Mulberry Creek Herb Farm: Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

Herbs, Recipes, Stories, Ideas and other things A-Z

Lady's Mantle, Dwarf Red-Stem

Alchemilla erythropoda

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 5in. x 12
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Garden Railroads, Groundcover, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Here a 3” version that grows about the size of “Alpine Lady’s Mantle” but has more of the typical leaves, except they are very blue-green and have rhubarb red stems. Confused yet, well suffice to say that this one looks very unique and makes a great addition to an afternoon shady faery garden, trough, or alpine garden.

Ladys Mantle, Alpine

Alchemilla alpina

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 4in. x 12
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery

This miniature version of the popular traditional herb has a silvery edge that collects morning dew, appearing like tiny jewels. Magical rock and faery garden plant that is comfortable under almost any other plant. After flowering, it continues to look great without the “cat-sat-in-the-middle” look.

Lady’s Mantle, Parsley- Leaf

Alchemilla episila

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-Sun
Height: 12 - 16in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic Sandy
Common Uses:Cut Flower, , Medicinal, , Ornamental, Shade

Smaller and more compact than “Thriller,” yet I wouldn’t consider it dwarf status. Instead, “Parsley leaf” is a very clean, shade loving mound from which arise the yellow flowers in summer. And guess what? The deer hate the taste of this too!

Lady’s Mantle, Thriller

Alchemilla mollis `Thriller'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: 3in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Shade

Brighter yellow flower clusters distinguish this variety from the normal ""Lady's Mantle."" Makes a classy cut flower filler; a refreshing change from ""Baby's Breath"". Combine with ""Astilbe"" and lilies. Medicinally used as a poultice to stop bleeding or as a heart tonic and mild sedative tea.

Lamb’s Ear, Helen Von Stein

Stachys byzantina 'Helen von Stein'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Full Sun
Height: 8in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Borders, Butterfly, Cut Flower, Groundcover, Ornamental

Lady bugs rejoice! After many tries, we finally received the real thing. Six to ten inch fuzzy leaves give this variety its other name ""Big Ears"" and a warm winter home for beneficial lady beetles in the North. Holds up better in the heat and humidity, maybe because it is not as fuzzy, albeit just as fun to pet.

Lampranthus, Trailing Tiger Jaws

Lampranthus blandus 'Pink Vygie'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2in. Trailing
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Jar-Gems"""""""" TM, Baskets, Container, Houseplants, Miniature/Faery Garden, Ornamental

Last year we featured South Africa at our annual herb fair. We sought out plants from that country and this is one from West Cape, S.A. Blue-gray ""Tiger Jaw"" leaves decorate long, pink trailing stems. Large, pale pink-red flowers upscale the traditional Strawberry Jar.

Lavandin, Edelweiss

Lavandula x intermedia 'Edelweiss'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3-4 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bath, Bedding Plant, Borders, Cut Flower, Fragrant, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

A new variety to the herb world which is similar to ""White Spike Lavandin"", except that the plants are more compact and flower petals, a brighter white. Previously listed as 'Cathy Blanc'

Lavandin, Fred Boutin

Lavandula x intermedia `Fred Boutin'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 1/2 Feet
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

The most silvery foliage of any ""lavandin"" type, along with alluring violet-blue flowers. Their strong scent leads to medicinal use, as well as fragrant potpourri or soothing, blues-chasin' baths.

Lavandin, Grosso -Fat Spike

Lavandula x intermedia 'Grosso'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bees, Borders, Cut Flower, Fragrant, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

After an ""Herb Companion"" article rated this the best overall variety, we had to offer it. The experts and we agree. 'Grosso' earned finest overall appearance, color, size, flavor and fragrance plus it's hardy to Ontario, Canada! Even three weeks after we cut off the first crop of flowers, the whole area still had the marvelous fragrance. Dry easily, to preserve appearance and fragrance for a long time. No wonder it's the most popular lavender in France by far.

Lavandin, Hidcote Giant

Lavandula x intersectional 'Hidcote Giant'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3-4 ft.
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

Very large, light violet flower heads on long, 2-1/2 foot stems is what gives this fragrant lavender a giant reputation. You'll enjoy its productivity as you harvest for potpourris and large wands.

