In this month’s Gathering Basket, I am taking a small detour from my usual focus on individual botanicals. Instead, I want to share something more foundational: how we work with plants to truly capture their full expression when creating herbal...
Lavandula angustifolia Few plants carry a fragrance as recognizable as lavender. Across the Mediterranean and surrounding regions more than thirty species grow wild, each carrying the unmistakable scent that has made this plant beloved for centuries. The species most often...
Lady’s Mantle Alchemilla vulgaris There are some plants in the garden that feel practical. And then there are the ones that feel almost enchanted. Lady’s Mantle is one of my favorites. In early spring, when the soil is still dark...
January has arrived, and in farming we call this time the fertile void. It is a pause, not of inaction, but of spaciousness. A season for letting ideas surface quietly. Planning begins in February, and by March we are planting...
Here in the Northeast, we are blessed with deep pine forests, and White Pine is plentiful. Fragrant and resinous, it is one of the few herbs we can harvest even when the snow is deep on the ground. Meeting House...
There are many varieties of Linden across both Europe and North America, each with its own subtle beauty and fragrance. The European species Tilia cordata (Small Leaved Linden) and Tilia platyphyllos (Large Leaved Linden) are the most commonly used in traditional...
Every so often, a plant reminds us just how powerful simple knowledge can be. This summer, during a family trip that carried us from Iceland to the Highlands of Scotland, I found myself relying on the herbs I’ve come to...
Spilanthes is one of my favorite plants to grow in our gardens. It’s fun—its flavor is exciting, its bright button-like flowers add a unique charm, and its gracious sprawling habit makes it a stunning addition to borders. The deep green leaves and purple stems create a striking contrast, making it as beautiful in the garden as it is useful in the home and apothecary. Whether dried or included in fresh-cut flower arrangements, Spilanthes offers more than just aesthetic appeal—it’s also a powerhouse for immune support and culinary creativity.
Skullcap (Scutellaria) belongs to the mint family and comes in many varieties. Some, like lateriflora and helmet (integrifolia), are native to North America, while others, like baicalensis and barbata, originate from China.
