Liliaceae

Appearance

Several varieties of Bulbinella Frutescens exist, some with long, thin racing green leaves, and some having a more yellowish leaf. The most common one is the yellow-flowered plant which looks a bit like a garlic chive but has round succulent leaves and grows to about 150mm (6ins)This is the bulbinella most commonly used as herb garden plants in many gardens as well as in rockeries.

History

Bulbinella has long been considered the pharmocopeia plant of the herbal world; the fleshy leaves yield a jelly like sap that has multiple virtues and applications – as you will see under the ‘usage’ section. Bushmen and iron age dwellers of Southern Africa knew and understood its virtues. It has long been a part of the traditional healers arsenal.

Usage

1. Medicinal Usage – Express some sap from a leaf to get immediate relief from:

Eczema
Fever blisters
Blisters
Pimples
Burns
Rashes
Itchy spots
Cracked skin
Cracked lips
Cold sores
Mouth ulcers
Sores and rashes on domestic and farm animals
Painful insect stings

2. Aesthetic Usage

Although referred to as herb garden plants, bulbinella is also regarded as a valuable landscaping plant for its reliable growth pattern and bright all year round colour. Drought and pollution resistant, it is almost impervious to frost.

3. Cosmetic Usage

Just like the better known and much vaunted Aloe Vera, extracts of bulbinella sap can be used as a basis for skin creams.

Cultivation

Bulbinella is a gardeners dream; simply split a bunch and replant without missing a beat. Wind resistant, drought tolerant and a prodigious grower – bulbinella is all this and more. Equally responsive to landscapers filling those awkward spots where nothing else can thrive and to apartment window sills, bulbinella responds well to light composting and regular watering and will reward the diligent gardener with hosts of flowers.

Propagation

Propagation is so easy that I feel guilty about including a sub-heading on the subject. Split a bunch of bulbinella and plant out or break off a leaf and plant. How about that.

Harvesting

Help yourself whenever you want but stop short of denuding the plant.

Pete Steel has grown herbs for 25 years in several different climates and soils. He reviews herb growing books and writes about herb garden plants and herb usage.

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Planning a garden can be a bit confusing if you do not understand how to use the many different types of flower garden plants. Using different plants effectively will lead to an excellent garden with blooming flowers throughout the entire season. Ornamental grasses, climbing vines, flower bulbs, biennial, annuals and perennials are all excellent garden plants. Each of these types of plants as well as species within the families will have their own growth requirement so you need to be aware of your soil type and yearly climate.

Perennials are flowering plants that bloom for a short time during the season, about two to four weeks. Despite this short flowering time they are extremely long-lived plants that will come back year after year. There are many perennials that will bloom at different times during the season. You should chose perennials that span the entire season to ensure you have bright spots of color the whole season long.

Annuals are different than perennials as the only last one season. Their entire growth cycle consists of one season as they grow, flower, produce seeds and die. Some popular annuals are the marguerite daisies, Brazilian verbena, cosmos, spider flower, nigella, sweet alyssum, and blue salvia to name but a few. These plants flowers last the entire season and are highly desired as they have lovely color.

Biennials are flower garden plants last one year longer then annuals as the first year they grow leaves and the second year they produce flowers. Then after the second year they die just like annuals. Biennials have a two-year lifespan. You rarely need to replant biennials, as they tend to re-seed themselves when found in gardens. Hollyhocks, verbascums and foxgloves are all biennials and produce stunning flowers.

Flower bulbs are a type of garden flower that store their organs in the ground. They store energy in the bulb for growth the next year. All bulbs do need a cold period in order to grow and germinate. Some popular summer bulbs are calla lilies, dahlias, canna lilies, begonias and gladioli. These bulbs need a cold season but it should not be below freezing, as a frost will damage the bulbs. Daffodils, crocuses, snowdrops and tulips are all early season bulbs.

Climbing vines are also lovely flower garden plants and a great choice if you have a lot of vertical space or trellises. Some easy to grow climbing vines that produce beautiful flowers are the morning glory, sweet pea, hyacinth and the clematis. These vines are all very easy to grow. Ornamental grasses are a good option as they produce color all year long, lovely greens during the summer, a color change and flowering in the fall and then a straw color during the winter. These grasses will move with the slightest breeze and provide texture to your garden. You can find grasses that thrive in shade and sun.

Get more tips on gardening and learn about more flower garden plants at Backyard Garden And Patio.

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If you’re thinking about doing some vegetable gardening, timing is everything. The plants are tied to the seasons so it’s critical to match what kind of weather the plants like to your climate. Some are hardier and can take a late spring frost while others would perish and you would be back to square one.

But, if you’re armed with information about when to plant and what vegetables to start off with then you’re more likely to have a bountiful vegetable garden in no time! So take the following into consideration when you’re in your planning stage of vegetable gardening:

What’s Your Zone?

That’s garden-speak for where do you live? The U.S. is divided into zones based on the average annual minimum temperature. Knowing the exact zone you live in will help you decide when to plant. But you can’t rely on the zone alone. Think about this: parts of Oregon and South Texas are in the same zone. Now it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the two states have vastly different climates. There are other factors to consider other than the minimum temperature when deciding when and what to plant such as soil, rainfall, daytime temperatures, wind, elevation, humidity and heat. Whew…that’s a lot to consider, isn’t it?

But that’s okay, you’ll find lots of help once you figure out the exact vegetables you want to grow. Your first step should be to look at the back of the seed package or on the info tag on the plant you’re buying.

What Do You Like?

Now, assuming you’re interested vegetable gardening because you want to eat the fruits of your labor…you need to decide what vegetables you’ll enjoy over the season. Now combine this with what will grow best in your climate and when they need to be planted to figure out the rest.

You can divide your vegetables into 2 types: cold season veggies and warm season veggies. Do not plant warm season vegetables prior to the last spring frost! Allow plenty of time after the last frost to ensure your hard work won’t be for nothing. Now here’s a handy list to get you started:

Cold Season Vegetables (can be planted 2 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost):

asparagus broccoli cabbage horseradish lettuce onions leeks peas broad bean spinach turnip Brussels sprouts beet* carrot* chard* mustard* parsnip* radish* cauliflower* celery* potato*

*plant no more than 2 weeks before the spring frost…not as cold hearty as the others

Warm Season Vegetables:

bean (snap) soybean squash sweet corn tomato New Zealand spinach bean (lima) eggplant** pepper** sweet potato** cucumber** melon** okra** pumpkin**

** hot weather necessary for plants to grow

You’ll be amazed at the amazing flavor you’ll get from home grown vegetables because you can pick them when they’re ripe and ready to eat. So if you want healthy and delicious vegetables for this season, identify your zone, pick what you like and start planting!

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