A Rose, a Bee, and Reverie.

 

 

 

Honey Bee Musing

 

Often when I'm photographing flowers, I will come across beetles, bees or bugs of some kind or another.  That's fine.  I like all creatures great and small (I'm not overly fond of flies, mosquitoes or toads, if truth be told, though all have their part to play). 

 

Today, I was caught up in a photographic reverie, taking pics of my neighbours' stunning rose garden, when a particularly inquisitive honey bee performed a couple of comical fly-by inspections of the camera lens.   "Welcome, sweet, amusing creature!" I thought, charmed.

 

Then, he flew over the top of the camera, across my face and past my right ear to land on my right shoulder (bare, apart from the strap of my dress).  I like bees.  However, having been stung before, I must admit, this little fellow now had me a tad worried. 

 

I decided to play it cool... and let the bee sit on my shoulder for however long it wanted.  No argument from me.  The bee sat cleaning his antennae.  On my shoulder.  For ages (well... it was probably only about 10 seconds, but it seemed like ages).  Then, to my relief and subsequent delight, the bee flew off my shoulder and onto the rose I'd been photographing.  He leisurely explored the flower, cleaned his antennae again, then he flew away.  Sweet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All original text and photography copyright 2012, HL Millen

Mint Condition

Some delicious ways to add mint to your day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just add...

Add a couple of fresh mint leaves to a cup of coffee.  Chocolate mint is divine added to a steaming cup of coffee in this way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chocolate Covered Mint Leaves  

 

 Chocolate covered mint leaves are simple to make, delicious and add an elegant touch to after dinner coffee

 

Wash and gently dry a selection of fresh mint leaves.  I used an assortment of chocolate mint, garden mint, spearmint, ginger mint, eau-de-cologne mint, berries and cream mint and apple mint leaves, for a variety of sizes, shapes and tastes.  If you only have the good old garden variety mint leaves, that's fine - I think they worked the best!

Roughly chop 100g of good quality dark chocolate.  Place the chocolate in a heat proof dish, over a pan of gently simmering water, to melt

                                                                           Dip each leaf into the melted chocolate and lay them out on a tray lined with baking paper.  Put the tray of choc-covered mint leaves in the fridge to set.

 

 Serve your home-made after dinner mint treats with coffee

 

 

  

Peppermint Tea

 

                                                                


Tea made from infusing pure peppermint leaves in just boiled water, is a delicious and refreshing pick-me-up.

Peppermint leaf tea has traditionally been used as an aid to digestion when served after a meal.

  

How to make an infusion of peppermint tea

Into a teapot, place two heaped teaspoons of finely chopped fresh peppermint leaves (or one heaped teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves) per cup of boiling water. Infuse for around five minutes, strain and enjoy!

 Add some fresh mint to someone else's day...

 

 

 

Take some cuttings of mint, put them in a glass of water for a few days (or until they have developed some roots), then plant them into small pots using a seed raising potting mix, and give as gifts. 

 

 

For more information about mint, view my post 

How to Grow Herbs in the Tropics ~ Part 2

 

 

Thanks for visiting!

 

All photographs and text copyright HL Millen 2012

 



Growing a Herb Garden in the Tropics Part 2

Herbs

An A to Z of the herbs & medicinal plants in my garden

Part 2 ~ Lemon to Mint

(Part 1 ~ Aloe to Lavender)

Lemon

I'm including lemon in my list of herbs and medicinal plants, as lemons are incredibly versatile and useful medicinally, and great to have in a kitchen garden. The healing properties of lemons are well documented - the peel, pith and juice is full of vitamins (especially vitamins A, B and C) which help protect against infection. A warm drink made from the fresh squeezed juice of a lemon, a teaspoon of honey and hot water can soothe a sore throat and help fight off colds and fevers.

