Tag Archives: The Raincatcher’s Garden

A Taste of Honey…Nectar of the Gods

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

In just a few weeks our year-long journey into the world of bees will come to an end. Until then, let’s explore, unarguably, the best part of experiencing honey.

In April of 2014, Joe Field (our location prior to relocating and becoming Raincatcher’s Garden on Midway Road) master gardener volunteers hosted a honey-tasting event along with a fabulous honey-themed lunch. A local beekeeper was our featured speaker. To this day, it has been one of our most successful educational programs. Not only did we learn the ‘proper’ way to taste honey, but the menu was created with those complimentary flavors in mind.


(For a quick glimpse of the menu and other photos from the event, go to the following link)


Our instructor that day shared with us that the composition of honey depends largely on which flowers are visited by the bees when collecting nectar. We should also not forget that plants produce nectar in order to attract pollinators such as honeybees, wasps, moths and bats. Another important fact is that the nectar of each plant species has a different combination of sugar and odor. Together, with the flower’s shape, design and color, this helps to guide the bee from one flower to another of the same kind.


Additionally, it was beneficial to learn that honey’s color, flavor and aroma all derive from the plants pigments and other materials secreted in the nectar. This is what makes honey from each floral source unique. Last month we shared examples of local fall blooming pollinator-friendly plants. Some of the flavor profile descriptions of those flowers can help us to imagine the taste of that particular honey.


Color and Flavor
Aster: Water-white to light amber. Spicy overtones, firm, chewy texture.
Borage: Pale yellow or water white. Herbal and floral bouquet with hints of cucumber and orange pekoe tea. Sugary aftertaste.
Goldenrod: Brilliant amber to a warm golden yellow. Bright, sharp, floral-like flavor with hints of fresh straw. Spicy aftertaste.


And a few others:
Lavender: Light amber. Strong camphor-perfumed taste with sweet tobacco notes.
Thyme: Carmel to dark, golden amber or darker. Aromatic, floral, lemony, minty and strikingly
sweet.

Honeybees gathering nectar from Lavender blossoms
Honeybees gathering nectar from thyme blossoms

Here is a quick overview of how we learned to taste honey.
*Tasting honey is an exercise in comparing and contrasting flavors.


*Our taste buds can distinguish between five flavor sensations: sweet, sour/tart, salty, bitter and umami, which is a savory taste. The taste buds for each flavor are located at different areas on the tongue. This is the reason why it is recommended that you move the honey around your mouth as you taste it. Tasting more than one honey at a time gives you a reference point for comparing “tasting notes”.


*Begin with the lightest in color, moving on to medium ambers and then finishing with the darkest. Light-colored honeys typically have a mild flavor, while dark-colored honeys are usually stronger in flavor.


*Take a sip of water in between each sample to clear your palate. Also, a crusty piece of bread and a variety of cheeses can complement the tasting experience.


*To keep it simple and less confusing, start with about five to six different types of honey.


*Start by drizzling a sample of honey onto your tongue and let it melt for a few seconds.


*Spread it around your mouth and consider several questions:

Is it woody, floral, full, light, crisp, buttery, well balanced?
Does it have a long finish or an abrupt end?
Do you like it or find it unpleasant?

Finally, there is no right or wrong as we each have our own individual taste preferences and predisposition to flavors. Embrace the process of learning how to appreciate honey and celebrate the opportunity to discover the flavors you find the most enjoyable!

FYI…I was intrigued about Goldenrod honey and decided to try to find a source that sells it. That led me to Bee Friends Farm in Michigan. My two 12 oz. bottles should arrive within a few days!
Look for an update about the flavor and taste in our December article.

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Spiced Persimmon Bread with Honey and Ginger, a Thanksgiving Recipe

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If you plant it, they might come…and nibble!

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

November 10, 2023

My history with wildlife eating my flowers is a long one. I once watched a wild
turkey peck away at my johnny jump ups. Here in Dallas County, we are much
more likely to encounter bunnies. Those little bundles of fluff that look so cute on
a neighbor’s lawn may find your new pansies and their friends to be very
attractive. Unfortunately, they may not limit themselves to enjoying only with
their eyes and might proceed to dine on your new plants.


