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Mar 27, 2010 8:07 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Many herbs call my Cottage Garden home. I love to cook with fresh herbs, so Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Chives, and Basil are musts for me. The fragrance of beauty of Lavender is a permanent resident here, and the multiple medicinal uses for Comfrey make it a mainstay in my garden.

What herbs grow in your Cottage Garden?

In this pic, Catnip and Tansy mingle among the flowers.

Thumb of 2010-03-27/gemini_sage/ed436f
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Mar 29, 2010 7:04 AM CST
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
I think I've almost become a collector of thyme and basil varieties... can't have enough of either! Creeping thyme makes great borders and mowing strips. I tuck basil everywhere, for the foliage and for the scent & flavor. I'm a "nibbler" out in the garden (this really amuses the neighborhood kids).

Lavender, oh yes! I've got several kinds there, also, but the showiest is the hedge of 'Fat Spike' that runs along one edge of the driveway.



Thumb of 2010-03-29/critterologist/b7e258
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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Mar 29, 2010 8:58 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
That's gorgeous, Jill! I'm going to take some cuttings from the Lavender this year and get some started in other spots. Mine was planted by my late friend who lived in this house before I did, and she planted them in more shade than they're supposed to like. Somehow, they're growing happily. I like the way they look where they are, and have found sometimes the mature plants resent moving, so I'll go the cuttings route. Before I moved here, I planted Lavender many times, only to watch them dwindle- maybe I'm in the right place to grow them now!
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Mar 29, 2010 10:22 PM CST
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
Jim (DH) complains that the lavender has encroached upon the driveway, but there's really no way I can see to trim it back without butchering its mounded shape. The driveway can spare a few inches (I admit it's more like a foot or more when the lavender is blooming, LOL).

Good luck with the cuttings! I've never given lavender a serious try for propagation... made a couple halfhearted attempts to stick cuttings, but I think I might need a bubbler or hydroponic spray thingummy.
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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Mar 30, 2010 5:18 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Hmmm...I rooted Rosemary cuttings easily last year, and for some reason had it in my head Lavender would be similar. We shall see Smiling
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Mar 30, 2010 5:57 PM CST
Name: Sally
East Central Kentucky
Although it is not winter hardy here in central Kentucky, I love pineapple sage for its showy flowers. I put some in the greenhouse for the winter but won't put it back out for several weeks. I see my catnip, lemon balm, and oregano are already up, and I harvested garlic chives for a casserole over the weekend. Didn't see any mint or sage yet.