There are dwarf citrus varieties that can be grown in pots on a patio or small landing, as long as the tree receives maximum sunlight and is relatively sheltered from wind. Citrus trees do not like competition around their roots, so ensure the space around the bottom of the tree is free from any other plants. Citrus need well drained soil and plenty of water, as well as regular feeding and fertilising (I use Seasol fortnightly and a slow release citrus fertiliser every three months).

 

 

Lemon blossoms

 

 

                                                                           The dwarf lemon tree growing in a pot on my back patio is covered in lemons right now.   Regularly watering and fertilising citrus will help to encourage the growth of the fruit.  

 

WHEN to grow LEMON in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, sunny position, sheltered from wind
HOW water moderately, well drained soil, keep soil around tree bare or mulched


 

Lemon Balm

 

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is also known as bee balm, balm, or honeyplant.  The word "melissa" is a Greek name for "bee".  Lemon Balm has traditionally been planted by bee keepers near bee hives, the leaves used to rub over the hive, in order to calm the bees. 

 

 Lemon Balm has gentle sedative properties and can easily be made into a pleasant lemony tea infusion (how to make an herbal tea infusion) and taken to help settle feelings of anxiety and stomach upsets due to nerves.  The hot tea may also be useful for treating colds, fevers and headaches.

Use the fresh leaves of Lemon Balm to flavour chicken and fish dishes (especially good to add to stuffing), add to salads and fruit salads, add to cold drinks (like punch or iced tea), stewed fruits and desserts. Lemon Balm leaves are best used fresh, as they don't dry well.

 



 

This lush, healthy lemon balm is growing in a half hanging basket attached to a retaining wall, in my backyard.  It is thriving in this sheltered, sunny to semi-shaded position.  Hanging baskets can dry out quickly, so it's a good idea to plant herbs in them that aren't too thirsty and that only require moderate to little water (or be prepared to water every day!).  Lemon balm will survive with moderate watering (the soil doesn't need to be constantly wet). 

 

 

 

Hanging baskets allow for good drainage,

however they dry out quickly and must be watered regularly.

 

WHEN to grow LEMON BALM in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, sunny to semi shaded position 

HOW water moderately, well drained soil

 Marigold

 

 

 

 Assorted French Marigolds currently growing in my garden

 

 

 

Large flowered African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) and smaller, more compact French marigolds (Tagetes patula)  are scattered throughout my vegetable gardens in order to attract beneficial insects (like bees for pollination).  They also have pest-repellent properties, so can also help to confuse and deter certain unwanted pests.

 

Marigold petals are edible and may be sprinkled over salads to add vibrant colour.  The petals can also be used as an affordable substitute for saffron.

 

 

Picking the flower heads off marigolds encourages more flower production.  Marigolds flower more when they are fertilised less, so don't overfertilise, or the plants will produce more leaves and less flower buds.

 

WHEN to grow MARIGOLDS in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, as a companion plant in vegetable gardens, full sun

HOW water regularly, well drained soil, moderate fertilising (not too much), pick flower heads regularly to encourage flower production

 

 

 

Mint

 

 

Common Mint (Mentha species)

 

 

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and is especially suited to the climate here in Far North Queensland - mint loves moist soil and semi-shaded positions.  Mint spreads quickly and can take over a garden bed in no time, so it is best to grow it seperately in a pot.  Pictured above, Common Mint (or Garden Mint) is a great all-purpose mint that has a variety of culinary uses.  

 

Mint is a perfect complementy herb for lamb dishes (mint jelly), fruit salad (chopped or as a garnish), potato salad, cucumber, yoghurt, peas, iced tea and cold drinks such as punch, home-made lemonade and mint juleps.   Fresh mint leaves can be covered in chocolate as a simple, yet elegant, after-dinner-sweet to serve with coffee.

 





I love the many varieties of mint available and have found them all equally easy to grow here in Cairns.  My favourite variety would have to be Chocolate Mint... it smells divine (like a "mint slice" biscuit) and has a delicious flavour - it's also a fun herb to show children to get them interested in a little garden of their own!

