Fresh Herbs for Thanksgiving
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
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By Jennifer Garrison
Fall brings colorful leaves, football nights, sweater weather, and everything pumpkin spice. As Turkey Day approaches, learn how to go beyond the seasonal lattes and focus on the rich, warm, savory, and bold flavors of Thanksgiving. Discover the herbs that perfectly accentuate a Thanksgiving meal and how to grow them in the landscape.
Aromatic herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, winter savory, and bay are easy to use and flavorful. "These herbs are woody in growth and can manage the longer cooking times needed when cooking holiday meats or flavoring stuffing," says Stephen Brueggerhoff, Brazoria County Extension horticulture agent. "Parsley, on the other hand, is a tender, herbaceous plant and is used as a last-minute addition to enliven soups and bring a hint of citrus to festive salads."
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By Christy Jones
A native of South America, this perennial bromeliad may have been cultivated in Peru as early as 1200 B.C. It has thick, spiky leaves and produces a popular fruit available in most grocery stores. After pollination, the plant makes up to 200 individual flowers that fuse to form a collective fruit.
The Maya and Aztecs are some of the earliest known tribes to cultivate them for food. Europeans discovered the plants after Christopher Columbus encountered them on the Caribbean Islands and brought the fruit to Spain in 1493. They became a hit among wealthy Europeans who imported the fruit until 1658, when gardeners started growing the plants in hothouses. Because of the expense to produce them, 17th-century Europeans associated the fruit with great wealth and hospitality.
The flowers are usually pollinated by hummingbirds and occasionally foraging bats. They grow in tropical environments but can be cultivated in other parts of the world.
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The Ancient Tree Species
Saved by Humans
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If you’ve ever wondered what trees looked like millions of years ago, look no further than the ginkgo tree. As the only surviving species of an ancient plant group, this living fossil has changed little over the past 200 million years.
The ginkgo tree is distinct as one of the few plant species preserved by humans. Scientists theorize ginkgo populations began decreasing 130 million years ago because of competition from flowering plants. Modern flowering plants grew faster and produced colorful petals and fruit to attract more pollinators and herbivores. By the time the ice age ended 11,000 years ago, ginkgos only existed in China.
Peter Crane, the author of Ginkgo, believes the Chinese cultivated ginkgos 1,000 years ago to harvest the seeds. Considered a delicacy and traditional herbal remedy in East Asia, the seeds are slightly toxic but edible in small quantities. The outer coating contains urushiol, the chemical in poison ivy, and the seeds have a neurotoxin that can cause seizures.
In the late 17th century, German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer encountered ginkgos in Japan and brought them back to Europe. They quickly spread throughout the rest of the world, growing in zones 4 through 9.
The tree features unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn a bright yellow in fall. Female trees produce nuts in fleshy, fruit-like cones. When the cones fall to the ground, and the flesh begins to rot, a vomit-like stench wafts through the air. They grow well in cities and are resistant to pollutants, fungicides, insects, and drought. They are also remarkably long-lived, with the oldest recorded specimen reaching 3,500 years old.
At Mercer, you can find ginkgos in the Prehistoric Garden, Azalea Plaza, and around Storey Lake. Ginkgo trees fruit in summer, but Mercer’s trees are too young to produce fruit.
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Fall Bulbs for Spring Gardens |
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By Jamie Hartwell
Gardening catalogs filled with images of beautiful blooms make it tempting to go online and fill your basket with whatever strikes your fancy. But if you’re looking for bulbs that will fill a spring garden, avoid disappointment by choosing reliable bloomers for your area.
To improve success in southeast Texas, start by giving your bulbs the big chill, from six to 12 weeks. Place your bulbs in ventilated mesh bags and store them in the refrigerator. Make sure to keep them away from fruit, which produces ethylene gas that suppresses flowering.
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While your bulbs nap, prepare your raised beds so they are ready for the bulbs in December. Make sure the soil is well-draining. If you have heavy soil, mix in generous amounts of humus and sand for the right consistency.