How to keep plants from being nibbled by rabbits is a challenge faced in most
gardens sooner or later. A quick tour of the internet reveals many techniques
that are reported to be successful for some gardeners but finding actual studies is
another matter entirely.


Regardless of the source of the data, there are two primary techniques for saving
your plants and they are like the ways we protect our skin from mosquitoes. We
either exclude or we repel the pest. Shooing them away just isn’t effective. Like
mosquitoes, most rabbits will return for a meal.


Fencing can be one of the most successful options. The addition of a chicken wire
or hardware cloth fence 2-3 feet tall and buried 6 inches underground can keep a
section of your garden off the menu. Wire cages can be constructed or purchased to protect your kales or chards. Planting in large, tall pots can keep your plant safer on your porch or patio.

Repellants can be purchased or made at home, and work via odor or taste. All will
require repeated applications, especially after rain. Odors that rabbits avoid are
associated with predators or spoiled, pungent foods. Blood meal is a commonly
used odor deterrent and has the advantage of containing nitrogen. One reported
downside is that it may attract other predators, leading to the trusty family dog to
roll over your pansies. On the plus side, the presence of a dog may scare away
rabbits.


Most rabbits dislike the taste of hot peppers, and capsaicin is included in many
commercial products. Please read and follow the directions, as some products are
not designed for or safe to use with edible plants. If you decide to surf the web for
a home-grown repellant, do not use moth balls in your yard. This dangerous
advice continues to haunt the internet. Regulated by the EPA, it is illegal, toxic,
and counterproductive to use mothballs as deterrent for mammals in your
garden. Using garlic spray or a sprinkle of red pepper might just work for you. It all
depends on the rabbit and just how hungry it might be.


Whether we are dealing with wildlife that nibbles us or our gardens, what works
for one person may not be appropriate for another. One deterrent I read about
mentioned encouraging the presence of predators. I doubt the addition of a
coyote here would be acceptable. I have found that my new fence seems to keep
all the bunnies in the front yard… or is it the feral cat that now enjoys the safety
of the back garden? Just like mosquitos, wildlife will find a way around our plans.

Mary Freede, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2005

Take a look at how Raincatcher’s deters critters-Comic Relief From Our Cantaloupe Patch

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Honeybee Activity and Black Sage Honey

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

October 31, 2023

For the past few weeks, I’ve been spending countless hours in the garden. It didn’t take long to notice the increased level of honeybee activity occurring from early morning until evening. The bees are everywhere during daylight hours and seem to be buzzing around the flowers with a frenzy in their movements. It is truly fascinating to watch.

Why, I wondered, is fall such a busy time for the bees? One interesting explanation that I stumbled across was that honeybees have switched from needing protein to feed their young to craving carbohydrates before they die later in the season. Seems rather sad but, as we know, the lifespan of a honeybee is relatively short – a few weeks to maybe six months, at the most.

I also discovered that as long as the weather is mild, honeybees will continue to forage throughout the autumn months. During this time, worker bees spend many hours collecting enough nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen (protein) to feed and maintain the colony throughout the winter. Keeping the hive alive during the winter months is a priority. In order for this to happen, worker bees will need to be especially vigorous and healthy.  

(NOTE: In the summer months a hive can have about 60,000 bees, but only about 10,000 bees are needed to ensure a colony survives the cold winter weather. As honeybees start preparing for winter, most drones (male honeybees) are evicted from the hive. Since drones have one purpose only – to mate with a queen – when their work is over, out they go.)  

As the days grow shorter and colder, the remaining honeybees will form what is referred to as a “winter cluster”.  The queen and her brood are kept at the center of this globe-like cluster while worker bees shiver or vibrate their wing muscles, generating enough heat to keep the hive warm in even very cold temperatures. On mild winter days, as we often experience in Zone 8, bees will come out of the hive to dispose of waste products, clean the hive and forage. 

However, since there aren’t many options for foraging in the middle of winter, fall nectar and pollen gathering is critical to the hive’s continued survival. We can play an important role in supporting the honeybees during this time by taking a few steps to help them in their work. 

