Baby
Sun Rose See the "S" Page -- SUN JEWEL |
**Bachelor's
Buttons, Bluebottle, Cornflower Centaurea cyanus
These easy to grow and self seeding annuals are almost a staple in New England
summer flower gardens and may often be seen flourishing in wildflower gardens.
I
have
always
loved
them.
Benefits: Aside from its sweet appearance in the garden, the
flower petals are edible and easily make a gourmet salad out of one that lacks
pizzazz.
From: Europe
Planting and Care: These are very easy to grow plants. In
a sunny part of your garden rake up your soil, scatter the seeds and cover
lightly with soil, again by raking.
Water routinely and in most places they'll do just fine. In Guatemala
I had terrible problems with plant diseases which you can see in the photograph
on the left below. I don't use commercial treatments so if you have any alternatives
I'd love to hear from you, just Contact
Us
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013, 2014, 2019 |
Photographed: In
my garden at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala in 2013. |
**Balfour
Aralia See
The "A" Page -- ARALIA |
Balloon
Flower Platycodon grandiflorus
I bought seeds and tried to grow this lovely perennial flowering plant once a
year
ago
with no
luck at all. I am trying again this month because they are just so beautiful.
I don't think my photographs tell the real story, but so far I have had no luck.
To keep these flowers fresh in a vase in the house, sear the stems with a flame
as they are harvested.
Benefits:
From: East Asia
Planting and Care: Plant these little beauties in full sun in
more northerly places, but give them a break from the afternoon sun in tropical
climates. Routine watering or rainfall will keep them quite happy.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013, 2014 |
Photographed: In
the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay, Maine,
2013. |
|
|
**Bamboo
Palm See
the Palms and Sagos Page |
Giant
Bamboo, Dragon Bamboo Dendrocalamus giganteus
This
is a tropical and subtropical clumping bamboo, ideal for some area in most gardens
in those climates. I cannot speak highly enough of the clumping bamboo
we planted by the very hot driveway in front of our home in Montserrat. The bamboo
provided shade and privacy from homes higher on the hill and the sound of it
when the wind blew made life a little magical. I never did figure out which variety
it was, but you can see it below as "bamboo mystery #1."
Benefits: This bamboo is used on all sorts of construction project applications,
in furniture and in human nutrition as the young shoots are edible.
From: Myanmar (Burma)
Photographed: In the Palermo Botanical Garden in Sicily, Italy.
Planting and Care: This wonderful bamboo will grow to be very
tall and will have a substantial diameter. It grows naturally in tropical highlands
and hill slopes so it will always prefer full sun and abundant water.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2012 |
Yellow
Grove Bamboo Phyllostachys aureosulcata
This bamboo grove has survived for decades in the frigid Rhode Island winters.
If you have a great deal of land I can think of nothing better than a bamboo
grove (well maybe a pine forest). The sound of bamboo leaves in the wind is soothing
in a way I can't explain and in hot climates the shade it provides is always
welcome.
Benefits: Falling leaves from a stand of bamboo make a wonderful
mulch and cut bamboo, when dried, makes a fabulously flavorful addition to a
charcoal fire for making barbecues.
From: China
Photographed: In the Blithewold Garden in Bristol, Rhode Island
2013 and 2014.
Planting and Care:
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014 |
|
|
|
**Bamboo
Mystery #1 (Clumping
variety)
Several years ago we planted clumping bamboo in our shady terraced hill garden,
as a sun block for our driveway and as a hedge at one end of our property. We
didn't know the variety name at the time and we still don't. We took culms from
a bamboo plant at the Montserrat National Trust that was about
30 feet tall with 3 to 4 inch stems. The Chief Tour Guide and Gardener at The
Montserrat National Trust, Pi, told us it was “West Indian bamboo” which
doesn't seem to exist on the internet. Maybe with all the marijuana he smoked
his imagination had run wild. Our bamboo was a stellar performer! In Montserrat,
even the rather conservative folks from Britain and the United States considered
it beautiful. Most of them have dreadful tales of running bamboo and all are
startled to see that ours is not a monster. We were very careful to choose a
clumping variety.
From: I read somewhere that clumping bamboos are native to the
high Himalayas which seems very peculiar seeing how happy and healthy ours are
at sea level in the tropical Caribbean.
Photographed: In the garden beside our driveway
at our former home in Montserrat.
Planting and Growth: When you bring home your bamboo
shoots set them in the center of an area where they can spread in a natural
circle. They will
prefer a sunny or semi sunny location, fertile soil or the addition of
regular fertilizer (bamboo is in the grass family) and routine rain or
watering. As the bamboo settles in and begins to grow you can determine
which of the stalks you will let grow. If one is heading in a direction
that you don't what it to grow, simply remove the shoot when it is small.
You may also feel free to prune the bamboo a bit if you wish.
Text & Photographs ©KO 2008 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013 |
|
|
|
Bamboo
Mystery #2
Photographed: In the Palermo Botanical
Garden in Sicily, Italy.
|
Bamboo
Mystery #4
Photographed: In the Chinese Garden
in Sydney, Australia, 2013.
|
|
|
Bamboo
Mystery #5
Photographed: In the Jardim de Olhao, in
Agadiz, Morocco
in 2014
|
Bamboo
Mystery #6
Photographed: In the (Ortobotanico)
Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy, in 2014
|
|
|
**Banana
Passion Fruit, Caruba, Banana Poka, Bananadilla Passiflora
mollissima
Two of the photographs below were taken on the roadside
in a small village outside of Taxco, Mexico. The village,
higher up in the mountains and an hour away from Taxco, lies
along what was always a difficult road, but is now greatly
improved. Here in the village called Tenerillas there is
sometimes snow in the winter and year round it is almost
always cool and humid because it lies at cloud level. The
vegetation in Tenerillas is lush with hardy tropicals as
a hard freeze would be extremely rare.
Benefits: In Mexico, the fruits of this vine are considered an excellent
treatment for high blood pressure aside from their value as a delicious base
for a fruit drink.
From: One source reported the vine coming from the higher altitudes
in Venezuela through to Bolivia and Peru. Another source said Brazil, but didn't
mention altitude.
