New Culinary Herbs of Interest to Grow in 2026

Posted on January 31, 2026 | Leave a comment

Spotted Hoja Santa at a botanical garden a few years ago and put it on my wish list

Every year, I write a short article about new culinary herbs I have seen from reading more than 25 seed/plant catalogs (print or online). For this article, I am focusing on a narrow definition of herbs. Many plants could be considered herbs, including edible flowers. Herbs are plants that are of use to humans, either for culinary, medicinal, aromatherapy, cosmetic, and even coloring (dyes).

Also, “new” can be defined in different ways. The item may be new to the company’s inventory but that does not mean it would be a new plant for an experienced gardener. To me “new” is: “Wow! This herb is really different from all the other ones — I have not seen this before, and I think you might be interested.” Obviously, my list is not all new herbs on the market but a selection of “herbs of interest” – suggestions for you to try as you explore your herb gardening adventures.

Adaptive Seeds has a nice selection of herb seeds including three different Asian or celery leaf types (Apium graveolens) and a red foliaged epazote (Dysphania ambrosioides). New to me is alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum). Apparently, this is a very old herb, possibly going back to Alexander the Great. The Adaptive Seeds website says that ancient Romans ate leaves, stems, roots, and flower buds as vegetables. The leaves are comparable to a mild flavored parsley, tasty in a salad or used as an herb. Also called black lovage (love the name), alexanders is a biennial with challenging seed germination. Sounds like a perfect candidate for winter sowing.

Alexanders, which looks like parsley. Photo courtesy of Adaptive Seeds

Burpee is celebrating the nation’s 250th year with its colonial dooryard herb garden package, created in partnership with the American Horticultural Society. This collection has 8 seed packets: Italian parsley, chives, lemon balm, anise hyssop, dill, sweet fennel, German chamomile, and nasturtium. Also new is strawberry mint seeds and plants (Mentha spp.) and Monteverde compact sweet basil seeds and plants (Ocimum basilicum). A nice thing about Burpee is that one can mix and match plants of herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants so you don’t always have to grow from seed if you do not feel comfortable with that.

Experimental Farm Network does not have a paper catalog but going through its website is like flipping pages of the old Sears Wish Book. My sister and I used to pour over that Christmas-themed catalog full of toys, picking what we “wished” for from Santa. I do that with EFN’s website – constantly picking out plants I wish to grow here. New this year are Ukrainian dill (Anethum graveolens), Flatspine Szechuan peppercorn (Zanthoxylum simulans), Kkaenip (Korean green shiso) and Virginia Beach feral shiso (both Perilla frutescens), Ein Abu-El-Harth Jarjir arugula (Eruca sativa), and Abu Al-Rub coriander (Coriandrum sativum) (both from Palestine). You may think that these herbs are not new – we all grow dill and coriander – but these are from other countries so they may taste or perform better here in the United States.

True Love Seeds also has two new herbs from another country: Marzeh, an Iranian summer savory (Satureja hortensis), and Gishniz, an Iranian cilantro (Coriandrum sativum). Aren’t you just dying to know if they taste better?

Calendula Strawberry Blonde, photo courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co./rareseeds.com

There are always new basils on the market, partly because of downy mildew. If you have a downy mildew problem with your basil, look to Johnny’s Selected Seeds. They are always ahead of the curve when it comes to resistant basils. This year they have a purple foliage basil called Doron, part of the Prospera ® active DMR line of basils. This plant has large, 3-to-4-inch glossy cupped dark purple red leaves and is highly resistant to downy mildew and resistant to fusarium wilt.

Another new basil is Treviso, a 2026 All-America Selections vegetable winner. It is about 15 inches tall, resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew, and the leaves stay tender longer and maintain an excellent quality late into the season. It is slow to flower and exhibits vigor and heat tolerance. Currently it is only available through True Leaf Market, an online seed company.

And another new basil is Basil Bonsai, a fine-leaf, compact Greek basil that is part of the Kitchen Minis Collection. The Kitchen Minis collection is a line of potted veggies and herbs that can grow on the counter near a sunny window. Both Park Seed and Territorial Seed Company are offering Basil Bonsai.

Surprisingly, Park Seed is selling an unusual culinary herb that is of interest to me but I do not know if it will grow well here in Virginia. If you look at the flowers of Mertensia ‘Silver Ocean’ (Mertensia maritima), you will see its relation to Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) which does grow well in Virginia. But if you look at the gray green foliage that thrives in coastal areas, you wonder if the plant will perform well during Virginia’s hot and sultry summers. Also called oyster leaf, the foliage is supposed to taste like oysters and is used by high end chefs on the west coast.

Mizuna Pinky Pop, photo courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co./rareseeds.com

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds also sells oyster leaf seeds although their variety is not labeled ‘Silver Ocean.’ They do have a new basil called Spice Boys Globe, a compact, small leaf variety. But the big surprises are their calendula varieties (Calendula officinalis). With their many narrow, quilled petals, Yellow Porcupine and Orange Porcupine do not look like calendula at all. Strawberry Blonde, from breeder Frank Morton, does not look like a calendula either with its unique color palette of yellow, pink, and cerise.

