Jerusalem Sage, Phlomis fruticosa

Phlomis fruticosa, commonly referred to as Jerusalem Sage, is a species of flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a perennial shrub known for its distinctive yellow flowers and sage-like, aromatic leaves.

Here are some key features and care tips for Phlomis fruticosa:

Key Features

Growth Habit:
Phlomis fruticosa typically grows as a bushy, woody shrub, reaching heights of up to 1 meter (3 feet). It has a rounded habit with branching stems.
Leaves:
The leaves are sage-like, oval to lance-shaped, and covered with a fine down, giving them a soft, velvety texture. They are gray-green in color, adding to the plant's visual interest even when it is not in bloom.
Flowers:
The flowers are a striking shade of yellow and appear in whorls along the upper parts of the stems. They bloom in late spring to early summer, attracting bees and other pollinators.
Hardiness:
It is fairly drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soils. It's suitable for USDA hardiness zones 7 through 9.

Care Tips

Sunlight:
Phlomis fruticosa prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. However, the best flowering is achieved in a sunny location.
Soil:
It requires well-drained soil and is quite adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers a slightly alkaline to neutral pH.
Watering:
Once established, it is drought-resistant. Water it moderately until it's well-established, then reduce watering, as the plant prefers drier conditions.
Pruning:
Light pruning can be done to maintain its shape and encourage denser growth. It's best to prune after flowering to avoid cutting off next year's flower buds.
Pests and Diseases:
Phlomis fruticosa is generally resistant to pests and diseases but watch for common garden pests like aphids.

Uses in Landscaping

Borders and Hedges:
Its bushy nature makes it an excellent choice for borders or low hedges.
Drought-Tolerant Gardens:
Its drought resistance makes it ideal for water-wise gardens.
Wildlife Attraction:
The flowers attract bees and butterflies, making it a good choice for pollinator gardens.

Phlomis fruticosa is a versatile and attractive plant that can add structure and color to a garden, particularly in a Mediterranean or dry-climate setting. Its low maintenance and drought tolerance also make it a popular choice for gardeners looking for resilient landscape options.

Spanish needles, Bidens cernua

Appearance:
Spanish Needles, Bidens cernua, is a flowering plant in the aster family, Asteraceae. It has simple, lanceolate leaves with toothed margins and bright yellow flower heads with ray florets and disc florets. The most recognizable feature of Spanish Needles is its fruit, which is a long, slender achene with barbed awns at the tip. These awns help to disperse the seeds by attaching to fur or clothing of animals that brush against the plant.

Habitat:
Bidens cernua is native to Eurasia and North America, but it has been introduced to many other parts of the world. It is a common weed found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, fields, and wastelands.
Growth:
Spanish Needles is an annual plant that grows quickly and can reach a height of up to 3 feet. It reproduces by seed, and its seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years.
Uses:
Spanish Needles is not considered to be a desirable plant in gardens, but it can be a valuable food source for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. The young leaves of Spanish Needles can also be eaten as a green vegetable. In some cultures, Bidens cernua has been used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments, although more research is needed to confirm these uses.

Other Names:
Spanish Needles has a number of other common names, including nodding beggarticks, nodding bur-marigold, and devil's beggar-ticks.

Argentinian vervain, Verbena bonariensis

Verbena bonariensis, also known as Purpletop vervain or Tall verbena, is a captivating perennial plant native to South America, including regions like Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. This plant can grow up to 4-6 feet tall and is known for its slender stems and delicate purple flowers that add a touch of whimsy and charm to any garden​​.

The name "Verbena" is derived from Latin, meaning 'sacred bough', referencing the leafy twigs of vervaine used in ancient rituals and medicine. The species name "bonariensis" indicates its origin from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Verbena bonariensis is part of the Verbenaceae family, which also includes plants like lantana and lemon verbena​​​​.

