Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 08:17:06 EDT Subject: Re: SACRED DATURA, JIMSONWEED, TOMATOES Here's some information on datura that I used in my latest book. Probably more than anyone wants to know, but I found it fascinating while doing the research. One prominent flower that always draws attention from visitors to Zion National Park is the sacred datura. A member of the tomato family, the plant contains two significant chemicals--one a hallucinogen called scolpolamine, the other a deadly poison called atropine. Once used for women giving birth, pure scolpolamine would act as a hallucinogen to distract the patient from all pain. The drug was the truth serum of World War II. In ancient Egypt, Cleopatra took advantage of another property of scolpolamine in her quest for beauty. She would place a small tomato seed under each eyelid. The seed released small quantities of scolpolamine which caused her pupils to dilate into "limpid pools of beauty." Today queasy travelers use the drug to prevent motion sickness by applying a small tape disk to the skin behind the ear. Scolpolamine is then slowly absorbed through the skin. People who have tried to use the datura plant for its hallucinogenic properties, however, have met with death because of the atropine, a muscle relaxant which stops the heart. In 1676 six militiamen's ill-fated attempt at recreation gave the plant a nickname. The Jamestown, Virginia, soldiers ingested the plant and died shortly afterwards. Settlers started referrring to the plant as "Jamestown weed" which was later corrupted to "jimsonweed." Other common names applied to the plant are moon lily, thornapple, and angel trumpet. Subject: Paw-Paws Anyone? Date: 7 Jan 92 14:03:46 GMT Has anyone out there got a Paw Paw tree or know anything about them.? I am getting more and more interested in native North American species as they seem to (naturally) do better with less care than imported hybrid species of plants. According to my seed catalogs, Paw Paws are the largest native North American fruit and have a taste somewhat like bananas. The trees are said to be beautiful especially in the fall. Sounds like the thing to replace my Peach tree, which requires spraying with nasty chemicals if you even hope to ever see a peach. --------*-------- I think that Northwoods Nursery is the best source for Paw Paw trees. They are certainly aware of which varieties are best for cross-pollinating.. most other sources don't mention this. You should also contact the American Paw Paw Foundation. We had Paw Paw trees in NC where I grew up and they were delicious. They are hardy through zone 5. Here are some addresses: Northwoods Nursery 28696 S. Cramer Rd Molalla, OR 97038 (503)651-3737 Neal Peterson The Paw Paw Foundation PO Box 23432 Washington, DC 20026 Subject: Re: Paw-Paws Anyone? Date: 8 Jan 92 19:53:44 GMT > Has anyone out there got a Paw Paw tree or know anything about them.? > I am getting more and more interested in native North American species > as they seem to (naturally) do better with less care than imported > hybrid species of plants. > According to my seed catalogs, Paw Paws are the largest native North > American fruit and have a taste somewhat like bananas. The trees are > said to be beautiful especially in the fall. Sounds like the thing to > replace my Peach tree, which requires spraying with nasty chemicals > if you even hope to ever see a peach. I grew up with paw paws in northeast Arkansas. They're actually pretty good eating, and probably bananas are the closest taste, although the actual configuration/texture of the fruit is more like a mango. They grew wild near creeks on my grandfather's place (edge of the Mississippi delta). However, they're pretty hard to transplant or grow from seed; my dad tried (not too seriously) for a few years then gave up. I'd think that it would be possible to grow them in Huntsville if you tried. All the ones I've ever seen were fairly small, spindly trees growing in the shade of other trees in the bottom of a small valley near a creek. Re: Arugula Warning Subject: Re: Arugula - Garden Rocket Date: 7 Mar 92 20:08:26 GMT > Can anyone tell me what Arugula is, and how does it > rate as a salad herb. As others are pointing out, rocket