Equally different are the new mizunas (Brassica rapa), which are spicy and pungent leafy greens in the mustard family. They can be called a green or an herb but with these new colors they also can serve as a garnish. Check out the new Pinky Pop, which has bright pink stems and green leaves. Benigoromo has purple red stems and foliage, and Japanese red mustard mizuna has highly serrated burgundy foliage on green stems.

Usually, I purchase seeds but this year I ordered a plant from Territorial Seed Company: the Hoja Santa plant (Piper auritum). It is new to their inventory and new to me. Also known as Yerba Santa, Mexican Pepperleaf, and the Root Beer Plant, this tender perennial has large green heart-shaped leaves that can be used to wrap food or for cooking. According to Territorial Seed Company, the flavor profile is “pepper, anise, eucalyptus, nutmeg, mint, tarragon, and a bold hit of sassafras giving it its root beer nickname.” I am looking forward to receiving it in May when it warmer. If anyone has any suggestions on how to Hoya Santa in the kitchen, please comment below. Or if I missed a new herb, please submit your suggestions.

Leave a comment

Posted in herbs

Tagged , ,

Fill Up Your February Calendar with More than 100 Gardening Events!

Posted on January 26, 2026 | Leave a comment

Are you shut in the house with all of this snow? Feeling glum? Cheer up! There are more than 100 gardening events in February in the DC metro area and beyond. Many are virtual and many are free. Get out your calendar and plan for a happy garden-filled February!

1, Sunday, Designing Winter Landscapes, 1:00 pm, in person, free, Fair Oaks store, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

1, Sunday, Lecture: Moon Gardens, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

1, Sunday, Introduction to Composting, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

1, Sunday, Fundamentals of Gardening, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

1, Sunday, Pruning Basics, online flex, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

2, Monday, Lecture: Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

3, Tuesday, Prepping for a Spring Garden, 7:00 pm, zoom. Hosted by the National Capital Area Garden Club’s Virtual Garden Club. You do not have to be a NCAGC member to attend. The Virtual Garden Club meets via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month. If you are new to the Virtual Garden Club, the first presentation is free but you must register. https://www.instagram.com/dmvgardensvirtually

3, Tuesday, Native Bees of the Northeastern United States, virtual lecture, 10 to 11:00 am, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

3, Tuesday, Introduction to Plant Science, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

4, Wednesday, Webinar: Natives at Noon: Rethinking Lawns: Turning Green Carpets into Diverse Ecosystems, noon to 1:00 pm, free but must register. Maryland Native Plant Program of the University of Maryland Extension https://extension.umd.edu/resource/natives-noon-lunch-learn-webinar-series/

4, Wednesday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About the Year of the Hot Pepper, 1:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

4, Wednesday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About the Year of the Sedum, 2:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

4, Wednesday, Creating your Personal Garden Plan for Year-round Enjoyment, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, fee and must register, four sessions, see website for more information. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

4 and 5, Botanical Revolutions: A Book Talk with Giovanni Aloi, 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Wednesday at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, VA and on Thursday, 5 to 7:00 pm, at the District Architecture Center in DC, fee and must register. Oak Spring Garden Foundation https://www.osgf.org/

5, Thursday, Travels @ 12: Sauntering Through the South, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

5, Thursday, Basic Plant ID, 5:30 to 7:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

5, Thursday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About Gardening with Roses, 1:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

5, Thursday, Virtual Lecture: Africa Safari in Botswana, 1 to 4:30 pm, fee and must register, Heronswood (as in The Heronswood in Washington State). https://www.heronswoodgarden.org/

5, Thursday, Virtual Lecture: Introduction to Everything Orchids, fee and must register, 6 to 7:00 pm, Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/

5, Thursday, Creating a Bird-friendly Native Landscape, 6-8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

6, Friday, Longwood Gardens’ Annual Horticulture Symposium, 8 to 4:00 pm, in person and virtual and will be recorded, fee and must register, Longwood Gardens https://longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/todays-horticulture-symposium

6, Friday, Designing with Fragrant Flowers and Aromatic Foliage with Christopher Sheridan, 2 to 3:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

7, Saturday, Washington Gardener Seed Exchange, 12:30 to 4:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

7, Saturday, All About Terrariums and Vivariums, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

7, Saturday, Everything You Wanted to Know about Pruning, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm, fee and must register, Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

7, Saturday, Lawn Preparation and Care, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

7, Saturday, Tea Blending 101, 2 to 3:00 pm, and on Sunday, February 8, 1 to 2:00 pm, fee and must register, will be at two different locations. Cultivate the City https://www.cultivatethecity.com/

7, Saturday, Foliage-Driven Garden Design, 11:00 am to noon, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

7, Saturday, Winter Seeding: Hardy Plants for Pollinators, 10:00 am, in person, free, Fair Oaks store, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

7, Saturday, Monstera Master: Talk and Book Signing with Darryl Cheng, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, fee and must register. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

8, Sunday, Understanding Light and Humidity: Helping Plants Thrive in Winter, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Severna Park on Sunday and Davidsonville on Monday, February 9. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

