Photo By Linda Lewis Griffith

Artemesia Dracunulus

By Linda Lewis Griffith  UCCE Master Gardener

Common Name: French Tarragon

Planting Zone: Sunset zones 14-24

Size:  Sprawls to less than 2 ft. tall

Bloom Season: Mostly non-flowering

Exposure: Full sun

Pruning Needs: Trim sprigs as needed for seasoning

Water Needs: Moderate to regular water, letting soil dry between watering.

Narrative: Tarragon is a bushy, aromatic perennial that is in the same genus as wormwood and mugwort.  Native to southern Europe, it has become an important garden herb in Europe, Asia and the United States.  The botanical name, dracunulus, comes from the Greek word for little dragon and likely refers to the plant's serpentine root system. According to medieval folklore, plants with coiled roots were believed to cure venomous snake bites. The Romans thought tarragon would ward off exhaustion. Travelers in the Middle Ages placed fresh sprigs inside their boots before embarking on long journeys. Tarragon is no longer used medicinally but instead has become an indispensable component of French cooking.  It pairs well with egg dishes, fish and chicken recipes and flavored vinegars and mustards.  There are two common forms of tarragon; French tarragon, often labeled ‘Sativa,' is a sprawling, flowerless plant with slender stems and smooth, aromatic, shiny dark leaves that are widely spaced along the stem. 

Russian tarragon, which may be labeled ‘Inodorous,' grows to 3 ft. tall and is a coarser plant with roughish, pale green leaves that lack the flavor and aroma of French tarragon.  Both varieties die back to the ground in winter but return in spring.  Any tarragon seeds available for sale are generally the Russian variety.   Therefore, true French tarragon must always be propagated from cuttings or seedlings.  Divide mature plants every 2 to 3 years to keep them vigorous and to prevent them from becoming woody.  Divide plants in late summer when growth is minimal and mild weather causes less damage to the roots. Lift host plant from the ground, shaking off loose soil and removing dead leaves or stems.  Trim off excess top-growth to minimize moisture loss through the leaves. Divide the plant into smaller pieces, replant new divisions promptly and water thoroughly. 

Photo By Linda Lewis Griffith

Salvia Officinalis

By Linda Lewis Griffith   UCCE Master Gardener

Common Name: Garden Sage, Common Sage

Planting Zone: Sunset zones 2-24

Size:  18-24 inches tall, 2-3 feet wide

Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer

Exposure: Full sun; afternoon shade in hottest climates

Pruning Needs: Delay pruning until new leaves begin to unfurl, then cut just above fresh growth.

Water Needs: Low supplemental water once established

Narrative: A signature plant from the Mediterranean, this herbaceous, mounding perennial is known for its culinary and medicinal value.  Sage is a favorite seasoning in stuffing, sausage, pasta, fish and vegetable dishes.  It is also attractive to bees and a source of excellent honey.  In the 10^th century, sage was esteemed for its curative properties and was associated with immortality.  Aromatic leaves are oval to oblong, 2-3 inches long and gray-green on top, white and hairy underneath.  Branching stems bear loose, spikey clusters of ½ inch flowers. Flowers are most often lavender-blue, but can be violet, red-violet, pink or white.  Stems often root where they touch the ground.  Plants are short-lived and become woody and leggy.  They should be replaced every 3-4 years. 

Garden sage and several of its cultivars are frequently planted in gardens, along pathways and in containers. ‘Aurea,' Golden Sage, has variegated, creamy gold leaves.  ‘Berggarten,' is compact (up to 16 inches high) and dense, with rounded leaves and fewer flowers.  It may live longer than its counterpart.  ‘Compacta,' is a smaller, mounding variety that grows to 12 inches tall, spreading to 2 feet wide.  It has narrow, close-set leaves.  ‘Icterina,' is low-growing and bloomless with gray-green leaves with wavy yellow margins. ‘Purpurascens,' is similar in size and has leaves that are red-violet when new, maturing to pale green. ‘Tricolor,' is petite (up to 12 inches tall) and has new purplish pink growth; mature leaves have white margins.  Plants do best in coarse, well-drained soil with minimal moisture through warm summer months. Salvia officinalis is readily propagated once established by mound layering.  In the spring, mix soil with equal parts peat and sand, then pile over the plant. Replace any soil that washes away.  By late summer, roots will have formed along many of the stems.  The rooted layers can be removed and potted.  Discard the old plant. 