It's a versatile plant that thrives in full sun to partial shade and is drought-tolerant, making it suitable for various garden settings. Verbena bonariensis is also known for its ability to attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds due to its fragrant, purple flowers. This plant has a long blooming period from summer to fall, adding vibrant color to the landscape for an extended time. It's easy to grow, low maintenance, and can be propagated through seed sowing or division​​.

However, it's worth noting that Verbena bonariensis has the potential to become invasive in certain habitats due to its ability to self-seed readily. It has naturalized in various regions, including parts of the southern United States, and is on the invasive species watchlist for Washington state​​.

In addition to its ornamental value, Verbena bonariensis has been traditionally used in herbal medicine for its various medicinal properties, believed to offer antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive benefits​​.

Honeysuckles, Lonicera japonica

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a plant with a diverse range of uses and characteristics, making it a subject of interest across various cultures and disciplines. Notably popular as an ornamental plant worldwide, it's cherished for its fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. In traditional Japanese medicine, the plant is reputed for its anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat an array of ailments, including fever, colds, and digestive issues. It's also a part of traditional cuisine in Japan, often used as a garnish for dishes like sushi and sashimi, and made into tea and other herbal remedies​​.

The flowers of the Japanese honeysuckle are edible and have a sweet-tasting nectar, which is a significant food source for wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and hummingbirds. In traditional Chinese medicine, the dried leaves and flowers are used to treat various conditions, including fever, sore throat, and skin infections. The plant is known for its antiviral properties, with compounds like loniflavone showing potential in computational studies for binding to viral proteins​​.

Despite its numerous benefits, Japanese honeysuckle is considered invasive in many parts of the world, including the United States. It can grow extensively, suffocating and strangling other plants, and has a robust capability to reproduce both sexually through seeds and vegetatively via underground shoots and aboveground runners. This aggressive growth habit allows it to form dense thickets, outcompeting native species for sunlight and nutrients, and disrupting local ecosystems. Management strategies include mechanical removal, mowing, and the use of herbicides, although these require diligent application to be effective​​.

In conclusion, while Japanese honeysuckle offers aesthetic, culinary, and medicinal benefits, it also poses significant challenges as an invasive species. Its management requires careful consideration to balance its positive attributes against its potential to harm native plant communities and ecosystems.

Unusal facts about japanese honeysuckle

Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is not only known for its sweet fragrance and beautiful flowers but also has some intriguing aspects that are less commonly known:

Antiviral Potential:
Interestingly, a compound found in Japanese honeysuckle, loniflavone, has been investigated for its antiviral action, particularly its ability to bind with high affinity to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This represents an early step towards drug development for diseases caused by this virus, demonstrating the honeysuckle's potential in medical research​​.

Cultural Symbolism:
The plant holds a significant place in traditional Chinese and Japanese art and decorative objects, symbolizing Japan’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. This reflects the deep cultural appreciation and symbolic meaning attached to the plant in these regions​​.

Adaptability and Growth:
Japanese honeysuckle exhibits remarkable adaptability, being able to grow in a wide variety of climates and soil types. It's known for its rapid growth rate and ability to quickly cover large areas, making it a popular choice for erosion control and landscaping. However, this characteristic also contributes to its invasive nature in some regions​​.

Edible Flowers:
The flowers of the Japanese honeysuckle are not only fragrant but also edible, with a sweet nectar that is appreciated by humans. This makes the plant not just an ornamental addition but also a potential source of natural sweetness​​.

Invasive Impact and Control:
Despite its beauty and uses, Japanese honeysuckle is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, capable of suffocating and strangling other plants. Its vines can grow up to 80-120 feet and are known to climb, cover, and sometimes kill other vegetation by girdling or smothering. The control of this plant involves a combination of mechanical and chemical methods, which need to be diligently applied to prevent its spread and manage its impact on local ecosystems​​.

These facts highlight the complex nature of Japanese honeysuckle, blending its beneficial uses with the challenges it presents as an invasive species. Its role in traditional medicine and culture contrasts with its aggressive growth and ecological impact, making it a plant of both beauty and controversy.

