Growing Salad on the Third Floor!

This is one small part of my container garden, 2 square feet of it to be precise! You are looking at  spicy mesclun greens that I've been cutting since mid april, basil and Italian flat leafed parsley, fresh marjoram and lots of edible violas and pansies! My favorite salad is a composition of all of these things, on top of which I've set  a  poached egg that's been basted in herb butter with lots of fresh chives, some prosciutto that's been frizzled in the same butter, and a yummy wedge of perfectly ripened Brie with a toasted crouton or two! Sometimes I add a few spears of freshly steamed asparagus. Make a simple garlicky vinaigrette and enjoy with a glass of champagne......Such amazing living out of about 5 dollars worth of plants!

First Tomatoes of the Season!

It's amazing what you can grow on a patio smaller than a pool table! We live on the third floor in a lovely apartment, but I can provide salads for the three of us all summer! Here are the first of my tomatoes! They are a lovely variety called tumbler that are just made for a hanging basket. They are surprisingly sweet and tender and early ripening. Last year I had them from June until October!

First Tomatoes of the Season!

It's amazing what you can grow on a patio smaller than a pool table! We live on the third floor in a lovely apartment, but I can provide salads for the three of us all summer! Here are the first of my tomatoes! They are a lovely variety called tumbler that are just made for a hanging basket. They are surprisingly sweet and tender and early ripening. Last year I had them from June until October!

Old Fashioned SweetShrub/Carolina Allspice!

I planted this several years ago, when I saw it at the nursery and was completely intrigued by it's chocolate brown flowers, (Do we sense a theme here!?) that smell of allspice and vanilla.  When you scratch the bark it releases the loveliest spicy fragrance! I am busy researching the possible uses for this really friendly shrub.  I am positive because of the high eugenol content of it's leaves and bark that there must have been some topical uses for pain relief. If not, theres always the potpourri jar! 

Old Fashioned SweetShrub/Carolina Allspice!

I planted this several years ago, when I saw it at the nursery and was completely intrigued by it's chocolate brown flowers, (Do we sense a theme here!?) that smell of allspice and vanilla.  When you scratch the bark it releases the loveliest spicy fragrance! I am busy researching the possible uses for this really friendly shrub.  I am positive because of the high eugenol content of it's leaves and bark that there must have been some topical uses for pain relief. If not, theres always the potpourri jar! 

Chocolate Irises!

Beautiful enough to eat!  These Irises are the loveliest shade of chocolate, reminiscent of a Scharfenburger chocolate bar. I couldn't believe it when they opened up, the colour is so rich!

Chocolate Irises!

Beautiful enough to eat!  These Irises are the loveliest shade of chocolate, reminiscent of a Scharfenburger chocolate bar. I couldn't believe it when they opened up, the colour is so rich!

White Peonies!

Isn't this luscious! This beautiful peony has such a strong fragrance that I was aware of it even as night began to fall.

White Peonies!

Isn't this luscious! This beautiful peony has such a strong fragrance that I was aware of it even as night began to fall.

My Favorite Peony!

I love these dramatic pink peonies! They have such a soft scent, sort of like lemon and roses gently stirred into an old fashioned potpourri. I love to cut them and put them into a beautiful cobalt blue vase that I use just for them!