Link: http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/banana_passion_fruit.htm
Photographed: Along the roadside in Tenerillas, a small village about
an hour's drive outside of Taxco, Mexico, in the State of Guerrero.
Planting and Care: After stopping to talk with the owner I took
some ripening fruit from the vine in Tenerillas, Mexico, whose flowers you see
below and brought them to Montserrat in the Caribbean. I kept them refrigerated
for several months and finally got them planted. The seeds have proved very hardy
as I now have several small plants thriving. I suspect that here in the Caribbean
they will prefer a little shade during the hottest time of day.
Normally this vine grows best at higher elevations, above 5000 feet.
Our former home in Montserrat was just about 800 feet above sea level so we crossed
our fingers. We did get two plants to begin growing, but they were weak when
we left on holiday and when we returned they had died. If we had been lucky,
the mature flowering banana passion fruit vine would have added yet one more
hummingbird attractant to the garden and given us its aromatic soft yellow fruits
all year round. It is said that in the best setting one of these vines will yield
two hundred fruits when it is mature along with a multitude of fabulously beautiful
flowers.
One day shopping in the market months ago I spotted
two banana passion fruits and bought them both. The fruits were ripe so I squished
out the seeds and put them in a relatively abrasive small metal strainer. Running
water through the strainer I moved the seeds against the strainer to remove the
fruit pulp. As an accidental benefit this also abraded the seeds which is recommended
before planting. Once in the soil, the seeds sprouted like crazy as you can see
below.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2008 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014, 2019 |
Photographed: On
the deck where I plant seeds in my garden at Lake Atitlan
in the Guatemalan highlands in 2014.
|
Photographed: Along
the roadside in Tenerillas, a small village about an hour's
drive outside of Taxco, Mexico, in the State of Guerrero.
|
|
**Banana
Poka -- See Banana Passion Fruit above |
|
|
|
BANKSIA |
Swamp
Banksia Banksia robur
This small tree is appealing for its size, only about 6 feet, its beautiful green
leaves and for its peculiar flowering. I'd definitely have one if I were starting
a tropical
garden from scratch and had lots of land.
Benefits:
From: Australia
Photographed: In the Royal Botanical Gardens in Sydney,
Australia, 2013.
Planting and Care: Banksias grow in hot swampy coastal areas
of Australia. Plant it in full sun and give it a lot of water and it should prove
fairly adaptable. I wouldn't recommend challenging it with a frost.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013/2019 |
Old
Man Banksia, Saw Banksia, Saw-Tooth Banksia, Red Honeysuckle Banksia
serrata
The two types of Banksia in the Royal garden were intriguing and you may find
them so as well.
Benefits: The old man banksia provides food for a large variety
of birds and small mammals. Its red tinted timber has also been used in ship
building.
From: Eastern coastal areas of Australia.
Photographed: In the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia,
in 2013.
Planting and Care: When mature this tree may reach a height
of about 50 feet. It prefers to live in low nutrient well-drained sandy soils.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014/2019 |
|
|
**Barbados
Flower Fence See the "P" Page -- PRIDE OF BARBADOS |
|
BASIL
|
**Basil
(1), Sweet Basil Ocimum basilicum crispum
What would a garden be without one or more varieties of this fragrant herb. In
Montserrat, we had good luck growing the traditional large leaved soft basil
that we harvested regularly to make great quantities of pesto. We froze the pesto
in ice cube trays so we had easy serving size portions whenever the mood would
strike. Do move your pesto cubes to a sealed container to avoid freezer burn.
We also learned to quick saute fresh basil leaves in olive oil to freeze for
other uses, like chopped frozen on homemade pizza or chopped into a homemade
tomato sauce. Gourmet Magazine also has a great number of recipes for
using fresh basil.
Benefits:
1. Once flowering, basil is used throughout Mexico to shoo away flies and it
really does work! Pick a few flowering stems and treat them like any other flowers
from your garden. Find a pretty vase, fill it with fresh water and load it up
with basil.
2. Basil may also be a healthful energizer. Try making a light
tea from several leaves and see how you feel.
3. Basil may also have a beneficial affect on high blood pressure.
From: Basil
is said to have originated in such diverse continents as Africa and India/Asia.
Photographed: In
the herb garden at our former home in Montserrat.
Planting and Care: In the Caribbean and in
other very warm climates, this large leaved soft type of basil seems to prefer
some shade during the hotter parts of the day. Plant it in rich soil where
it will receive morning sun and regular rainfall or routine watering. When
the plants reach about eight to ten inches tall, begin to harvest the upper
leaves. Take a sharp knife and cut just above a leaf joint. If you don't harvest
the leaves regularly, the plants will begin to flower and the leaves will grow
smaller and a little bitter. When this happens the plants are no longer useful
in food preparations, but will work fine as insect repellents. When your basil
has been in the ground for a couple of months and seems to be growing woody,
harvest several soft (not woody) stems with a few leaves. Place these in water
in a bright, but not sunny, window. They will quickly root and you will have
fresh basil to plant. You can do this for several months, but at some point
you will have to start over from seeds so when one of your plants goes to flower
leave it until it begins to seed. Then pull it up gently on a wind free day.
Shake the dry plant over an old sheet and collect the seeds for the next gardening
season. Let them dry for a day or two then put them in a small plastic bag
and keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant them.
Varieties: The basil you see pictured
above and is probably Large leaf or Lettuce Leaf.
These plants were able to grow well in what can be a hot, dry and VERY windy
climate that just as easily in a few days can be a very rainy temperate climate.
The leaves seem incredibly soft and hence the name. We have now planted Large
Leaf at our new home at Lake Atitlan and it has produced wonderfully.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2004/2008/2010
and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2014/2019
|
**Basil
(2), Mint (in Montserrat) Ocimum
basilicum (L.)
Willd.
This perennial basil plant has small leaves, less than an inch long, a terrific
flavor
and,
best
of all, it is a very tough plant that can grow in tropical sun.
Benefits: In Montserrat and probably in much of the Caribbean
it is used as a tea.
From: The American tropics and subtropics
Photographed: In
the herb garden at our former home in Montserrat.