Hibiscus
Calendula
Basil
Salvia
Penta
Basil
Frostweed
Aster
Zinnia
Borage

*Plant late blooming plants that provide the nectar and pollen bees need. Some examples include fall asters, borage, calendula, frostweed, goldenrod, hibiscus, pentas, salvia and zinnias. We have pictures of most of these pollinator plants above.

*Plan to leave your basil plants in the ground until the first “cold snap” or freeze. I’ve noticed more honeybees on my fall basil plants than anything else in the garden. 

*Provide a fresh water source (shallow container) and add some pebbles or twigs for the bees to land on while drinking.

Black Sage Honey, (Salvia mellifera)

Sometime around the middle of September, while visiting our youngest son and his family, we started a conversation about the different flavors of honey. He wanted to know if I had ever heard of Black Sage Honey. My answer was “yes”, but I had never tasted it. Immediately, he brought out a jar, opened it and, together, we all sampled a delicious, peppery honey that was truly unique. 

Later that evening, I did an online search to learn more about “black sage”. Here is a brief summary of what I learned about this amazing plant from Specialty Produce.

“Black Sage is a powerfully fragrant, woody shrub that quickly grows to an average of one meter in height and width. More mature plants can reach up to 1.8 meters. The plant has tiny hairs coating the stems and leaves in a sliver-green fuzz, and flowers that range from white to pale blue or lavender grow in spherical clusters known as whorls, along the square stems. The small, oval, dark-green pebbled leaves can look almost black from a distance, especially during dry conditions, and the stem and whorls harden and turn black at the end of the season – all characteristics believed to have influenced the plant’s name. Black Sage leaves produce a strong, herbal, sometimes minty scent and offer a mildly astringent, herbaceous flavor.”

After learning that black sage is recommended for USDA Zones 8-10, I began searching for a grower. Mountain Valley Growers in Squaw Valley, California had the plants in stock, so my order was quickly placed. I purchased a total of three plants. They arrived on October 20th and, after acclimating for a few days, were put into the ground this week.

New planting of Black Sage. It will receive about six hours of sun followed by dappled shade in the late afternoon.

And finally, what’s all the “buzz” about Black Sage Honey? Black sage is native to Southern California and Northern Mexico. It flowers only about every three years. That translates to a very rare honey that is made only about four seasons per decade! Thankfully, I was able to find a jar from Savannah Bee Company and am happy to share this simple recipe with everyone. My recommendation is to experience the wild and earthy taste on its own then decide how you would best enjoy using it. Drizzled over brie cheese and fresh fall figs is my first choice! 

A pan of food next to a fire Description automatically generated

Honey Baked Brie with Figs and Rosemary

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Autumn’s Abundance, Featured Flora From The October Garden

Posted on October 28, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

October 28, 2023

From Mexican Mint Marigold and Pineapple Sage to the tall and stately Frostweed
filled with clusters of white blossoms, stunning displays of seasonal color fill our
gardens with enchanting beauty. Come along, as we find inspiration in the
richness of autumn-hued leaves, pumpkins and an array of natural elements.


Mexican Mint Marigold (Tagetes lucida) seems to stay under the radar for most
of the April to September growing season. And then, something magical happens
in October. Clusters of golden-yellow half-inch flowers begin to appear in early fall
attracting migrating butterflies and other pollinators. Considered by many as the
Texas substitute for French tarragon, it tolerates the hot, humid climate we
experience most summers.


Pineapple Sage (Salvia elegans) is an herbaceous herb used for both culinary and
ornamental purposes. The yellow-green, fuzzy leaves have a tropical, pineapple-
like aroma, especially when crushed. Late in the season, the plant will sprout long
clustered spikes of tubular scarlet-red flowers about an inch long.
While the vibrant red flowers are popular in flower arrangements, they also
attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden just in time for their fall
migration. Both the leaves and flowers offer a slightly bitter-sweet citrus and mint
flavor that is delightful to experience.


