Hort Shorts
- Why wait for spring and summer to indulge in Mother Nature’s fragrant blossoms? There are many sweet-scented plants to keep the nose engaged through the winter. Osmanthus is a family of large shrubs with evergreen leaves (holly-like in some species) and small, deliciously sweet flowers. Other large shrubs with both beautiful and fragrant winter blossoms include witch hazels (Hamamelis), paper bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha) and wintersweet (Chimonanthus praecox). Fragrant winter daphne (Daphne odora) is a smaller shrub (to about 4 feet tall) that is famously finicky but worth any amount of time you get to spend with it.
- Spice up the kitchens of friends and family with dried herbs from your garden. Miniature bags of homemade seasoning mix make adorable and delicious gifts. For tomato soups, try this recipe (fills six 2-by-2-inch bags) from the folks at Sandy Mush Herb Nursery: 2 teaspoons of basil, 4 tablespoons of celery seed or 2 tablespoons of lovage, 2 tablespoons of parsley, 2 teaspoons of thyme, 2 crushed bay leaves, 6 cloves (1 per bag) and 2 tablespoons of chives. Each bag will season 2 quarts of liquid.