During the winters in Luxembourg, bullfinches would descend WITHOUT FAIL on to the bare, woody stems of lemon balm as soon as it snowed, as in within hours. And there’d be at least six of them. Wondrous.
No, we left three years ago and headed to the wilds of Cumbria at the foot of the Fells. My garden was/is a disaster, currently bereft of balm or verbena which I shall correct. It was balm the bullfinches loved so clearly I need to pay more attention to your words. But still.
As someone who's just killed their lemon balm but has lemon verbena in abundance this is music to my ears. And finally a way to use up the bottle of vodka kicking about the cupboard that no one touches!
Thanks for the latest edition of HerbWatch, Mark. :o)
It's great to see the progress of the anise hyssop and its gorgeous flowers. Do you use the spikes once they have reached their full, floral potential?
Lemon verbena is indeed a magical thing - adding extra lemony oomph to all sorts of things.
I am a relative newcomer to lemon verbena tea but can wholeheartedly confirm that it is much tastier than toilet-cleaner, and certainly not a *mediaeval penance!
[*Our term for something that's supposed to be good for you but is really rather grim. Normally shortened to MP.]
Hi Ken, yes, I leave some flowers on for the bees and others I pull into florets and throw them in salads for dots of punctuation. 'Mediaeval penance' is excellent! As you say, it far exceeds that
I’ve got to meet a friend who is a fruit and veg grower/enthusiast like I’m becoming myself and have suggested we catch up at the secret herb garden in Edinburgh! It’s a treat! She’s never been and I cannot wait to see her expression when she takes in the vast herb collection out for sale. The car boot will be full again no doubt and even better the cafe under a massive pear tree has the best cake ! Lemon verbena it is then?
As you know, I'm with you on lemon verbena. However, disaster has struck and I've lost my taste and smell completely. (Covid, I'm looking at you). I am just hoping it comes back before autumn. Although, of course, I'll dry it and it dries really well.
I'm going to make this, Mark. I have almost everything growing in our forest garden greenhouse (not the vodka(!) and as for sugar, our sugar cane is distinctly non sugary). I'll bring some on the next course we teach together .....
It's going well. Avocados flowered well but I'm not sure how well the fruit have set. 'Four Seasons' Lemons just starting to flower again and have green fruits. Still waiting for custard apples and litchi to flower. Have put in extra pomegranates as they have flowered well but not getting pollinated. And a hammock finally added (though it is 36 deg in there right now so I have to pick my moments for that)
During the winters in Luxembourg, bullfinches would descend WITHOUT FAIL on to the bare, woody stems of lemon balm as soon as it snowed, as in within hours. And there’d be at least six of them. Wondrous.
What an extraordinary thing! It sounds like you don't live there now...if not, do you still grow it? And do you mean lemon balm or verbena?!
No, we left three years ago and headed to the wilds of Cumbria at the foot of the Fells. My garden was/is a disaster, currently bereft of balm or verbena which I shall correct. It was balm the bullfinches loved so clearly I need to pay more attention to your words. But still.
Lovely to know that the finches loved the balm so much, thank you
As someone who's just killed their lemon balm but has lemon verbena in abundance this is music to my ears. And finally a way to use up the bottle of vodka kicking about the cupboard that no one touches!
I am glad to have been of use!
Thanks for the latest edition of HerbWatch, Mark. :o)
It's great to see the progress of the anise hyssop and its gorgeous flowers. Do you use the spikes once they have reached their full, floral potential?
Lemon verbena is indeed a magical thing - adding extra lemony oomph to all sorts of things.
I am a relative newcomer to lemon verbena tea but can wholeheartedly confirm that it is much tastier than toilet-cleaner, and certainly not a *mediaeval penance!
[*Our term for something that's supposed to be good for you but is really rather grim. Normally shortened to MP.]
Hi Ken, yes, I leave some flowers on for the bees and others I pull into florets and throw them in salads for dots of punctuation. 'Mediaeval penance' is excellent! As you say, it far exceeds that
I’ve got to meet a friend who is a fruit and veg grower/enthusiast like I’m becoming myself and have suggested we catch up at the secret herb garden in Edinburgh! It’s a treat! She’s never been and I cannot wait to see her expression when she takes in the vast herb collection out for sale. The car boot will be full again no doubt and even better the cafe under a massive pear tree has the best cake ! Lemon verbena it is then?
I have never been to the secret herb garden but certainly will when I am next nearby, thank you
I lost mine one forgetful winter and you have reminded me to get another! Lemon Balm grows like a weed in our garden but alas can not hold a candle...
Volume much better, thanks!
Delighted about the volume being better on the film, though less so for your sadly demised plant!
As you know, I'm with you on lemon verbena. However, disaster has struck and I've lost my taste and smell completely. (Covid, I'm looking at you). I am just hoping it comes back before autumn. Although, of course, I'll dry it and it dries really well.
Oh man, that's really unfair. Hoping it comes back sharpish fellow lemon verbena lover
I'm going to make this, Mark. I have almost everything growing in our forest garden greenhouse (not the vodka(!) and as for sugar, our sugar cane is distinctly non sugary). I'll bring some on the next course we teach together .....
That's another excellent reason to look forward to the next course we teach! How is the forest garden greenhouse coming along since I saw it?
It's going well. Avocados flowered well but I'm not sure how well the fruit have set. 'Four Seasons' Lemons just starting to flower again and have green fruits. Still waiting for custard apples and litchi to flower. Have put in extra pomegranates as they have flowered well but not getting pollinated. And a hammock finally added (though it is 36 deg in there right now so I have to pick my moments for that)
Sounds amazing. I'm due another visit!
I ADORE these perfect little plant vignettes.
thank you, that's lovely to know
limoncello as toilet cleaner. Never have I read a more apposite comparison
*lifts hat*