Planting and Care: This plant will root easily from
a six inch cutting placed in a glass of water on a bright, not sunny, window
sill. Once rooted it can be moved outside, first to a semi shady area in a
small
pot and then to a bright sunny spot in the garden. It is a lovely plant and
will grow to be about two feet tall before it always seems to succumb to some
insect, most often mealy bugs. So, although it is a perennial we keep individual
plants only about a year
before renewing them with a fresh cutting.
Text
and Photograph ©KO 2004/2007 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2019 |
|
Bay
Leaf Tree (1), Sweet Bay Laurus
nobilis
This
variety of bay leaf is grown primarily in Turkey and is almost always used dried.
The other variety of bay leaf tree, Umbellularia californica, grows primarily
on the west coast of the US and in Mexico where it is the only variety of bay
leaf readily available. The two types of bay have very different flavors.
I was never able to adapt to the Mexican variety and usually just left it out
of any recipe I was making.
Benefits: Bay leaves have been used to repel insects.
From:
Photographed:
Planting and Care:
Text ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014/2019
|
**Bay
Rum Tree, Bay Leaf Tree (2), Wild Cinnamon
Tree Pimenta racemosa (Mill.) J. W. Moore
syn. P. acris or Caryophyllus racemosus
The bay rum tree is very attractive and can be grown on a relatively small plot
of land as a garden centerpiece. Its leaves are dark green and shiny resembling
the shape of the bay leaves used in cooking, but BEWARE bay rum oil is toxic
so the leaves are probably toxic too. Its flowers are not memorable for their
beauty, but they provide a lovely enduring scent in the garden.
Benefits: Growing to up to 40 feet tall this tree is the source
of bay oil used in making the popular bay rum cosmetic products that are said
to have originated in Montserrat. One hundred pounds of bay rum leaves yields
one pound of an essential oil called myrcia. Bay rum is made from a combination
of bay oil or myrcia, orange oil, pimenta oil, alcohol and water. Parts of the
bay rum tree have also been said to have curative powers in external applications
for muscle and joint strains and pains.
From: The West Indies
Photographed: In our garden at our former home in Montserrat.
Planting and Care: Trees live so long and are large enough
to dominate areas of your garden so choose well where you will plant this one.
It prefers full sun and routine rainfall or watering though ours which are
fully grown have suffered through several droughts with little apparent damage.
Text & Photograph ©KO 2008
and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2019 |
**Beach
Mulberry See The "N" Page NONI |
|
BEANS
**Asparagus
Bean, Yard Long Bean Dolichos melanophtalmus Syn. Vigna
sesquipedalis or Phaseolus sesquipedalis'
This is a prolific climbing type of green bean which as the name implies is
very long, not a yard, but at least a foot. We planted these beans along with
Italian pole beans. The local large rodent called an agouti ate all of the
latter so we are very fond of the asparagus bean for its survival characteristics.
Even though the plants look terrible they produce enough beans every day or
so to make the evening meal green and they are delicious.
From:
Photographed: In our garden in Montserrat
Planting and Care: Plant a few seeds by a 10 foot pole in full sun.
With regular rainfall or watering you should begin harvesting in about sixty
days. The seeds for this type of bean can be identified because they are a
muted red in color.
Text ©KO 2009 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2019 |
**Black Beans, Black Turtle Beans Phaseolus
vulgaris
I will always think of black beans as most at home in Oaxaca,
Mexico, where they are a staple food for almost everyone. There, they
grow a tiny variety that tastes wonderful and makes an especially creamy
puree. Take a look at the foods and cuisine of Oaxaca at our other
website, oaxaca-today.com CUISINE
Benefits: I lived in Oaxaca for two years where my diet consisted
almost entirely of black beans, onions, green peppers, jalapenos, tomatoes, huge
hand
made
blue
corn
tortillas called tlayudas and menonita, a type of cheddar cheese
made in Mexico by a community of Mennonites. I have never in my life been healthier
or had an easier time controlling weight.
I just never even thought about it.
Yahoo News had
this
to say about the health benefits of black beans, "... Basic black is always
in style; the darker a bean's coat, the higher its antioxidant activity. Beans
are so good for you, they straddle two slots on the food pyramid. "They
have enough protein to be a meat, and the vitamins and fiber of a veggie," says
Christine Gerbstadt, M.D., spokeswoman in Sarasota, Florida, for the American
Dietetic Association (ADA). One cup packs half your daily folate, blood pressure,
regulating magnesium and energizing iron." I disagree firmly when she went
on to say that you can get the same benefits from a can of black beans. Shame
on
you Christine.
From: Black beans are native to the Americas.
Photographed: In
the market in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Planting and Care: Black beans are hearty plants that look like all
the other beans you might grow. They are not climbers and will need to be left
idle in
the garden at the end of the season so that they may dry properly. Unless you
have some serious acreage, I don't recommend trying to grow the pounds or kilos
of these beans that an average family might like to have.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013/2019 |
Recipe: Basic Black Beans
4 lbs
or 2 kilos of small very shiny heavy black beans
4 organic green peppers, seeded and cut in half
2 large white onions, peeled and cut in half or quarters
clean water
Wash
the beans in clean water and prepare the vegetables. Get a large
pan, maybe about 8 quarts in size. Fill the pan about half way
full with clean water and bring it to a boil. Add the prepared vegetables
and beans, cover and bring it back to a boil. Lower the heat to low
and let the beans cook, checking them maybe once an hour. After
two to
three hours, depending on their freshness the beans will be getting
softer. Now you will need to pay a little attention. Take the top off
and adjust the heat so the bean mixture is just simmering. You are
now trying to dry the mixture as much as possible without letting it
burn. As it thickens you will need to give it more frequent stirrings.
When you are bored with all of this, STOP. Let the beans cool and then
take out your Cuisanart. If you don't have one, beg, borrow or steal
one as it really is the best tool for the job. Puree amounts
of the beans that fit comfortably in the size of Cuisanart you have
and continue until you've done them all. Freeze the beans in amounts
that you will comfortably use in a day or two. |
Recipe: Stassi's
Black Bean Soup to Die For
Served with Flame Toasted
Fresh Hand Made Blue
Corn Tortillas.