8, Sunday, Tea Blending 101, 1 to 2:00 pm, and on Saturday, February 7, 2 to 3:00 pm, fee and must register, will be at two different locations. Cultivate the City https://www.cultivatethecity.com/

8, Sunday, Lecture: Imperiled and Emboldened Insects, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

9, Monday, Gardening for Birds, 6 to 7:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

9, Monday, Matrix Planting for the Home Gardener, virtual, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

9, Monday, Understanding Light and Humidity: Helping Plants Thrive in Winter, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Davidsonville on Monday and Severna Park on Sunday, February 8. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

10, Tuesday, Native Ferns, Mosses and Grasses with Bill Cullina, 7:00 pm, virtual, free for members, fee for nonmembers, Horticultural Society of Maryland https://mdhorticulture.org/

11, Wednesday. A History of Everyday Gardens. 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

11, Wednesday, Indigenous Landscapes of Abundance with Dr. Rosalyn LaPier, 7 to 8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

11, Wednesday, Mini-Forest Revolution: Rewilding Our Communities for Climate Resilience. virtual lecture, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

11, Wednesday, Know to Grow: Memoir of a Seed Saver with Diane Ott Whealy, 5 to 6:00 pm, free for members, fee for non-members, virtual and must register. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society https://phsonline.org/

11, Wednesday, Urban Mammals, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

12, Thursday, Bad Naturalist with Paula Whyman, 7 to 8:00 pm, virtual fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

12, Thursday, Webinar: Ask Me Anything About the Year of the Ficus, 1:00 pm, free but must register, National Garden Bureau https://ngb.org/

12, Thursday, Webinar: Native Ground Covers with Margaret Chatham, 7 to 8:30 pm, free and must register, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org/

12, Thursday, Native Gardening for Natural Enemies, 6-8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

12, Thursday, Expert Is In: Orchid Care, on site, drop in program, free, 10:00 am to noon. U.S. Botanic Gardens https://www.usbg.gov/

12, Thursday, Virtual Plant Clinic, 2:00 pm, webinar, free and must register. Also on February 26. Merrifield Garden Center. https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

12, Thursday, Travels @ 12: A Month of Beautiful British Gardens and Places, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

13, Friday, GreenScapes Symposium, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register. In person but will be recorded so those who cannot make it can view online. Brookside Gardens.  https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

14, Saturday, Spring Garden Maintenance,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

14, Saturday, Mounted Staghorn Fern Workshop, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, fee and must register. At Severna Park on Saturday and Davidsonville on Monday, February 16, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

14, Saturday, 8th Annual Prince William Native Plant Symposium, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, fee and must register, hosted by the Prince William Wildflower Society, https://vnps.org/

15, Sunday, Lecture: Colonial Seed Exchange, 1:30 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

16, Monday, Evergreens: Not Just Pine Trees and Christmas Ferns (walk at Great Falls Park), 9:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register, Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society https://vnps.org/

16, Monday, tickets for the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, which is from April 18-25, will go on sale on Monday, February 16. The schedule is online and the guidebooks will be available at local public places soon (see website for more information). https://gcvirginia.org/historic-garden-week/

16, Monday, Mounted Staghorn Fern Workshop, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, fee and must register. At Davidsonville on Monday, February 16, and Severna Park on Saturday. February 14, 2 to 3:30 pm. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

17, Tuesday, Botanical Drawing I: Methods and Materials, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

17, Tuesday, Virtual Lecture: The Disappearance and Persistence of Bees, 7 to 8:00 pm, free but registration requested, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun County Public Library https://loudounwildlife.org/

17, Tuesday, Webinar: Hellebores and Dependable Groundcovers, noon, virtual, free but must register, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

17, Tuesday, The Secret Lives of Geophytes, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

17, Tuesday, Munstead Wood and Gertrude Jekyll, virtual lecture, 10 to 11:00 am, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

18, Wednesday, Indoor Seed Starting for Edible Plants, 7 to 8:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Phipps Conservatory https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/

18, Wednesday, Brookside Gardens Winter Tour, 10:30 am to noon, fee and must register. Also offered on Friday February 20. Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

18, Wednesday, Webinar: Plants That Go the Distance, 7:30 to 8:30 pm, free and must register, Melinda Myers https://www.melindamyers.com/

18, Wednesday, Introduction to Plant Science, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

18, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Friday, February 20; Wednesday, February 25; and Friday, February 27. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

18, Wednesday, Trial Garden Highlights: Solidago (Goldenrod) with Sam Hoadley, 6 to 7:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register. Mt. Cuba Center https://mtcubacenter.org/

19, Thursday, orders for the 2026 Native Seedling Sale opens at 10:00 am, see website for more information https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/native-seedling-sale

19, Thursday, Virtual Lecture: Approaching Design from an Ecological Perspective with Rebecca McMackin. 1 to 2:30 pm, fee and must register, Margaret Roach’s Awaytogarden https://awaytogarden.com/garden-2-0-eco-focused-winter-webinars-start-1-29/

19, Thursday, Travels @ 12: Seoulful Gardens and More in South Korea, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