is a very yummy salad green. I would describe it as having a spicy nut taste. It's easy to grow, though it tends to bolt fairly soon. Let me also warn you that rocket seems to become toxic once it begins to mature, so stop picking it once the taste starts changing. I found this out the hard way by continuing to eat it past its prime. The symptoms were a numb mouth and jaw and (later) muscle pain in the jaw. The effect lasts for several days. I was dumb enough to verify the toxicity by chewing the leaves on several subsequent occasions; a single (ripe) leaf will produce numbness in the mouth. I didn't notice any systemic reaction, though I imagine with enough ingested some would also appear. Be careful out there! Subject: Re: dense screen: Cupressocyparis leylandi? Date: 31 Mar 92 22:08:16 GMT >Leyland cypress, right? This is a man made cross of two genus's, >of what I can't remember, presumably Cupress and Cyparis. It Leyland cypress is botanically called x Cupressocyparis leylandii. It is a intergeneric hybrid between Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey Cypress) and Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (Nootka falsecypress). There are several varieties available in the nursery trade. >is an attractive "fir-type" conifer Actually, Leyland cypress has the growth habit of its cypress parent and the foliage of its falsecypress parent. Most varieties grow to be tall, narrow column to narrow pyramidal shape. >I wouldn't think it would make a very good screen unless >you have a large property and can establish a small woodlot. Because Leyland cypress responds very well to hedge type shearing it can be used even in rather small areas even though if left to itself it will grow to be 100' or more. >or Italian cypress or Lombardy poplar make good screens. Italian cypress is not reliable hardy north of zone 7. Lombardy popular is EXTREMELY prone to borers. It should be used only where its short lifespan will not be a problem. Subject: Kohlrabi Gigante Date: 4 Mar 92 18:38:46 GMT Does anyone have any experience with Kohlrabi Gigante? Here is what my catalog (Nichols Garden Nursery) says: Kohlrabi Gigante' - 130 days. Huge 10" in diameter, the weight regularly exceeds 10 pounds. Its claim to fame is not its size, but its extraordinary quality. The crisp white flesh is tender and mild-flavoredd, with no tough or woody fiber. Seed is best sowin in early spring. Serve with a dip; grate, dice or chunk in salads. Saute or use in soups and stews. The abundant greens may be prepared as you would collards or kale. Stores well. Central Europeans make their own version of sauerkraut using Gigante'. Nichols is delighted to offer this Czechoslovakian heirloom. pkt. 20 seeds $1.15 2 pkts. $2.00 From: klier Subject: Re: Kale?? (and kohlrabi) > What is Kale?? If I remember Mark Twain's remark about cauliflower was cabbage with a college education correctly, then kale is cabbage that dropped out of high school. Kale is to cabbage what leaf lettuce is to head lettuce-- just a non-heading form of Brassica oleracea. B. oleracea is a versatile plant that has given us such things as: acephala group: kale, flowering kale botrytis group: cauliflower, broccoli capitata group: cabbage gemmifera group: brussels sprouts gongyloides group: kohlrabi italica group: asparagus broccoli tronchuda group: portugese kale, tronchuda Other brassicas include: Brassica napus: rapa group: rape (now sold as canola oil (Canadian Oil) napobrassica group: rutabaga, swede pabularia group: siberian kale Brassica rapa: field mustard chinensis group: pak-choi, celery mustard pekinensis group: pe-tsai perviridis group: spinach mustard rapifera group: turnip ruvo group: ruvo kale, turnip broccoli, italian turnip Brassica nigra: black mustard, one of the weed-plauges of California Brassica hirta: seeds ground to make commercial mustard Brassica juncea: mustard greens Aren't you sorry you asked? (plant taxonomists should be carefully watched at all times. keepers are often appointed...) Anyhow, cultivation of all these is remarkably alike. And I suspect your kohlrabi might make it in Minneapolis/St Paul despite the "130 days", since cole crops (the Brassicas) are remarkably tolerant of cool temps. Subject: Re: Kale?? Date: 5 