COMING SOON, IF I CAN GET HIM TO PART WITH IT |
|
**Fava
Beans, Broad Beans, Field Beans (Sp. habas)
This is a delicious bean that I always thought was a primitive lima bean. Whether
it is or not cooked in a stew it makes winter nights quite alright. Don't forget
the beans fresh from their pods have to be individually peeled as they are in
France, Mexico and Guatemala. Not an enjoyable part of favas, but well worth
the effort. I recently read that when favas are very young you don't have to
peel them, but I have little faith that is true.
Benefits: Fava beans are loaded with health benefits
aside from being simply delicious.
From: North Africa
Photographed: As a bean plant the fava is particularly appealing
Planting and Care: This is a cool weather crop so it is perfect
for a Guatemalan winter (November through February). Despite its preference for
cool weather it does like to be living in full sun.
Text ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014/2019 |
**Green
beans, String Beans, Snap Beans Phaseolus vulgaris
Green beans seem to do well in the Caribbean even when I've used old favorite
varieties that I loved in my New England garden. I read that the following types
should work well in a tropical climate: Extender, Contender, Harvester
Benefits: Vitamin C, folate, vitamin K
and silicon for healthy bones, skin, and hair.
From: Peru
Photographed: In the Blithewold Garden in Bristol, Rhode
Island
2013.
Planting and Care: Work over your soil well, incorporating a
bit of lime and as much organic material as you can spare. Plant your seeds about
one inch deep and one inch apart. In Montserrat we tended to plant them in November
for an early February harvest because insects were not so prevalent in that season
and the heat never became a deterrent to success.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2019 |
Kidney
beans
I would have to say the same thing about kidney beans as
I did about black beans. If you don't have a lot of fertile acreage,
you are going to have to find a commercial source for the kidney
beans
a normal family might eat in a year. In the Caribbean, wonderfully
fresh dried kidney beans are readily available. In Latin America
there
is a bean called, riñones or kidney, but it just
isn't the same. In Mexico we used a bean called flor de mayo which
was a great substitute for kidney beans.
Text ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013/2019 |
**Mung
beans, Green Gram, Golden Gram, Vigna radiata (L)
The mung bean is what we know as the most common "bean sprout" in most
of the world. These are the wonderful crisply fried sprouts so essential in Chinese
cuisine. Like us, many people wrongly think that sprouted soy beans produce the
Chinese dishes. Mung beans are as easy to sprout as alfalfa and about one tablespoon
of seeds produces about one quart of sprouts. When the sprouts are fully developed
give them a rinse and a drain and store them in the refrigerator. They will keep
for several days.
Benefits: The beans themselves are high in protein, about 25%
by weight. They are also said to have detoxifying properties. Try cooking them
with coriander, cumin and ginger. If you sprout the beans you will be getting
vitamin C that not in the beans themselves. And, mung bean flour is said to be
useful in caring for the skin.
From: Burma and India
Photographed: In our garden at our former home in Montserrat
Planting and Care: Plant your seeds about 1" deep and be prepared
to wait because these beans take more than three months to reach their height
of from two to three feet, to flower and produce mature bean pods. When they
do produce, you won't be disappointed as each pod will contain about 10 to 15
seeds. Mung beans make a good green manure crop and are nitrogen fixing. They
are also both heat and drought tolerant and so make one a good choice for growing
in a tropical summer which is a very difficult time for most vegetables and other
plants.
Text and Photograph ©Krika.com 2008
and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013/2019 |
White
Beans Phaseolus
vulgaris
I recently saw an article on curative foods on Yahoo and was surprised to see
"pork and beans" right there with yogurt. Personally, I think my home made
Boston
Baked
Beans are right up there with any heavenly food you might make and with all natural
ingredients, they are extraordinarily healthy to eat (except that they are fattening).
Benefits: Aside from being a good source of potassium, white
beans provide
fiber, protein and iron.
From: The Americas
Photographed:
Planting and Care: In springtime after all danger of frost is
over, turn over your nutrient rich well composted garden soil to at least 6"
in depth. Plant the seeds at a depth of a little more than 1 inch.
Water them thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist and again when it seems
to be a little dry. As the small plants begin to show, keep them moist, but not
wet and you'll have a fine harvest.
Text ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014/2019
|
|
**Bear's
Breach, Greek Akanthos Acanthus mollis
This is a plant we first saw in the Botanical Gardens in Athens. Aside from lovely
winding paths and many large trees providing wonderful shade this garden is disappointing.
The Bear's Breach is the only memorable plant we saw. And
that's okay, because it was love at first sight and I finally have two thriving
plants right
outside in my garden. They have been blooming for months.
Benefits: Bear's
breach is considered a medical plant useful both externally and internally for
a variety of ailments.
Photographed: On the left, growing wild by the side of the road in Sicily
in 2012. On
the right at the Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy in 2012.
Planting
and Care: Grow bear's breach in bright semi shade with regular rainfall
or watering for best results. The leaves and tall flower stalks, up to five feet,
make this a stunning accent plant.
Text
and Photographs ©KO 2008/2010 and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2015/2019
|
Photographed: In
the Botanical Garden in Palermo, Sicily in 2012.
|
Photographed: On
the left in the Botanical Garden at Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan
in Guatemala in 2010. On
the right, growing wild by the side of the road in Sicily in 2012. |
Photographed: At
the Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy in 2014
|
Beebalm
'Jacob Cline' Monarda didyma
This is a striking perennial growing to be about five feet tall.
Benefits: Native American Indians used beebalm for its antiseptic qualities.
From: The United States, from Maine following the coast south as far
as Georgia.
Photographed: In the Thuya Garden, Mt. Desert Island, Maine,
2013.
Planting and Care: Beebalm prefers to be planted in full sun,
but it will tolerate some shade. Water it regularly unless you have frequent
rainfall.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013/2019 |
Beefsteak
Plant See
the "J" Page JOSEPHS COAT (3) |
**Beets Beta
vulgaris
All too often beets are overcooked and fall into the
same group of inedible vegetables as overcooked cabbage and broccoli. When
well prepared, beets are delicious! In New England they grew like weeds, but
in the Caribbean we never saw even one appear in the garden despite
out
best
efforts. I tried again in our new garden in Guatemala and had great success
growing them in large pots.