19, Thursday, Lecture: Tashiding: Beyond Earth and Sky, 5:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register, Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

20, Friday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Wednesday, February 18; Wednesday, February 25; and Friday, February 27. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

20, Friday, Brookside Gardens Winter Tour, 10:30 am to noon, fee and must register. Also offered on Wednesday, February 18. Brookside Gardens https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/

21, Saturday, Edible Gardening,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

21, Saturday, Reliable Plants for Elevated Gardens, 11:00 am to noon, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

21, Saturday, Orchid Care, noon to 2:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

21, Saturday, Onsite Floral Design: Timeless Blossoms, 10:00 to 11:00 am and 1:00 to 2:00 pm, fee and must register, Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

21, Saturday, Lecture: Spring Vegetable and Herb Gardening, 10:30 to 11:30 am, fee and must register, Green Spring Gardens https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

21, Saturday, Winter Symposium and Rare and Unusual Plant Auction: Gardening with Gusto, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, in person and virtual, fee and must register. JC Raulston Arboretum https://jcra.ncsu.edu/

21, Saturday, Principles of Pruning, 10:00 am, in person, free, Fair Oaks store, Merrifield Garden Center https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

21, Saturday, Plant Partners: The Art of Planting Design, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

22, Sunday, Essential Tools for Gardeners, noon to 2:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

22, Sunday, Tips and Strategies for Multiplying Your Houseplants,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Severna Park on Sunday and Davidsonville on Monday, February 23. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

23, Monday, Tips and Strategies for Multiplying Your Houseplants,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free and must register. At Davidsonville on Monday and Severna Park on Sunday, February 22. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

23, Monday, A Garden Design Primer, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

24, Tuesday, The Many Uses of Mycelium, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

24, Tuesday, Vegetable Gardening, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Wednesday, Webinar: Conserving the Remnant Grasslands of Virginia, 7:00 pm, free and must register, Sustainability Matters https://www.sustainabilitymatters.earth/

25, Wednesday, Style and Purpose in the Native Garden: Using Cues to Care, 6-8:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, Massachusetts Horticultural Society https://www.masshort.org/

25, Wednesday, Webinar: Flowering Houseplants, 7:30 pm, free but must register, Melinda Myers https://www.melindamyers.com/

25, Wednesday, Vanilla Is So Black with Derek Haynes, 7 to 8:00 pm, virtual, free but must register, New England Botanic Garden https://nebg.org/

25, Wednesday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Wednesday, February 18; Friday, February 20; and Friday, February 27. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

25, Wednesday, Unraveling Botanical Names, 6 to 7:30 pm, virtual, fee and must register. Mt. Cuba Center https://mtcubacenter.org/

25, Wednesday, Virtual Lecture: Let Nature Win: The Pollinator Victor Garden Revolution with Julie Borneman of Watermark Woods Native Plants, 7 to 8:00 pm, free but registration requested, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun County Public Library https://loudounwildlife.org/

25, Wednesday, Flower Arranging at Home, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Wednesday, Distinctive Ornamental Grasses, virtual lecture, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, free for members, fee for nonmembers, must register. Hardy Plant Society/Mid-Atlantic Group https://www.hardyplant.org/

25, Wednesday, Basic Color Theory for Gardeners, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

25, Wednesday, Urban Berms, 6 to 9:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

26, Thursday, Winter Webinar Series: The Emperor’s Western Maze and the Making of a Global Garden in China, Part II: The Maze: Jesuits, Emperors, and the Invention of the Western Style Gardens in China, noon to 1:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register. Garden Conservancy https://www.gardenconservancy.org/

26, Thursday, Designing a Beautiful Life: How Spaces and Gatherings Shape Our Stories, 5:30 to 8:00 pm, fee and must register, Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

26, Thursday, Look and Learn: Repotting Orchids, on site, drop in demonstration, free, 10:00 am to noon. U.S. Botanic Gardens https://www.usbg.gov/

26, Thursday, Virtual Plant Clinic, 2:00 pm, webinar, free and must register. Also on February 12. Merrifield Garden Center. https://www.merrifieldgardencenter.com/

26, Thursday, Insect Identification and Management, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

26, Thursday, Fundamental of Garden Design, 6 to 8:00 pm, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

26, Thursday, Introduction to Urban Ecology, 10:00 am to noon, online, fee and must register, New York Botanical Garden https://www.nybg.org/

27, Friday, Virtual Lunchtime Tour: Winter-Blooming Bulbs, noon to 12:30 pm, virtual, free but must register. Scott Arboretum and Gardens. https://www.scottarboretum.org/

27, Friday, Gardener’s Focus Tour: Preparing for Spring in the Greenhouse, 10:30 to 11:00 pm, part of suggested donation. Also on Wednesday, February18; Friday, February 20; and Wednesday, February 25. Hillwood Estate https://hillwoodmuseum.org/

27, Grow Your Own: A Beginner’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening (Part I) 10:00 am to 11:30 am, free, zoom, must register, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia https://mgnv.org/

27, Friday, Gardens Illustrated: The New Beautiful with Stephanie Mahon, 2 to 3:00 pm, virtual, fee and must register, American Horticultural Society https://ahsgardening.org/

