It was one of those winters---I can’t really complain about the weather.  We had a milder year than most, with not much snow and the sunrises and sunsets gave me a satisfaction for color that the garden gives in the summer.  Gray, sepia skies sent me to the fireside where I spent time looking for color in seed catalogs and garden books.

     While on the subject of color, don’t forget green.  Green is a restful color and as I mature (get older!) I love the color green second to blue—azure blue is my number one favorite!  There is such a variety of greens in foliage from a yellow hue to one of iridescent blue.   Variegated foliage is particularly good to use in dark areas to brighten the landscape.   It’s no wonder that hostas are so popular because of the wonderful variety of “green color”, textures and size of their leaves.  Did you know there is an herbal use connected with Hosta plantaginea, the fragrant white flowering Hosta also known as August lily?  The Pennsylvania Germans made a drawing salve using the flowers and lard.

  
And speaking of herbs, the Herb of 2006 is the Scented Geranium.  I will be presenting a program on the Scented Geranium at the Pennsylvania Herb Festival on Friday, April 7 at 2:45 pm.  The Festival hours are April 7-Noon till 7pm and April 8-9am till 4pm.  There is more information at www.paherbfest.com .  . 

Don’t get confused by the term Scented Geraniums.  These wonderful aromatic plants come in many varieties and are really botanically known as Pelargoniums.  The fragrances are fascinating and if you like to collect plants, here’s a place to begin.  The Rose Scented Geranium is well known being used for wonderful herb jelly, potpourri and delightful desserts.  You can find spice, citrus, floral and woodsy aromas in this plant family and they make attractive container plantings and cheery house plants on the winter windowsill.

     The Perennial Plant of 2006 is Dianthus ‘Firewitch’.  This  Dianthus has  blue foliage, hot pink clove-scented flowers  and loves being planted in rock gardens and areas that are sunny and well-drained.  Sedums and succulents are also good choices for this type of planting.  I have found that the blue foliage sedums will tolerate light shade.  The sedums are tough plants and have a variety of color bloom from white, pink, rose and even a vivid red.   Both Dianthus and Sedum also do well in container planting and are very attractive with ornamental grasses.

I see where this is leading me—and you.  I have been writing about plants that have attractive foliage, beautiful colors and texture as well as ones that are fragrant and useful for culinary, ornamental and medicinal uses.  These plants combine well in a garden of the senses; a sanctuary garden where we escape to another dimension.  I have added a new writing,  Escape From it All to the website.  Read and enjoy and email me with your thoughts on a Sanctuary Garden.  We will publish your ideas!

     Please be sure to check our dates for shows where we will have our great selection of well-grown herbs and perennials.  Our farm nursery opens on Wednesday April 12 and our hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and Sundays 1pm until 5pm.  We will be closed on Easter, April 16^th!