Lavandin, Marge Clark

Lavandula angustifolia 'Marge Clark'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bath, Bedding Plant, Bees, Borders, Cut Flower, Fragrant, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

From H & H Botanical in Michigan and named for the incredible herbalist who passed away suddenly a few years back, this is a superb seedling selection with very dark purple flowers and nice plant shape. An improvement over ""Provence"" with darker flowers. Rebloomed occasionally throughout the season.

Lavandin, Richard Gray

Lavandula x intersectional 'Richard Gray'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a
Light: Full Sun Only to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Late Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

Similar to ""Sawyer's Woolly"" except that the leaves as well as the entire plant appear shorter and the shade of silver is, well, kicked up a notch!

Lavandin, Silver Frost

Lavandula x intermedia 'Silver Frost'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2-4 Feet
Water: Dry-Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

Lone Ranger, here is your new horse. I can not fathom that lavender foliage will be able to get more silvery white than this variety. Very tightly packed leaves lay on top of one another, like pages in a book. Flowers have silvery/violet buds with light violet petals. From Andy van Hevelingen in Oregon.

Lavandin, White Provence

Lavandula x intermedia 'Alba'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 1/2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bath, Bees, Borders, Cut Flower, Fragrant, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

Someday I'll see France for myself but until then I can dream & admire these pure white flowers waving softly in our lavender field. Tall stalks tower above silvery foliage, July through August.

Lavender, Croxton’s Wild

Lavandula angustifolia 'Croxton's Wild'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3+ feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Bath, Bees, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Edible Flowers, Fragrant, Ornamental, Potpourri, Tea

We dropped the lavender commonly known as ""True English Lavender"" for this European introduction. If you desire a tall, wild looking, silvery, shrub with thigh-high masses of light, lavender-blue flowers, we think you will enjoy this ""true lavender."" Buds in your blueberries? You decide. Tom DeBaggio introduction.

Lavender, Cynthia Johnson

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Cynthia Johnson’

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1 1/2 Feet - 2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

Hardy To Zone 4 @ -30 degrees! Cross your fingers and order early because the last time this was offered, we sold out in a month. Dark blue-purple flowers in tight clusters on taller stems than “Hidcote” appear about a week later, contributing to a longer blooming season. A Rice Creek introduction - Thank you Cynthia Johnson!, who ever you are.

Lavender, Fern-leaf

Lavandula multifida

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Container, , Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

Need a lavender that rarely stops flowering year around, has nice blue flowers and tastes great too? So what’s the catch? None really, except that it’s not hardy below Zone 9. But northerners can containerize plants indoors where it happily grows & flowers. The gray green color falls in between green and silver fern-leaf varieties.

Lavender, Goodwin Creek

Lavandula x ginginsii 'Goodwin Creek Grey'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

Once this incredible variety started toflower, it has hardly ever stopped. Stunning silver gray foliage with deep blue, fragrant flowers and all the looks of an english lavender. A BIG thank you to Jim and Dotti Becker of “Goodwin Creek Gardens,”’ who selected & introduced this variety. They rate this as hardy to Zone 6 (protected), otherwise Zone 7-9.

Lavender, Goodwin Creek 8in.

Lavandula x ginginsii 'Goodwin Creek Grey'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

Lavender, Green Fern-leaf

Lavandula minutolii

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

Leaves are much lacier and greener than ""Fern-leaf"" and flowers are stunningly purple! Hey! Short descriptions don't mean you should pass it by.

Lavender, Herb Companion

Lavandula dentata 'Linda Ligon'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 8b 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to P.Shade
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

""Thanks for the Memories""The real thing! Stunning full white variegation. Highly ornamental, feathery, light leaaves with greamy white streaks and a touch of green. Beautiful blue buds enliven our summers. Folige will revert to more green, which should be removed. Tolerates morning shade, but flowers will become more whitish and is an O.K. house plant in a sunny window. Named in honor of an remarkable lady, whom we had the pleasure of meeting in 2000, Linda Ligon, founding editor of the ""Herb Companion"" magazine.

Lavender, Hidcote Type

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' Type

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 12-18 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, , Ornamental

This very dwarf cultivar (shorter than 'Munstead') with dark blue/purple flower spikes, upscales any container, border, or hedge. Along with cooking, it's also terrific in potpourris where only buds are desired. Intentionally selected and grown from cuttings, for finest plants.