27, Friday and February 28, Saturday, Galanthus Gala, Friday is virtual and Saturday is virtual and in person. Must purchase ticket. At the Friends Meeting House, Downington PA. https://brandywine-cottage.square.site/

28, Saturday, Creating Pollinator Gardens,10:00 am to 11:00 am, free but register, Burke Nursery and Garden Centre https://www.burkenursery.com/

28, Saturday, Why Houseplants Shouldn’t Be So Hard, with Sol Soils, 11:00 am to noon, fee and must register. At Davidsonville on Saturday morning and Severna Park from 2 to 3:00 pm. Homestead Gardens https://homesteadgardens.com/

28, through March 8, PHS Philadelphia Flower Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, tickets required, see website for prices and times. https://phsonline.org/the-flower-show

Leave a comment

Posted in Events

Tagged , , ,

Growing Taro, aka Elephant Ears or Colocasia

Posted on January 24, 2026 | Leave a comment

taro plantsIn March 2024, I purchased a few taro corms in an Asian supermarket when I made my annual trek to purchase the lemongrass and ginger. I potted them up in small containers with drainage holes, watered and put them in the living room. The warmth of the home and the water encouraged them to sprout. In May, I planted them outside in the garden.

Taro, also known as elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta), produces large, 1 to 2 feet long leaves, similar to an elephant’s ear. The entire plant will reach about 2 to 3 feet tall. Mine had green foliage but there are Colocasia cultivars with beautifully colored foliage.

Colocasia plants are tender herbaceous perennials native to Asia. The “root” is called a corm and is used as a food source, much in the same way we use potatoes. The leaves and stems are edible too but nothing should be eaten raw. This plant must be cooked first. The taro was being sold at the Asian supermarket as food but for a few dollars I purchased them to use as ornamental foliage for my garden.taro corms

My plants grew well in 2024. Mine were in afternoon shade in moist but well-drained soil. Our hot and humid summer did not faze them. Because mine were green, they were relatively simple plants but if I were to do it again I would use them in large containers. Their size makes them more suitable as a thriller. Either that or plant many in one area for a more dramatic effect.

Taro is hardy to Zone 8 and although I am in Zone 7, my plants came back in the summer of 2025. I was pleasantly surprised!  I could have dug up the plants in the fall of 2024 to save the corms (like dahlias) but considering how cheap they were, I decided to leave them in the ground. If I had them in a container, I doubt they would have come back in 2025.

Try growing taro in your garden. For just a few dollars, you can grow taro as a thriller in a container or for a tropical vibe in the garden. And don’t forget to get the lemongrass and ginger.

Leave a comment

Posted in plants

Tagged , , , ,

Winter Sowing 101

Posted on January 9, 2026 | Leave a comment

It is time for winter sowing! Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds outside in plastic containers in the winter so the seeds will have germinated by spring. In the spring, you transplant the seedlings to your garden bed. There are many advantages to winter sowing. It enables you to start seeds without indoor lights, get a jump on cool season plants, and provide the seeds’ requirements for stratification (a cold period) for those perennials that need it in order to break dormancy. Of course growing from seeds is more economical and provides a wider variety of plants from which to select.

Winter sowing is ideal for perennials, hardy annuals, semi or half-hardy annuals, and the cool season greens, veggies and herbs. Hardy annuals can tolerate cold soil and weather down to the 30’s, such as light frost and moderate freezing. Most hardy annuals expire in the beginning of the summer – they do not like the heat. Examples of hardy annuals are calendula, cornflower, annual larkspur, and pansies. Semi or half-hardy annuals can tolerate cool temperatures and cool soil down to the 40’s; they are damaged by frost. They too do not like the summer’s heat. Examples are baby’s breath, bells of Ireland, blue sage, forget-me-knots, and strawflower.

Cool season veggies, greens, and herbs include lettuce, peas, beets, radishes, broccoli, spinach, parsley, cilantro, and chervil. It is possible to winter sow the warm season veggies such as tomatoes and peppers but for these you would start later in the season.

Usually, seed packets and catalogs will not mention “winter sowing” but if you read the descriptions, you will see clues as to what plant would benefit from winter sowing. Look for words such as:

  • Hardy
  • Withstands frost
  • Self-sowing
  • Colonizing
  • Stratification required (cold period)
  • Scarification required (nicking or soaking in water)
  • Direct sow in early spring/late fall
  • Sow as early as the ground can be worked

In the DC metro area, we start winter sowing on or after the winter solstice which is December 21 and any time through January. It is January now and I have already started several milk jugs of seeds. There is no need to count days or weeks from average last frost date like you would if you were to start annuals under lights indoors.

To start winter sowing, look for plastic containers that can hold 3 to 4 inches of soil with about 2 to 3 inches headroom for the seedlings. You will often see gallon milk jugs but there are other options:

  • Clear, not opaque gallon milk, water, iced tea, juice, or apple cider jugs
  • Large plastic container of pretzels or Twizzlers that come in bulk size for the office
  • Coffee cans (cover with plastic)
  • Plastic container used to sell a roasted chicken (has a high dome)
  • 2-liter plastic soda bottles
  • Large plastic ice cream containers

Assuming you are using a gallon milk jug, make sure it is clean first and throw away the cap (do not need to cover the top).