Mar 92 01:51:53 GMT >What is Kale?? Cabbage without a head. There's more to it than that, but these are the fundamentals: cabbage is a relative of mustard--the sharpness comes from the same chemical that gives mustard gas its burn. Cabbage exhibits remarkable plasticity in its development; varieties have been developed to concentrate their growth in the head (cabbage and brussel sprouts), flower (cauliflower), stem (kohlrabi), and leaves (kale, collards). "Kale" can sometimes mean one or another related, but distinct, plants, in the UK. It does well in chilly climates. Some varieties are ornamental. Subject: Source for Davidia (Dove Tree) Date: 13 Apr 92 18:47:20 GMT Does anyone know of a source for Davidia, also know as the Dove Tree? This deciduous Chinese native grows to about 50 feet and is covered with large white, hanging, dual bracts at this time of year, that look somewhat like doves. It is spectacular in bloom, and has nice heart-shaped foliage and a strong, somewhat upright branching habit. It was imported from China to this country via the Arnold Arboretum in 1902. I know of two specimens in Portland, Oregon, but I have never seen a commercial source for this lovely tree. Any information is appreciated. Subject: Re: Source for Davidia (Dove Tree) Date: 14 Apr 92 15:42:07 GMT >Does anyone know of a source for Davidia, also know as the Dove Tree? Forest Farm Louisiana Nursery 990 Tetherow Rd Route &, Box 43 Williams, Oregon 97544-9599 Opelousas, La 70570 Spring 92 catalog $3.00 Catalog $5.00 Subject: Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) - Help Me Find It Please Date: 17 Apr 92 21:18:56 GMT Does anyone know where I can get seeds and culture information for cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)? My cookbook says: Related to the artichoke, but cardoon is grown primarily for the stalks. The fleshy ribs are eaten. The flavor is slightly bitter, the texture is similar to celery. A popular vegetable in Morocco and Tunisia. Subject: Re: Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) - Help Me Find It Please Date: 23 Apr 92 17:35:52 GMT > Does anyone know where I can get seeds and culture information for > cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)? The book _Unusual Vegetables_ edited by Anne Moyer Halpin (ISBN 0-87857-214-7) and published in 1978, has excellent cultural information on Cardoon on pages 83 to 86. This book also contains a bibliography plus 7 appendices, one of which is a quick kitchen guide or how to use the unusual vegetables listed in your favorite dishes (and a few new ones!). The book has info about the following vegetables. Amaranth Bamboo Basella Asparagus bean Fava bean Horticultural bean Purple bush bean Romano bean Scarlet runner bean Soybean Borage Asian Brassicas: Chinese Cabbage, Michili, & Bok Choy Broccoli raab Domestic Burdock Salad Burnet Nopal & Prickly pear cacti CARDOON Purple Cauliflower/Purple Broccoli Celeriac Celtuce Chayote Chicory Collards Comfrey Coriander Corn Salad (Mache) Cowpea The Cresses: Winter Cress, Garden Cress, & Watercress Chinese Cucumber Dandelion Daylily Japanese Eggplant Florence Fennel Garlic & Elephant Garlic Good King Henry Ground Cherry Horseradish Jerusalem Artichoke Jicama Kale & Flowering Kale Kohlrabi Leek Luffa Martynia Mustard & Mustard Spinach Nasturtium Nettle Okra Egyptian Onion Welsh Onion Orach Hamburg Parsley Asparagus Pea Sugar Pea Peanut Popcorn Sweet Potato Lady Godiva Pumpkin Purslane Winter Radishes Rhubarb Rocket Salisfy Scorzonera Sea Kale Shallot Shungiku Skirret Sorrel New Zealand Spinach Spaghetti Squash Tomatillo As you can see from this, many vegetables considered "unusual" in 1978 are commonplace now. [1] White Gas Plant Date: Tue Apr 21 19:58:56 1992 Here are some more sources for Dictamnus albus, the white Gas Plant (formerly Dictamnus fraxinella). The catalogs & books I consulted agreed that it is slow to establish and resents disturbance, but that once it is established, it requires little care and is quite tough. Somehow, I got the impression that it was moderately drought tolerant, but the Western Garden Book says it takes average water. Plants: Lamb Nurseries, 101 E. Sharp Ave, Spokane, WA 99202 Garden Perennials, Rt 1, Wayne, NE 68787 (offer