The color green isn’t just for fans of the Hulk or the Wicked Witch of the West. It’s also a key component of any rainbow garden. Green is good!
Zinnia
If you’ve followed along so far, then you’ll recognize a theme developing in my rainbow garden. Zinnias! I can’t say enough good things about their resilience, and the reason they keep elbowing their way into my selections is they are available in any color under the rainbow, even green. There are a handful of green zinnias available, and I’ve selected ‘Queen Lime with Blush’, which will grow 30-40 inches tall.
Tip: Space zinnia plants apart according to the seed package or plant label. This allows air to circulate and reduces the chance of the plants developing powdery mildew. Powdery mildew won’t kill your plants, but it’s unsightly – like when you leave your house with lint all over your black pants.
Shell Peas
I’ve never grown peas, so this will be new territory for me. After sniffing around to see what’s available, I stocked up on peas named ‘Feisty’. Not only should I be able to shell peas from the pod to eat fresh, but this variation produces the highest number of tendrils. Technically it’s called afila type, which simply means it’ll be semi-leafless with tendrils replacing some of the leaves.
Why would you want a lot of curly tendrils and few leaves?
- It makes it easier to harvest the pea pods.
- The tendrils can be snipped and enjoyed as a garnish.
(I hope everything goes according to plan with the peas, because I have a special recipe I hope to share with all of you.)
Dill
I. Love. Dill. I can’t emphasize that enough. I want to sprinkle fresh dill on baked potatoes, salads and sliced tomatoes or to mix it in with dips all summer long. Dill pickles are great too, but what I truly seek is the freshly snipped flavor that I identify as “summer”. As herbs go, dill is relatively easy to grow from seed and even reseeds itself, popping up again next year where you allow seeds to fall. My choice to grow this year is ‘Leafy Diana’.
Dill, how to I love thee? Let me count the ways:
- Grows well in containers.
- The flowers attract butterflies.
- Taste like “summer”.
- Key ingredient for dill pickle recipes.
- Brings bees and other beneficial insects to your garden.
- The aroma is fantastic.
- Easy to snip and enjoy!
- The seeds are edible too.
- Nice filler in a vase with cut flowers.
Tip: That dried stuff from the grocery aisle is nothing like the real thing, trust me.
On deck, I’ll reveal which blue and indigo/violet plants I will feature in my rainbow garden! Find which flowers and vegetables I selected for red, orange, and yellow.
Do you share my love for zinnias and dill? Tell me what you love about them in the comments! I’d also appreciate any growing tips from those of you who’ve grown peas.