Create several drainage holes in the bottom with a knife, exacto knife, box cutter, electric drill, or a hot glue gun without the glue.

Using a blade or scissors, cut around and below the handle or about 4 inches from bottom. Do not cut all the way across; leave a hinge on the handle side.

Fill the jug with 3-4 inches of potting mix. Do not use seed starting mix. Do not use soil from the ground or compost pile and do not use bagged soil with “moisture control” or water storing crystals. PRO-MIX works well.

Water the soil and sow seeds of one variety per container. If they are very fine seeds, press down so is in contact with moist soil. If very large, like coriander, press down, cover with a thin layer of soil. Water again and make sure seed is in contact with moist soil.

Close up the jug with duct tape and label or mark it some way so you remember what you sowed. Sharpies will fade so try grease pencils, colored nail polish/paint, or different colored ribbons. I used old lanyards and colored pipe cleaners from craft projects, tied around the handles.

Place the jugs outside in full sun where they can collect rain or snow. It is not necessary for it to snow in your area for this to work. Periodically check to make sure they are okay — dogs or foxes did not tip them over. You will have to make sure they have enough moisture. If it has not rained or snowed, you may have to add water through the opening. If you lift the jugs and they feel light, they will need water. If on a warm day you do not see any condensation in the jugs, you may want to add more water.

In the spring, you should see seedlings. When they are a few inches tall, or when they have two sets of real leaves, open up the containers and let the seedlings sit in full sun for a few days.

Depending on the plant’s preference for cool weather and the size, you may want to move the seedlings to a larger container to let them continue to grow or you may want to transfer to the garden bed. Also depending on the seedlings, you can either pick out individual seedings or take a hunk or chunk (like carving brownies). It really depends on the size/width of individual seedlings (i.e., if thin and fragile may want to take a chunk but if the stems are stout and strong, you can transfer each one). Needless to say, it also depends on your patience.

Try winter sowing this year, you still have plenty of time to get your containers, soil, and seeds.

Leave a comment

Posted in seeds

Tagged , ,

Seed Swaps: Fun Way to Get New Seeds!

Posted on January 4, 2026 | 2 comments

It is that time of year again — seed swaps! National Seed Swap Day is Saturday, January 31, 2026. This is celebrated annually on the last Saturday in January. Seed swaps are a great way to obtain new seeds, share your favorite seeds, and attend a fun event. A seed swap can be as simple as friends getting together to share seeds they saved from the previous gardening season to an all-day planned event with speakers, door prizes, and refreshments.

Seed swaps can be a vehicle to teach others how to save seed, the importance of seed diversity, heirloom seeds, and other aspects of gardening. Some events exchange more than seeds. Tables may be set up to collect used gardening books, magazines, tools, pots, and nursery catalogs. Some may expand their definition of seeds and allow bulbs, rhizomes, and cuttings. Others include related activities such as learning to make handmade seed envelopes.

Each seed swap is different but usually organizers have established guidelines for the seed such as the type of container to use, the number of seed in each bag, and the information required on the label. Organizers should clarify if commercial seed packages or hybrid seeds are accepted. Although swaps do not want seeds from invasive plants, the organizers should clarify the definition of an invasive plant in their area.

If you are interested in attending a seed swap, ask your local county extension agent or Master Gardeners if they know of seed swaps in your area. If you live in the DC metro area, Kathy Jentz, publisher of the Washington Gardener Magazine and founder of National Seed Swap Day, will host a seed swap at Green Spring Gardens in Virginia on February 7, 2026; and Brookside Gardens in Maryland on January 31, 2026. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. For Green Spring Gardens, register here and for Brookside Gardens register here.

If you are interested in starting a seed swap, visit a few first to see the range of activities that could take place and the number of volunteers required. Read Seedswap: The Gardener’s Guide to Saving and Swapping Seeds by Josie Jeffery and the Seed Savers Exchange’s article on How to Organize a Seed Swap. This online article also links to a presentation that Kathy provided at the 2024 Seed Savers Exchange’s conference entitled “Growing Together: Sharing Seeds, Skills, and Stories.” Seed swaps are fun and you come home with plenty of seeds to get you started for the 2026 gardening season.

2 Comments

Posted in Events, seeds

Tagged , , ,

Fantastic Fennel

Posted on December 26, 2025 | 2 comments

fennel in the summer

I grow fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, in my Virginia garden for many reasons. Fennel is easy to grow from seed but you can purchase a small plant in the spring at local garden centers. Fennel can be a showstopper at five feet tall with many yellow blooms. Sometimes, the plant bends from the weight to weave among the perennials and shrubs. The foliage mingles with the pumpkin vines on the ground, rests on top of the chrysanthemums, and peaks through colorful zinnias.

Throughout the summer, I harvest the foliage for use in the kitchen. The anise flavored leaves add flavor to fish and chicken dishes and root vegetables. They are perfect for green salads, soups, eggs, and tuna fish sandwiches.