 

All of the following Menthe species are currently growing beautifully in pots or hanging baskets around my garden -

 

Apple Mint (Mentha rotundifolia)

also known as Round-Leafed Mint

 

 

Berries and Cream Mint

 

 

Chocolate Mint

 

Chocolate mint may just be my favourite mint variety!  As you can see from the following photo, the chocolate mint in my backyard is thriving in a hanging basket.  Mint needs plenty of water and chocolate mint is no exception, I water it every day during the winter/dry season.

 

 

 

Some Delicious Uses for Mint

 

 Add a couple of leaves to hot coffee or hot chocolate drinks

 

Cover with melted chocolate and set in the fridge for elegant home made after dinner mint treats to serve with coffee

 

Add leaves to desserts, fruit salads, fruit smoothies for a minty burst of flavour

 

 

 

 

 Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii)

Tiny delicate leaves make this the smallest of the mint family, however this low growing native of Corsica has a highly fragrant creme-de-menthe scent.  Corsican mint is edible, although it is mostly used as an attractive ground cover that can tolerate a moderate amount of 'foot traffic'... when walked upon it releases it's wonderful minty fragrance.

Eau-De-Cologne Mint (Mentha x piperita citrata)

Beautifully fragrant mint that is also called Bergamot mint or Lemon mint... delicious added to iced drinks and also can be dried and used to scent pot-pourri... Eau-de-cologne mint also adds a delicious twist to a Mint Julep 

 

Spearmint (Mentha viridis)

 

Vietnamese Mint

Although this herb is called Vietnamese mint, it is actually not a member of the mint family - the botanical name for this herb is Persicaria odorata.  Other English names are Vietnamese coriander, Cambodian mint and hot mint.  The Vietnamese name is rau răm.  Vietnamese mint is used in South-East Asian inspired cuisine and can be used to add a citrus/coriander flavour to laksas, salads, meat and seafood dishes.  Like true members of the mint family Menthe, Vietnamese mint grows prolifically and is best grown in pots where the roots are contained.

 

 

 

WHEN to grow MINT VARIETIES in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE Best to plant mint seperately in pots where the root system is contained (mint spreads quickly and can take over a garden bed), mint loves a semi-shaded position and constantly moist soil

HOW Very easy to grow, needs lots of water

 

 

 

My next post in this series on herbs will be coming up soon.

In the meantime...

Happy herb gardening!

 

 

 

All text & photography copyright HL Millen 2012

 

From a humble veggie patch... a bountiful harvest!

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Just... begin it.







Fresh picked this morning from my vegetable garden

Tuscan kale, eggplants (Eggplant Especial), lettuce leaves (Buttercrunch, Lollo Rosso, Red Oakleaf and Green Mignonette), honey snap peas, a few leaves of mustard greens (Red Giant), red spinach leaves, silverbeet leaves (Rainbow variety), Mushroom Plant leaves, cherry tomatoes (Sweet Bite), parsley, coriander, basil (Lemon and Spicy Globe), pansy flowers, viola flowers and calendula flowers.



Reaping the rewards from my herb and vegetable garden

How to Begin a Kitchen Garden... a Few Tips

• Keep it simple start off with a couple of your favourite herbs or a punnet of lettuce seedlings and a tomato plant, for example.  
• Plant in pots to begin with, so you can move them around and see where in your garden it is that your plants grow best. 
• Use good quality soil - plants need sunlight, water and soil that is biodynamic... the soil needs to be "alive" and healthy in order for your plants to thrive.  I cannot stress enough the importance of quality soil... I am planning to write a whole post on this!
• Feed regularly with a seaweed or fish emulsion (I use "Seasol" every fornight on my plants... they are thriving!).  You need to fertilise regularly, as well (I use "Powerfeed" once a month on my plants, and for my citrus trees I use an Osmocote slow release fertiliser)
• Five minutes a day - is all you will need to tend to a few herbs and a couple of vegetable plants.  Water, check leaves for pests (certified organic chilli and garlic sprays are available to deter pests if you notice leaves being eaten or damaged), pull out any weeds... you will be surprised at how rewarding these few minutes a day, will prove!
• Keep going!  Don't be discouraged if you can't get a particular plant to grow, there will be many plants you have success with... just keep trying and learn from whatever you do!

