More flowers

This weekend, we did get quite a bit of yard work done. I planted some more herbs and a tomato in another pot. The tomato variety is 'Juliette' and will be a grape tomato. I can hardly wait! The herbs are Cilantro (great in salsa), chives (from my good friend, Cindy), and Spicy Globe (Greek Basil). I have not grown Spicy Globe before, so I have no idea what it tastes like in food. It'll be fun to find out.





The next project was a hanging planter for my shepherd's hook. Calibrachoa, common name Million Bells, are one of my favorite 'tender perennials' - that means annual in ND!! - because they flower all summer and come in such a variety of colors. I don't remember the name of this color, but it looks like sunset. It's also one of those that can handle sporadic watering and will pop back into life if you happen to forget watering on a hot day.




My other purchase was Dahlia's. I haven't planted Dahlia's that often - maybe once. They can be saved in the fall and stored for planting the next Spring. I may just try that this year. The color of these Dahlia's was irresistable for me. I haven't put them in a pot, yet, though. I still need to get some alyssum or moss roses to fill in the intended planter.

My little herb garden

Yesterday, I planted my Herb Mary Garden. Grandma Green Acres brought me these herbs last week: Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, and Sage. It was a very good feeling to get my hands dirty and put some plants in the soil!

Mary Garden - Basilica of St. Mary

My youngest brother is engaged to be married in the Fall of this year at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, MN. We visited last year in August and attended Mass with my brother and his fiancee. My brother gave us a mini-tour of the building, which is beautiful and impressive. We didn't have time to walk around the Mary Garden, but I picked up a brochure to learn more. I would like to return in the summer and see the gardens when they are in summer bloom. These are some of the perennials that are included in the Basilica's Mary Garden... I'm always looking for inspiration and ideas!

Common Name - Marian Symbolism - Height

Lavender - Mary's Bouquet - 12"
Primrose - Our Lady's Frills - 6"
Lungwort - Mary's Milk - 12"
Thyme - Our Lady's Bedstraw - 2" ground cover
Sweet Violet - Our Lady's Modesty - 6"
Heartsease - Our Lady's Delight - 6"
Rosemary - Mary's Bouquet - 18"
Wood Anemone - Our Lady's Petticoat - 12"
Wind Anemone - Our Lady of the Snow - 15:
Lady Fern - Our Lady's Fern - 24"
Columbine - Our Lady's Purse - 12"-18"
Campanula - Our Lady's Thimble - 12"
Bleeding Heart - Our Lady's Sorrowing Heart - 12"-18"
Rue - Herb of Grace - 18"
Monkshood - Our Lady's Shoes - 36"
Foxglove Digitalis - Our Lady's Gloves - 36"
Hardy Geranium - Madonna's Pins - 30"
Nicotiania - Our Lady's Tree - 36"
Solomon's Seal - Our Lady's Signet - 30"

Above: Thyme

*Notice the herbs included in this list: Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender and Rue. I'm certain there are more herbs that have Marian Names (I'm planning to do more research and will post later). Herbs are wonderful container plants - that's a great dual purpose - honoring Mary and fresh herbs for cooking! Grandma Green Acres just brought over four herb plants - Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, & Parsley - this afternoon. I'm looking forward to planting them in a container that I'll keep on my back porch.

Above: Rosemary