Benefits: The lowly beet was the staple food of many peoples,
both in its vegetable form and as a source of sugar. Beets
are said to be very good for you, especially for your skin, but I simply can't
demystify the chemical lingo. What I do know is that they are a good source
of vitamins A, B2, B6 and C. Eat them if you like them and you'll reap untold
benefits!
From: The Mediterranean like so many other wonderful foods
Photographed: In our garden at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala in
2014 and 2015.
Planting and Care: I believe it is normal to soak
the seeds overnight to give them a leg up on germination. I forgot
to do that with the beet seeds I had, but it didn't seem to matter
greatly. Plant them in a container that will receive strong morning
light, but avoid the mid day sun. Gradually begin moving them into
full sun. When they are small with a few leaves transplant them
to large pots or directly into the garden . In the pots you can
crowd them a bit, but in the garden leave about 4 inches between
plants. They will do best with full sun in a compost rich soil.
Harvest your beets when they are about 2.5" in diameter. Leave
about 4" of stem on the beets when you cook them so all the
color doesn't drain out into the water. As for varieties, I tend
to stick with an old favorite called "Detroit Dark Red."
GMO ALERT: I suspect that beets
now grown in Mexico and Guatemala are genetically modified. I love
beets, but after cooking them for more than an hour while living
in Mexico, I eventually gave up as we did with potatoes. There
just seemed to be something very wrong. Living now in Guatemala
I have found the same problem so I no longer buy beets. Sugar
producing beets are all pretty much GMO so read the label on your
bag of sugar to be sure it is pure cane sugar.
Text
©KO 2007 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2015
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TO
SEE BEGONIAS
PLEASE CLICK HERE
|
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Belladonna,
Purple Nightshade Atropa Belladonna L.
Benefits and Risks:
The entire plant is toxic.
I found this on the web some time ago
and I don't remember where, but I think it is important to include here. "Don't
mess with this one—pop a handful of berries in your mouth, and you'll physically
be unable to call for help. After you lose your voice, respiratory complications,
intense digestive disruption, and violent convulsions begin, the combination
of which has proven fatal."
From: Europe North Africa and Western Asia
Photographed: In the healing plant garden at
the Naples, Italy, Botanical Garden.
Planting
and Care: Belladonna likes to be planted in the shade
in a sweet soil in a garden spot that is usually moist.
Text
and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2012, 2013 |
**Bell
Pepper See
The "P" Page -- PEPPERS |
**Be-Still
Tree See
The "Y" Page -- YELLOW OLEANDER TREE |
**Bhaji See
The "S" Page -- SPINACH |
Big
Foot Evening Primrose See the "P" Page
-- PRIMROSE |
Bird
Catcher Tree, Bird Lime Tree, Parapara Pisonia umbellifera 'variegata'
This very appealing tree will grow to a modest 15 feet in height, though it will
be pretty wide at about 9 feet.
Benefits:
From: Western Pacific ocean areas.
Planting and Care: This is a warm climate small tree
that prefers full sun but will tolerate bright shade. Plant it in well
drained,
but moist humusy soil. It will require routine rainfall or watering.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014 |
Photographed: In
the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia, in
2013. |
Bird's
Nest Fern Please See the "Ferns" Page |
|
BIRD
OF PARADISE |
**Bird
of Paradise Strelitzia
reginae
This is one of the plants I always coveted, but
did not have growing in our large garden in Montserrat.
It just wasn't available on the island. Now that I have
one in our garden in Guatemala, I knew just where to plant
it so that its exotic flowers and very large leaves will
be at their best in the four foot height they usually achieve.
From: South Africa
Photographed: On the right in our apartment
garden in Oaxaca, Mexico, in February 2010.
Planting and
Care: This stunning plant
likes to live in the sun with its feet firmly planted in
rich soil in a setting that receives regular rainfall or
watering. It will do well also in semi shade, but reduce
its exposure to watering or rainfall as well as to the
sun. Once it is fully established it will become quite
hardy, surviving drier periods pretty well.
Text
and Photograph ©KO 2007/2010 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013 |
Photographed: In
our garden at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, 2013.
|
Photographed: In
our garden at Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, 2015.
|
Giant
White Bird of Paradise, White Crane Flower, Tree Bird of Paradise Strelitzia
nicolai
As you can see in the photograph to the left, this is
a HUGE member of the Bird of Paradise family. These plants
were more than feet tall and I casually mistook them for
some variety of bananas until my husband called my attention
to them -- truly extraordinary.
From: South Africa
Note: Physical contact with this plant may produce allergic
responses in humans and animals so it is best to wear gloves when trimming or
otherwise working with it.
Photographed: At the Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala,
2010.
Planting and Care: Full sun is optimal, but bright semi shade will also
be fine. Also see above.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2010 |
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Bird
of Paradise Bush, Desert Bird of Paradise, Yellow bird of Paradise,
Barba de Chivo Caesalpinia gilliesii
This shrub reminded me of several large pride of Barbados shrubs we had in
our garden in Montserrat and I felt more friendly toward it than I might have
otherwise. It isn't as showy as the Pride of Barbados though its more delicate
appearance may appeal to some.
Benefits: Parts of the caesalpinia gilliesii have
been used in a variety of ways in herbal medicine, but the green seed
pods and the seeds are toxic.
From: Mainly Argentina and Uruguay
Photographed: In the Winter Garden in Auckland, New
Zealand, 2013
Planting and Care: The Caesalpinia gilliesii is a
tropical plant adapted to dry conditions. It will grow to be about
twelve feet tall given enough water, but less tall with less water.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013
Shrub
Mystery 4 was solved by Ursula G. living in Southern
Germany |
Bird's
Nest Anthurium Please See the Athuriums Page
|
Bitter
Melon |
**Blackberry
Lily, Leopard Lily Belamcanda chinensis
We were given thinnings of this plant from a neighbor's
garden, but told nothing about what it was or where and how
it preferred to live in the garden. Okay, good practice;
it's an orphan so put it first in semi shade with regular,
but not too much water. The roots soon put up leaves and
I thought for sure we had a new type of iris in the garden.
I was very happy. We waited and waited and after several
months stems appeared and grew a good four feet before blooming
with lovely orange speckled flowers that last long enough
to make the whole exercise well worth the effort.