Happy gardening!

All text and photographs copyright HL Millen

Growing a Herb Garden in the Tropics

The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day

runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures...

shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass

and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.

~ Rabindranath Tagore, from Gitanjali

 

What's Growing in My Garden - Dry Season in the Tropics

Growing my own vegetables, fruits and herbs in tropical Far North Queensland - while at times a challenge - is infinitely rewarding.  What started out as a way of encouraging my youngest child to eat more fruit and veg, has now become a passion and a joy.  The benefits are endless.  We are enjoying a bounty of our own fresh, chemical free, nutrient rich produce.  I am saving money on fresh groceries.  We spend more quality time outdoors as a family.  While I tend the garden, my daughter will often come and help, or just come outside to be near me and chat, and play with her beloved animals (and yes... it worked - she is eating a wider variety of healthy, home grown fruit and veg!). 

 

Starting a vegetable garden can be daunting and overwhelming at first, for a beginning gardener.  Even for experienced gardeners, a move to a different climate provides a whole new set of challenges when it comes to adapting and learning how to grow healthy plants in the prevailing conditions.  I began planting various seedlings in April this year, in order to take advantage of the cool, sunny "dry season" weather in Cairns, which extends through to October. 

Five years ago I was struggling to keep a couple of potplants alive, after a move to the tropical climes here in Cairns.  If I can successfully grow food for my family in my own backyard, anyone can!  Here are recent photographs of what I am currently growing out in the backyard.  I hope it may encourage aspiring home gardeners to begin their own kitchen gardens. 

This is the first of a series of posts about growing herbs, vegetables and fruits in the tropics.  I will share what I have learned (and continue to learn on a daily basis!), as well as hints and tips for successfully growing a bountiful harvest in your backyard, here in tropical Far North Queensland.

 

 

Herbs 

 An A to Z of the herbs & medicinal plants in my garden

Part 1 ~ Aloe to Lavender
(Part 2 ~ Lemon to Mint)

 

Most of my herbs are in sunny, yet sheltered (from wind or too much exposure) positions around my garden and back patio, on the eastern side of the house where they get the morning sunlight.  I use a good quality potting mix when planting herbs (around $8 per 30L bag) as most herbs don't do well in cheaper potting mixes.   Every fortnight I give all of my plants a feed of Seasol, and every month I fertilise most of my plants with Powerfeed (a few plants don't like nutrient rich soil, however most plants need regular doses of potassium and nitrogen from fertilisers).

 

Aloe (Aloe Vera)



Aloe Vera

 

Aloe Vera is a valuable medicinal plant to have in any garden. It is one of the oldest known medicinal plants and is widely used for the treatment of minor burns and scalding, by breaking off a leaf and applying the clear aloe gel directly to the wound. The gel soothes and offers pain relief, has antiseptic qualities and promotes healing.

 

WHEN to grow ALOE in the tropics ~ all year round

WHERE to grow it ~ suited to most locations in the garden, including pots

HOW ~ being a succulent plant suited to semi-arid conditions, Aloe needs well drained soil

 

Basil

Basil is an aromatic herb that comes in a variety of forms, the most common form being "Sweet Basil" (Ocimum basilicum), otherwise known as Italian Basil.  The clove-like flavour of basil leaves is the perfect accompaniment for tomato based dishes.  All of the following basil plants are growing in my garden right now, and I have also recently harvested seeds from a few varieties of basil I let "go to seed".  Basil plants tend to get unruly and scraggly when they go to seed, so if you prefer to have a small, bushy plant, pinch off the growing flower tips at the base, as soon as they appear.  Basil is a great companion plant for tomato plants.

