Friday Musings from Prospect Cottage.

Eupatorium purpureum or Joe Pye Weed as it is commonly called is a hardy perennial which likes a sunny spot with a moist soil. Its common name was derived from a Native American who was said to have cured typhoid fever with it by inducing extreme sweating. It was also used as an antisyphilitic. The plant is also a benificial for bees and butterflies.

A bowl of Pot Marigolds, 70 heads to be exact, these ones were used to make an ointment which is excellent for any skin problems. An oil can also be made by covering the heads with sunflower oil, placing in a sunny place for a few days then straining off the resulting beautifully coloured oil. Again an excellent treatment for any skin problems.

This Lysimachia with the variegated leaves will hopefully spread like the plain leaved one. I was careful to plant it where its rapid spread can be absorbed. It too likes a moist situation. It can be divided in Autumn or Spring every 2 or 3 years.

The recent heavy rain has played havoc with the Poppies although they continue to produce masses of new blooms.

I think their seed heads look rather attractive anyway. I wonder if the seeds of these Opium Poppies can be saved and used in cooking? Anyone know ?

The Grapes are slowly starting to ripen in the polytunnel. They are in dire need of some sun which has been very scarce this Summer. Typically the forecast is good for next week just as all the children return to school.

Calendula Ointment & other musings from Prospect Cottage.

Lychnis coronaria, it’s striking magenta flowers would light up any border. The grey leaves show up the flowers brilliantly. It loves well drained soil and a sunny position. There is also a white version but this is the one for me! I shall  save seeds from this one, I want more!

Thistles are just starting to reveal their beautiful purple flowers. Purple is one of my fave colours.

Seed heads of Sweet Cicely, these have a slight aniseed flavour and can be used in Apple or other fruit pies. According to Lesley Bremness in The Complete Book of Herbs they are used to flavour Chartreuse liqueur and when  crushed make a furniture polish.

Escallonia at the back of the border provides year round greenery. It is covered in tiny flowers right now, their abundance making up for their size. Now is a good time to take cuttings of  Escallonia, they strike easily.

Lots of Calendula at the moment, it self seeds from year to year. An ointment can be made from the flowers which is good for burns, bruises, sores or other skin problems. To make it:  100g Calendula flowers (about 70 heads),   150g emulsifying ointment (from pharmacy), 70ml glycerine(also from pharmacy), 80ml water.

Method:  Chop flowers and put with rest of ingredients into a bain-marie for about 1-3 hours depending on desired strength. Take off heat and add a few drops of lavender oil. Strain into sterilised jars.

In flower @ Prospect Cottage.

Periwinkle.

Vinca major or Periwinkle as it is more commonly known is just showing it’s first flowers now. It is an old cottage garden favourite, it’s great asset is that it does well in shady areas. An old name for Periwinkle was sorcerer’s violet, at one time it was used in love charms and was believed to have the power to get rid of evil spirits. It was also made into an ointment used to treat skin inflammmations.

Cosmos are one of my fave garden flowers. I planted a full packet of seeds earlier in the Spring and they have come on well. Yesterday I planted a full trough of them, multicoloured variety. This trough was an old one from someone’s attic given a new lease of life in the garden. Last year it held Strawberries, they have been moved into the polytunnel to give some earlies.

The fab weather at the moment is bringing lots of plants into early flower although I think the Campion and Honesty pictured above are actually in season. Their colour matchedness is purely accidental. I just plant without worrying about coordination, somehow it still manages to look fine, you can’t mismatch nature!

This is Bella a few hours after she was born last year, so cute. Check yesterday’s post to see her now, still a cutie!