notes and musings from a perennial gardener
A Pennsylvania gardener
You might have heard of Jerusalem sage or Turkish sage, an umbrella term that encompasses several simiar species, but chances are you don’t grow it. That’s rather a shame because while these plants are originally from Eurasia, several varieties thrive here with interesting histories and useful, attractive forms in the garden.
Let me introduce you.
Who doesn’t love the relaxed, carefree gardens of the Mediterranean? Just thinking about that part of the world makes me want to call my travel agent. France, Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco all have abundant sunshine, low humidity and mild winters, perfect for so many of our favorite plants. If only we had those conditions here. I’m so envious!
Alas, Pennsylvania is not Greece. Many of us have given up on having a similar garden. Clearly, growing Mediterranean plants reliably in zone 6 is all but impossible without a greenhouse, cold frames and plenty of labor, not to mention a healthy budget.
This doesn’t mean the average gardener in zone 6 has to forsake the look entirely. With clever substitutions, a convincingly Mediterranean-like garden (albeit on a small scale) is easily within reach — provided the spot gets good sun. And it’s not that hard to do.
It does take planning though, and perhaps a one-time investment in hardscape. Here’s how.
As we all try to help pollinators and save our besieged planet, it pays to know what not to plant as well as what to plant. Sadly, not everything on offer at the local nursery is a safe choice. While they may look great in our gardens, some plants selfseed surreptitiously into nearby fields and woods as fast and as thoroughly as dandelions. Invasives greatly accelerate native species extinction, so it helps to avoid adding to the problem. Do you know which common flowers and shrubs are considered invasive?
Don’t feel guilty if you discover you have a few in your own yard — most of us do. Over time though, think about replacing them with safer choices. Check out these suggestions to see what you could swap in for a similar effect.