From: North America
Photographed: In our deck garden at our former
home in Montserrat.
Planting and Care: Leopard lilys look almost like
irises and most of the year you'll have an ever enlarging clump of
tall thin medium green leaves so it makes an excellent background
plant for flowers growing only to a foot or so. I wouldn't even dream
of growing these from seed, but if you come by some small plants
put them in full sun or semi shade with regular water or on the dry
side and they'll do just fine.
Text & Photograph ©KO 2010 |
**Black
Crab See
The "W" Page -- WILDLIFE -- Black Crab |
Black-Eyed
Susan, Coneflower Rudbeckia sp.
These lovelies will grow usually to be about 2 to 3 feet tall and will bloom
frequently all season up north and nearly forever in warm climates.
From: North America
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden at the Hotel Atitlan on
Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: Black eyed Susans may be treated pretty much
as weeds once they settle in to their sunny spot in the garden. Before that make
sure they are receiving routine watering.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2010 and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2019 |
|
Black
Eyed Susan Vine See the "T" Page -- THUNBERGIA -- Black Eyed
Susan Vine
|
Top
Of Page |
**Bleeding
Heart (Northern version) Dicentra
spectabilis
This plant grows well despite its delicate appearance. Unlike its Caribbean
cousin, it has no vine like quality and it blooms for an all too short period
once each year. It is one of my personal favorites.
Text ©KO 2007
|
Blueberries Cyanococcus & V.
corymbosum (a commercial bush variety)
I remember with great fondness many summer days
when my mother would take us out into the woods each of us carrying a little
bucket with the obligation of it being filled at the end of the day. The buckets
were always filled with blueberries as we well knew Mom's pies. These
little teeth staining beauties make muffins and pies to die for. Always
look for the little ones as those are less farmed and so less likely
to be chemically damaged.
Benefits: This is the small plant providing you with
the berries that will "save your life." I ate a lot of them
when I was a kid so I guess I'm guaranteed longevity. I only wish I
believed the food industry PR hype. I hope you don't either.
From: North America
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden
in Naples, Italy, in 2014.
Planting and Care: To entertain yourself
you might want one of these in your garden. If so, blueberries
need an acid soil that is well composted, moist and well
drained. As for sunlight remember they hail from New
England which has a pretty mild summer sun. Adjust your
planting site accordingly remembering that morning sun
is more gentle than that in the afternoon.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2015 |
|
Blue
Ginger Dichorisandra
thyrsifolia
Appearances
can be deceiving and this is a very good example, because
blue ginger isn't in the ginger family at all even though
it sure does look like it should be. At its best it will
be up to 8 feet tall and about a yard wide.
Planting and Care: Blue Ginger likes a semi shady or sunny place in
the garden and routine rainfall or watering.
Photographed: On the left and below at the Royal Botanical Garden
in Sydney, Australia and on the right at the Hotel Atitlan botanical garden on
Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Text
and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013 |
|
Blue
Hibiscus See the "R" Page
-- ROSE OF SHARON |
**Blue
Lily of the Nile See
The "A" Page -- AGAPANTHUS |
Blue
Sage Eranthemum pulchellum
Benefits:
From: The Himalayas, India and China.
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden at the Hotel Atitlan
on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This lovely tropical climate shrub will
grow to be about 4 to six feet tall and miraculously it prefers to be in
a semi shady place in the garden. It also seems to prefer slightly acidic
soil.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014
My
#8 Shrub Mystery was solved by Glenn a visitor to my website
who lives in Brisbane, Australia. Many thanks for your help. |
**Blue
Solanum Shrub, Paraguay Nightshade Solanum rantonnetii,
Lycianthes rantonnetii
This pretty shrub might also be called a small tree as it grows ideally to a
height of up to 10 feet. It is almost always covered in lovely small perfectly
blue flowers with a heart of yellow.
Benefits:
From:
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden at the
Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: Plant this shrub in full sun in a drier
part of your property. It is fast growing and will tolerate the high temperatures
and dry periods of the tropical and subtropical environments very well.
Give it a pruning after a main blossom period and it will keep a nice shape
and give you even more flowers.
Text & Photographs ©KO
2010 |
Blue
Star Creeper, Laurentia, Rock Isotome Isotoma
axillaris 'Blue Star'
This little beauty is a perennial reaching a height of under two feet and it's
covered in lovely flowers from spring through summer. What could be better?
Benefits and Drawbacks: Well nothing so pretty is
without its downside. Isotoma axillaris is poisonous if you eat it
and may be irritating to your skin as well. Wear gloves.
From: Australia
Photographed: Somewhere
on the road in Rhode Island in 2013.
Planting and Care: With the exception of a preference for being planted
in full sun, blue star creeper is very flexible about most other features in
the garden -- soil type and pH.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2015
My
#1 flower mystery was generously solved by the Cowells Garden
Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne in Great Britain. |
**Blue
Trumpet Vine See the "T" Page -- THUNBERGIAS -- Clock Vine |
**Boatlily,
Rheo, Moses-In-The-Boat, Oyster Plant Tradescantia
spathacea or Tradescantia discolor or Rhoeo
spathacea
This is a low growing spreading ground cover plant
with leaves that are green on top and purple underneath.
I believe that what you are seeing below to the right are
old varieties -- maybe interesting, but not spectacular.
On the left and in the large photo below you'll see the
improvements that have been made over the years.
Benefits:
From: The West Indies and/or Mexico
Note: The sap from this plant is said to
be a skin irritant, though I have not found it to be so myself.
Photographed: The old variety below on
the right in our shady terrace garden at our former home
in Montserrat and
the newer varieties in the Royal Botanical Garden in Sydney,
Australia.
Planting and Growth: This plant seems to be
in the wandering Jew family. It is hardy, surviving drought or
lots of rain, direct sun or deep shade and all with absolutely
no care other than what Mother Nature delivers. As with all of
us though, it does look better if given a little care.
Text
and Photographs ©KO 2008 and GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013 |
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**Bok
Choy See
The "P" Page -- POK CHOY |
Bolivian
Sunset Gloxinia Gloxinia sylvatica
Benefit: This
is a hummingbird attractant.