Frostweed (Verbesina virginica) In the fall of 2008, I was completing the three-
month program to become a Dallas County Master Gardener. During one of the
last few weeks, we were told about a special treat. As tradition would have it,
master gardeners from previous classes would be hosting a “plant give-away” to
offer their congratulations to us for completing the program. We could choose
three or four plants to take home following class that day.


For some peculiar reason, I chose a plant unknown to me but with an interesting
name. Another master gardener casually mentioned that it needed plenty of
room to grow in my garden. That strange plant with a funny name was
Frostweed! The next day it was planted in an uncrowded back area of my garden.

Fast forward to this week, and you can see that my tiny 4” pot from 2008 has
continued to grow prolifically and now covers an area over five feet in diameter.
I didn’t know it at the time but have since learned that Frostweed is a critical
nectar source for monarchs. Clusters of white flowers that appear starting in late
August and lasting until November are a welcome sight for Monarch butterflies
during their fall migration. It is one of the few plants with autumn flowers
consistently in bloom during that time. In addition to monarchs and other
pollinators, our Frostweed is visited daily by hundreds of honeybees.
In winter, prepare to be stunned by Frostweed’s unusual behavior. When a freeze
occurs, the stems will burst and make beautiful ice formations at the base of the
plants. Generically referred to as “frost flowers, it is truly a winter garden
phenomenon. My granddaughter got to experience the thin and delicate icy
ribbons a few years ago and was so mesmerized that her sweet little hands could
not stop touching them as she giggled with delight. Give this unique and
impressive Texas native a try.
In closing, please enjoy a brief video showcasing the magical gifts of autumn as
we celebrate this wondrous time of year!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

In case you missed September’s flora feature and movie, click here.

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Raincatcher’s Online Pansy and Plant Sale is LIVE

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz


Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills is pleased to offer pansies and violas at a fantastic price for your fall and winter landscape color. “What’s the difference?,” you might ask. Pansy blooms are larger than viola blooms, but violas are reported to have more blooms per plant and be somewhat more cold-tolerant. We also have alyssum this year – so pretty in container plantings – as well as ornamental kales, Swiss chard and mustard.

Please be aware that all orders are subject to availability at the nursery.

Pansies and violas are sold by the flat of 18 4″ pots. Each flat is $20 inclusive of tax. Alyssum is $22/flat. Please order with care – chard, kale and mustard plants are priced according to the quantity and size of the pot. Sale ends Sunday, 11/5, at 6pm.

All orders must be prepaid, either through Signup Genius using your credit or debit card (fast and easy), or through Zelle to DCMGA at treasurer@dallasmga.com. Zelle payments should be made no later than 11/5 please.

All pansies and plants will be staged at Raincatcher’s for you to pick up from the west parking lot on the campus of Midway Hills Christian Church, 11001 Midway Road, Dallas, TX. We will offer delivery in the Dallas area within about 5 miles of the garden for large orders of 12 flats or more. If you live farther away and would like a delivery, we’ll work with you to charge a fair price in the neighborhood of $10 or so. You may pick up your order on Wednesday, 11/8, from 10am until 2pm. Volunteers will be available to help pull and load your order.

This sale is open to the public, so please tell your friends, family, social media and Nextdoor.com contacts!

To review the options and place your order, please click here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805084EAFAD22A4FC1-44514196-raincatchers#/

Thank you for your support! Funds raised support Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills, a Dallas County Master Gardener Research, Education and Demonstration project.

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Fall 2023

Posted on October 9, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

October 9, 2023

After an especially punishing summer, it was refreshing for Raincatcher’s volunteers to pause and reconnect.

The garden budget including planned improvements was presented by Lisa.
Raincatcher’s volunteers gathered for lunch to celebrate fall gardening!

Many of us think fall is the best gardening season of the year.  In the north garden we are harvesting okra, peppers, eggplant, long beans, and zucchini as well as preparing space for our new greenhouse. 

Don Heaberlin, Beverly Allen and Ann Lamb, Dallas County Master Gardeners compiled this article.

Raincatcher’s pansy sale is November 8th, more information is coming.

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Pumpkins with Pizzazz

Posted on October 4, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz
Dallas Arboretum class with Starla and Roseann in center surrounded by more Master Gardeners.

