UNDER-APPRECIATED PLANTS!
Sorrel – Imagine a trendy green that has a super-long season. It can be used in salads, soups and sauces. This flavorful little leaf brightens everything it touches; yet, it remains unknown to most home cooks. It’s an incredibly easy plant to grow. It’s a perennial, fast-growing, meaning if you’re looking at a spring garden, you should stock up on sorrel. Like many other spring greens, sorrel has a pronounced flavor. You wouldn’t want to eat just a salad of sorrel, so mix young leaves with milder lettuces. Blanching also helps tone down the bitterness, but the color changes.
We also have Cuban Oregano. A wonderful plant – great smell, delicious flavor and an easy grower. The flavor is much stronger than a Greek Oregano ~ the leaves contain pungent oils and you use much less in any recipe calling for oregano. A lovely plant with thick fuzzy leaves, grayish green and finely haired, with a saw toothed edge. A semi tropical, it must be brought inside in any zone below 9, but the good news is that it grows well indoors as long as you place the pot in a bright sunny window. Outdoors, make sure to provide your plant with a little afternoon shade as full sun may be too strong. And, this plant has succulent fleshy leaves so make sure that you don’t over water, and provide well-draining soil.
Last but not least, the Vicks plant is a member of the mint family and has been used for centuries for its medicinal benefits. Its leaves contain essential oils that are known for their soothing and calming properties, making it a popular choice for respiratory health.
The Vicks plant has a distinct scent that is similar to menthol, providing a refreshing and invigorating aroma in any room. Simply crush a few leaves and inhale deeply to help clear your airways and ease your breathing. Or prepare an herbal steam by crushing a few leaves into boiling water and inhaling the steam that forms. In addition to its health benefits, the Vicks plant is also a visually stunning addition to your home decor. Its lush, velvety green leaves and vibrant purple flowers make it a striking plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, most animals resist it.
HAPPY GARDENING!
