The New Year brings enthusiasm and new planting ideas to Austin gardeners. Here are some suggestions Ann Marie has for hardy herbs that seem to be underutilized in Austin.January, 2006
Warm, but extremely dry weather, welcomed the New Year to Horsetail Haven, a home garden located in Austin, TexasCalamintha nepeta
Lesser Calamint; Family Lamiaceae
Perennial, hardy to zone 5, native to Southwest and South Central Europe
Grows to 18 inches when in bloom with small, bright green, highly fragrant, ovoid leaves at base of plant
Flowers are small, white or pale lavender, in spikes with an "airy" appearance
Grow in full sun or partial shade, moderate watering
Propagate by seed or cuttings
Use as landscape plant, good filler in cut flower arrangements
Not GRAS, An Herb Society of America Promising Plant!Mentha longifolia ‘Habak’
Habak Mint, Habek Mint, Bible Mint; Family Lamiaceae
Perennial, hardy to zone 6, native to Europe, Western Asia, Central Russia
Creeping plant to 1 ft with narrow, grey green leaves and a musky fragrance
Flowers are in summer in spikes of lavender blooms with long stamens
Grow in full sun, moderate watering
Propagate by cuttings, division
Use as a landscape plant, nice in containers to raise flowers for better viewing, has culinary use in Asian, Middle Eastern and Greek cuisinePelargonium grossularioides
Coconut Geranium; Family Geraniaceae
Perennial, hardy and reseeds, native to South Africa
Low growing to 12 inches, sprawling form from a central crown with small rounded fruit scented leaves that may have reddish petioles
Flowers are very tiny, bright magenta on long trailing branches
Grow in full sun or partial shade, survives on low water but flourishes with regular watering
Propagate by seed or cuttings
Use as an ornamental, has had historical medicinal uses, Not GRAS, must not be consumed by pregnant women!Diplotaxis muralis
Wild Rocket; Family Brassicaceae
Perennial, short lived or reseeding biennial hardy to zone 5, native to Europe
Small plant growing to 18 inches in bloom, leaves narrow with mustard-like flavor
Flowers small, four petaled, bright yellow
Grow in full sun with moderate watering
Propagate by seed
Use as a culinary herb alternative to arugula (Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa)
An Herb Society of America Promising Plant!Vetiveria zizanioides
Vetiver; Family Poaceae
Perennial, hardy to zone 8, native to Asia
Large growing grass to 8 ft, roots long and deep
Flowers in fall, attractive brown to purple in long-stalked spikes
Grow in full sun, low water needs
Propagate by division or seed
Use as a landscaping plant, will limit soil erosion but beware, once planted it is hard to remove
Roots are used as a fixative in potpourri and as an insect repellent, oil is used in perfumes. GRAS as flavoring
Enjoy your garden and come back to Horsetail Haven next month to learn about more underutilized herbs for your Austin garden.
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