D. fraxinella in white or pink) Milaeger's Gardens, 4838 Douglas Ave, Racine, WI 53402-2498 Seeds: the Fragrant Path, PO Box 328, Fort Collins, NE 68023 J L Hudson, Seedsman, PO Box 1058, Redwood City, CA 94064 Select Seeds, 180 Stickney Hill Rd, Union, CT 06076 Park Seed Co, Cokesbury Rd, Greenwood, SC 29647-0001 Re: Scented geraniums Date: 25 Apr 92 20:07:14 GMT > I just wanted to second the request for anyone who has > it to share any information (books, nurseries, etc.) Some info from 'The Complete Geranium (Cultivation, Cooking and Crafts)', Susan Conder, Clarkson N. Potter Inc. publishers, distributed by Crown Publishers, Inc., 1992, ISBN 0-517-58883-8, US$18 list price: Scented-Leaved Geraniums: Rose scent P. 'Attar of Roses' P. capitatum P. graveolens (mint flavoured) 'Grey Lady Plymouth' 'Lady Plymouth' 'Lady Scarborough' 'Little Gem' 'Queen of Roses' P. radens 'Rober's Lemon Rose' Ginger scent 'Torento' Lemon scent P. crispum major P. crispum minor P. crispum 'Variegatum' 'Lemon Fancy' 'Mabel Grey' (mint falvoured) 'Pink Champagne' Lime scent P. x nervosum Apple scent P. odoratissimum Orange scent P. 'American Prince of Orange' P. 'Prince of Orange' Spicy scent P. fragile P. x fragrans P. x fragrans 'Variegatum' ('Creamy Nutmeg', Snowy Nutmeg') 'Lady Mary' P. trifolium Coconut scent P. grossularioides Mint scent 'Joy Lucille' P. tomentosum (mint flavoured) [The author points out that one plant may smell differently to different noses.] There is a list of five clubs and societies, including: International Geranium Society Mrs. Robin Schultz 4610 Druid Street Los Angeles, CA, USA 90032 Among the fourteen nurseries listed are these in North America: Logee's Greenhouse, Danielson CT, 203-774-8038 Fischer Geraniums, Homestead FL, 305-245-9464 Shady Hill, Batavia IL, 708-879-5665 Davidson-Wilson Greenhouses, Crawfordsville, IN, 317-364-0556 Cook's Geranium Nursery, Lyons KA, 316-257-5033 Oglevee, Ltd., Connellsville PA, 412-628-8360 Colonial Florists, Ltd., St. Catherine's, Ontario L2MIM4, 416-934-3196 From: klier Subject: Re: Clematis Date: 5 Mar 92 01:13:53 GMT > What is the best way to prune clematis? Should I be brutal and cut all the > dead growth off? Depends on which species of Clematis you're growing. Some bloom on old wood-- so you remove dead branches in early spring. Some bloom on new growth, so you cut all of the previous year's growth back to the base. Most of the commonly available clematis are hybrids, and divide into 3 groups: The patens and florida groups are treated pretty much alike: Patens group, flowering on old wood in spring ('Bees Jubilee', 'Barbara Jackman', 'Nelly Moser') Florida group, flowering on old wood in the summer ('Belle of Woking', 'Duchess of Edinburgh') prune lightly and not often Most of the rest of the common cultivars are in the Jackmanii group, and are pruned to a short stubs during the winter ('jackmanii', 'Crimson King', 'Ernest Markham', 'Ramona', and many, many others.) Personally, I lost my heart long ago to _C. tanguitica_, with yellow- gold bell-shaped flowers, and _C. virginiana_, virgin's bower, which can cover a great multitude of sins... ;^) Subject: Re: Chicory Date: 5 Mar 92 01:41:10 GMT >The catalog I am looking at indicates that chicory is "often a >tricky crop to handle, Mitado Chicory is a rreal breakthrough >in growing ease ..." >Can someone tell what the difficulties are in growing Chicory. 'Beats me. It's a weed, all the places I know. It could be true that Mitado is some sort of breakthrough, but your vendor must tell you more before expecting you to believe that. >Also I notice that some herbal teas list roasted Chicory >root as one of the ingredients. Are we talking about the >same thing? Would it matter which variety were used for Almost certainly. >this purpose?? Likely, but I'm not discriminating on this particular score. . . . During at least the last half-century, the principal economic significance of chicory in this country has been employment of its roasted roots as a substitute for coffee. Subject: Re: Chicory Date: 5 Mar 92 20:26:42 GMT > The catalog I am looking at indicates that chicory is "often a > tricky crop to handle, Mitado Chicory is a rreal breakthrough > in growing ease ..." > Can someone tell what the difficulties