Summary: This past Tuesday we packed up our microphones and headed in to the library to record a talk given by Deb Soule titled: Planting for Pollinators. Deb is the founder of Avena Botanicals in Rockport, ME. This summer we'll be heading down there to see the gardens and take some photos. You'll definitely be hearing all about it when we do. From their website: Avena Botanicals Herbal Apothecary offers a variety of hand-crafted herbal remedies for supporting the health and well being of our customers. Most of our products are made with herbs grown and hand-harvested from our own biodynamic garden situated on a 32-acre farm in Rockport, Maine. Avena was founded in 1985 by herbalist and gardener Deb Soule. In 1995, Avena moved to its current location where Deb was able to design and plant a large organic and biodynamic herb garden. This beautiful three-acre garden provides an abundance of certified biodynamic herbs for the apothecary, a classroom for students, nectar-producing flowers for pollinators and a peaceful place for visitors to renew their spirit and find healing in nature. List of Plants Deb Mentions in her talk: Solomon’s seal - (polyganatum spp.) - root is beneficial for: tendonitis, carpal tunnel Native pink beebalm (monarda) Lemon Bergamot (monarda citriodora) - annual beebalm, Evening Primrose - (Oenthera biennis) Grecian Foxglove (digitalis lanata) Clary Sage (salvia scarea) - reseeds Honeysuckle (red - Lonerica) Hummingbird Sage (Salvia coccinea) (greenhouse early April) Mexican Sunflower (tithonia rotundifolia) plant out early June Lungwort (pulmonaria officinalis) flowering mid-May - shade loving, spreading Larkspur Marshmallow (Althea Officinalis) Nicotiana, Jasmine Scented (nicotiana alata) Sunflowers, great pollen producing plants, make sure you get a variety that produces pollen Black Cohosh (cimicifuga racemosa) - part shade, woodland Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Swamp Milkweed (asclepias incarnata) Common Milkweed (asclepias syrica) Borage (borago officinalis) Sacred Basil (ocimum sanctum) - fedco Echinacea spp. - 9 species that are native, to US. (tenusienses is on the endangered plant list) Blue Vervain (verbena hastata) - native, purple to blue, bloom through August, grow 3’-4’ tall Linden (tilia spp) - tree Hawthorne (crataegus spp) - cardiovascular tonic herb, dry berries for tea, Hyssop (hyssop officinalis) - coughs, astringent Lavender (lavendula spp) Lemon Balm (melissa officianlis) - antiviral, good for relieving flu, etc. Nasturium (tropaeolum) jewel mix, alaska mix Poppy (Papaver Somnifera) St Johnswort (hypericum frondosum) Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) flower in first photo above Greek Mullien (verbascum olympicus) Rosa Rugosa (rugosa rose) Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Books about Herbs
