If a recipe calls for 1-2 cloves of garlic, I will automatically add three or four (or five, maybe 6). Because garlic. Garlic chives provide another way to enjoy that awesome garlic flavor with a plant that also offers beauty along with function.
Continue reading Garlic Chives (Allium tuberosum)
I have a lot of plants in my garden that are “bee magnets”, but few will be carpeted in the buzzy little critters like my African Blue Basil. And then there’s pesto!
Continue reading African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum ‘Dark Opal’)
The rise in popularity of and interest in growing heirloom fruits and veggies has extended to the herb garden. However, there are some that remain well-kept secrets that really shouldn’t be.
Continue reading Greek Sage (Salvia fruticosa)
One of the characteristic seasonings of many Greek dishes is oregano. Not just any oregano, mind you, but one of the richly flavored varieties that grow wild in the rugged mountainous areas of Greece.
Continue reading Cretan Oregano (Oreganum onites)
No self-respecting Greek will return home from Greece without a large stash of dried Greek Oregano in their luggage. Try explaining that one to a customs officer.
Continue reading Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare var. hirtum)
Any plant that can multitask is a plant I want in my garden. Sweet Fennel lives up to this expectation very well as most of the plant is edible, as well as attractive. Oh yeah, pollinators like bees and butterflies love it, too!
Continue reading Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Garden Sage is an all-in-one plant offering both looks as well as functionality. Spires of tubular, lavender colored flowers sit above a sea of grey-green and fragrant leaves in masse each spring. And of course, those leaves become a tasty addition for your kitchen spice rack.
Continue reading Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)
I have spotted my neighbor on many occasions scanning his perfect front lawn and plucking out any offending non-grass plants that dared set root. That’s not us.
Continue reading What’s in My Lawn? (Not Grass)
The scent of lavender is incomparable. Good thing that lavenders tend to be profuse bloomers!
Continue reading Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas)
As the name implies, Cinnamon Basil has a slight cinnamon-y taste to it. I wouldn’t start making cinnamon rolls with it, but there are certain savory dishes that it is a perfect compliment to. Many Greek and Middle Eastern meat-based recipes actually use cinnamon for flavor, and so Cinnamon Basil would also be an excellent addition. Give your pesto a bit of a twist by using this basil along with your Sweet Basil. I’ve even used it in my Basil Jelly recipe. Throw it in salads, or season vegetables with it.
Continue reading Cinnamon Basil (Ocimum basilicum ‘Cinnamon’)
Mostly Greek 