From: South America
Photographed: At the Hotel San Buenaventura
on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This sprightly ground cover
will do best in a semi shady garden area that receives lots
of rainfall or routine watering. Planted in a sunnier location
seems to bring out more flowers, but they are smaller and less
appealing.
Text and Photograph ©KO 2010 |
Books
on Tropical Plants and Tropical Gardening
See The "L" Page -- LINKS and REFERENCES FOR TROPICAL
GARDENING
|
**Border
Grass, Liriope,
Lily Turf, Monkey Grass Liriope muscari
This is a grass-like border plant with a peculiar ability to adapt to and change
its form depending on the level of light it receives. In the shade where ours
lived for three years in Montserrat, the leaves were thin, deep green and about
10" long. Someone told me that border grass would be happier in the sun
so I moved them to our driveway garden, using them as a border for our amaryllis.
At first they suffered terribly, looking on the verge of extinction. I was about
to move them once more, when they began to grow shorter, wider with less deep
green leaves and, in the spring in a tropical environment, to flower with spikes
of tiny purple blossoms. In a New England garden they look overall much happier
even if it is
only for five months or so.
From: Japan and China
Photographed: To the left in our driveway border garden at our
former
home
in Montserrat, 2008.
Planting
and Care: Border grass is one of those peculiar
survivors which will adapt itself to full sun, semi shade
or full shade and a likewise variable amount of water. With
a little care when first planted, border grass will also
provide you with a very attractive and tough plant to stabilize
soil loss on slopes and it has the added advantage of pretty
purple flowers.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring
2013 |
Photographed: In
the Blithewold Garden in Bristol, Rhode Island 2013. |
Photographed: In
the Winter Garden in Auckland, New Zealand,
in
2013.
|
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**Boston
Fern
See
The "F" Page FERNS
|
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Bottle
Brush Tree (1) Callistemon citrinus
These are pretty little trees with a variety of red flowers that look much
like powder puffs. They are as a whole
very appealing and small enough to be accommodated in almost any
garden when planted in full sun.
Benefits:
From: Australia
Photographed:
Planting and Care: This is one of
those hot climate loving plants that will not withstand cold weather.
It
likes full
hot tropical sun, fertile
well drained soil and a relatively humid environment to be at its happiest.
Text
and Photographs ©Krika.com 2011 |
|
Bottle
Brush Tree (2), Weeping Bottle Brush Callistemon
viminalis G. Don ex Loud
This is a very appealing tree appearing much like a
weeping willow, but with the added attraction of having long
lasting flowers.
Benefits:
From:
Photographed: Below
on the left in the Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy, and below
in
the
middle
and on the
right at the Hotel Regis in Panajachel, Guatemala.
Planting and Care:
Text
and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2012 |
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Brazilian
Cherry See
the "S" Page SURINAM CHERRY |
**Brazilian
Clusia, Porcelain Flower Clusia orthoneura, Clusia
Braziliana
Benefits:
From: S. America
Photographed: At the Hotel Atitlan on Lake
Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: It will do well in full
sun or semi shade as we have seen it thriving in each setting.
I would describe this as a small tree rather than a shrub
so I may have gotten the identification wrong. The flowers
are exquisite and have been on the trees now for four months.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2010 |
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BRAZILIAN PLUME FLOWERS
|
Brazilian
Plume Flower (Pink), Thelma's Pink Justicia, Thelma's Pink Brazilian
Plume Justicia x 'Thelma's Pink', Justicia carnea
'Thelma's Pink' and/or Justicia
carnea, Justicia carnea
Benefits: Aside from its exuberant growth and lovely flowers, this plant
attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
From: Brazil
Photographed: At the Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This pink flowering shrub will
grow to be quite tall at its best if planted in a bright semi shady
area. It likes rich soil and routine rainfall or watering.
Text and Photograph ©KO
2010 |
Brazilian
Plume Flower (Red), Brazilian Red Cloak Megaskepasma
erythrochiamys
From: Central America
Benefits: This is an attractant for butterflies and hummingbirds.
Photographed: At the Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This tall red flowering shrub will grow to
be 10 to 15 feet tall at its best if planted in full sun or in a bright semi
shady area. It likes rich soil and routine rainfall or watering and an acid soil.
It's wise to prune the flowers on top as a way of keeping the plant under control
as well as being a way to encourage more blooms.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2010 |
|
Brazilian
Plume Flower (Yellow), Yellow Jack, Golden Plume, Giant Yellow
Justicia, Yellow Jacobinia Justicia aurea or Jacobinia
aurea or J. umbrosa
Benefits: It is appealing not only to
us, butterflies and hummingbirds also can't resist its charms.
From: Mexico and Central America
Planting and Care: This yellow flowering
shrub will grow to over ten feet tall if planted in a bright
semi shady area. It likes rich soil and routine rainfall or
watering. I've read that it will grow to as much as 8 feet
tall, but I've seen it growing much taller.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2010
and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013 |
|
|
Brazilian Plumes See
the "S" Page SHRIMP PLANTS -- Golden Shrimp Plant |
Brazilian
Red Cloak See Brazilian
Plume Flower Red Above |
Brazilian
Wild Petunia Ruellia devosiana
This very easy to grow small warm climate plant will delight you with its ease
of care and with its appeal as you can see in the photograph. Its low growing
nature makes it a perfect ground cover.
Benefits:
From:
Photographed: In
the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney Australia in 2013.
Planting and Care: Ruellia likes to grow in bright
shady areas
with routine rainfall or watering.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2015 |
Breadfruit
Tree Artocarpus altilis, Artocarpus incisus or Artocarpus
communis
The breadfruit tree is very attractive as a tree even if it never produces fruit,
but it does. Its fruits can weigh up to 10 pounds each and in the tropics they
are cooked and eaten in a variety of ways much like white potatoes – boiling,
roasting or frying.
Benefits: Breadfruits are high in carbohydrates and vitamins
A, B, and C. Even more importantly, the leaves may be made into a tea to reduce
high blood pressure.
From: The
breadfruit was brought to the West Indies in 1793 from Tahiti.
Photographed: In Moorea, French Polynesia in
2013.
Planting and Growth: Fast
growing to 50 or 60 feet, the breadfruit likes life sunny and
moist. Like so many tropical trees it is very susceptible to
dry wood termites.
