seasonal living In association with 68 Then there is glorious Jasmine in all its varieties. This perennial climber may take a year or so to establish, but once it has it will give years of pleasure with its heady summer scent. Jasminum officinale and Jasminum polyanthum are particularly recommended and will grow in sun or shade. As summer approaches evergreen Datura starts to bloom. Officially renamed as Brugmansia, all varieties produce exquisite, often heavily-scented blooms, and will grow well in sheltered <strong>area</strong>s, preferably with a little dappled shade, and in containers. Brugmansias are not frost hardy, and must be protected if exposed in winter. Recommended are Brugmansia candida “Knightii”, B. arborea, B. aurea and B. suaveolens. The scent is released at night and will perfume your entire garden. My other all-time favourite is the wonderful Cestrum nocturnum, or Galan de noche as it is known locally. This deciduous shrub bears tiny creamy-white flowers in high summer, and releases a scent at night like the most heady | <strong>Home</strong> couture magazine of expensive perfumes. It is a must for summer gardens, and may be planted near the outside dining <strong>area</strong> for maximum effect, or under a bedroom window. Everyone knows the common Oleander which blooms so beautifully alongside the highways here. This, though poisonous, is a useful garden plant as it can be clipped into an impressive flowering hedge, grown in pots by a pool, or allowed to spread at the back of a wild <strong>area</strong>. Its intoxicating perfume is released throughout the long summer months. Less showy, but equally lovely is the tough little Pelargonium graveolens, the lemonscented geranium whose leaves smell divine as you brush past them in the flower bed, and keep away mosquitoes. herbal aromas Many aromatic plants have medicinal uses as well as culinary or aesthetic ones. Amongst these are many common herbs easily grown in the Mediterranean garden. Whether for eating or for using as a herbal remedy, the beneficial effect of a plant is greater the closer it is grown to the home of the person consuming it. For this reason it makes sense to have a kitchen garden, or grow herbs and other edible plants in containers, on windowsills or balconies. I find the latter to be particularly useful, as it is easy to remember to water pots and window boxes, and weeds are easily controlled. The following basic 10 herbs and plants all have a variety of properties that make them ideal components for a kitchen garden “starter-kit”: Lavender – analgesic anti-depressant, antiseptic and an aid to sleep, this comes in many varieties and is easily grown here. Garlic – antiseptic, a natural antibiotic and anti-fungal agent, which can also be used to worm domestic pets as well as for making our food taste delicious. Lemon – stimulates the immune system, digestive, astringent, bleaching. aloe vera – naturally antibiotic, used for burns and gastric problems. calendula (pot Marigold) – anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-fungal. thyme – antiseptic and antibacterial. rosemary – analgesic, promotes hair growth and shine, energising as an infusion. camomile – soothing, calming, sleep aid, internal disinfectant and diuretic, bleaching hair rinse. Mint – cooling, stimulating, decongestant. basil – expectorant, laxative, antispasmodic, deters insects, particularly flies. rue – repellent to insects, aromatic. Sage – soothing, calming, fire retardant, bee pasturing.
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