In the summer, the fennel blooms large, star-burst like structures, made up of many small yellow flowers which attract beneficial insects and pollinators. The flowers are edible so they make a great garnish on deviled eggs. Sometimes, I cut the flower heads for floral arrangements but I always leave some to go to seed.

In the fall, I clip the seed heads and put them in a paper bag. The seeds have medicinal qualities (the foliage does not) and are often served in restaurants to help with digestion and to freshen the breath. Eating the seeds or making a tea from the seeds can relieve flatulence, bloating, gas, indigestion, cramps, and muscle spasms. Fennel seeds are called “meeting seeds” because when the Puritans had long church sermons they chewed on the seeds to suppress hunger and fatigue.

fennel with zinnias

Seeds can be used for baking sweets, breads, and crackers, or in sausage, or herbal vinegars and pickling. The seeds have a much sweeter anise flavor as if they were sugar-coated. For me it is like eating small candies.

I also grow fennel for the caterpillar form of the black swallowtail butterflies. The caterpillars love to eat the foliage and it makes me happy to grow food for them and to support the butterfly population.

Sometimes the fennel comes back the next year, it really depends on the winter. I have heard that in warmer climates it gets out of control but in my zone 7 garden, it has not been an issue. After a hard freeze, I cut back the old fennel stalks revealing new foliage at the base. In December, the new foliage is just as lush and green, providing a nice garnish for holiday meals.

fennel seeds in the fall with the mums

Fennel prefers full sun but can tolerate some shade and need well-drained soil. Treat them like summer annuals and sow seeds every year.

fennel in December

I grow the “leafy” type, Foeniculum vulgare. I have grown the bulbing type, Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce, which is shorter with a bulbous base. It is harvested for the bulb before it flowers and sets seed. The bulb is sliced fresh for salads or cooked with fish and vegetables.

Bronze fennel is a popular ornamental type which grows like the leafy fennel but the foliage is dark bronze, not bright green. Bronze fennel is edible, it can be used in the kitchen but not as tasty. Think of it as a garnish.

Try growing fennel in your garden. You will be pleasantly surprised at its versatility.

2 Comments

Posted in herbs

Tagged , , , , ,

Stunning Streptocarpus

Posted on December 21, 2025 | Leave a comment

flowerIf you are looking for the perfect houseplant, try a streptocarpus. This beautiful flowering plant is a cousin of the African violet but with more flair. These are easy to find now in the winter at local garden centers that sell houseplants.houseplant

Native to Africa, streptocarpus is commonly called a Cape primrose. There are more than 135 species, and the size varies. The plants you see in the garden centers will have long, strap-like leaves with tubular flowers high above the plant. There are some though with only a single leaf that can range from a few inches to a few feet in length.

Grow these plants like you would grow an African violet. They need strong indirect sunlight by the window or fluorescent tubes. They grow best with day temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees and night temperatures between 65 and 68 degrees. They do not like heat so if you put them outdoors in the summer with your other houseplants, they may perish.streptocarpus

The soil should be evenly moist, but not wet. Let the soil begin to dry out just a little bit between waterings. Do not let water get on the leaves. There is specially formulated African violet soil which works well for streptocarpus plants. They need to be fertilized with a diluted balanced fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer has the same proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the three numbers below the name of the fertilizer. To prevent a build up of fertilizer salts, periodically leach the plant by letting water run through the soil and out the drainage holes.

A streptocarpus is a type of a gesneriad, member of the Gesneriaceae family. These include the African violet, espiscia, columnea, sinningia, and aeschynanthus to name a few. If you really enjoy growing streptocarpus, try your hand at growing other gesneriads and consider joining the local National Capital Area Chapter of the Gesneriad Society. 

cape primrose

Leave a comment

Posted in houseplants

Tagged , , ,

Parsley: Easy to Grow Culinary Herb

Posted on December 13, 2025 | Leave a comment
parsley

flat leaf parsley in January

Parsley is one of those easy to grow culinary herbs that adds beauty to your garden and flavor to your cooking. Here in Northern Virginia, parsley can stay green above ground in mild winters.

Parsley is a biennial, it produces foliage the first year and flowers the second year. I have set aside a small area in the ground I call the parsley patch. There are enough plants so that some are in the first year (when I want to harvest foliage for the kitchen) and some are in the second year (when I want them to flower and develop seed). For extra luck, I also scatter seeds every spring. This way I can harvest fresh parsley year round.

Recently I have discovered that I can winter sow parsley seeds and then transplant them to my patch. After Christmas, I sow seeds in a plastic milk jug and then just let the jug sit outside all winter long. In April, I open it up and transplant the tiny seedlings to the parsley patch. They do not mind the cool spring, in fact I think they prefer it to the hot summers.

Parsley likes organic matter, moisture, and morning sun or dappled sun. My plants are in the ground but parsley can be grown in containers and window boxes for the summer. I grow flat leaf or Italian parsley, which is best for culinary purposes. The curly leaf type is best used as a garnish.

curly parsley in the summer

To harvest parsley, cut outer, older leaves at the base, leaving the core or inner, younger leaves.  Cut with scissors (don’t pull) and put in a large bowl of cool water for about 20 minutes (to wash the foliage and drown any bugs). Pat dry and cut the leaves and stems into small pieces with scissors or a knife.