Bulbs have different planting depths, but a general rule is to plant them at a depth equal to 2.5 times their width. Plant true bulbs with the pointed tips positioned towards the surface.
For greater impact, plant them in groups with cool-season annuals. The more you have, the better the result.
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Here’s a list of bulbs suggested for the Gulf Coast area: |
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- Agapanthus (lily of the Nile)
- Alstroemeria (Peruvian or princess lily)
- Amaryllis
- Anemone
- Bletilla (Chinese ground orchid)
- Clivia lily
- Crinum lily
- Cyclamen
- Gloriosa lily
- Hyacinthus (hyacinth)
- Ipheion uniflorum (spring starflower)
- Iris
- Ixia (corn or wand flowers)
- Lachenalia
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- Leucojum (summer snowflake)
- Lilium (lily)
- Moraea (peacock flower)
- Muscari (grape hyacinth)
- Narcissus (daffodil)
- Nerine (type of lily)
- Neomarica (giant apostles’ iris)
- Ornithogalum (star of Bethlehem)
- Oxalis (shamrock plant)
- Ranunculus (buttercup)
- Sparaxis (harlequin flower)
- Veltheimia (forest or cape lily)
- Watsonia (bugle lily)
- Zatedeschia (calla lily)
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Garden Cruisin': Tour de 4
Fridays, Dec. 3 and 17, 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Visitors 60 or older or those 12 or older with mobility needs are invited on a leisurely one-hour cart tour through Mercer Botanic Gardens. Meet in front of the Visitor Center at Mercer's East Side Garden. The Tour de 4 uses an open-air cart, so dress for the weather. Registration is required online at hcp4.net/mercer/events beginning Wednesdays, Nov. 3 and 17, at 9 a.m. A maximum of four passengers is allowed per tour. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
Women's Restorative Hike
Tuesdays, Dec. 14 and 28, 8 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
This beginner-friendly, one-hour hike through Mercer's gardens and the forest is for those who believe in the restorative power that nature has on the mind, body, and spirit. Women 18 or older. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. Meet in front of the Visitor Center at Mercer's East Side Garden. Registration is required online at hcp4.net/mercer/events beginning Mondays, Nov. 15 and 29, at 9 a.m. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, Dec. 16, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mercer Botanic Gardens offers a variety of volunteer opportunities at three facilities within a mile of the gardens. Join us for a volunteer orientation to discover everything we offer, including garden maintenance, plant propagation, educational programs, and the Mercer Ambassadors. Meet off-site at the Timber Lane Community Center, approximately two miles from Mercer, at 1904 Naplechase Crest Drive in Spring. Participants must be 16 or older or 12 - 15 if accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration is required online at hcp4.net/mercer/events beginning Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 9 a.m. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, Dec. 18, at 8 a.m.
Join us for an early morning bird count along the Spring and Cypress Creek greenways. Volunteer guide Al Barr will lead a walk along the trails of Mercer's east and west sides to observe, identify, and count bird species. The count continues as participants drive north to experience Pundt Park and a variety of other parks along the Spring Creek Greenway. Feeder Watchers are also encouraged to participate. Participants should meet in the Cypress Parking Lot of Mercer's West Side Arboretum at 8 a.m. Collected data will be reported to the Audubon Society. Bring your binoculars, field guide, and bird identification book. For more information, contact Claire Moore at cdmoore3i@gmail.com. No registration is required.
A Children's Story Time and Craft Session
Monday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Children ages 3 to 10 are invited to settle in for a cozy story time session and a warm cup of cocoa. Participants will create nature-themed coasters out of pressed leaves and take home a Christmas tree seedling, while supplies last. Each child will craft two nature coasters – one to keep and one to gift to a family member or friend. Meet at Mercer's East Side Main Garden. Children are encouraged to wear holiday-themed outfits. Registration is required as space is limited. A parent or guardian must accompany the children. Registration is required online at hcp4.net/mercer/events beginning Monday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m. Choose from one of three craft times: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., or noon. Story time starts at 10:30 a.m. and repeats at 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
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