DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ

August 5, 2023

If you haven’t high tailed it out of Dallas for a lazy vacation at the beach or cool, comfortable nights in the mountains then, like me, you’ve accepted the undeniable fact that our sweltering summer heat and humidity is overstaying it seasonal appearance. With daytime temperatures hovering in the 100+ degree range, it’s a miserable time to be outdoors. What’s a garden lover to do!

I’m dreaming about a place that my husband and I have visited several times over the years and wishing, somehow, we could be transported there now. Until that happens, let’s spend a few minutes enjoying the remarkable scenery of a global beauty. Our photographic journey will reward us visually as we visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Located near Victoria on Vancouver Island in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada, the gardens were designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004.

Robert Pim Butchart (1856-1943) began manufacturing Portland cement in 1888 near his birthplace of Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. He and his wife Jennie Butchart (1866 – 1950) came to the west coast of Canada because of rich limestone deposits necessary for cement production. In 1904, they established their home near his quarry on Tod Inlet at the base of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island.

Fast forward to 1909 when the limestone quarry was exhausted, Jenny set about turning it into the Sunken Garden, which was completed in 1921. Over the next few years, other areas were converted into themed gardens. In 1939, the Butchart’s gave the Gardens to their grandson Ian Ross (1918-1997) on his 21^st birthday. Ross was involved in the operation and promotion of the gardens until his death 58 years later. And today, ownership of the The Gardens remains within the Butchart family. 

Visiting this 119-year-old internationally renowned 55-acre floral display is a breath-taking experience.  The gardens provide dramatic floral displays in a variety of garden settings and styles. Starting with The Sunken Garden (the original quarry) to The Rose Garden with over 2,500 roses filling the air with their fragrance, you’ll feel as if you’re walking through a fairytale.

*The Butchart Gardens are open daily. Closed Christmas Day.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

July 28, 2023

Are you familiar with an herb whose origin and history can be traced back to medieval times in the Liguria region of northwest Italy? If not, you might want to learn more about Lovage (Levisticum officinale). The name lovage is from “love-ache”, ache being a medieval name for parsley. Lovage is used in many recipes calling for parsley or celery. With its glossy, deep-green leaves that are cut and divided and having a pungent celery taste, some consider it to be the ultimate celery herb.

While not as well known in the United States, lovage has been long cultivated in Europe. Queen Vitoria always carried some candied lovage seeds to satisfy her sweet tooth. Charlemagne, King of Franks, was said to have liked lovage so much that he ordered it grown in all of the gardens on his estate. Over the years, chefs have discovered that cooking with lovage has its benefits. All parts of the plant are usable, from leaves as an herb, the roots as a vegetable and the seeds as an aromatic spice. Even the hollow stems can serve as a straw substitute when sipping a favorite beverage.

(Pink Lemonade with a lovage straw)

Lovage will reach two to three feet, even as high as 6 feet, with a spread of about two feet. Rounded umbels or flat clusters of small yellow-green flowers up to four inches across appear mid- to late summer. Flowers are followed by brown, ridged, crescent-shaped seeds that are about ¼ inch long. Harvest the tender, young leaves at any time and use them in soups, stews and salads. Or, during an early morning stroll, enjoy nibbling on them straight from the garden. Seeds can be used crushed or whole, sprinkled over meat and salads or added to liqueurs, cordials, bread and pastries.

In our Zone 8 climate lovage performs best when planted in a location with partial sun, preferably morning sun. It is easy to grow in any well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Plant from containers in the spring while the weather is still cool. Start from seed in the winter. Divide plants in spring or fall, making sure that each division has some new buds. Though lovage is considered an herbaceous perennial, it sometimes succumbs to summers in the south. Plants die back to the ground in winter, but regrow from the roots in spring.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Lovage and Parsley recipe here

Beverly Allen, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2018

During the months of July and August, our venture into the world of bees will explore what is
often described as an engineering marvel…The Honeycomb. To better understand the
importance of the honeycomb, we’ll answer several basic questions:

1. Why do honeycombs look the way they do?
2. Why the hexagon design?
3. What does it do for the colony?
   

Until then, here’s a little something to whet your appetite for honeycomb.

Last year a New York based ice cream company opened a shop in Texas. Van Leeuwan Ice Cream entered the Dallas market with shops located on McKinney Ave and at the Lover’s Lane/Inwood intersection. It can also be found at places like Central Market, Tom Thumb and Walmart. Just a few weeks ago, while shopping for ice cream at Central Market, this is what caught my eye.

 Yes indeed, an authentic and absolutely delicious Van Leeuwan Honeycomb ice cream. My husband and I consumed it that night. On a return trip to purchase more, Central Market was sold out. But the good news is that Van Leeuwan’s store front shop on Lover’s Lane keeps a consistent supply of all their brands. 

Visit dallasgardenbuzz.com in July and August for some wonderful honeycomb recipes along with fun ideas for using it this summer.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008