I use parsley for my bean stew, roasted vegetables, pasta, and salads. I also use the foliage for garnish for holiday dinners and plates of fruit. I have heard of folks using it in smoothies. In addition to its flavor, parsley has high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, plus a high level of chlorophyll that freshens your breath!

Try growing parsley from seed this year to create your own parsley patch. You can either direct sow or use the winter sowing method. Here is a list of more than 100 seed companies.  Or purchase small plants in the spring at local garden centers and either plant in the ground or in a container. Even if you don’t use it in the kitchen it makes a nice green filler.

Leave a comment

Posted in herbs

Tagged , , , ,

A Holiday Houseplant: Lemon Cypress

Posted on December 6, 2025 | 1 comment

lemon cypressAs Christmas approaches, lemon cypress plants emerge, draped in holiday costumes. You have seen these small, yellow evergreens at garden centers and food markets. Wegmans has them in red containers with a single one red ornament. Trader Joe’s has “Grump” trees inspired by Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The trees are wrapped to droop with a large ornament. Admittedly, these would make great gifts but then what? How do you take care of these live plants?

The lemon cypress is a yellow-colored form of the Monterey cypress (formerly named Cupressus macrocarpa, and now called Hesperocyparis macrocarpa). The ‘Goldcrest’ cultivar is commonly found during the holidays. The foliage will give off a citrus or lemony scent when brushed. In its real life, it is a narrow, columnar evergreen that can grow very large. Here, it can live a dual role of houseplant or outdoor plant in the summer.

As a houseplant, the lemon cypress prefers cool temperatures in the 60s, but as much light as possible. That is hard to do indoors. Also, the humidity indoors in the winter is low so you may have to increase it around the plant. Water when the soil is dry in the top inch.  Make sure the container has drainage holes. You may have to separate the plant from the holiday décor after Christmas and repot the plant in a container with drainage holes and better potting mix. Also, keep in mind that pests such as spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs flourish during the dry winter months.

Outdoors, a lemon cypress plant can eventually grow to 6-10 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. It can be grown as a specimen, hedge, bonsai, or container plant. If you bought one for the holidays or received one as a gift, keep it indoors until the last spring frost, usually mid-May. Plant either in the ground or in a container.

Lemon cypress prefers cool, moist summers. It should be grown in full sun, but here in the DC area, it may need protection from the afternoon sun when temperatures get in the nineties. Plant in well-drained soil and water well after planting. Continue to water to make sure it has water until established. The lemon cypress is hardy to Zone 7. If you are lucky, you may be able to keep it alive and decorate it yourself for the next holiday season. Happy holidays!

1 Comment

Posted in plants

Tagged , , ,

A Gardener’s Holiday Wish List

Posted on November 29, 2025 | Leave a comment

I always thought it was easy for my family and friends to select gifts for me because I am a gardener. A gardener always “needs” a particular plant or seeds; the latest gardening book; supplies like pruners, snips, and gloves; and all the accoutrements that exist in the gardening world. I thought having the word “gardener’ branded on my forehead meant everyone knew to give me gardening items for the holidays. But recently I learned that non-gardeners may be in a conundrum. They may be mystified – after all what is a secateur? What plant would do well and how many seeds should be bought?

In an effort to help these lost souls, I asked fellow gardeners for gift suggestions for gardeners. I could create my own list, but it would just end up being my wish list for myself.

Here are ideas from fellow gardeners across the country. I especially like Amy Martin’s suggestion of the Clever Fox Gardener’s Journal. I have not heard of this brand before and I know Amy speaks from experience, as she is a local landscape designer with many years of experience.

An accomplished speaker, writer, and radio and podcast host in Massachusetts, C.L. Fornari has published many gardening books. She has several gift suggestions including book recommendations. I have both Carol Michel’s books and Ellen Zachos’ Mythic Plants. Plus, I know Brent and Becky Heath and have ordered from their family-owned, Virginia-based bulb store. Speaking of Carol, earlier this year, she asked fellow garden writers what book impacted their lives, which I have linked here.

In her “Goddess Gardener’s Gift Guide for 2025,” California-based writer, author, speaker, and radio personality Cynthia Brian recommends both adult and children’s gardening books as well as tools. I also can endorse the CobraHead Weeder & Cultivator which I have. The sharp, pick-like end is very good at tearing up weeds.

Based in Colorado, Randy Schultz, well known gardener, writer, author, and founder of the Home, Garden, and Homestead website just published best gardening gifts for the holidays on the website.  I especially liked the Changshou kumquat tree from Logee’s Plants which I could probably grow here if I brought it indoors in the winter. Logee’s Plants sells indoor tropical plants, including edible and unusual plants. I highly recommend visiting their website.

All of these are good suggestions. I am going to make a cup of hot cocoa and modify my list before I mail it to the North Pole. Happy Holidays!

Leave a comment

Posted in Books, plants, products

Tagged , , , , ,