Lemon Beebalm | Monarda citriodora | Pollinator Habitat

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Known by a number of common names, lemon beebalm is a 1-2 ft., aromatic annual with unusual, tuft-like, lavender to pink, whorled flower heads. Each whorl in the elongated spike is subtended by whitish or lavender, leaf-like bracts. Several stems grow from the base and are lined with pairs of lance-shaped leaves.

Bergamo Beebalm

Monarda Citriodora 'Bergamo'

Linnaeus named the genus Monarda in honor of a 16th century Spanish physician and botanist, Nicolas Bautista Monardes (1493-1588). Monardes studied medicinal plants brought back to Spain from the New World.

Horsemint has a distinctive citrus or lemony scent when the leaves are rubbed or crushed. It is very easy to grow and often forms large colonies. Bees and butterflies are attracted to this plant

Known by several names, Monarda citriodora, can be called lemon beebalm, purple horsemint, lemon mint, plains horsemint, lemon horsemint, horsemint, and purple lemon mint.

Bibliography

• Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, Sally
• Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
• Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. and; A. Wasowski
• Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. and; L. Loughmiller
• Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. and; K.C. Bender
• Useful wild plants of Texas, the Southeastern and Southwestern United States, the Southern Plains, and Northern Mexico (Volume 1: Abronia-Arundo) (1995) S. Cheatham; M. C. Johnston; L. Marshall
• Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
• Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
• Spiders associated with lemon horsemint in east central Texas, Martin Nyffeler, et al.
• Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oils of Monarda citriodora, Bishop.

©  Grassroots Horticulture

2000-2019

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Themed Garden | Herb Choices for All Seasons

#Medieval, #Medicinal, #Cloister, #Herb, #Ethnobotany, #Themed Garden

Hot Season            

These are a few of the plant choices I have selected for my herb garden. 

Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans)

I consider pineapple sage an annual in my ecoregion (7b). It is a perennial in zones 8 and greater. Pineapple scented sage grows naturally in oak and pine scrubforests at elevations from 8,000 - 10, 000 ft in Mexico and Guatemala. Propagation for the pinapple sage is the most successful from tip cuttings taken in the spring. Pineapple sage, (Salvia elegans) can be found in the nursery in the spring.The best luck I have had with salvias are plantings along the edge of a  retaining wall in part sun. The raised nature of the retaining wall allows for good drainage.

The fresh leaves of the lovely scented pineapple sage are used for tea, fruit salads and drinks. Crush a few fragrant leaves into hot or iced tea for a flavorful treat. The delicious flowers add color and flavor to salads and deserts.

Berggarten Sage, Garden Sage, Common Sage

Salvia officinalis

Lamiaceae Family

Origin: Mediterranean basin

Catnip

GOLDEN OREGANO

RUBMIN

LAVENDER

FOR

bASIL VARIETIES OFFER DIVERSE FLAVORS AND SCENTS

This year we have expanded the varieties of herbs we are growing. Sweet basil is so easy to grow in our 7b-8a hardiness zone garden. This basil cultivar is the best choice for anything Italian like soups, sauces, and pesto. Other varieties include Italian large leaf, lettuce leaf, Genovese, and Napoletano basil. Plants height is 14 to 30 inches tall. They are prolific in hot, sunny locations. 

If you harvest the top four leaves often, the plant will continue growing and producing the best sweetly flavored leaves for culinary use. These are the varieties of basil we are having success with so far: sweet basil, Aristotle, African blue basil, lemon basil, lime basil, cinnamon basil, lettuce leaf basil, Thai basil, spicy bush basil, and purple ruffles basil.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Growing Basil

Basil is an easy to grow and often used culinary herb. Mediterranean  food is now becoming a very healthy choice for people watching their diet. Place in a sunny spot with good soil.

African blue basil

Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum

African blue basil is a sterile perennial hybrid, with purple coloration on its leaves and containing a strong portion of actual camphor in its scent. This basil species is native to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia. 

Cinnamon basil (Mexican spice basil)

Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon'

Also called Mexican spice basil, with a strong scent of cinnamate, the same chemical found in cinnamon. 

Lettuce leaf basil

Ocimum basilicum 'Lettuce Leaf'

The lettuce leaf basil has leaves so large they are sometimes used in salads.

Thai basil

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum

The Thai basil has a scent of licorice, small to medium leaves and purple flowers

Lemon basil

Ocimum americanum

Lemon basil contains citral and limonene, and smells very lemony. It has a sweet flavor.  It can be found under alternative names, hoary basil or Indonesian basil. 

Lime basil

Ocimum americanum

The Minimus Basil

Aristotle basil  (Ocimum minimum  'Aristotle')

rounded bush form with small delicate leaves

Neat, compact mounds of small leaves with a most delicious flavour make Basil 'Aristotle' a stunning ornamental, edible pot plant. The aromatic foliage adds flavour to all manner of dishes, particularly Italian recipes. This Greek basil is perfect for growing on the kitchen windowsill or in containers outside the back door. Height: 20 inches.

Variegated Flax Lily (Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata') Mexican Sage, Purple Basil, Holly, Autumn Sedum, Louisiana Iris

This Herb Garden includes fresh Garden Greens for Salads and Soups

Cool Season            

Fennel with umbrella-shaped flowers

Fennel, parsley, cilantro

All Season            

 Lemon Oregano | Origanum vulgare

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LEMON OREGANO

FORT WORTH B

This is an herb that has performed extremely well for me throughout each season, for several years. Oregano is a perennial herb and a native of the Mediterranean region frequently used in Italian dishes.

