Pennsylvania Herb and Garden Festival

08/16/2022

Echibeckia - Summerina Orange
(Annual) Perennial in USDA Zones 6 thru 10
This beautiful plant is a cross between Rudbeckia and Echinacea.
Blooms Summer through Mid Fall
Prefers Full Sun
Deadhead to encourage flowering
Grows to 24 inches in height
Blooms attract butterflies

08/03/2022

Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm' - Black-eyed Susan
The bright yellow flowers appear in late summer and put on a glorious show through early fall.
Height: 24-36 in
Width: 18-24 in
Soil Conditions: Moist/Well Drained
Light: Full Sun
Bloom Time: Jul, Aug, Sep
Hardiness Zone: 3 through 8

07/15/2022

Difference Between Sweet Basil and Genovese Basil

Sweet basil is the most common of all basil varieties. The leaves are medium green in color and the leaf has a slight bow or cupping shape. It has a subtle hint of pepper and mint and a strong flavor of anise.
Genovese basil has dark green leaves that are slightly larger than sweet basil. The leaves are flatter and come to a point. It is more aromatic than sweet basil. The taste of Genovese basil has hints of mint and clove while at the same time being peppery and spicy. Both varieties are interchangeable with only a slight difference in taste.

Pesto
2 cups fresh basil
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves
1/4 cup lightly toasted pine nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Place all ingredients into blender, cover. Blend until thoroughly combined but not completely smooth.
Pesto may be served with toasted baguettes or tossed with hot pasta.

07/11/2022

Monarda better known as Bee Balm is a member of the Mint family. Other common names include bergamot, horsemint and oswego tea. The fragrance of the leaves is very similar to that of bergamot orange.

Native Americans and early colonists used bee balm leaves and flowers to make a variety of medicinal salves and drinks.
The foliage and flowers can be used in herbal teas, salads, and as garnishes.

Bee Balm grows well in zones 3 through 9 and self sows in the garden. It is best to grow in well draining soil and full sun. Blooms in pink, purple, red and white from mid summer to early fall. It grows from 3 to 4 foot in height which makes it a good background plant. Deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plant to rebloom in late summer. Deadheading the main stem allows the side shoots to develop and bloom.

The plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and pollinators to your garden.

07/07/2022

Angelonia also known as the Summer Snapdragon (Angelonia angustifolia)

Grown as an annual in USDA Zones 8 and lower and a perennial in Zones 9 through 11.
Angelonia will grow up to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Plant in full sun with moist, well draining soil. It can also be planted in containers or window boxes.

These low maintenance plants do not require deadheading. They thrive in hot summer weather and high humidity and will even bloom through periods of drought.

Angelonia flowers are found in pink, mauve, blue, purple, and white. The blooms are spiky and a bit tubular making them perfect for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.

07/06/2022

Orange Day Lily, also known as the common daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) is a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for hardy perennial grown in USDA zones 3 through 9. Daylilies are adaptable to a variety of soil conditions and they don’t require fertilization.

The non-fragrant five inch star-shaped showy blooms only last for one day. They boast varying shades of orange on each flower, offering a vibrant display from midsummer to fall.

Some Daylily varieties are eaten but most are primarily used for decoration. The flowers petals may be pulled apart and added to salads or as a garnish to any dish. They can also be added to a stir –fry prior to serving, which will help to retain their color and soften their texture. The plump, almost-open, flower buds may be dried thoroughly and sealed in an air tight container for re-hydrating in soups or casseroles.

Daylilies are attractive to many pollinators, including butterflies, bees, flies and hummingbirds.

07/04/2022

Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸

07/03/2022

Musk Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum)
This hardy perennial will bloom June through August. The musk geranium is hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8. It grows up to 1 ½ feet high and up to 2 feet wide and spreads by thick rhizomes, making it a good ground cover. It is best to grow in full sun to part shade and well draining garden soil. The plant is drought tolerant.

The musk geranium plant has leaves that are deeply cut and fragrant with magenta flowers.

Great plant to attract butterflies to your garden.

06/25/2022

Borage (Borago officinalis) is an annual herb grown in USDA Zones 3-9. It is also known as the Starflower. Borage grows up to 24 inches in height and width. This easy growing herb prefers a sunny location with well drained soil. The plant blooms through the summer with blue star-shaped flowers.

All parts of the plant with the exception of the roots have culinary or medicinal value.

The cucumber flavored leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried in tea and beverages. Young leaves can be used in salads along with the flowers. Borage flowers are often used as a garnish and candied flowers make a beautiful decoration on cakes.

Today the medicinal use is limited but the seeds are a source of linolenic acid.

The bright blue flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden.

06/12/2022

Rue (Ruta graveolens) is known as 'Herb of Grace' and has been used throughout history for a variety of reasons. In the Middle Ages it was used to ward off plague and as a defense against evil. Rue was once grown for medicinal purposes but studies have shown that it was ineffective and dangerous. Today rue is grown as a ornamental plant with its graceful fern like silver blue leaves. This hardy perennial grows well in full sun and well draining soil. The woody stems with greenish blue foliage will grow to a height of 24 inches. Yellow blossoms summer through early fall.

Rue is one of the favorite host plants for the Black Swallowtail, Anise Swallowtail and the Giant Swallowtail. The adult female butterflies will use rue to lay their eggs so their caterpillars can eat the foliage and grow.

06/01/2022

A Raised Garden Bed makes growing herbs easy and convenient to harvest and add to your favorite recipes. I prefer to use an organic potting mix specially formulated for growing herbs. The potting mix contains fertilizer that lasts for a couple of months and it also helps with the risk of over/underwatering. Be sure your bed has proper drainage and place in an area where your herbs get at least 6 hours of sun.
My raised bed is placed on the deck close by the kitchen. I have a variety of herbs planted including rosemary, oregano, sage, thyme, nasturtium and sorrel.
Remember the more you trim and use your herbs the more they will continue to grow.

Herbs, Plants, Native Plants, Gardening, Natural Beauty Items, Natural Health & Wellness, Garden Items, Medicinal Herbs, Culinary Herbs, Crafting Herb

05/30/2022

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Memorial Day 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Remember & Honor Our Heroes