Tag: aromatic plants
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Salvia / Rosmarinus officinalis
Yes I know that the scientific name is Salvia rosmarinus. But I’ve always known and grown to love it under the “Rosmarinus” name and I think there are so many kinds of Salvias in the world they won’t miss this one in the family. Besides, to me it looks and smells nothing like salvia. Anyway,…
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Lavandula
One of the quintessential Mediterranean plants, lavender comes in a variety of types, differing in size, height, and blooming season. It is not easy to tell them apart and depending on where you buy them they may all just be called “Lavande” (this is my major beef with most regular garden centers). All lavenders are…
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Tulbaghia violacea
With a Filippi “code de secheresse” of 5 and its pretty as well as edible leaves and flowers, Tulbaghia violacea is an excellent plant for mediterranean gardens. This plant of the Allium family comes from South Africa and flowers in spring and fall in my garden. It tolerates up to -10°C and needs a light,…
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Perovskia atriplicifolia
What a perplexing plant! I see it everywhere around here with its great big bushes of purple flowers abuzz with bees in late summer and fall. Perovskia are supposed to be superbly drought-resistant plants, thriving and rapidly growing in even the poorest, most arid soil. Yet none of the ones I’ve been planting in my…
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Caryopteris clandonensis
One of my “darlings” and a somewhat misguided beginner’s purchase because Caryopteris is not really a drought-resistant plant. Filippi gives it a mere 2.5 on the drought-resistance scale. But so far it has turned out to be surprisingly tough and has survived less than ideal circumstances in my garden. I planted it in March 2023…
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Aloysia/Lippia citriodora/triphylla
I was very surprised to discover an Aloysia citriodora shrub of 2 meters height when we first cleaned out the garden. Having always had to keep this plant in a pot in Switzerland I wasn’t aware it grew that big. Aloysia citriodora is also known as Aloysia triphylla, Lippia citriodora, Lippia triphylla or simply Lemon…