Relax A Bit. . .

I love this time of year. The air becomes crisp and the sun sets a bit earlier allowing me the pleasure of lighting the tiki torches in the yard and turning on the little outdoor lights that seem to twinkle as the branches sway in the canyon breeze.  One of my favorite sights is making the bend towards home and seeing the lights on the side of the house through the garden gate.  It beckons me to the backyard  and urges me to forget chores that need attention.  Often I ignore its pleading and tend to the children's homework and finishing up dinner dishes.  But most evenings I try to find a moment or two to spend out back listening to the soft flowing water in the fountains.  In years past my husband has told stories to the children as they stretched out on the trampoline looking at the stars.  The backyard is our haven and has been the place of barbecue's,  football dinners, teenage parties, sandcastles and beach ball volleyball.  It's a place made and remade and has provided an arena to teach the children how to work.  It's a place filled with hard work and laughter and most recently a place where my 13 year old plays with his dog.  (That throws a whole new twist on the expectations for the yard.)

  It's a great time of year.  The hard work of grooming the yard is over, it's the time to relax and enjoy your efforts.  Sit out back and look at the stars, lay in the hammock, play with the children or tell them a story as you gaze at the stars. Enjoy the haven you have created.

A Bouquet of Herbs

                                                    Talk about aromatherapy!

Today was the day to trim back a few of the herbs in my garden. The oregano and chives are going to seed so they add an extra burst of color in my counter-top bouquet. For this cutting  I gathered oregano, lavender, peppermint, chives and fever-few. A light brush of the leaves as I pass them in the kitchen sends a burst of aroma that livens the kitchen. When I start looking for a vase to put flowers in (or in this case, herbs) ,  I like to find a unique container. Over the years my family has become connoisseurs of different types of root beer. We have collected several different bottles from many different places. I decided to bring one to the kitchen to hold my lovely bouquet of herbs. The clear winner for this project was the Sioux City Sarsaparilla.(who knew there was an "r" in Sarsaparilla? ) Our favorite root beer store is the Old Town Rootbeer Company in Temecula California, an enchanting find of my oldest son while he lived in California.

To make my new vase a little more unique I took the bottle cap and flattened it with a rubber mallet.

I punched a small hold in the top with a small nail, and then threaded in on an old wire.  Using a small pair of pliers I created a "curl" by twisting the wire around the pliers and then anchored in the bottle of flowers. 

Oregano, peppermint and chives provide the greenery for this bouquet while the perky "daisy-like" flowers of the fever-few adds the focal point.  Wrapped up together they brighten any kitchen and bring a spicy fragrance to delight the senses. 

P.S. I tossed in a bit of cilantro from the store just for good measure. That's not cheating is it?

Beauty for the Balcony

Near my apartment is Valencia's Mercado Central. It's a huge farmers market that's open from about ten in the morning until the early afternoon when everything gets packed up and taken down just before siesta. Vendors set up their booths inside a gorgeous old building just across from La Lonja {Valencia's ancient silk merchant market}. Ever since we happened upon the Mercado my husband and I have enjoyed wandering through the market, experiencing all the different sights and smells.

The market is definitely a shock for the senses. There are stacks of farm fresh eggs in white and speckled brown. Huge containers of pickled sardines sit below dried squid strung on large hooks from the ceilings of the stalls. Tall, narrow bottles of locally produced olive oil catch morning sun streaming through the arching entrances, causing the amber liquid to sparkle. Baskets of warm, freshly baked bread, bunches of dried herbs and spices, and crates overflowing with picked-this-morning lemons and oranges crowd the narrow walkways. The other day as we finished picking out a watermelon and some freshly baked baguettes we stumbled upon a garden stall. That's when I saw her...

Bougainvillea has long been one of my favorite plants. I remember the first time I noticed its incredible hot pink color absolutely enveloping an arbor near Disneyland's Rancho del Zocalo restaurant. Ever since then I've been hooked on this climbing vine that's suited for more tolerant climates than my own. So when I caught a glimpse of this one as I walked past with my baguette, I couldn't help myself. I gave my husband my best Marcus pleeease eyes and for just €8 it was mine.

Our apartment happens to have the perfect exposure to support this blooming beauty: full and hot southern sun on our balconies. Bougainvillea is a wonderful container plant because of their love of hot sun and preference of dry soil. Also, container planting of Bougainvillea allows you to winter the plant in a sunny spot indoors {if you live below zone 10}. They're great for smaller spaces because they aren't aggressive growers and provide a ton of color for minimum effort. Go out and grab one for your patio or balcony!

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Plant of the Week- Rose Mallow

For continuous garden color it's important to stage blooming periods through perennial selection. While waiting for your delphiniums to rebloom enjoy the mid-summer tropical beauty of Rose Mallow! With exotic blossoms spanning up to 10" in diameter, they are well deserving of their other common name, dinner plate Hibiscus.  This is a plant that is sure to add whimsy to any garden!

USDA Zones: 5-10 Height: 36-48" Width: 24-36" Bloom time: mid to late summer

Photo by : victoriannursery.co.uk

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Kate's Quotables

Moorish Style. . .put Moor into your garden

I spent this past weekend traveling to Seville and Málaga. My husband and I visited the palace of Alcázar and the Alcazaba fortress. We srtolled through the high walled courtyards, listened to the trickling water in fountains and pools, inhaled the heavy purfume of jasmine, roses and orange blossoms while admiring the contrast between terra cotta pavers and brightly colored ceramic tiles.

In the eighth century the Moorish invasion of Spain introduced a style of garden design that would remain long after their rule had ended. Islamic and Persian gardens where among the first pleasure gardens in the world, creating a fragrant refuge from the desert. These gardens were very much like our own gardens today;  places of sanctuary and escape.

It could be fun to incorporate elements of Moorish style into your garden, Here's how!