Diana Duff is a local organic farmer, plant adviser and consultant. BY DIANA DUFF | SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY ADVERTISING The impact of climate change on much of the planet seems to be resulting in weather extremes. In West
BY DIANA DUFF | SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY
The impact of climate change on much of the planet seems to be resulting in weather extremes. In West Hawaii, the impact may be less noticeable, but we have just come through a wet summer and are experiencing an exceptionally dry winter.
Weather extremes demand that plants be healthy and hearty to survive. Choosing plants that can tolerate the extremes makes gardening easier. Our hot, dry winters provide excellent climatic conditions for some wonderful aromatic herbs. Several of these can brighten your garden, treat your olfactory glands and add interesting new flavors to this season’s recipes.
Many aromatic and culinary herbs are in the Lamiaceae, or mint, family, including mint, basil, sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary and lavender. Most grow well in temperate climates and can thrive here when grown in the right place and maintained well.
Mint and basil will do best with regular watering, but thyme, oregano, rosemary and lavender each thrive in dry, sunny locations where there is good soil drainage. They need little water and care and could be referred to as xeriscape plants. Each has a distinctive aroma and their aromatic oils are released on contact. The resulting aromas provide a treat as you brush by them in the garden, as well as when you harvest them for culinary or medicinal uses.
For drama in the garden and usefulness in your home, both rosemary and lavender make good candidates. Each makes an attractive landscape addition and both are native to the dry Mediterranean region of Europe, adapting easily to our hot, dry winters. Both also add distinctive flavors to a recipe and their oils make useful aromatherapy remedies.
Both rosemary and lavender have been grown and used for more than 2,000 years. They have early and long histories associating them with love and fond remembrances. Since the lover’s holiday celebrating St. Valentine is celebrated this month, it is the perfect time to consider planting these herbs. Literary references throughout time attest to the association referring to their use in bouquets exchanged by lovers, as well as in wedding bouquets.
Despite numerous similarities in associations and uses, as well as in growing conditions, rosemary and lavender are very different plants.
Rosemarinus officinalis literally translates to “dew of the sea” relating to rosemary’s native habitat on seaside cliffs along the Mediterranean. Rosemary is not only drought tolerant, but also wind and salt tolerant, making it an excellent herb to use in a seaside garden or a windy area.
Though numerous rosemary varieties exist, two types are easily found in local nurseries. The upright taller form is usually hardier, while the prostrate ones are more tender.
The leaves of both forms contain a strong aromatic oil that is released when cooked, adding a distinctive savory flavor to a variety of dishes. The pure oil is often used in aromatherapy to enhance pleasant dreams and the leaves steeped in hot water for tea or added to a hot bath are reported to have similar effects.
Lavandula is also an herb with many forms and some of the more unusual ones may serve you well. All of the lavender varieties have lovely flowers and aromatic plant parts. The leaves, stems and flowers contain a pleasantly fragrant oil that is a well-known cosmetic ingredient, but can also add interesting flavors to both sweet and savory dishes. Pure lavender oil is also used in aromatherapy as a relaxant and sleep inducer.
Several of the less common lavender varieties are worthy of consideration for their garden beauty and culinary uses, as well as health benefits. Though the most popular lavender varieties have silver green foliage and vivid purple flowers, many variations in leaf and flower shapes and colors exist.
Lavandula angustifolia is often called English lavender. Though this standard is popular, the angustifolia variety Munstead is readily available and a bit different with a smaller growth habit and flowers that are more blue than purple. For smaller gardens or as a low growing edging plant, Munstead is a good choice.
Lavandula stoechas, or Spanish lavender, has unusual blooms that are dark purple and pineapple shaped with tufted tops. This variety can grow to 2 feet in height, is very attractive in the garden, but not necessarily the best culinary variety. Its heavily scented blossoms make excellent bouquets or sachets, however, and it is the variety that will do best in wetter weather.
Lavandula dentate, or French lavender, is less fragrant with lighter violet flowers and an attractive “toothy” leaf margin. Lavandula pinnata is yet another variety that adds interest with its attractive flowers that are divided into three pats and grow on stems, which can reach 3 feet tall, as well as lovely lacy gray-green foliage. These two varieties are quite decorative garden additions but their aromatic oil lacks the potency of other specimens.
The larger lavender forms benefit from annual or twice annual pruning. Cutting back spent blossoms and leggy stems helps to keep the plants compact and encourage blooming.
Both rosemary and lavender plants can be easily propagated from cuttings. Be sure to choose thicker, slightly woody stems for the best results. Now is an excellent time to plant either or both of these delightful herbs to use as mother plants for expanding their numbers during dry seasons in Kona.
Both Sunrise Nursery just north of Kailua-Kona and the Tropical Fruit/Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook carry rosemary and lavender plants. Edibles is holding a lavender culinary experience Feb. 26. Call 328-0420 for more information on that event.
Diana Duff is a local organic farmer, plant adviser and consultant.