Thumb of 2010-03-30/sunfarm/d4789f
Living sustainably comes with learning to see the world in a new way.
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Mar 30, 2010 8:35 PM CST
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
Sage! Oh yes... salvias of every kind are great in a cottage garden. I love pineapple sage -- flowers are tasty, too!
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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Mar 31, 2010 5:09 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Sally, when does your Pineapple sage start blooming? I only grew it once, but the blooms came so late, just before hard frost zapped them. Never tried it again, thinking it just wasn't suited to our zone. Looks like I may need to rethink that!
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Mar 31, 2010 6:49 AM CST
Name: Critter (Jill)
Frederick, MD (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Critters Allowed Butterflies Hummingbirder Cat Lover
Bee Lover Region: Mid-Atlantic Cottage Gardener Garden Photography Tropicals Hibiscus
I had better luck buying larger pineapple sage plants (already blooming or budding) at nurseries... bought a small plant one year, and it bloomed just before frost.
We're all learners, doers, teachers.
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Mar 31, 2010 5:23 PM CST
Name: Sally
East Central Kentucky
I am thinking the blooms came fairly late in the summer or early fall. Part of the reason I uprooted it and took it into the greenhouse was that I could not bear to see the pretty plant ruined by freezing. I had not tried eating the flowers, but will certainly do so. I love chive blossoms in potato salad!
Living sustainably comes with learning to see the world in a new way.
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Mar 31, 2010 5:43 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Aha! That's what I need to do, find a larger plant. I think I started with a 4" pot before. For that matter, now that I've had good luck keeping a few sages in the house for winter, I'd be willing to give that a shot.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Mar 31, 2010 6:38 PM CST
Name: Veronica
zone 5b
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Art Butterflies Irises Region: Indiana
Hummingbirder Hostas Dog Lover Daylilies Cut Flowers Clematis
I went to the opening today of one of my favorite places Spring Cliff Farm and bought a pineapple sage. I explained to the owner-horticulturist that last year I didn't get any blooms and my plants grew huge about 3 ft tall but they were shaded part of the day. I had rooted some cuttings in the fall and then cut off cuttings from those and he told me that I do need to get some growth to the plant before setting out. He said he started the plant I bought last year. (maybe fall). It already has a nice bud that will bloom soon. Of course I can't set it out until frost free. He stated that I should at least start the cuttings by February and keep it in a warm place so it will grow. I think if I do get cuttings in the fall I will just try to keep them pruned and shaped and maybe they will be ready to put out in spring.
My attitude determines my altitude
A truly wise person uses few words; a person of understanding is even- tempered. Proverbs 17:27
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Mar 31, 2010 6:55 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Thanks for the info Veronica! That's great to know, and enjoying Sages so much of late, I don't mind the effort.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Apr 1, 2010 7:22 AM CST
Name: Terese
Central Florida, (Zone 9b)
Wisconsin Dells Area, zone4
Bee Lover Butterflies Cat Lover Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
So -- if growing the Pineapple Sage by seeds... you'd have to get them going in the FALL?
I have seedlings, but they are tiny. Guess I'll have to over winter them? to hopefully get blooms next year? heck, that's a lot of work.
Terese --Leesburg, FL & Lake Delton, Wi

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Apr 1, 2010 7:28 AM CST
Name: Sally
East Central Kentucky
Terese, set them out once frost danger has passed and see what they do. You may want to consider taking some in for next winter to save having to start from seeds for next year.
Living sustainably comes with learning to see the world in a new way.
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Apr 1, 2010 7:31 AM CST
Name: Terese
Central Florida, (Zone 9b)
Wisconsin Dells Area, zone4
Bee Lover Butterflies Cat Lover Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Well, I did try that with my one and only Penstemon Electric Blue.... and it keeled over when i went on vacation in Feb.
We shall see.... thanks Sally.
Terese --Leesburg, FL & Lake Delton, Wi

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Apr 1, 2010 6:10 PM CST
Name: Rita
North Shore, Long Island, NY
Zone 6B
Charter ATP Member Seed Starter Tomato Heads I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Vegetable Grower Lover of wildlife (Raccoon badge)
Birds Garden Ideas: Master Level Butterflies Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Roses Photo Contest Winner: 2016
Not many. Well, I do grow some Lavender but only as a flower. I grow some fennel for the swallowtail butterflies (host plant) and sometimes some scallions and dill.
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Apr 10, 2010 7:17 AM CST
Name: Lucy
Huron, OH
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Keeps Horses Cat Lover Irises Region: Ohio
I just found this cubit and forum. I have sage, tyme and garlic chives so for in my garden. In the back I have chocolate mint and it looks like the peppermint I planted last fall is coming back.
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Apr 10, 2010 8:49 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Glad you found us, Lucy, Welcome!

There are several herbs I grow, but don't use. I love the traditional ones, like Calendula and Lavender just because they're pretty. I wintersowed some Elecampane this year, and just got those planted a couple of days ago. I had bronze fennel last year, and hope that reseeds. Didn't use any, but the black swallowtail larvae loved it.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
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Apr 10, 2010 3:16 PM CST
Name: Terese
Central Florida, (Zone 9b)
Wisconsin Dells Area, zone4
Bee Lover Butterflies Cat Lover Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database!
Neal -- my Bronze Fennel is going gangbusters.... yours should be up by now.

I did not know Calendula was an herb. I'm trying to get rid of hte stuff.... those throw WAY too many seeds. They are already coming up in the bed where i intentionally planted them 2 yrs ago.. i think i will have them for an eternity. I do like the orange ones better than the yellow.
Terese --Leesburg, FL & Lake Delton, Wi

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