Lavender, Karen Langan

Lavandula angustifolia `Munstead-type'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 12-18 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Culinary, , Garden Railroads, Medicinal, , Ornamental

We selected from our “Munstead” seedlings the one plant that had the darkest blue flower buds, most silvery foliage & repeat flowered in the fall. Seed grown varieties vary in all those features. Finally, Mark named this variety after Karen for having put up with me for all these years. Believe me, this is the least she deseves it!

Harvest stalks before first flowers open. Use fresh or dried for arrangements, tussie-mussies, and wands. This is the very best lavender for long hedges and general landscaping.

Lavender, Melissa Pink

Lavandula angustifolia 'Melissa'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1 Foot
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bees, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Edible Flowers, Fragrant, Garden Railroads, Medicinal, Ornamental, Tea

Horticulturists are always looking for colors that aren't ""normal"" for the species and we love contradictions like this PINK LAVENDER. White and flower stalks bloom from June through July for a delicate fragrant summer performance. Use like the other ""normal"" lavenders.

Lavender, Seal Seven Oaks

Lavandula angustifolia 'Seal Seven Oaks'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 1 1/2 to 2 feet
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Flowers: Early Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bees, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Edible Flowers, Fragrant, Medicinal, Ornamental, Tea

Lavender is so easy on the eye and disposition, why not extend the season? ‘Seal Seven Oaks’ bloom about 2 weeks earlier than other cultivars with light purple and violet clusters of flowers on long stalks.

Lavender, Twickel Purple

Lavandula angustifolia 'Twickel Purple'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 12-18in.
Water: Normal
Soil: Loamy-Sandy Well Drained
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Bedding Plant, Borders, Culinary, Cut Flower, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Soap Making

Among the many lavenders, ""Twickel Purple"" distinguishes itself in its growth habit. Two foot stems fan out around the plant culminating in narrow, dark purple-violet spikes above.

Lavenderpot

Lemon Balm, Citronella

Melissa officinalis ‘Citronella’.

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun
Height: 1-2 ft.
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bath, Fragrant

This strongly fragrant variety does indeed smell of ""citronella."" Let's hope it enhances lemon balm's inherent insect repelling qualities.

Lemon Balm, Golden

Melissa officinalis `Aurea'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-Shade to Shade
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Borders, Culinary, Fragrant, Medicinal, Tea

Golden is a compact, gilded leaf version of the species. Matures to green but is very ornamental, nonetheless and it'll come up golden again the following spring. Makes a great lemonade! Not as aggressively self-sowing as regular ""Lemon Balm"".

Lemon Balm, Improved

Melissa officinalis 'Quedlinburger'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bath, Borders, Culinary, Fragrant, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Shade, Tea

Higher oil content and hardier than species, so use it abundantly, fresh or frozen, in summer sun teas, soups and fish. As flowers appear in summer, cut back 1/2 and use, to avoid self sowing seed. This is an herb that encourages you to use it!

Lemon Balm, Improved

Melissa officinalis 'Quedlinburger Niederliegende'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P. Shade – P. Sun
Height: 14h x 24w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Tea, Medicinal, Cosmetic

Lemon Balms are often creeping the first year then upright in growth habit, the second as in the case of this improved variety. The “upgrade” is in heavier yields and intense lemon aroma. Tea anyone?

Lemon Balm, Lemona

Melissa officinalis 'Lemona'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P. Shade – P. Sun
Height: 14h x 24w inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Tea, Medicinal, Cosmetic

We shall test this variety, flown in from Germany, to see if it has a deeper lemon flavor than our standard variety. I'll have to test it in fruit salad, lemon curd, and lemonade. As they say, “It's a tough job...”

Lemon Balm, Lime

Melissa officinalis ‘Lime’

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to Shade
Height: 1-2 ft.
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bath, Borders, Culinary, Fragrant, Medicinal, Ornamental, Potpourri, Tea

Offered with honesty, this variety is mildly ""lime scented."" We offer in hopes that some breeder can multiply this subtle flavor and introduce a powerful lime flavored variety.

