As you know, I'm fascinated with growing less common AND useful plants.  

This is one of the 70-something herbs I've got going on in my little kitchen garden here in the high country of Prescott, Arizona.

And, while you might not know this plant by name, I bet you are still familiar with it.
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I have a kitchen garden that is pretty small but very well designed with 6 large raised beds and a rock garden along a fence - all of which allows me to grow 70-something different types of herbs (along with a couple of tomatoes, and fava beans).   

I keep thinking I need to put a post together with the whole list of what's growing in my tiny kitchen garden...

Today I wanted to do a quick spotlight on Feverfew.
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I grow many different plants in my small downtown garden here in Prescott.  And because of our high desert climate it can be interesting to learn what works, how to help each plant be at it's spectacular best, and at the same time make it a fun and manageable landscape.

Most of what I grow here would easily be characterized as water-wise, possibly native, cottage garden plants, and the vast majority as herbs.  Some are all four, but not always.

They always say:  know your climate (or your zone) when planning a garden.  In other words, pick plants that will have a high chance for success in your particular corner of the world.  I promise this will make it more successful and infinitely more enjoyable.

Those of you who are unable or unwilling to devote a lot of time and energy to your garden will thank me for introducing you to this week’s featured plant. Actually known as an herb that thrives on neglect, clary sage is a showy, fragrant, easy-to-grow favorite with abundant medicinal and herbal properties. 

​Let's get to it...

This time of year, when the abundance is fresh, I like to feature a few plants that I grow, and recommend for the Prescott high desert climate.  

Most of these would easily be characterized as water-wise, possibly native, cottage garden plants, and the vast majority as herbs.  Some are all four, but not always.

Today, I'm featuring a lovely and tough cottage garden plant that is water-wise, and is considered an herb offering various health and well-being benefits:  Monarda.  And in this case it's Monarda didyma.
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Let's get to it...

When someone mentions cactus, I bet most of you would first think of Prickly Pear.  It is one of the most distinctive desert plants, and grows in a wide range of locations, but is typically considered a hot desert dweller.

And for those of us who garden in the high country of Northern Arizona, some of you may not think of incorporating prickly pear initially.  While our climate is considered a high desert, it might be surprising to know that many prickly pear varieties will not only survive in our four season climate, but truly thrive.
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Optunia

There are many varieties of prickly pear, and it is found growing in southern Canada and all the way to southern South America.  In the Sonoran Desert region, which is a large part of central and southern Arizona, there are at least 18 species alone.  And there are hybrids as well.  I have seen references to even hundreds of cultivars around the world.

The cactus is named for the fruit that form after blooming and ripens in fall, and I guess some would say looks like a pear.  And the fruit is considered edible, as are in fact the pads of many varieties - much skill and work to properly prepare them goes along with a good recipe.

The whole process of watching the buds develop and burst into truly extravagant blooms, and then mature into fruit is really exciting to observe over the whole season.

I am  featuring an Engelman's Prickly Pear that is growing here at Juniper Hill Cottage.  One of my favorites.  Scroll down to learn more.

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