Even though our weather screams sweltering summer, the availability of pumpkin spice aroma is already permeating our neighborhoods. I hear you can get the flavored fall drink now. That must mean that Fall is around the corner, and then comes Halloween, pumpkins, Thanksgiving, and cooler weather (hopefully not in that order)!

Let’s talk pumpkins for a minute – they are a staple of fall decorating, carving for Halloween, cooking for Thanksgiving and Decorations to last through the Holidays. The Arboretum has its campus covered with about 100,000 pumpkins and gourds in all shapes and sizes from a farm in Floydada, Texas(near Lubbock) for its Fall Festival. The “stars” of Fall have not yet arrived but are soon to show.

A Tasteful Place at the Dallas Arboretum hosts “Learn to Grow” presentations on most Fridays from 11:00am -12 noon. These talks are informative, inspirational, and interesting. Roseanne Ferguson, DCMG class 0f 2008 shared a demonstration to all ages on how to make “Pumpkins with Pizzazz”, which is creating a unique decoration with succulents and other materials that symbolizes fall and lasts for months.

Roseann demonstrating how to decoarate a pumpkin.
Pumpkins in process
The finished project

All sizes and shapes are available for this project, but some guidelines need to be followed:

  • A pumpkin with at flat top will be easier to work with and provide more surface for succulents.
  • The variety Cinderella is a good choice. Smaller pumpkins can also be used.
  • Keep the pumpkin whole – any puncture will cause it to decay quickly. Clean it before you start.
  • Cut a template out of posterboard or cardboard of the top surface where you will be adding succulents- so that the adhesive will only be on the area where you are working.
  • Assemble an assortment of succulents, moss, other nature materials, to use along with spray adhesives, a glue gun, some clippers for stems and a chop stick to work with the hot glue, but don’t stick it in the pumpkin!
  • Arrange and glue down the above items till you have the arrangement you desire.
  • The succulents may need to be misted when they look droopy, but not often. Keep it in a bright light, but not direct sun – not all succulents can handle our sun rays even in the Fall.

Check out your local libraries, garden clubs for opportunities to either see a demonstration, or to participate in making these decorations for your Fall décor. The costs will vary, but it’s a lot of fun!

Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008


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September in the Garden

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

September 30, 2023

Dear Friends,

I am reposting this on the last day of September because we had a few technical difficulties with our video last week. If you love basil or basil in a flower arrangement, you will eat this up! So please watch.

Something in the air feels refreshing and hopeful. Summer heat is beginning to drift away as  cooler nights carry us into autumn’s blissful welcome. Have you felt the delicate whisper of magic moving through the trees as leaves are beginning to reveal their fall color palette?

Our landscapes seem grateful for the transition to rainy days filled with a nourishing gift from the heavens. Plants that were scorched and spent from the blistering heat of summer have lifted their heads in gratitude for the cool breezes of our beloved fall weather. Spending time outdoors is, once again, a delightful and long-awaited experience. Autumn is the season to embrace soothing moments of tranquility in the garden!

Plentiful is one of many ways to describe the variety of botanical options available to us over the next few months. For September, our featured plants are the following: Basil is brimming with a colorful, rich display of foliage that will be used in various ways; some for filling in open spaces of fragrant arrangements, others for making tasty pesto for the freezer. Turk’s Cap survived the summer and is now ending its seasonal performance while the strong stems and slightly rough leaves of Lemon Verbena plodded through the heat of summer with steadfast determination.

In April, my raised stone garden bed was planted with a half dozen, or more, different types of basil. They continued to grow lush and beautiful with blossoms appearing as summer progressed. It was a happy place for bees and butterflies to visit daily. Several varieties I especially enjoyed were:

Balsamic Blooms: Vigorous grower with bright green leaves and deep, purple blooms appearing simultaneously. Both leaves and flowers are edible. Wonderful for pesto, garnishes and more.

Cinnamon Basil: Once again, volunteer plants from last year’s seeds filled one side of our gravel driveway with their showy presence.  Their aromatic cinnamon fragrance is a treat for the senses when used for indoor arrangements.  But I couldn’t resist making several Cinnamon Basil Cakes to share with friends!

