All the Dirt on Gardening

Vinca minor and Periwinkle now have to exit our garden as we eliminate invasive plants in favor of native plants.  They are invasive but for a change not from Asian countries, but this time from southern Switzerland southward around much of the Mediterranean basin, from Portugal to Turkey, and across much of north Africa according to www.invasivespecies.IN.gov . Vinca minor They were introduced as a medicinal herb and as an ornamental ground cover. Planting alternatives, will depend on where you live. At the IN. gov site they recommend Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata) Palm Sedge (Carex muskingumensis) Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)   But! As you and I both know, those desirables are much more difficult to become established and provide ground cover and weed prevention.

Puttering in potted plants brings peace of mind, planting a bed of seeds reflects hope and nurturing bare ground into a bed of flowers inspires joy. Healing gardens in the form of Japanese Zen gardens, Cloister gardens and Sensory gardens, contain plants, open spaces and art selected to calm visitors and benefit the environment. While St. Francis of Assisi is commonly placed in gardens, St. Fiacre is actually the Patron Saint of Gardeners. The Irish born St. Fiacre lived from 600-670 and devoted his life to tending a garden of medicinal plants. St. Fiacre’s culinary garden fed the poor and the herb garden cured the sick. A flower and herb garden occupied the expanse of property surrounding the monastery. This may have been the first healing garden on record. Mary’s Gardens are the little gardens at churches, graveyards and homes that have a statue of the Virgin Mary at their center. At the website http://www.mgardens.org/ , volunteers published historical information about 300 plants ...