Summer lilac, Buddleja davidii

Summer lilac, or Buddleja davidii, is a versatile and widely cultivated plant known for its attractive blooms that draw in butterflies. Originating from China and possibly Japan, it's a species with a large range of variability, reflected in its alternative name, B. variabilis. This plant can vary from a small sub-shrub to a large spreading shrub or even a small tree with deeply fissured brown bark. The leaves also show a range of sizes and shapes, from large, elliptic dark green to small, narrowly ovate and glaucous leaves, typically with a white tomentose underside. In temperate regions, it's generally semi-deciduous, with the extent of leaf retention over winter depending on both the environmental conditions and the cultivar​​.

Cultivation-wise, Buddleja davidii is appreciated for its ornamental value and the nectar provided by its flowers, which attract numerous butterfly species. However, it's noteworthy that the plant doesn't offer nourishment for butterfly larvae, and there's a concern that it might out-compete the host plants required by caterpillars. The plant and its cultivars thrive in USDA zones 5–9 and cannot withstand the severe winters of northern or montane climates, as temperatures below about -15 to -20°C (5 to -4°F) can be lethal. Pruning in spring is common practice to encourage more floriferous new growth. Despite its beauty and utility in attracting butterflies, Buddleja davidii is considered invasive in several temperate regions due to its capability to spread rapidly in disturbed soils and urban areas​​.

In response to its invasive nature, horticulturalists have developed several "non-invasive" cultivars of Buddleja, designed to either be sterile or produce a minimal amount of viable seed. These cultivars come in various sizes and blossom colors, offering alternatives for gardeners and landscapers who wish to enjoy the benefits of Buddlejas without the associated risks of invasiveness​​.

Some Facts About Ben Davis Apple

Accidental Origin:
The Ben Davis apple wasn't meticulously cultivated. It sprouted from a chance seedling discovered in the late 1700s or early 1800s, likely somewhere in the southeastern US.

The "Mortgage Lifter":
This nickname wasn't for nothing. Ben Davis apples were prized for their commercial success in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their durability allowed for long-distance transport without bruising, making them a profitable export crop.

A Reliable Producer:
Ben Davis trees are known for their consistent and heavy yields. This reliability played a significant role in their popularity as a commercial apple.

Flavor Profile:
While not considered the most flavorful apple today, Ben Davis has a balance of sweetness and mild acidity. Some descriptions mention a coarse texture and a slightly "woolly" taste.

Fall Favorite:
Ben Davis apples ripen in late September or mid-October, making them a delicious addition to the fall harvest.

Storage Champion:
One of the key features of Ben Davis apples is their exceptional storage ability. They can keep for months without spoiling, a valuable trait in the days before widespread refrigeration.

A Culinary Workhorse:
While not necessarily the top choice for fresh eating today, Ben Davis apples are still a valuable ingredient for baking, applesauce, and dried apple rings.

Parentage Legacy:
The Ben Davis apple played a significant role in apple breeding. It's a parent of the popular Cortland apple variety, known for its sweet and tart flavor.

Shifting Preferences:
As transportation and refrigeration improved, consumer preferences for apples shifted towards varieties with more complex flavor profiles. This led to the decline of Ben Davis as a dominant commercial apple.

Heirloom Charm:
Despite its diminished commercial presence, the Ben Davis apple is still cultivated by some growers who appreciate its historical significance and unique characteristics.

5 Types of New World Plums, Prunocerasus

New World plums, also known as Prunocerasus, bring a distinctive and flavorful touch to gardens and kitchens for fruit enthusiasts seeking something different from their Old World counterparts. New World plums are a delightful addition to any fruit lover's garden or kitchen. These plums, originating from the Americas, offer a unique and flavorful twist compared to their Old World counterparts.

1.Beach Plum (Prunus maritima):
** This small but mighty plum is native to the eastern United States and Canada. Known for its tart flavor and deep purple color, beach plums are often used in jams, jellies, and even wine production.