 

Sweet Basil                                                           

Other names for
this variety are Italian,
Common or Garden basil.

 

 

Lemon Basil

Here you can see the

beginnings of a flower tip,

which can be pinched

 off in order to keep

the plant compact

and bushy.

                                                                            Spicy Globe Basil
This is a small, compact basil
plant that is thriving under the shelter
of the back patio.  Like all of these basil
varieties, it loves the morning
sunlight, regular feeding
with Seasol, fertilising
with Powerfeed
and generous
watering.

Greek Basil 

                          The original plant

in my garden self-seeded,

 so there are a few of these seedlings

 growing throughout the

vegetable garden

at the moment.

Opal Basil
The purple leafed varieties
of basil add a brilliant splash of
colour to a herb garden as well as being
a tasty addition to salads.  I let this
plant flower in order to harvest
the seeds for new plants.

 

Harvesting basil seeds from the dried flower heads: let the flower heads dry out on the plants, then cut them off and remove the tiny black seeds from each small hull or pod.  There are usually four seeds in each hull.  The dried seeds can then be used for planting.

 

WHEN to grow BASIL in the tropics ~ all year round

WHERE garden or pots, companion plant with tomatoes, loves sunlight

HOW  easy to grow, water regularly, pinch off flower heads to maintain a compact, leafy plant

 

Calendula

The Calendula is traditionally known for having valuable medicinal qualities and culinary uses. Lovely in itself as an ornamental garden plant, or for companion planting, the Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is also known as the Marigold (not to be confused with the African Marigold or French Marigold, however, which are useful as companion plants in vegetable gardens, but they do not have medicinal qualities).   The leaves and flowers of the Calendula officinalis may be used in washes, infusions and compresses to relieve inflamations and minor burns.  The petals of the bright yellow and orange flowers may be used to add an attractive touch of colour and tasty flavour to salads, rice dishes, fruit dishes and sandwiches.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

 

 

Calendula officinalis is, in some countries, referred to as "Sun's Bride" due to the way the flowers follow the path of the sun throughout the day.

 

Regularly picking the flower heads of calendulas encourages more flower growth.  I have planted calendulas, this dry season, along with African and French marigolds, as companion plants throughout the larger vegetable garden beds in my backyard, in order to encourage beneficial insects and to confuse and deter pests. 

 

 The beautiful, bright calendula blooms turn their faces to the sun - following its path throughout the day. Calendula flowers bloom throughout the entire year. The Latin word Calendula means "small calendar" and has it's roots in the Roman word for the first day of the month - calendae.  

WHEN to grow CALENDULA in the tropics ~ February to October

WHERE garden or pots, sunny position, good companion plant, helps attract beneficial insects

HOW must be watered regularly, pick  flower heads to encourage flower growth

 

Chamomile

The fine, feathery leaves of English Chamomile - or Roman Chamomile - have a sweet, fruity, herbaceous scent, and a spreading habit and horizontal growth make it suitable as a soft, scented informal lawn covering.  In my garden I have it growing in a pot, in order to harvest the small white flowers for chamomile tea infusions.  English Chamomile is a "wet" herb and loves constantly moist conditions (a good one to grow in the tropics throughout the year - though in the dry season it must be watered regularly). 

 

How to harvest the flowers  Pick the open flower heads carefully, late morning (when they are free from dew).  Lay the flower heads on a wire rack or hang in a paper bag in an airy spot to dry out.  When the flowers are papery, store them in an airtight glass jar.  Use the flowers to make a soothing chamomile tea infusion.  An infusion of the flowers can also be added to a hot bath, to ease muscular aches and fatigue.

