What is Happening in the Herb Garden and Kitchens This Week?

by Barbara F. Smith

Despite the recent stretch of very hot days with little rain, the Herb Associates volunteers tending the Herb Display and Production Gardens have managed to keep the plants and beds looking great by weeding, watering and pruning. The late-blooming perennial herbs are on show, with some of the long-blooming annuals in between. 

Some of those annuals now blooming in the Herb Display Garden are Marigolds (Tagetes spp.), surely one of the most familiar garden flowers. What’s not to love?  With profuse, vibrant blossoms in orange, yellow, red, gold, and white, they are easy to grow and bloom nearly all summer (see photos). Not to mention, marigolds are drought and heat-tolerant.  Their aromatic foliage with fragrance notes of bitter citrus and coffee has been described as ‘strong, pungent or musky,’ which some people like, and others do not. (These plants are not to be confused with calendula, sometimes known as “pot marigold,” an entirely different genus.)

Native to Mexico and South America, there are about fifty species of annual or perennial plants, mostly herbaceous, within the Tagetes genus. A quick aside — Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish physician and professor living in the 1700s, famous for his work in taxonomy, which is the process of identifying, naming and classifying organisms, a system still in use today. This “binomial system” generally concludes with genus and species, for example, humans are homo sapiens. You’ll note that the genus/species name listed above for marigolds concludes with “spp.”, an abbreviation indicating no specific species, but rather referring to many of the types of marigolds.

Interestingly, Linnaeus gave the genus its name “Tagetes” referencing a mysterious Etruscan religious god-child who sprang from a freshly plowed field with the wisdom of an old man. Unsure of the connection here.

The most widely-planted varieties of marigolds are “African marigolds” (T. erecta) and “French marigolds” (T. patula) — oddly named, as marigolds are neither from Africa nor France. Comparing them, African marigolds are taller, growing to about three feet, with large pom-pom flowers. The pigments in petals may be used as a natural fabric dye, or as food coloring, as in chicken feed to make egg yolks a deeper color. In contrast, French marigolds are a more compact or bushy plant with double or semi-double blossoms, and they are the preferred variety for insect control. They suppress nematodes, the tiny worm-like parasites that feed on roots and cause serious damage. Their scent repels certain insects like aphids, cabbage maggots, potato beetles, and corn-ear worms. Their scent attracts hoverflies, ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which, in turn, eat aphids and caterpillars. 

Another kind of Marigold is commonly called “Mexican Tarragon” (T. lucida) or ‘sweet marigold’ as it has a different aroma from the more typical pungent scent attributed to most marigolds. This perennial variety grows to 30” tall. From its common name, you may infer that its foliage may be substituted for tarragon in recipes. Mexican Tarragon is an ingredient in a herbal mixture smoked by Huichol Indians in Mexico. In many parts of Latin America, Sweet Marigold is used to brew tea and in salsas.

Not widely used medicinally, extracts from marigold petals nevertheless have antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In folklore, marigolds were used to treat various ailments like dental problems, diarrhea, indigestion, malaria, and fever, and also as a relaxant.  

Historically, marigolds were mentioned in what is believed to be the first book of medicinal plants written on the American continent, entitled “Booklet of Indian Medicinal Plants," translated into Latin (by two Aztecs) in 1552.  The Aztecs were pioneers in cultivating marigolds (known by their Nahuatl/Aztec name cempasúchil or macuilxochitl, later known as Flor de Muertos in Spanish), which were seen as a gift from the sun god, and are used during the annual Dia de los Muertos observations to guide souls of the departed back to the living. Marigolds are featured in floral arches, garlands, and wreaths, and in decorating grave sites and home altars. They are a sign of remembrance and respect.

Across the world, during India’s festival of lights (Diwali), celebrants (following Hinduism, Jainism and some Buddhist communities) invite good fortune and prosperity, using marigolds extensively for decoration and garlands. 

In 1986, marigolds lost, when then-President Reagan named the rose the U.S. national flower. For nearly twenty years leading up to that choice, Senator Everett Dirksen from Illinois had championed the virtues of the marigold to receive that designation, citing its native status, its ability to grow and thrive in all 50 states, and its robustness reflecting the pioneer spirit. However, just as Benjamin Franklin’s choice to have the turkey, not the eagle, named the national bird failed, Senator Dirksen’s choice lost the competition for national flower designation, coming in a close second.

The next herb of note this week is American Burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis) (see photo), found in the medicinal bed of the Herb Display Garden. Also known as White Burnet or Canadian Burnet, this member of the Rose family is native to North America. You’ll find this herbaceous perennial in bogs, swamps, salt marshes, flood plains, and tidal plains, growing 4 to 5 feet tall, with creamy flowers in cylindrical spikes variously characterized as fuzzy candles or pearly plumes. They enjoy a sunny site and wet roots. The vegetation is prominent at the base of the plant, and it provides cover and habitat for small wildlife. In the fall, the foliage changes to rich red and amber tones. Its roots help stabilize soil, prevent erosion, reduce the need for chemical treatment, and promote ecosystem health.

The flower spikes of American Burnet produce lots of pollen, supplying pollinators with a food source to successfully overwinter. Due to habitat loss, American Burnet is listed as threatened or endangered throughout much of its native range, which extends from the U.S. east coast north into Canada, south to Georgia, and west to Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.

The genus name ‘sanguis’ comes from the Latin word for blood and ‘sorbere’, meaning to soak up, since it was believed to be a remedy to staunch external bleeding years ago.

This underappreciated species is hardy to zone 4 and would make a welcome addition to a native plant garden or rain garden. American Burnet is a featured plant in Chicago’s Lurie Garden.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BBG KITCHEN?

The Herb Associates indoor team was at full strength, each bringing their skills and innovations to the tasks at hand. In the cool kitchen, new batches of Peach Rosemary Shrub and Elderberry Mint Shrub were prepared, the latest flavors in this popular line of products blending fruit, herbs, vinegar, and sugar to complement drinks of all types. The latest Finishing Salt is flavored with Opal Basil; Marjoram Vinegar was infused for use in future products, and Basil Garlic Vinaigrette was prepared. Our fresh dressings are the best! In the warm kitchen, the crew cooked batches of Grape Rosemary Jelly and Jalapeño Jelly (see photos). Imagine: the fragrances were fantastic!

The Catnip Mice project is progressing; our new volunteers were busy. Check out the latest Herb Associates’ products at the Gift Shop in the Visitor Center, and be sure to stop by our booth during the upcoming Harvest Festival! Proceeds from sales benefit the Berkshire Botanical Garden.

Particular Resources this week: Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Rodale Press (1987); The Culinary Herbal by S. Belsinger and A.O. Tucker, Timber Press (2016); The Encyclopedia of Herbs by A.O. Tucker and T. Debaggio, Timber Press (2009); US Forest Service – Plant of the week Sanguisorba Canadensis; Native Plant Trust “Go Botany”; National Library of Medicine/NCBI/ 2018; University of Florida/IFAS Extension Putnam County: “Blooms of Cultural Significance”

The Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Herb Associates began in 1957 and has been making and selling products for the benefit of BBG ever since. At BBG, the Herb Associates oversee a display garden and production garden, both located near the Center House. Members/volunteers meet every Tuesday morning during the late spring through mid-autumn each year, coinciding when the gardens themselves are open to the public. Members plant, weed and tend the gardens, as well as harvest and process the variety of herbs.