Herb Gardens

I have loved herbs since I first discovered them on a trip to Williamsburg in the early 70's.  I spent years and years dreaming of just the right way to garden with them.  I collected books and diagrams and checked out every book I could find from my library.  Then, at some point, I decided to just start growing them. I visited an herb farm and bought what she recommended and I was off and running.  I remember her telling me that no matter how big my herb garden was it would never be big enough.  She knew what she was talking about.  There are always more herbs to grow. My very first herb was Arp Rosemary.  and the rest is history.

Thyme, lamb's ears, and lavender

Fast forward about 30 years and there are now herbs tucked in all over my yard and I have almost 2 acres so you can just imagine.

I have dedicated one of the raised beds along the outer perimeter to herbs so they won't be disturbed since most of them grow for more than one season..

herb bed

The extreme temperatures really knocked them back but as you see in the following pictures, they have recovered nicely..

curly leaf parsley

sage

oregano

flat leaf parsley

chives..my favorite

cilantro

Rose scented geranium

 This one is in the greenhouse and is filled with buds. They will be repotted and brought outside as soon as it gets warmer. A beautifully fragrant plant..

This year I will add some boxwoods to the mix.  I have rooted so many because they are just so easy andI love to root things. 

boxwood that I rooted

Last but not least..  this is a daylily seed as it germinates and breaks through the soil.. the seed is black and the new plant is green.  This is one of my very own crosses that I hybridized last year.  Always so exciting to know this is an absolutely original daylily in the making.  It might take another year before I see a flower but that is half the fun.

daylily

  I guess I really did become an herb gardener after all.  Just not the conventional kind.  But that is true to myself..unconventional.  Until next time, get some herbs for your garden.  You will most certainly enjoy them..

 Happy gardening...

Love,

Mona

rosemary in foreground, redbud tree in background

Winter Gardening

Yesterday I grabbed my camera determined to find something growing in my yard so I could take some pictures...
it is looking pretty bleak out there....

parsley

sage

dill

garlic

bachelor buttons

and there they are..a few little faithful herbs...this is not all that is growing but it is what caught my eye. 

I had lots of help from my little furry friends..they are most curious about this new thing I am carrying around with me...and they get nose prints on the lens if I bend down or kneel to get a closer shot....but I love the company, so.....

The camellias are still pretty...they are one of my favorites.  My Grandmother had them all over her yard and I remember picking them as a little girl....flowers have always gripped my heart....

feverfew

dusty miller

Yes, it is winter...and it will be spring before we know it....I am so glad there is always something growing in my yard....and in my house.....I will show you my inside garden soon....

I appreciate your stopping by..

Mona

Rosemary

All around my yard and garden, I have rosemary growing.....it is by the front walk.and it is beside the driveway....it is by the vegetable garden gate..it is by the stone steps leading into the yard..it is in the perennial bed and it is in the boxwood hedge..it is at the edge of the yard too....I have it growing all over....it is such an easy herb to grow and it comes in many forms...This is the time of year that rosemary blooms so I took some pictures to share with you....
Let's walk around my yard and see what's blooming right now......

rosemary.with blue flowers

spilling over rock wall

lavender flowers

drought tolerant

rooted from rosemary at Jittery Joe's roasting store

As you can see, rosemary is very versatile and it is evergreen and it blooms..plus it has a nice fragrance and you can cook with it...it is truly an herb you should get familiar with ..it would even make a nice hedge or ground cover.....and it roots so easily.....it is one of my favorite plants in my garden...and it was the very first herb I ever bought......and I do love my herbs.....maybe next time we will look at them...for now, stop and smell the rosemary......

thank you for stopping by today...I hope to see you again soon...

                                                                           Mona

Tula and herb

Two of my favorite things are herbs in my garden and my dogs.  I know they don't seem to go together but around here, if you are outside..there are dogs around you and herbs to pick and smell or just to enjoy...I have herbs everywhere. I am certainly a 'herbs in the landscape' kind of woman...  I hope you enjoy the pictures of some of my herbs..

patchouli

garlic chives

Mexican terragon

Genovese basil

rosemary

sweet Annie artemesia

lemon verbena

rose geranium

Herbs are certainly a delight to have in the garden..I have been growing them for more than twenty years..they are easy and rewarding.  if you haven't tried them yet, I encourage you to get a few and you'll be hooked.they are a great addition to the landscape....

and now for some Tula goodness.....this dog loves to pose for me...she is the easiest to get a picture of....she sure loves life!!!!!

riding with Bryan

Tula

loves her ball

HELLO world...I am Tula!!!!

I know you could not help but smile when you see this face...
thank you for stopping by today.  I appreciate each and every one of you..the seen and the unseen....I hope you come again soon! 
go and enjoy life......