 

English Chamomile, also known as Roman Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

 

 

 

WHEN to grow CHAMOMILE in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, can be planted as a spreading lawn, sunny to semi-shaded position

HOW keep soil moist with frequent watering

 

 

How to make an herbal tea infusion  

For a normal strength herbal tea - pour 250ml (1 cup) of boiling water over 1 heaped teaspoon of dried herbs (or 2 heaped teaspoons of fresh, chopped herbs) in a warmed teapot or tea cup.  Cover and stand for around 5 minutes, strain and sweeten with honey, if desired.

 You can use this method for making herbal tea with crushed seeds or finely chopped flowers or leaves, depending upon the herb being used... for chamomile tea, you would use the harvested flower heads.

 

 

 

 

Coriander

Coriander, or Cilantro, is a hardy relative of parsley.  I have the plant pictured below growing in a large, well-drained, raised vegetable bed along with a variety of vegies.  The soil mix in my larger vegetable beds is around half good quality potting mix, half cheaper potting mix, with coir mulch mixed in to add structure to the soil.  This bed receives morning sunlight and part sun/part shade in the afternoon.  Coriander grows well in the tropical dry season, during the cooler months.  In the heat of the wet season it tends to bolt to seed very quickly.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

 

 

 

WHEN to grow CORIANDER in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, sunny to semi-shaded position

HOW water regularly, well drained soil

Dill

It is easy to confuse dill with fennel as these mild flavoured herbs are very similar (they are related).  Dill leaves are a darker green than fennel leaves, and are also much smaller.  I grow fennel and dill in seperate areas of my garden, in individual pots in order that they do not mix, as they can hybridize and thus lose their distinctive flavours. 

Some culinary uses for fresh dill leaves, chopped fine, are to flavour seafood, vegetable dishes, salads and soups.  Dill tastes delicious sprinkled over cucumber slices, potatoes and tomatoes.

Dill (Anethum graveolens)

 

 

WHEN to grow DILL in the tropics ~ All year round, dill is an annual herb so re-plant each year

WHERE garden or pots, sunny position

HOW water regularly (frequently in dry weather), well drained soil, pinch off early flowers to promote a bushier plant

 

 

Fennel

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum)

 

Three young fennel plants are currently growing from the original plant I grew (which went to seed) - after harvesting the seeds in June, I cut off the original fennel bulb (the swollen base of the leaf stalk), allowing the three new shoots to grow.  The succulent bulbs have an aniseed flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked.

The original Fennel plant went to seed in March this year

 

                                                                         The dried fennel seed pods in June ready to harvest - if you want to collect the fennel seeds, let the seeds thoroughly dry out on the plant, then carefully cut each dried flower head off and drop it into a paper bag or container (hold this underneath while cutting to catch any seeds that fall).  Fennel spreads easily, so if you let the seeds drop, or wait too long to harvest them, you may find fennel seedlings all over the garden!

Collecting the seeds - gently rub the dried flower heads between your index finger and your thumb, and the seed pods will easily come away.  I do this over a mesh sieve, the finer grit falls through and the seeds are left in the sieve.  Ensure the seeds are completely dry before storing in a glass jar.

 

The dry, harvested seeds can then be used to grow more fennel or for culinary purposes

 

WHEN to grow FENNEL in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, sunny position

HOW water regularly (frequently in dry weather), well drained soil

 

 

 

Garlic Chives

Garlic chives (Allium tuberosum) are a tasty addition to salads, dips, egg dishes... a versatile herb that can be used wherever a mild garlic flavour is desired.  In my experience, garlic chives are also one of the easiest herbs to grow all year round here in the tropics, they seem to thrive no matter how little or how much attention they receive!  Garlic chives are similar to regular chives, however the leaves are flattened, as opposed to hollow.  They grow in clumps and can be propogated by simple division of the clumps of bulblets (each bulblet can produce a new plant). 

