So we are now into summer. There are buds on the alstroemeria (hopefully will have a joyous golden display again for Christmas), the dahlias as showing signs of life still and I just don’t know what to do will all the pots which nothing in them and am sad my nasturtiums are not doing well – though that could be because they were old seeds so I won’t cry (too much). Anyway, thanks to Jim at Garden Ruminations, for hosting Six on Saturday, whose knowledge of all things plants and gardening makes him an ideal host.
I didn’t really know what to post this week, so I am just doing a focus on a few herbs out there in the non empty pots. First up, the bright yellow flowers on the rue. Apparently, it is a good insect repellant.
At number two, well, I have an old oregano plant, that started life on a supermarket shelf, but still keeps going year after year, There is another more flavourful plant, and also this variegated marjoram, which I do use from time to time.
And so to thyme. I currently have three plants, and frequently use this herb in cooking. It keeps going all year, so I always have a decent supply for the kitchen.
At number four, the lemon verbena. I know that it is possible to make a tea from it, but have yet to do so. I think you can just add some leaves to an ordinary black tea for a bit of flavour, so should at least make an effort to do that.
Next up, rosemary…of which I have three plants in pots and one growing beside the house. When I had Covid back in July, the test of whether I had lost my sense of smell was testing it with rosemary. I was lucky….
Finally, I have mentioned before that I have been pleased to see the echinacea come up again this year. Always, pretty, always a delight.
That’s all from me folks for this week. As usual, I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s beautiful gardens in other parts of the world. Hope you are all well and enjoying your gardens in whatever the season is with you.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistelsandkiwis.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
Morning, yes you can make herbal tea with lemon verbena. With dry leaves but it also works with fresh leaves. I dry the whole stems when I cut them back before winter so I have a lot for a long time.
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Will now have to try.
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Apart from rosemary and oreganum, you post has given me a nudge to purchase some herb seedlings. None of the seeds I have planted have sprouted – perhaps they have not received enough water or the weather has been too hot.
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I have had more success with buying plants from the garden centre than from seed recently. I think that is down to me rather than the seeds!
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The variegated marjoram is very pretty. I must get some more thyme for the garden.
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Thyme is really useful in the kitchen.
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Always a pleasure to come here and see your herbs, just as mine are dying down for winter!
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Reading about summer on the other side of the world is wonderful on a cold grey winter day. Thank you!
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What colour flowers does the rosemary have? I think I saw a lovely specimen in a garden yesterday, it had tiny blue flowers.
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Yes tiny blue flowers.
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I had not thought you could grow echinacea in such a small pot, but I guess a plant will try to make do with small spaces if that is all it has. My echinacea is a monster that reseeds and gets bigger every year. So pretty! Nice to see your herbs. I had dill trying to reseed just as the temps were dropping fast. The thyme and oregano come back year after year, but somehow I have not been able to grow mint! Killed two plants so far, but I desperately want mint in the garden. It has always been indestructable in the past…
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I was also surprised with the echinacea I must say. Thyme and oregano are quite hardy, but I have to say my mint plants are really not that good, but they are still alive and seem to keep goig.
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I am a great fan of herbs as you probably know, but don’t always use them in cooking etc. I did try lemon verbena this year though – about 12 leaves in boiling water, left for five minutes, a smidgeon of honey added. Tasted like a non-medical Lempsip (not sure if you get that over there, but it is a cold/flu drink powder) I was impressed by the strength of the lemon, but not really my sort of drink. Maybe cooled and made into ice cubes for adding to a G&T might be nice.
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I need to try the lemon verbena now – though maybe Fred’s idea of adding to black tea rather than something resembling Lemsip! Like the idea of adding to ice cubes.
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It’s wonderful to see these pops of summer garden colours. Our garden is currently completely covered in snow. Hopefully the snow won’t last too long…but snow on Christmas Eve would be nice!
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I don’t miss snow to be honest…nice to look at but that is about it. A white Christmas is a romantic idea though!
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Winter has definitely arrived in England, today has been sunny but cold, so it’s lovely to hear of summer on the other side of the world and see your herbs growing so well.
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As we near our darkest day, it is good to see summery sights even at a distance.
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Your herbs are always interesting and that rues flowers are very pretty. You may be enjoying, summer but we are nearly at the shortest day, so roll on spring! 😁
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Thank you! Yes you have spring to look forward to.
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