Echinacea, Marshmallow, and More!
Today I harvested both echinacea and marshmallow leaves and am dehydrating for tinctures, handmade soaps, teas, and more.
Echinacea leaves, freshly picked
I will be talking more of the benefits of these two herbs in future posts but for now just wanted to share what is going on today and a few garden photos.
My marshmallow JUST started blooming today and the scent is so wonderful and sweet. Soon, this whole West side of the main garden section will be full of its lovely and delicate lavender-white flowers.
I cannot help but touch the soft velvety leaves of the marshmallow as I go by. Though not as thick and plush as the Lamb's Ear, still pleasing to the tactile senses.
With a long streak of clear, warm days and plenty of borage flowers, the bees have been getting busy in my garden and it is always such a lovely sight to see.
A first for me to try this year is purple basil. Growing it a pot up high to keep away from the slugs and actually seeing how well it will do outside of the greenhouse since I read it is suppose to do better in colder climates than the Emily basil I love so much.
Another shot of my garden from the deck - well, because this is one of my favorite views! I love my little entry way through the grapevines that also run down the steps and all around my entire deck.
Hope your week is a blessed one! ~Heidi
Resteemit to get you seen!
Awesome, how nice to have in your garden! I use marshmallow in tea and have seen it used in a smoking blend as well. I just found some purple cone flowers a week or two ago and have dried the flowers for tea to use when the school season, aka cold season, gets in swing. I teach children with autism, and in the school district you can never have too many cold/flu prevention/treatments! :)
@raincountry
Beautiful writeup!Thanks for sharing.
Your marshmallow looks very different than what I grow but I believe it's probably just a different variety of the plant. The flowers look very similar. I have never harvested any of the leaves or flowers yet although I understand they are edible as well. Thanks for the post. I love seeing how other people are creating healthier lives from their garden spaces.
You have a beautiful garden! It looks like a little piece of Heaven!