Lemon Balm, Lime

Melissa officinalis ssp. Altissima

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a
Light: P. Shade -P. Sun
Height: 2h x 2w feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Culinary, Tea, Medicinal, Cosmetic

Lemon and lime balms have tiny, whitish flowers which go unnoticed thanks to the euphoric citrus fumes that rise up with just a brush of your hand or the lawn mower. Whatever recipe you'd add the lime fruit to, substitute it for this foliage or better yet, add it. The fruit and this foliage add a depth that is synergistic.

Lemon Balm, Seed-free

Melissa officinalis `Sterile'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-P.Sun to P.Shade-Shade
Height: Normal
Water: Organic-Loamy
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bath, Borders, Culinary, Fragrant, Medicinal, Potpourri, Tea

Check off another plant from Mark's wish list. When he saw it featured in Herb Companion magazine, awhile ago, he went on the hunt. Not only will this not make seeds that spread flamboyantly, but it is also a compact, mounding variety. Victory, at last!

Lemon Balm, Variegated

Melissa officinalis `Variegata'

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: P.Shade-Shade to Shade
Height: 1-2 Feet
Water: Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Common Uses:Bath, Culinary, Fragrant, Medicinal, Potpourri

A shorter version of the species with splashes of bright yellow, mixed randomly, on spring leaves which matures to green as summer heats up. The following spring, it will emerge with splashes again.

Lemon Grass

Cymbopogon citratus

Cold Tolerance: Zone 9a 9b-11
Light: Full Sun to Full Sun
Height: 2-3 Feet
Water: Wet
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Culinary, , Tea

Tropical, water loving grass which is popular in commercial teas, because its bold, sweet lemon flavor is released by hot water. My Southeast Asian friend spoke of literally fishing for a meal and making a lemon grass fish soup, at work, during lunch hour. Overwinter as a houseplant, next to a sunny window, with saucer kept full of water. Do not purchase “East Indian Lemon Grass”- taste like nothing!

Lemon Verbena

Aloysia citriodora (A. triphylla)

Cold Tolerance: Zone 7b 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3-6 Feet
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic
Common Uses:Culinary, , Medicinal, Potpourri, Soap Making, Tea

Bright green elliptical leaves give off the most scintillating lemon flavor in fruit salad, cake and sorbets. Difficult to overwinter, but summer's growth provides enough to freeze or dry for tea and winter treats. For the winter gardener, we recommend allowing it to receive 1-2 frost to kill leaves before bringing in for the winter & starting new. This will leave any spider mites, whitefly or aphids outside!

Leptospermum / Tea Tree, Dwarf

Leptospermum scoparium

Cold Tolerance: Zone 8a 9a 9b-11
Light: Sun - P. Sun
Height: 12 x 12 inches
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Common Uses:Mini Tree, Bonsai

What's prettier, the deep pink buds or semi double, very pale pink flowers which appear mostly in the winter and sporadically all summer? Enjoy it as a tree in the garden railroad, then turn bonsai artist, reserving a space for it on the winter windowsill.

Life Saver Plant

Limomium, Tiny Sea Statice

Limonium dictiocladum

Cold Tolerance: Zone 6b 7a 7b 8a 9a
Light: Full Sun to Sun-P.Sun
Height: 3in. x 3in. wide
Water: Normal
Soil: Sandy-Loamy
Flowers: Early Fall to Early Summer to Late Summer to Middle Summer
Common Uses:Alpine Rockery, Garden Railroads, Miniature/Faery Garden

Remember those frothy filler flowers paired with a bouquet of roses? You will freak as you witness, from these tiny mounds of spoon shaped leaves, an eruption of 2"" tall sprays of miniature ""Sea Statice"" lavender flowers.

Lotus Head Planters

Lotusbirdbath

Lotuscementfaux Log

Lovage

Levisticum officinale

Cold Tolerance: Zone 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b
Light: Sun-P.Shade to P. Shade
Height: 6 Feet
Water: Wet-Normal
Soil: Organic-Loamy
Flowers: Middle Summer
Common Uses:Borders, Culinary, Ornamental, Shade

Very large, hardy, strongly flavored celery substitute which is best grown in the back of a shady border. Use fresh cut stalks as a straw in ""Bloody Marys"". Seeds, leaves or roots are used, fresh or dried, in soups, stir-fries and tuna fish. Tall yellow flower stalks make dramatic feature display. To stop scald, mulch or provide extra summer water.

