landscaping

 

Anise

The Anise, 'Pimpinella anisum', was so enjoyed by the Romans, they could pay taxes with anise. The seeds and leaves are tasty and they are also useful for medicinal purposes. Anise seed has a sweet, licorice flavor and is used to intensify sweetness in cakes, pastries, and cookies. Also, either alone or combined with cinnamon or bay, compliments duck, pork, or fish. The leaves are also added to salads, soups, and vegetables. Tea or ground seeds are said to aid in digestion. Chewed, anise removes bad odors from the mouth. Anise is a tall plant with rounded leaves at the base and narrow leaves further up the upright stem. The yellowish-white flowers occur in umbels during the summer. Plant after the last spring frost when soil temperatures are warm. Anise prefers a protected spot because it grows spindly and is easily damaged by wind. The soil should be fairly rich and well drained. ... additional information

 

Bean Pole - Runner - Scarlet Emperor The Bean Pole Runner Scarlet Emperpr, 'Phaseolus coccineus', has large sprays of brilliant rich, red flowers that contrast against deep green foliage. The Scarlet Emperor is grown for the flowers and the sweet pods. With such magnificent slender clusters of rich red flowers, the Scarlet Emperor is predominantly used as a flowering screen, vine, or fence cover. A little known fact is that this runner bean has an extremely rich beany sweet flavor when picked young. The Scarlet Emperor is an annual and is very frost sensitive. Pole types have 3 to 7 foot long vines. They have up to 12 inch long pods at maturity. Plant after the last average frost date. Scarlet Emperor beans prefer rich, organic, well drained, warm soils.