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

By Barbara F. Smith

It was "all hands on deck" this week, as three Master Gardener interns assisted the regular Herb Associates volunteers with cleanup and planting in the Herb Display Garden. Mints, chamomile and thyme herbs are abundant, and two new selections have been added: curry and stevia (more on them another time). Visitors to the Herb Gardens may observe that even in these relatively early days of the growing season, the beds are flourishing, in part because many herb varieties are perennial or biennial. Nevertheless, weather, insects, and other natural causes can take a toll on established plantings, so many new seedlings were being added.

The first herb of interest this week can be found in the dyer’s bed. Seedlings of Reseda luteola, commonly known as Dyer’s Rocket, or Weld, were planted (a young plant is pictured above). Sometimes referred to as a naturalized wildflower, Weld grows 2-5 feet tall, with yellowish-green flowers forming on spike-like tips from June through August. Weld prefers full or partial sun. In the first year of growth, the plant forms rosettes of narrow, dark green leaves with a prominent mid-rib. In the second year, it grows upward to reach an impressive size in summer. The flowers on wavering stalks are beautifully fragrant and popular with many types of bees.

Weld is rich in luteolin, which produces a brilliant yellow dye that is more lightfast than any other natural yellow dye. That dye has often been mixed with the blue dye made from woad (Isatis tinctoria, a previous herb of interest) to produce green. This resulting green color is sometimes known as “Saxon Green” or “Lincoln Green” (of Robin Hood fame). Weld has been used for centuries as it works well with linen, wool and silk. Historically, weld was reportedly used to dye the robes of Vestal Virgins in Roman times. With the advent of cheaper, synthetic dyes, the use of Weld for dying has lessened.

More recently, a powder produced from Weld has been used to treat various skin pigmentation disorders. The plant has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Introduced to the United States from Europe, Weld may often be found in meadows, on roadsides, or areas where the ground has been disturbed; it grows throughout New England. British writer Tristan Gooley (the “Natural Navigator”) suggests that Weld can be used for “wayfinding” – not a survival skill, but a way to connect with the natural world around us. Weld is an example of a plant that exhibits heliotropism, that is, the plant moves during the day to follow the sun. If you are misplaced when on a walk, but you see Weld growing nearby, it is a sign that you may be near a path, track, railway, or road. You may get your bearings by observing the position of the Weld flower stalks and considering the time of day. Other examples of flowers that exhibit this property are sunflowers and morning glories. Or, if you prefer a more modern analogy, certain modern solar panels may be programmed to move in time with the sun’s movements to maximize energy capture.

Turning to the fragrance bed for our second herb of interest, Dianthus gratianopolitanus, commonly known as “Cheddar Pinks,” were in full bloom (see the photo above). The genus Dianthus has more than 300 species, and thousands of hybrids — some are annual, some biennial, and some perennial. The genus name “Dianthus” comes from the Greek words “dios,” meaning divine, and “anthos,” meaning flower.

The particular variety discussed here is Cheddar Pink, which is native to Cheddar Gorge, England – hence the Cheddar name. The origin of the “Pink” or “Pinks” name is likely from the Dutch word “Pinkster” or the German word “Pfingsten,” relating to Pentecost (the Christian holiday seven weeks after Easter) during which time these flowers begin to bloom.

This compact plant is known for its bright, upward-facing pink flowers with exceptionally long bloom time held above blue-green foliage.  Often featured in cottage-style gardens, in rock gardens, and in herbaceous borders, these sun-loving plants are deer resistant and have no serious pest or disease issues. Cheddar Pinks pair well with Siberian irises in the spring, with thread-leaf coreopsis (such as Moonbeam or Zagreb) in the summer, and with plumbago in the fall, when the Pinks’ blue-green foliage complements the blue plumbago flowers.

In 2006, Dianthus gratianopolitanus was named the "Plant of the Year” by the Perennial Plant Association. That program began in 1990 to showcase plants suitable for a wide range of climates, requiring low maintenance, that are relatively disease and pest-free, and exhibit multi-season interest. This plant is a classic for a reason!

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE BBG HERB KITCHEN?

As ever, the seasonal harvest determined the products the Kitchen Crew prepared. This week, chives and chive blossoms were the most abundant (see the photo), with wide-ranging results. Two favorite recipes were Lemon Chive Vinaigrette (a salad dressing) and Chive Blossom Vinegar. A new finishing salt was made, including chive blossoms and lemon zest. And a new Savory Chive Blossom Jelly was prepared, with a lower sugar content than many jellies; it will be delicious with goat cheese.

Look for these and other Herb Associates products at the Gift Shop in the Visitors’ Center. Proceeds from the sales of these local products benefit the BBG.

HERBS IN THE NEWS

The Herb Society of America (HSA) is a non-profit organization that “promotes the environmentally sensitive preservation, cultivation, knowledge, use and delight of herbs through research, member interactions and partnerships with the community.” Their website is a font of herb-related information. In August, HSA Northeast District representatives will be making a field visit to the Berkshire Botanical Garden; the Herb Associates look forward to their visit!