Living mulches are those low growing plants that cover the ground like a carpet. These provide the garden with the same benefits as a mulch of pine bark or wood chips by reducing the room for weeds to grow, retaining the moisture in the soil and creating the perfect environment for microbial and worm activity to […]
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- Articles posted by Kathryn Bafile
Lemon Balm
Common Name: Lemon Balm Latin Name: Melissa officinalis Description: Spreading herb with bright green leaves with a delicious lemon scent. Perennial. 100cm. Harvesting: Harvest as soon as plant is large enough. Dry or freeze. Best Results: Cut back very hard every year to maintain bush shape. Uses: Delicious added to summer drinks when frozen in ice cubes. Add to stuffing or […]
Lavender Avonview
Common Name: Lavender Avonview Latin Name: Lavandula ‘Avonview’ Description: Very attractive and extremely hardy ornamental lavender. Striking purple flower spikes form on dense grey green foliage. Excellent for WA conditions. Perennial. 80cm. Harvesting: Harvest flowers and foliage at any time. Best Results: Trim after flowering is complete to maintain compact shape. Prefers alkaline soil. Uses: Plant as a stunning hedge or […]
Lavender – Sweet
Common Name: Lavender – Sweet Latin Name: Lavandula heterophylla Description: Attractive compact shrub with deep green foliage and dark purple flowers that form on very long spikes. Camphor-lavender perfume. Excellent for WA conditions. Perennial. 100cm. Harvesting: Harvest flowers and foliage at any time. Best Results: Trim after flowering is complete to maintain compact shape. Prefers alkaline soil. Uses: Plant as a […]
Lad’s Love
Common Name: Lad’s Love (Southernwood) Latin Name: Artemesia abrotanum Description: Pungently aromatic shrub with grey-green feathery foliage and tiny yellow flowers in summer. Perennial. 100cm. Harvesting: Harvest leaves at any time. Use fresh or dried. Best Results: Cut down by two thirds every year. Uses: Leaves are used in sachets or potpourris to repel moths and fleas. Plant as hedge around […]
Kohl Rabi Purple
Common Name: Kohl Rabi Purple Latin Name: Brassica oleracea Description: Attractive and unusual vegetable grown for the edible, turnip-like bulb with white flesh at base. Purple stems and leaves add colour to the garden. Height 30cm. Harvesting: Harvest in 8-10 weeks when bulb is 6cm in diameter. Best Results: Grow in full sun in rich, well drained soil. Regular water. […]
Gotu Kola
Common Name: Gotu kola Latin Name: Centella asiatica Description: Also known as pennywort. Attractive low growing ground cover perfect for around ponds and shady areas. Will thrive in shallow water or boggy positions. Height 20cm. Harvesting: Harvest leaves when about 15mm in diameter. Always ensure some leaves remain.. Best Results: Very vigorous so may be best grown in pots. Divide […]
Geranium Peppermint
Common Name: Geranium Peppermint Scented Latin Name: Pelargonium tomentosum Description: This is a vigorous evergreen with heart-shaped, velvety leaves that have a delicious peppermint perfume. The plant will spread over quite a large area, almost like a ground cover, but it is very easy to control with hard pruning every now and then. Very low maintenance. Perennial. […]
Geranium Lime Scented
Common Name: Geranium Lime Scented Latin Name: Pelargonium nervosum Description: Vigorous evergreen with smooth, lime-scented foliage. Small, mauve flower clusters. Low maintenance. Perennial. Height 60cm. Harvesting: Harvest leaves at any time. Keep in vase of water or in fridge. Best Results: Grow in full sun or part shade in rich, well drained soil. Regular water. Remove dead flowers and cut […]
Geranium Rose
Common Name: Geranium – Rose Latin Name: Pelargonium ‘Graveolens’ Description: Vigorous, upright shrub with rose-scented leaves and pale pink flowers forming in summer. Perennial. 120cm Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested at any time. Best Results: Cut down by two thirds every year. Grow in full sun for best perfume. Uses: Use leaves fresh in fruit drinks and desserts or dried in […]