Archive for July 2008
Cara’s Early Summer Garden Salad
Each year I plant many lettuces in the hope that some will actually grow long enough to provide salad before they bolt and spread their seeds. And each Spring, I am delighted when some of those seeds sprout, so that I can once again see how much salad we’ll get before these delicate plants go to seed. This year, we have endive, Romaine lettuce, and red Romaine. Our onion and garlic chives came back strong and we have several other edible plants to add to our salad this summer. Here’s the salad we’re having with our dinner tonight.
Cara’s Early Summer Garden Salad
Red Romaine Lettuce
Dandelion leaves
Garlic chives with the unopened flower heads
Pink Rose petals
Small sprigs of Spearmint
Fresh Oregano (whole leaves)
Fresh Basil (whole leaves)
Pick the salad greens, roses, and herbs shortly before preparing the salad to avoid wilting. Rinse all of the fresh ingredients. Pat or spin them dry. Place them in a large bowl or in small, individual salad dishes. Add the dressing (see below).
Cara’s Vinagrette
Virgen olive oil
Lemon juice to taste
2 or more cloves pressed garlic to taste
Dash pepper to taste
Dash of salt (just enough to add a slightly salty tang) (Optional)
Mix salad dressing ingredients and pour over salad just before serving. Enjoy!
Add comment July 3, 2008
The Stunning Salpiglossis sinuata
Don’t let the name fool you. Salpiglossis sinuata is one of the most stunningly beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen. Hailing from southern Chile, the Salpiglossis sinuata has velvety leaves with arrowlike lines of a brightly contrasting color down their center.
I happened across this beautiful plant the other day at the nursery. As soon as I saw its brilliant burgundy leaves with their contrasting bright yellow arrows, I knew one of my clients would like it. The Salpiglossis fits her color scheme list a hand in glove.
I purchased the last two plants available and emailed a photograph to her. She immediately shot back a response, “I love it! Yes, let’s use it.”
Usually grown as an ornamental annual, Salpiglossis sinuata likes full sun and holds multiple blossoms at once. It blooms in late Spring and early to mid summer. You can grow it from seed; by sowing it indoors before the last frost.
The flowers do well when cut and placed in water, sometimes lasting longer than when on the plant. You may want to stake each plant to keep them upright.
Colors
The Salpiglossis sinuatea offers gardeners many color choices including a dark scarlet, a pink-purple magenta, and golden yellow-orange to name just a few.
To Collect Seeds
Allow the seed pods to dry on the plant; break open the pods to collect the seeds and store them until Spring.
Growth Habit
Salpiglossis sinuata grows 12 to 18 inches tall and 9 to 12 inches wide.
Add comment July 1, 2008