Basil, ‘Magic Mountain’: A strong contender for its ornamental value, this plant displays large, deeply colored flowers all summer long. The purple-hued dark green leaves are showy in floral arrangements as well as adding flavor to pesto, sauces, salads and meat dishes.

A few additional observations from my garden:

*Favorite basil for the honeybees: ‘Magic Mountain’ was like a bee magnet throughout the entire summer, especially during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Hundreds of foraging bees buzzed around the blossoms drinking in the nectar. They weren’t even bothered by my camera lens just inches away from the activity.

*Best basil for using in an arrangement: ‘Red Rubin’ proved to be a prolific grower with its coppery, purple leaves and small pink flowers. It offers an interesting branching structure that serves any arrangement well. Next spring, I’ll be using it throughoutmy garden.

*Basil with the most dramatic appearance: ‘Balsamic Blooms’ There’s a good reason why this variety received the Texas Superstar rating. Brilliant, green leaves embracing tightly formed purple blossoms make a striking appearance in the garden.

Turk’s Cap survived the summer heat and is now giving us a final showing. This perennial dies to the ground in winter but emerges in early spring. It’s another great native plant for Texas landscapes attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Growing up to six feet tall, use it as a background plant alongside other natives suited for a natural growth environment.

Lemon Verbena is my perennial herb of choice and one that I feel saddened to bid farewell to when our first freeze arrives. It was over thirty years ago that lemon verbena captured my attention. During that time, I’ve made countless loaves of lemon verbena bread to share with family and friends who gratefully extend their appreciation. And, of course, every morning from April until November a fresh sprig of lemon verbena garnishes my oversized glass of green tea.

September gently sweeps us out of summer and into the refreshing music of Autumn. Let’s embrace the melody!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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September in the Garden

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

Something in the air feels refreshing and hopeful. Summer heat is beginning to drift away as  cooler nights carry us into autumn’s blissful welcome. Have you felt the delicate whisper of magic moving through the trees as leaves are beginning to reveal their fall color palette?

Our landscapes seem grateful for the transition to rainy days filled with a nourishing gift from the heavens. Plants that were scorched and spent from the blistering heat of summer have lifted their heads in gratitude for the cool breezes of our beloved fall weather. Spending time outdoors is, once again, a delightful and long-awaited experience. Autumn is the season to embrace soothing moments of tranquility in the garden!

Plentiful is one of many ways to describe the variety of botanical options available to us over the next few months. For September, our featured plants are the following: Basil is brimming with a colorful, rich display of foliage that will be used in various ways; some for filling in open spaces of fragrant arrangements, others for making tasty pesto for the freezer. Turk’s Cap survived the summer and is now ending its seasonal performance while the strong stems and slightly rough leaves of Lemon Verbena plodded through the heat of summer with steadfast determination.

In April, my raised stone garden bed was planted with a half dozen, or more, different types of basil. They continued to grow lush and beautiful with blossoms appearing as summer progressed. It was a happy place for bees and butterflies to visit daily. Several varieties I especially enjoyed were:

Balsamic Blooms: Vigorous grower with bright green leaves and deep, purple blooms appearing simultaneously. Both leaves and flowers are edible. Wonderful for pesto, garnishes and more.

Cinnamon Basil: Once again, volunteer plants from last year’s seeds filled one side of our gravel driveway with their showy presence.  Their aromatic cinnamon fragrance is a treat for the senses when used for indoor arrangements.  But I couldn’t resist making several Cinnamon Basil Cakes to share with friends!

Basil, ‘Magic Mountain’: A strong contender for its ornamental value, this plant displays large, deeply colored flowers all summer long. The purple-hued dark green leaves are showy in floral arrangements as well as adding flavor to pesto, sauces, salads and meat dishes.

A few additional observations from my garden:

*Favorite basil for the honeybees: ‘Magic Mountain’ was like a bee magnet throughout the entire summer, especially during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Hundreds of foraging bees buzzed around the blossoms drinking in the nectar. They weren’t even bothered by my camera lens just inches away from the activity.

