Finally, the flowers are starting to outnumber the weeds in my dooryard.
Feverfew is a wonderful plant, drought tolerant, self-seeding, and very pretty with a bittersweet odor. It’s used in natural remedies for allergies, headaches and skin problems. If you cut a sprig just as the flowers are opening and put it in a big vase or jar with cold water, it makes very nice arrangements.
It’s a great weed block, and when you don’t want it anymore, it’s easy to yank out. It does start to look a little frowsy toward mid-Summer when the heat really starts to set in.
Lately I find echinacea is pretty good at self-seeding.
As I pulled weeds from my yard I left the feverfew and other little plants. I was really surprised to find a bunch of little echinacea plants.
I thought echinacea were so delicious to every bug in the county – and you can see, this one’s been nibbled – that I would never have planted seeds directly in the ground.
Altogether I’ve found five little plants that sowed themselves, and I just sprinkle a little water on them as I water the trees, and there they are. Of course the ones I have in pots are big and lush.
My container echinacea are happy as hell, as long as they get water every day. I wash out my compost bucket from the dog’s dish and dump it in there. Nutrient rich!
I planted some bigger plants in the ground last year, they are nestled into the feverfew. They are one of gopher’s favorites, I keep a sharp eye for his tunnels.
When we bought this place, we planted fruit trees. Most of them turned out well – some were duds!
Did you know, some fruit trees are only ornamental? We didn’t realize – this pomegranate tree is only for looks, it will never bear fruit.
Oh well, the flowers look like Spanish dancers, and if I cut them as they are opening, they make incredible arrangements with the feverfew.
We got those weeds on the run!
worldofjuanita 