE to you!!!
Have you ever sat on an old wooden balcony overlooking the harbour on a warm summer night in an old upholstered rocking chair with jasmine scenting the night air you breathe??????
I thought not!
No jasmine … sacrilege!
ahhh, but you can indeed eat lavender! Vinegars infused with lavender make incredible vinegrette dressings and marinades for chicken and fish. It’s also delightful in very delicate desserts and certain baked goods. I prefer it to rose or orange waters in baklava…
The garden is incredible guys! Excellent!
I’ve also had lavender ice cream and it’s quite lovely.
Cool garden. Citronella is like, almost-lemon? And – I have jasemine growing wild in my inner yard and let me tell you, sometimes it truly is too much.
So…let’s see:
– Garden gnomes–Sorry, but I’m prohibited from doing so by the laws of good taste. However, if someone can point me to an Elvis gnome…
– Jasemine–Your jasemine may smell like a New Zealand ocean-side sunset…but mine smells like a filthy, wet mongrel. And one that loves to dig.
– Eating Lavender–Well, I’ve eaten dandelion greens and loved them, so I’m game for a plate of lavender and meatballs. To be honest, however, I’d trade it all in a heartbeat for just one unkillable cilantro plant.
Wonderful job, Sal. Did I just read that you have not planted cilantro??? Go for it! You still have a little space.
PS: Why is everyone on comment moderation lately??
Agree with CS – Cilantro is a must. Garden looks lovely.
Hey – when are you coming to Basel to visit all your fans who are waiting??? TBF and I have a great guest room with your name on it! And…you have to come and see our roof garden.