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GARDENER’S CORNER
It may be cold and snowing (maybe not that much) outside, but I am already thinking of spring.
Flower beds are covered in a layer of snow giving them the rest they need before emerging in the spring with new green leaves and blossoms to follow. This is the time to start dreaming of what is to come.
Time to plan a new flower bed or expand an existing one. Pull out some old magazines, books or buy some new ones, check out some gardening books from the local library or check out some YouTube videos on topics that you are interested in, to see what is new for the coming year in plants, new tools and garden plans.
Below are some new plants for this coming year.
They are not just plants that look pretty. These are plants that have fragrance and attract wildlife like butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. I will be writing more articles on plant material throughout the year to attract more wildlife into our gardens. Not only for us to enjoy, but our friends that need our help with food sources and drinking stations (more on this subject to come).
Let’s start with Perennial Plant of the Year for 2025, which is Pycnanthemum Muticum, also commonly known as Mountain Mint. Yes, it’s in the mint family. Mountain Mint is a great naturalizer with dark green leaves and a strong spearmint fragrance.
This is an excellent plant to attract butterflies and bees. Tubular pink blossoms reaching one to three feet in height and width from July to September.
Mountain Mint will flower in bright shade, but prefers full sun to part shade.
This year’s 2025 Herb of the Year is Chamomile.
There are two different chamomiles. The first variety is Matricaria chamomilla – German chamomile, which is self-seeding annual with fragrant ferny foliage with small white daisy like blossoms, reaching up to 24 inches in height. It’s ideal for tea and medicinal purposes due to its higher essential oil content.
Second, is Chamaemelum nobile – Roman Chamomile has the same white flowers though bit fewer than German. It’s low growing and spreads to about 12 inches. Foliage has an apple scent. This particular Chamomile and be used to create a fragrant lawn, if you so choose. Both varieties have culinary and medicinal purposes.
Happy Gardening!
