Verbena Plant

The Lemon Verbena Plant

Executive summary about Hostas Planst by By Caryn Windfield

Lemon verbena, also known as yerba Louisa, is a tropical shrub native to South America, particularly Argentina, Chile and Peru. Valued for its strong scent and flavor, some consider the lemon verbena plant more lemony than the actual fruit. The plant blooms during late summer, though the small, white, inconspicuous flowers aren't very ornamental. Though the two plants share the same name, lemon verbena has no resemblance to the verbena flower, which is quite attractive.  

Culinary:

The primary reason lemon verbena is grown is for its culinary uses. The leaves can be frozen in ice cubes and added to drinks that way to add a festive and unique look to your drinks.

Additionally, finely chopped lemon verbena leaves can be added to a large variety of things to add lemony flavor, including muffins, salad dressings, marinades and cakes. It can also be used as an acceptable substitute for lemon grass in recipes that call for it, mainly Asian recipes. For optimal flavor, the leaves should always be used fresh or lightly cooked.

Aromatic:

Lemon verbena plant has the most potent citrus smell out of any herb in existence, fresh or dried. The stems or leaves can be chopped and added directly to the potpourri to add the smell of fresh lemon. In days long past, women used to stuff lemon verbena in their hats, sleeves and clothing to improve their smell, almost as a kind of natural perfume.  

Growing:

Feed once per month with a balanced 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer during spring and summer. Harvest the plant's foliage during summer by cutting the plant back to half its height and saving the removed section.

Indigo Plant

How to Grow and Care For an Indigo Plant

Executive summary about Hibiscus Plant Care by David P. Lee

Growing an indigo plant from a seed is not that difficult. The indigo is a beautiful plant to include in your indoor plant collection.

The plants history.

Dye was extracted from the stems and leaves making the indigo a useful and valuable plant. Even today, the die of the indigo plant is used in various crafts and art projects. Starting from seeds.

To start the plant from seeds, begin in May and sow the seeds in a large sized tray or saucer. Lightly cover the seeds with compost. The soil in which you keep the indigo plant should be loam based. The pot used to grow the indigo must have good drainage. For best growth keep the indigo plant in the full sun on a windowsill or sun room.

Keeping older indigo plants properly cared for

If you would like your plant to have more flowers you should feed it a high potassium fertilizer.

What else is the indigo plant used for?

The indigo plant has been used in Eastern medicine to treat various healthy problems. However, in Western medicine it lacks scientific proof of having any real medicinal properties. The plant has been reported to help treat cancers, epilepsy, bronchitis, spleen problems and other medical conditions.

A long rich history is attached to the indigo plant. For thousands of years the plant has been cultivated for its dye.

Oleander Plant

A Deadly Beauty – Oleander

Executive summary about Oleander Plant by Herb Leibacher

Oleander is one of the most beautiful of all the shrubs, but caution should be used when planting this shrub. Every part of this beautiful plant is deadly, the leaves, sap, wood and flowers. This attractive evergreen grows best in warm climates and will produce heavy scented, brightly colored flowers from late spring to fall. This shrub is beautiful but deadly to humans and animals.

Late spring brings the first buds of the Oleander that bloom clear into late fall. Oleander is not native to the United States but will do very well in warm states such as Florida, California and Texas. Dry, windy conditions do not adversely affect the growth of this plant. Coastal regions are also where the Oleander will do well. Marshy soils with a salt content will be just fine with the Oleander.

Oleander can be trimmed and kept at the bush state of six to twelve feet or left to grow into small trees that will reach about twenty feet in height. The shrubs make beautiful raised borders or fence decoration. Oleander plants need to be placed in a site with full sun or a light shade. The soil should be well drained, though Oleanders will adapt to dry conditions and marshy soils.

Oleanders can be planted in the spring or fall. The plants will need 6 to 12 feet of distance between them, depending on how large you want the plant to grow and the variety of the plant.