are in growing Chicory. > Also I notice that some herbal teas list roasted Chicory > root as one of the ingredients. Are we talking about the > same thing? Would it matter which variety were used for > this purpose?? Well I did some homework last night. It seems that the standard thing to do with chicory was to plant it in the spring, let it grow all summer, and dig the roots up in the fall after the first several frosts. Then the leaves would be trimmed about 1" from the top of the root and the roots would be packed in sawdust in a root cellar. Later in the winter when fresh greens are desired the roots are planted in a bucket, watered and placed under several inches of sawdust. This causes the root to send out shoots, or a group of tender leaves. They grow white because they are grown in the dark. This "rosete" is called "endive". The root is called chicory. Sometimes a second shoot can be forced. After that the remains of the root can be roasted and used for a tea. I think it does sound like a lot of work. Re: Chicory Date: 10 Mar 92 11:50:48 GMT There are two main types of chicory - the type that you grow much as you grow lettuce for the head of leaves, and the forcing type where you grow the root and then force it in the winter for _chicons_. Many people seem to think that forcing the later type makes chicory a _difficult_ vegetable to grow. Both types are in fact very easy. I suspect that your supplier is comparing the two types and saying that the heading type is easier than the forcing type. For the heading type of chicory I have grown _suger loaf_ very successfully in Northern England. THis is an extremely hardy vegetable if you remove the head in Autumn to eat, and leave the root in the ground. Very early in Spring you will get new leaves which are excellent in a mixed salad. For the forcing type, _Witloof_ is the standard variety (so much so that forcing chicory in Britain tends to be called Witloof chicory). There are other very hardy types of chicory that are a minority interest sucg as _grumulo_ which is Italian. None of these have edible roots. If you are looking for chicory roots for drinks then it will probably have to be one specially bred. I'm sorry but I can't help you there. All leaf chicory is not as sweet as lettuce and the slightly bitter taste can put some very fussy people off. The outer leaves can be very bitter sometimes. Subject: problems with invasive plants Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1992 20:34:16 GMT This is an essay I wrote to hand out at Earth Day at Clearlake State Park when I represented the California Native Plant Society. Thought it might be of interest those involved in native plantings. Any comments would be appreciated. I wrote it late at night-might have grammatical problems! THE ECOLOGICAL NIGHTMARE-INVASIVE NON-NATIVE PLANTS (escaped exotics) The first step in understanding the problem posed by escaped exotic plants is a definition the term. Native plants have obviously lived and adaped in California for thousands of years. The first wave of exotic plants brought to California by European settlers included filaree, stinging nettle, and, soon to follow Star Thistle in 1869. Many common weeds in California are indeed exotic species and include such nusiances as above mentioned Star Thistle, bindweed, bermuda grass, Burr clover, puncture vine and wild mustard. Many of these plants had adapted to thousands of years of dought, overgarzing and disturbance by humans in Europe, Asia and the Near East. They have naturalized in the relatively mild climate of California, and having no natural control, can outcompete and replace the native plants. The second group of invasive plants have come from the horticultural and nursery trades. The nursery trade has also taken advantage of the California climate in propagating plants from other parts of the country and other continents, and promoting them here. People relocating to California also tend to buy and plant the species they are familiar with. Oddly enough, early settlers to California were astonished by the beauty and diversity of native plants and wildflowers, and many were taken back to England in the 1800's and brought into cultivation there. Native plants have been relatively ignored