Photo By Linda Lewis Griffith

Thymus Vulgaris 

by Linda Lewis Griffith   UCCE Master Gardener

Common Name: Common Thyme

Planting Zone: Sunset zones 1-24

Size:  To 1 ft. high, 2 ft. wide

Bloom Season: Late spring, early summer

Exposure: Full sun; light shade in hot inland climates

Pruning Needs: Cut back to keep compact; trim as needed for culinary purposes

Water Needs: Low supplemental water once established; needs a little more watering inland

Narrative: This member of the mint family is a low-growing, shrubby perennial from the Mediterranean region.  It is a welcome addition to any herb garden.  Its tiny, aromatic leaves can be used both dry and fresh, and make tasty additions to Thanksgiving stuffing, soups, seafood and vegetable dishes. Masses of diminutive, white to lilac flowers bloom in late spring and early summer that are attractive to bees and other pollinators.  ‘Argenteus,' called silver thyme, has silvery, variegated leaves.  ‘Hi-Ho' has even more silver variegation and compact growth.  ‘Italian Oregano Thyme' has a strong aroma of oregano.  ‘Orange Blossom Thyme' has slim leaves that smell like orange. Common thyme is frequently planted in borders around flower and vegetable gardens; it is also ideal in rock gardens and containers.  

The name thymus is derived from the Greek word for smoke or fumigate.  Sprigs of the herb were reportedly burned indoors to cleanse the air in hopes of offering protection from the plague.  Thyme can be readily propagated in late summer, after flowering.  Select a vigorous, mature plant.  Lift from the soil with a garden fork, taking care not to damage the roots.  Shake off loose dirt and remove any dead leaves and stems.  Clean the roots in a bucket of water or with a garden hose.  If the parent plant has ample top growth, trim back to 4 inches to minimize moisture loss through the leaves.  Divide the plant into smaller pieces, ensuring each segment has a strong root system and foliage.  Cut with clean, sharp clippers or pull apart by hand. Replant divisions at the same depth as before, spacing them sufficiently far apart to allow for new growth.  Firm the soil and water thoroughly.     

Photo By Polly Nelson

Orchid Cactus

by Polly Nelson   UCCE Master Gardener

Epiphyllum, family Cactaceae

Planting area: Sunset 8-9, 14-24

Size: blooms up to 10-inch diameter

Bloom Season: Spring-early summer; daytime-blooming flowers

Exposure: Partial shade, bright indirect light

Pruning needs: Minimal

Water needs: Regular

Snapshot:

This nondescript plant with flat, segmented stems (leaves) produces amazing flowers, in colors ranging from white and yellow to reds and purple. Originally from the Central American tropical rainforest, it is a cactus, but similar to an orchid, it sustains itself by absorbing nutrients from the air. It grows well in hanging baskets and containers, indoors or outdoors and in the ground. Honeybees, butterflies and other pollinators are attracted to the blossoms, which last from 1-4 days. This plant is easily propagated from stem cuttings.

Plant in soil that holds moisture but drains quickly. Allow the top one-third of the soil to dry out between waterings; about once a week spring through fall, less often in the winter. Soft black tissue near the soil line is a sign of too much water.

Light to dark green growth with slightly red edges indicate the plant is getting the right amount of light. If the leaves are sunburned or have yellowish wilted growth, it is getting too much light; weak leggy leaves suggest insufficient light. Plants grown indoors need to have no light after sundown or blooming will be delayed. Orchid cacti do not tolerate freezing temperatures, preferring 40-90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilize monthly during the growing season (February-November) with a low nitrogen fertilizer (2-10-10) following label instructions. Generally, this plant likes to be root-bound before it will bloom, but it should be repotted one month after blooming at least every 7 years. Shake off excess soil to repot, but do not remove all the soil around the root ball. Withhold water for a week after repotting, then water lightly for a month before returning to a regular watering schedule.

Fungus gnats are one of the few pests of this plant. Snails and slugs can do a lot of damage if they gain access to the plant.

Orchid cactus plants grown in the right place require little effort, and reward with spectacular blooms!