 

 

 

 

Make a quick, easy and delicious dip by combining 250g cream cheese, a bunch of Italian parsley, a handful of garlic chives (about as much as the parsley/to taste) and a clove of garlic, in the food processor... serve with rice crackers and raw vegetables - cauliflower and broccoli florets, carrot, celery and cucumber.   Sprinkle chopped garlic chives over a dollop of natural yoghurt in soup, or baked potatoes, or simply add to a salad. They are so easy to grow, and they add a delicious touch of flavour, especially when they are fresh picked straight from your own kitchen garden!

                                                                                              

 

WHEN to grow GARLIC CHIVES in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, sunny or semi-shaded position

HOW very easy to grow, water regularly

 

 

Geranium  (Scented Leaf)

Scented-leaf geraniums in terracotta pots and half wine barrel planters are scattered throughout my garden.  There are two of these gorgeous plants out on the front porch and two on the back patio, close to pathways and to the outdoor seating, where I love brushing past them to release the enchanting fragrance from the leaves with the slightest touch.   I have a particular fondness for "old fashioned" geraniums, they bring back cherished memories of my Grandparents' back porch, lined with what seemed like hundreds of geraniums in recycled pots and plastic drums cut in two.  The scent has always been enticing and comforting.

 

The advantage of having my geraniums in pots is that I've been able to move them around and find the best position for each individual plant to thrive, as well as being able to place them near to walkways and outdoor benches to enjoy the scent whenever we are outside.  Both of the following geraniums are growing well in the shelter of the back patio, where they get the early morning to mid morning sun.

 

Geranium Citrosa (Pelargonium citriodorum) - an aromatic, citrus-scented pelargonium that blossoms with soft, delicate pink flowers in spring.

 

 

Peppermint Rose-Scented Pelargonium - this is a smaller and more compact plant than the Geranium Citrosa, and the leaves are finer and more delicate... although the scent is divine for both!

 

A delightful culinary use for geranium leaves, is to flavour home-made cookies with them: place a leaf in the bottom of each cookie mold (or beneath each cookie on a tray), before baking.  The leaves impart a delicious aromatic scent and the delicate flavour of the geranium (peppermint-scented, rose-scented and lemon-scented geraniums are good to use in this way).

 

 

WHEN to grow GERANIUMS in the tropics ~ All year round

WHERE garden or pots, sunny or semi-shaded position, sheltered from wind

HOW good quality soil with good drainage, water regularly

 

 

 

Lavender 

Avonview Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)

 

 

If you love lavender, like I do, it is possible to grow it during the dry season, here in Cairns.  However, lavender needs full sun and excellent drainage... it does not like to have "wet feet".  When established, lavender is drought tolerant.  The high humidity and rain during the wet season in Cairns is not conducive for growth, for this dry climate loving plant!  I grow it in pots during the autumn/winter/spring months and move the plants around to get the best possible position for them to thrive.  During the summer months (the wet season), it's just a case of see how it goes (or see if it grows)... no guarantees it will survive the humidity.

  

French Lavender (Lavendula dentata)
The beautiful French lavender on my front porch is growing well, with healthy upright stems and pretty grey-green foliage.  I was happy to see the first lavender bud on this plant yesterday!

 

Hidcote Lavender, a variety of English
Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)
I have this growing in a half barrel where it gets morning and afternoon sun.   The dark violet flowers have a lovely strong scent that attracts bees to the garden.  The light, grey-green foliage has a beautiful scent as well.  I love brushing my fingers over the soft, velvety leaves to release their delicate scent.

 

  

Avonview Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)                                                           The pale, grey-green leaves of this lavender are long and slender, soft and velvety to the touch and again have a wonderful scent.  It's growing well in a terracotta pot on the back patio, where it gets the morning sun until midday.  Avonview is another highly perfumed lavender, and the "butterfly" flowers are a stunning bright purple.  (I will add more photos when all of my lavender plants flower this Spring)

WHEN to grow LAVENDER in the tropics ~ April to October

WHERE garden or pots, sunny position

HOW good quality soil with good drainage

Happy herb gardening!

 

All text and photography copyright HL Millen 2012