until recently by the nursery trade. Ornamental non-native INVASIVE plants still propagated in California include: Pampas Grass, Scotch Brooom, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Vinca, Fountain Grass, and English and German Ivy. Why are these invasive species such a problem? Native plants form the basis for the food chain in California. They support an extremely complex interacton of plant, insect, reptile, rodent, bird and animal life. Native plants provide nectar for hummingbirds and beneficial insects; seeds and berries for birds, rodents and mammals; and shelter for all animal life. One species of exotic plant (for example Arundo donax, giant reed grass), can invade an area and displace hundreds of species of native plants that support a diverse community. This new monoculture will provide no support for the natural food chain and will become a biological wasteland. These exotic species are often dispersed by wind, or worse, more widely dispersed by birds. Some, such as Vinca, will spread by rooting stolons and runners. Many seeds have life expectancies of many years. A current bill before the California Legislature would ban the sale of French and Scotch Broom, Pampas Grass, Acacia decurrens, Fountain Grass, Tamarisk, and Gorse. We, in Lake County, have the opportunity now to preserve our extremely rich and varied native flora by encouraging the homeowner (especially those in rural areas) to use native plants. We currently have problems with excaped ornamentals such as: Giant Reed Grass, Tamarisk, Broom, Vinca and Tree of Heaven. We need to request native plants from the local nurseries-they are available from wholesalers. There is a growing understanding that excaped exotic organisms and plants are the number one threat to our remaining natural ecosystems. The National Park Service says exotic plants are the most widespread threat to the natural resources of the parks. Park service rangers recently ranked exotic plants ahead of such other problems as widlfires, overcrowing, pollution, vandalism, oil drilling and off-road vehicles. Members of the California Native Plant Society in other counties often have groups that go out on weekends and pull invasive plants. The homeowner can first refuse to plant these exotics, and secondly eradicate existing ones on their own property. Subject: Vine Peach -- Mango Melon Date: 4 Mar 92 19:34:40 GMT Has anybody ever heard of these? What are they like? The catalog says: Vine Peach - "Mango Melon" - 90 days. This native American annual vine fruit makes excellent preserves, chutneys and marmalades. The spreading vines may be staked. Fruit is a light orange color, the size of a peach; taste and texture similar to a melon. Best when cooked. pkt 85cents. 2 pkts $1.50 I have never heard of such a thing. From: klier Subject: Re: Vine Peach -- Mango Melon Date: 5 Mar 92 01:01:39 GMT Cucumis melo, chito group. In other words, part of the species that includes canteloupe, oriental melon, muskmelon, and casaba. Vine peach also masquerades as orange melon, lemon melon, melon apple, vegetable orange, etc. Sure wish American catalog merchants would learn a few Latin binomials...it seems a bit ridiculous to have 10E6 common names for a species... [1] Yellow African Violet Date: Thu Apr 30 20:31:14 1992 Lines: 33 Yellow African Violets!! Lavender, magenta, blue, purple, and pink African violets are commonplace--but YELLOW? The first yellow cultivars offered commercially are available this year from The Violet Express, 1441 Everett Rd., Eagle River, WI 54521. `His Promise', `Majesty', and `Heavenly Dawn', all bred by Nolan Blansit, have yellow flavonols in their flowers. If you're interested in owning one of the first African violets, you'd better call The Violet Express at 715-479-3099 as soon as possible; supplies are limited. The price? A mere $50 each, plus $9.50 shipping (more overseas). For mor information on the yellow cultivars, sewe "Going for the Gold: Nolan Blansit and the Yellow African Violet" by Amber Lee in the premier (Spring 1992) issue of HOUSEPLANT MAGAZINE, published by HousePlant, Inc., Rt. 1, Box 271-2, Elkins, WV 26241 ($19.95 for four issues). -------------------------------------------------------------------- Reprinted with