*Best basil for using in an arrangement: ‘Red Rubin’ proved to be a prolific grower with its coppery, purple leaves and small pink flowers. It offers an interesting branching structure that serves any arrangement well. Next spring, I’ll be using it throughoutmy garden.

*Basil with the most dramatic appearance: ‘Balsamic Blooms’ There’s a good reason why this variety received the Texas Superstar rating. Brilliant, green leaves embracing tightly formed purple blossoms make a striking appearance in the garden.

Turk’s Cap survived the summer heat and is now giving us a final showing. This perennial dies to the ground in winter but emerges in early spring. It’s another great native plant for Texas landscapes attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Growing up to six feet tall, use it as a background plant alongside other natives suited for a natural growth environment.

Lemon Verbena is my perennial herb of choice and one that I feel saddened to bid farewell to when our first freeze arrives. It was over thirty years ago that lemon verbena captured my attention. During that time, I’ve made countless loaves of lemon verbena bread to share with family and friends who gratefully extend their appreciation. And, of course, every morning from April until November a fresh sprig of lemon verbena garnishes my oversized glass of green tea.

September gently sweeps us out of summer and into the refreshing music of Autumn. Let’s embrace the melody!

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

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Enduring Bee Stories of Antiquity

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Dallas Garden Buzz

September 16, 2023

Almost every country on the planet has a story about the relationship between humans and their bees. Let’s cruise through some of the more entertaining facts pertaining to one of the most fascinating insects in the world.
Consider how the flowing sweetness of honey has, since ancient times, given us eloquent phrases associated with “honeyed words”. Even bee behavior has been identified with our own in phrases such as a dominate female being referred to as a “queen bee”, or when hard at work it might imply that we are “as busy as a bee”. Such symbolism has its roots in ancient cultures of the world.

Bees in Mythology
*San (Bushman) of southern Africa left prehistoric spiritual rock drawings of bees and their nests suggesting that bees had a special importance in the Stone Age.
*Prehistoric cave drawings in La Cueva de la Arana in eastern Spain show images of how early humans plundered wild bees’ nests for honey.

*The Myceneans, an indigenous Greek civilization dating back to the 16 th century BC, used images of bees on their beehive shaped tombs.
*Ancient Mayas of Mesoamerica kept native stingless bees and celebrated the bee god, Ah Mucan Cab, by downing honey and balche, an alcoholic honey drink.
*In 1653, construction workers near the church of Saint-Brice in Tournai discovered over 300 beautiful gold and garnet cloisonne bees in the tomb of Childeric (440-482), king of the Franks. Sadly, in 1831, thieves broke into the library of the Bibliotheque nationale de France, where they were stored, stealing hundreds of pounds of gold artifacts, including Childeric’s treasure. A significant portion was melted down, leaving only two little bees in existence today.

The story of Childeric’s bees made such a strong impression on Napoleon Bonaparte that, ultimately, the bee became the new emblem of the French Empire. Even more specifically, the bee came to represent Napoleon intimately, serving as his personal emblem. He was given the nickname, the Bee. Shortly afterwards, Napoleon’s friend and miniature portraitist, Jean-Baptiste Isabey, took to the task of redesigning Childeric’s bees. His resulting design was immensely handsome. Soon enough it became suitable for fashionable wear, and would come to dominate the interiors, decorative art, fashion and material culture of the Napoleonic court. Even today, the bee emblem is used on French glassware, cutlery, linens, upholstery fabric and cosmetics.

Globally, we continue to celebrate the influence of the honeybee found in themed fabrics, jewelry, paper goods, decorative items and so much more. Looking back across time, it is an enduring reminder of the indelible mark bees have left on mankind.
Enjoy these timeless images of the impact honeybees and their beloved honey have in our world today!

September’s featured honey recipe transitions us from a cherished summer fruit…peaches…to some time-honored autumn favorites…pecans and sweet potatoes. Feast on a stack of these warm and lightly spiced pancakes and you’ll be swooning with joy. Just don’t forget the maple syrup!

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Spiced Pecans and Fresh Peach Butter, recipe below

Linda Alexander, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2008

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Spiced Pecans and Fresh Peach Butter

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