The Beach Plum is a remarkable fruit native to the eastern United States and Canada. Despite its small size, this plum packs a powerful punch with its unique tart flavor.

2.American Plum (Prunus americana):
** A widely cultivated species across North America, the American plum offers a sweet and juicy flesh perfect for fresh eating or baking into pies and pastries.

The American Plum is a beloved and widely cultivated species throughout North America. With its delectable flavor and adaptability in the kitchen, the American Plum has become a favorite among fruit enthusiasts and chefs alike.

3.Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia):
** Commonly found in the southern United States, Chickasaw plums are prized for their small size but big flavor. These plums are often used in preserves or enjoyed fresh off the tree.

The Chickasaw Plum is a delightful fruit commonly found in the southern United States, cherished for its petite size and burst of flavor. Whether adding a sweet touch to your morning toast or indulging in its natural goodness, Chickasaw plums are a true delight for the taste buds.

4.Mexican Plum (Prunus mexicana):
** Native to Texas and Mexico, this plum variety boasts a rich purple skin with a sweet yet slightly tangy taste. Mexican plums can be eaten fresh or incorporated into various culinary creations.

The Mexican Plum luscious purple skin hides a tantalizingly sweet yet slightly tangy taste that pleases the palate. This plum variety adds a burst of flavor and color to any recipe, making it a versatile and delicious choice for food enthusiasts.

5.Canada Plum (Prunus nigra):
** As its name suggests, this plum species is native to Canada and parts of the northern United States. With a firm texture and mildly sweet flavor, Canada plums are ideal for canning or making sauces.

The Canada Plum is a delightful fruit native to Canada and parts of the northern United States. Known for its firm texture and mildly sweet flavor. With its versatility and unique taste profile, Canada plums are a must-have ingredient for any culinary enthusiast.

New World plums offer a diverse range of flavors and uses that cater to different culinary preferences. Whether you prefer them fresh off the tree or incorporated into delicious recipes, these unique plum varieties add an exciting twist to your fruit repertoire. Indulge in the vibrant and versatile flavors of New World plums to elevate your culinary creations and fruit experiences.

All About New World Plums: A Burst of Flavor

New World plums, native to North America, bring a unique twist to the classic stone fruit. Here's a breakdown of some interesting facts about these tasty treats:

Native Delights: These plums originated in North America, unlike their European and Asian counterparts. Species like American plum (Prunus americana) and Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia) thrived for centuries before European arrival.

Wild at Heart: New World plums are known for their wild and thorny nature. They tend to grow in thickets and hedgerows, unlike the cultivated European varieties found in orchards.

Size Matters: Compared to their European cousins, New World plums are generally smaller. These bite-sized fruits range from 1 to 2 inches in diameter, packing a concentrated burst of flavor.

A Rainbow of Colors: New World plums boast a vibrant color palette. They can be red, orange, yellow, purple, or even a dusty blue, depending on the variety.

Sweet and Tart: The flavor profile of New World plums is a delightful balance of sweet and tart. Some varieties, like the Beach plum (Prunus maritima), have a higher tartness level, making them perfect for jams and jellies.

Rich in Antioxidants: Don't underestimate the nutritional punch of New World plums. They are a good source of vitamins A and C, and also contain antioxidants that can benefit your health.

Perfect for Pollinators: The abundant white flowers of New World plum trees are a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies. This makes them a valuable addition to any backyard habitat.

Adaptable Survivors: New World plums are known for their hardiness. They can tolerate a wider range of climates compared to European varieties, thriving in colder regions of North America.

A Culinary Gem: The culinary uses of New World plums are diverse. They can be enjoyed fresh, dried into prunes, or transformed into jams, jellies, and even delicious wines.

So next time you come across a New World plum, appreciate its unique heritage, vibrant colors, and the burst of flavor it offers. These native fruits are a testament to the diversity and deliciousness of the natural world.