Text and Photographs ©KO 2007/2010/2013 |
Bridal
Bouquet See The "F" Page -- FRANGIPANIS |
Bristle
Grass See
the "P" Page -- PALM
GRASS |
**Broad-Leaf-Thyme See
The "T" Page THYME, Spanish Thyme
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Broccoli
I love broccoli and all of the recipes I have for making it
an every day or so major ingredient in one of our
meals. Still, I remember growing it in Rhode Island and
know that it is vulnerable to more insects than some
other vegetables
that I also grew. That makes me very leery of any broccoli that is not organically
grown or grown in my own garden.
Benefits: Wonderfully
low
in
calories and great tasting broccoli provides us with yet more wonders in that
it is high
in
fiber,
vitamins
and minerals.
As well, it is now touted as one of the recent "super foods" for
its "...antioxidants
that may improve your odds of breast cancer survival and reduce
the risk of colon cancer." Broccoli sprouts
may have even more potential as cancer fighters according to
researchers
at Johns Hopkins University. These sprouts taste great, so
you can enjoy your sprout enhanced sandwich and maybe be a
little more protected from ever increasing cancers. As if
that were not enough, broccoli is loaded with Vitamin C.
From: Italy
Photographed:
Planting and Care:
Text©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2014
|
**Brown
Bud Allamanda Please See the "A" Page
|
Brussels
Sprouts Brassica oleracea
I am actually a lover of Brussels sprouts and have been sad that
they were not generally available at the market at Lake Atitlan.
I
think the mistake most folks make with them is cooking them too
long, the same problem they have with cabbage. Brussels sprouts
are low in calories and delicious cooked al dente, well drained
and dotted
with lots of the freshest butter you can find and freshly grated
black pepper.
Benefits: According to Yahoo News, "The
smell is a compound called allyl isothiocyanate that causes pre
cancerous cells
to self-destruct," Jonny
Bowden, PhD, author of 'The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth' says. "It's
entirely possible that eating them every few weeks could help greatly
reduce
the incidence of colon cancer." As with broccoli, Brussels sprouts
are vulnerable to some unappealing insects. Always try to buy them
organically grown.
From:
Photographed:
Planting and Care: I grew Brussels
sprouts in my garden in New England years ago and remember them
being a fairly long season crop with the
advantage that you could walk out in the snow and pick some
for dinner. They were at times plagued with aphids and I did
use the very effective rotenone which was considered organic
at the time. I don't know if it is today as we have lived
outside of the US for many years.
Text
©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013
|
Buddha's
Hand Citron Citrus medica
I thought you might enjoy seeing this weird fruit as much as we did so here it
is. It may be the first cultivated citron.
Benefits: It is said to have medicinal benefits.
From: Northeast India
Photographed: In the Winter Garden in Auckland, New Zealand.
Planting and Care: With this one you're on your own.
Text and Photograph ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2013 |
Bulbine Bulbine
frutescens
Bulbine is a very hardy plant with flowering stems
growing to about one foot in height. Normally the continually
blooming flowers are a combination of yellow and orange
as in the photograph, but there are also less common varieties
with only yellow flowers.
Benefits:
From:
Photographed: By the side of the road at the beach in Panajachel,
Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This pretty plant is almost immune to insects
and diseases and grows in full sun with very occasional rainfall or watering.
Text
and Photograph ©KO 2010 |
Bunya
Pine Araucaria bidwillii Hook. 2
This is a very tall growing and very long living pine (500 years) that first
caught my eye in the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires. It is stunning and majestic.
The second time I saw it was in the splendid Botanical Garden in Naples, Italy.
The Bunya Pine was growing just fine when dinosaurs walked the planet. It is
now rarely found outside of protected environments like that in Naples. My photographs
just don't do it justice.
Benefits: Its pinecones were once widely collected and eaten by indigenous
peoples. "Green" folks in Australia have now invented all sorts of
stylish recipes for the cones.
From: Southeast Queensland, Australia
Photographed: On the right in the Naples, Italy, Botanical Garden
and on the left in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Text
and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2012. |
**Burma
Creeper See
The "R" Page -- RANGOON CREEPER |
Bush
Clock Vine See
the "T" Page -- THUNBERGIA -- King's Mantle |
Buttercup
Tree Please See the Y "Page" Yellow Cotton
Tree |
Butterfly
Bush Buddleia davidii
Benefits: As is probably evident from
the name, butterflies and hummingbirds like the flowers on this
easy to grow plant.
From: China, Africa and the Americas
Photographed: In the Botanical Garden at
the Hotel Atitlan on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.
Planting and Care: This relatively small bush
has lovely flowers which are produced over several months.
Plant it in full sun or in a semi shady area. It will be quite
hardy once it has settled in; it will live through dry periods,
but not very well if it is subjected to very wet periods.It
is not too fussy about its soil and is tolerant of a full range
on the pH scale.
Text and Photograph ©KO 2010
and ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com 2013 |
|
Butterfly
Ginger Lily See
the "G" Page -- GINGER -- White Ginger |
Butterfly
Weed, Pleurisy Root Asclepias tuberosa
This is an appealing perennial plant I first photographed
in 2013, only later finding out what it was when a visitor
to the site filled me in. Beginning in June it flowers
all summer long with bright orange flowers and added touches
of yellow. In autumn I found its similarity to milk weed
very appealing. Butterfly weed will grow to be about two
feet tall and with its pleasing blossoms and ease of care
it gets high marks.
Benefits: Chewing the roots of
this plant was said by American Indians to improve lung
ailments like pleurisy, hence its second common
name.
From: The USA from north to south.
Photographed: To the left in the Blithewold Garden in Bristol, Rhode
Island
in 2017 and below at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center,
Providence, RI, in 2013.
Planting and Care: Butterfly weed is a
butterfly attractant as you would imagine and it grows happily
in cold climates. It is also accepting of rather
tough planting situations being satisfied with little but full sun and relatively
dry poor soils. This is a hardy plant once established. Seeds should be sown
where the plants will live as they do not transplant easily.
Text and Photographs ©GreenGardeningCookingCuring.com
2017
My
#44 Flower Mystery was solved by Ursula G. living
in Southern Germany |
|
|