permission from the April 1992 HortIdeas. Copyright 1992 by Greg and Pat Williams. HortIdeas is $15 (2nd class mail within the USA) for one year (12 issues). For more information or a subscription, write: HortIdeas, 460 Black Lick Road, Gravel Switch, KY 40328, USA. [1] Re: edible flowers Date: Sun May 3 20:46:08 1992 Anne writes: >Is anyone else out there interested in edible flowers? I'm looking for some >salad recipes which inlclude flowers. Any suggestions? I've just come in from my deck to read my mail and I see this msg. What was I doing out on the deck? Why, planting edible flowers, of course. I just put in Nasturiums, Calendula, Garlic Chives (Oriental Chives), and Borage. The Johnny-Jump-Ups are cooling in the fridge (they need cold before they'll germinate). All of these will end up in salads later this year. I'll also use petals from the tea roses and violets out front, when they come in. Here are some ways to use flowers-as-food (alot of this is cribbed from a Manhattan Farms pamphlet). Nasturium Origin: probably S. America (many varities) Appearance: long runners w/circular leaves and bright red flowers Uses: leaves in salads and sandwiches flowers in soups, as garnish, or in butter seeds can be pickled as caper substitute Notes: annual (will self sow a 2nd yearly crop), do well in poor soil, like it warm, high in vitamin C, aphids love them Johnny-Jump-Ups (wild pansy, Love-in-Idleness) Origin: N. America Appearance: low, purple/blue/yellow pansy flowers Uses: flowers as garnish, in salads, or candied. The flowers are kind of bland, but attractive Notes: short lived perrenial, lots of medicinal uses, rich soil/light shade Garlic Chives (Oriental Chives) Origin: Asia Appearance: clump of blades w/long flower stalk w/many small flowers Uses: leaves just like regular chives flowers in salads, have very garlicky taste Notes: needs 2 seasons to mature, heavy self-sower, good indoors Calendula (Pot Marigold) Origin: Europe Appearance: light green leaves, yellow to orange flowers Uses: flowers in salads, stews and butters (peppery taste) or dried and used as saffron substitute Notes: not fussy growers, good in pots, leaves have many medicinal uses, self-sower Borage Origin: Europe Appearance: large and sprawling (about 2 ft), fuzzy gray-green leaves, flowers star-shaped bright blue to pink Uses: leaves and peeled stems in salads (cucumbery taste) or steamed; flowers in salads, floated in drinks, or candied (dip in egg white then sugar and dry) Notes: bees love it, easy to grow, used since ancient greeks as medicine Subject: Re: Growing hops Date: 8 May 92 22:13:18 GMT [text deleted] Basic Sketch Deciduous herbaceous perennial Hardy in Zones 4-10 Twining vine 15-25 feet long Propagated from seeds or cuttings Needs full sun Large amounts of water required Vines need training Vines need to be cut down annually to control rampant growth Leaves light green, lobed, 3-5 inches long Blooms in summer Flowers small, papery, green cones Flowers are edible, used as seasoning, harvested in fall; shoots are edible, harvested in spring Used for trellises, arbors, as accent and interest plants, and incontainers Actually, the root of the hops (Humulus lupus) plant is perennial while the vine is annual in nature. The shoots can grow more than thirty feet in a season. Hops can be grown from seed but are generally propogated by dividing the young shoots from the main crown in spring or fall, or by cuttings rooted from older shoots and suckers in late summer. Hops require a deeply dug, rich, moist soil with full sun. Soil pH should be between 5 and 8. Plant root cuttings in a hill -- three roots per hill, spaced eighteen inches apart at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Space each hill 5 to 7 feet apart. Once rapid growth begins, water frequently! In early fall when the strobiles (plump, rounded, cone-like fruits) begin to feel firm, turn an amber color, & are covered with a yellow dust, harvest on a CLEAR day. The strobiles will spoil if not dried quickly after harvest. Reduce moisture content to 12% for good keeping. As the young shoots appear in spring, they can be eaten like asparagus. Eat only young, short (about 6 inches) shoots Please let me know if you require any mail-order sources.