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Hardworking Plants for Father’s Day Pretty and Practical Plants That Serve a Purpose Story & Photos by Kat Long/Contributing Writer Welcome to June!
– the very best month for lawn care, gardeners and outdoorsy-type people who live in Oklahoma, in my opinion. Yes, it is hot. No, rain is not guaranteed. But nights are gorgeous, it is easy to treat your dad on Father’s Day and your yard partner (whoever mows and edges and hoists and totes) isn’t too gripey about doing all the things. Herb Festivals are everywhere and probably as you are reading this, Ponca City is getting ready for our Herb Festival at LA Cann. So let’s start there. Working Plants for Your Lawn If you want some hardworking plants that are pretty in your yard, here are some great additions to the yard, even in June. But don’t just take my word for it. Talk to the plant vendors at any herb festival or farmer’s market. They know stuff. Lemongrass. If you can find lemongrass, buy two or three pots. They get huge, so give them some room to grow. My plants last year were four feet tall and almost that wide. Lemongrass is an annual here in Ponca City, unless you put it in pots and bring them inside over winter. Then you can just cut it down and it will regrow. It assists with keeping the mosquitoes away; you can cook with it; it is beautiful and smells wonderful. Marigolds. These hard little workers are great in the garden or as a border flower when landscaping. They repel nematodes in the soil and help your peppers, tomatoes, beans and okra produce more throughout the growing season. Marigold flowers and leaves are edible and make a nice addition to salads, on top of pastas or as a pretty on the steak plate. Though marigolds are an annual, they reseed quite
52 June 2021
Lemongrass is a tropical herb packed with strong citrus flavor. The lemon taste is prized in Asian cooking, as well as in teas, sauces, and soups. In the garden, lemongrass forms a tall, grassy clump 3 to 5 feet tall. Lemongrass essential oil is used in aromatherapy to freshen the air, reduce stress, and uplift the mood.
nicely, so invest in a few flats this year and leave a few dried seed heads at the end of the season or crush them into the soil when you do your fall clean-up. I do love a self-seeding flower. Basil is the best companion plant for your tomatoes. It repels those pesky hornworms and helps keep moisture in the ground during our Oklahoma summers. Basil also keeps the Japanese beetles and cabbage worms at bay, when seeded or planted around fruit and leafy greens. And of course, there are the pizza and pasta reasons. Mmmmm, pasta. Are you noticing a theme? All three of these plants/flowers are fantastic in pasta. And who doesn’t love pasta in the summer? Chives. Yes, I said chives. For all you rose people out there, chives are a great companion to prevent Japanese beetle infestations and will repel black spots. The white and purple flowers are a nice addition when landscaping and will draw in all kinds of pollinators. And then there is the culinary side of chives – tuna fish sandwiches, salads and, of course, pasta. Well, now I’m hungry.