LIMONCELLO, Traditional

This recipe makes 2 quarts
Takes 9 days until it is ready

750 ml Vodka, 80 proof (Mark liked "Svedka") 8 organic lemons 2 cups sugar 4 cups water 2 cups herbs

1. Peel lemons leaving just a little white on the peel. Scrape off if the white layer is thick.
2. Place peels in a 2 quart or slightly larger jar and pour the vodka over the them.
3. Store in a cool, dark cupboard, for 4 days, shaking the jar daily.
4. On the 5th day, prepare the simple syrup by bringing the sugar and water just to a boil, to dissolve the sugar completely, in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add fresh herbs like lemon verbena, pineapple sage and/or orange mint. Cover. Turn off heat, but leave the pan on the burner for 5 minutes. Take off the burner and cool overnight.
5. On the 6th day, strain the syrup. Add and stir into the vodka and peels.
6. Pour all into a decorative jar, if desired, and store in the cool cupboard for a couple more days.
7. On the 9th day, serve cold with ice.
8. Store in the refrigerator.

LIMONCELLO, updated herb version

This recipes makes 8 pints and takes about 2 weeks to "mellow."

The herbs and herb combinations are what I used. Consider them all suggestions.

6 cups water 5 cups sugar 4 bunches of fresh lemon verbena 12 large organic lemons 1 organic orange, if desired 8 cups (80 proof) vodka, "Svedka" is Mark's choice 8 bunches (about 3 stems that are 2" long) of the following: - tangerine sage - lemon thyme & lime thyme combo - pineapple mint - 1" sprig rosemary & 4 sprigs orange mint combo - sunset anise hyssop - strawberry mint - ginger mint - orange peels with orange mint & rosemary combo

Day one:

1. Prepare simple syrup by bringing the sugar and water to a boil, adding handfuls of fresh lemon verbena
2. Peel lemons leaving just a little white. Scrape off white layer if it is thick.
3. In each pint jar add:
    - the peels of roughly 1-1/2 lemons and the peel of 1 orange to the last pint jar
    - a different fresh herb (or combo) listed above
    - 1 cup vodka
    - 1 cup simple syrup
4. Store in a cool, dark cupboard and shake daily. (I put them on the doors, which have little shelves, of my pantry, so I open that, and thus shake them, daily)

After 2 weeks:
Strain and serve cold.
I will store in my refrigerator for easy serving.

LUSCIOUS LEMONADE

Here's what you could do with those 12 peeled lemons from the Limoncello. I have stored the squeezed lemon juice in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks to make the following or I just get fresh lemons.

If your pitcher can handle it all, you can double this recipe, since you have 12 peeled lemon and enough simple syrup for two.

1 cup herbal simple syrup: 1-2 cups sugar 2 cups water fresh lemon verbena more fresh herbs for pitcher and for glasses 2/3 cup fresh squeezed lemons (about 6 lemons) 3 cups water 1 cup sparkling water optional: 2 ounces limoncello per glass

1. Prepare the simple syrup by bringing the water and sugar JUST to a boil, in a medium-sized saucepan, dissolving the sugar as you stir. Cover, turn off heat and keep it on the burner for just 5 minutes. Take off heat and cool overnight.
2. The next day strain the syrup and add it, the lemon juice, and water to a 2 quart pitcher. Chill overnight or at least 4 hours.
3. Into each glass, pour 1-2 ounces limoncello, (if you wish) and about 4 ounces lemonade. Top off with fresh sprigs of herbs and sparkling mineral water.

KATHY MILLER’S LAVENDER ROSEMARY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

This recipe is from my daughter, Ellen. Although not technically a Christmas cookie, we look forward to them every year.

½ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds 1 cup salted butter, softened 2 cups all purpose flour ¼ teaspoon baking powder 1/8 teaspoon table salt 2 tablespoons demerara sugar

Process granulated sugar, rosemary and lavender buds in a food processor until rosemary and lavender are finely chopped, about 1 minute.
Beat softened butter until fluffy. Add sugar mixture, beating until smooth.
Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until just blended.
Shape dough into two- 8 inch logs. Roll each log in the demerara sugar and wrap in wax paper. Chill for 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut each log into 24 slices and place one inch apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
Bake in preheated oven until edges are golden, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Cool on wire racks. Store in airtight containers.

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