Plant outdoors 12 inches apart after all danger of frost has passed. Oregano needs only a moderately fertile soil to thrive.  

When flowers appear, oregano is ready to be harvested. About six weeks after planting, trim oregano shoots to within one inch of the center which will stimulate lush, bushy growth. 

The oregano will spread and establish additional roots. You can then dig the rooted oregano with a trowel to share with friends.

Propagation

Pinch off a few sprigs of  basil, mint, or lemon verbena. Place the sprigs in a canning jar or get fancy with a hollow stem goblet and add water. The roots should form within two weeks if you change the water often. 

If placed in a window with a southern exposure your room  will smell awesome. 

If you like the idea of a themed garden here are some other ideas: 

 Native, Desert, Rock, Butterfly, Wildlife,  Childrens, Elizabethean/Shakespearean, Herb, Medicinal/medieval/cloister, Victorian/parterre/knot, English, Chinese, Japanese, Color, Night (using white), and Cutting gardens

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©  2020 Hyden Photography for

eGrassroots Horticulture e

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Basil

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Gardening | Plant ID

Basil varieties offer diverse flavors and scents

Herb Gardening 

This year we have expanded the varieties of herbs we are growing. Sweet basil is so easy to grow in our 7b-8a hardiness zone garden. This basil cultivar is the best choice for anything Italian like soups, sauces, and pesto. Other varieties include Italian large leaf, lettuce leaf, Genovese, and Napoletano basil. Plants height is 14 to 30 inches tall. They are prolific in hot, sunny locations. 

If you harvest the top four leaves often, the plant will continue growing and producing the best sweetly flavored leaves for culinary use. These are the varieties of basil we are having success with so far: sweet basil, Aristotle, African blue basil, lemon basil, lime basil, cinnamon basil, lettuce leaf basil, Thai basil, spicy bush basil, and purple ruffles basil.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Growing Basil

Basil is an easy to grow and often used culinary herb. Mediterranean  food is now becoming a very healthy choice for people watching their diet. Place in a sunny spot with good soil.

African blue basil

Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum

African blue basil is a sterile perennial hybrid, with purple coloration on its leaves and containing a strong portion of actual camphor in its scent. This basil species is native to Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Ethiopia. 

Cinnamon basil (Mexican spice basil)

Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon'

Also called Mexican spice basil, with a strong scent of cinnamate, the same chemical found in cinnamon. 

Lettuce leaf basil

Ocimum basilicum 'Lettuce Leaf'

The lettuce leaf basil has leaves so large they are sometimes used in salads.

Thai basil

Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum

The Thai basil has a scent of licorice, small to medium leaves and purple flowers

Lemon basil

Ocimum americanum

Lemon basil contains citral and limonene, and smells very lemony. It has a sweet flavor.  It can be found under alternative names, hoary basil or Indonesian basil. 

Lime basil

Ocimum americanum

The Minimus Basil

Aristotle basil  (Ocimum minimum  'Aristotle')

rounded bush form with small delicate leaves

Neat, compact mounds of small leaves with a most delicious flavour make Basil 'Aristotle' a stunning ornamental, edible pot plant. The aromatic foliage adds flavour to all manner of dishes, particularly Italian recipes. This Greek basil is perfect for growing on the kitchen windowsill or in containers outside the back door. Height: 20 inches.

Table 1. Basil Varieties                                                                                                                              ________________________________________________________________________ Common name Species and cultivars African blue basil Ocimum kilimandscharicum × basilicum Aristotle basil (Greek basil, bush basil) Ocimum minimum  'Aristotle' Boxwood basil Ocimum basilicum 'Boxwood' Christmas basil Ocimum basilicum 'Christmas' (cross of Thai and Genovese basil) Cinnamon basil (Mexican spice basil) Ocimum basilicum 'Cinnamon' Clove Basil (tree basil) Ocimum gratissimum Cuban basil Ocimum basilicum 'Cuban' Dark opal basil Ocimum basilicum 'Purpurascens' Dwarf bush basil Ocimum minimum (alt. Ocimum basilicum var. minimum) Fino verde basil Ocimum basilicum piccolo 'Fino verde' Genovese basil Ocimum 'Genovese Gigante' Greek bush basil (Greek spicy globe basil) Ocimum minimum (alt. Ocimum basilicum var. minimum) Greek column basil Ocimum basilicum x citriodorum 'Greek Columnar' Greek Yevani basil Ocimum basilicum 'Greek Yevani' Holy basil Ocimum sanctum (alt. Ocimum tenuiflorum) Lemon basil Ocimum americanum Lettuce leaf basil Ocimum basilicum 'Lettuce Leaf' Licorice basil Ocimum basilicum 'Licorice' Lime basil Ocimum americanum Magical Michael Ocimum basilicum 'Magical Michael' Mammoth basil Ocimum basilicum 'Mammoth' Mrs. Burns lemon basil Ocimum basilicum var. citriodora 'Mrs. Burns' Nufar basil Ocimum basilicum 'Nufar F1' Osmin purple basil Ocimum basilicum 'Osmin Purple' Purple ruffles basil Ocimum basilicum 'Purple Ruffles' Red rubin basil Ocimum basilicum 'Red Rubin' 'Siam Queen' Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum 'Siam Queen' Spice basil Ocimum basilicum × americanum Spicy globe basil Ocimum basilicum 'Spicy Globe' Sweet basil Ocimum basilicum Sweet Dani basil Ocimum basilicum × americanum Thai basil Ocimum basilicum var. thyrsiflorum Thai lemon basil Ocimum × citriodorum Thai Holy basil Ocimum tenuiflorum (synonym Ocimum sanctum)