Perfume Princess with Bite and Vanilla Bean Spice

Starting with the vanilla bean story part 2 with herb and spice guru Ian Hemphill, growing a root veggie that some people add to schapps in vegetable heroes, a the new series on old fashioned shrubs for every region in Australia continues in Design Elements and all the perfume you could want in Plant of the week.

SPICE IT UP

Vanilla bean:Vanilla planifolia "Andrews"

Vanilla tahitensis

Commercially, Vanilla fragrans and Vanilla tahitensis are used but they have less vanillin in them.

Harvesting and curing the vanilla bean is very labour intensive.

Once the green bean has matured, then they are laid out during the day on drying racks.

At night , they are wrapped up in woollen blankets.

This process goes on for 2 months. 

I'ts really labour intensive, but if you missed it, you can catch up on my blog for last week.
There was so much to tell with the story of this spice that I had to split it up into two parts.

But this episode is about how we can economise with our hugely expensive cured vanilla bean in cooking.

I'm talking with Ian Hemphill, owner of www.herbies.com.au
Let’s find out.

Plenty of tips on how best to use real vanilla in cooking plus a why not make a vanilla flavoured rum?

Vanilla Flavoured Rum Recipe:

• Choose your favourite Jamaican rum to which you add 1 vanilla bean and 1 cinnamon quill.
• Infuse for 1 1/2 - 2 weeks.
• Remove vanilla bean and cinnamon and you will be left with a transformed flavour that equals botrytis semillon.

Vanilla Bean and Poached Pears: 

The rest is mostly synthesized from either guaiacol (which accounts for about 85 percent of it) or

1 Vanilla Bean and champagne OR

1 vanilla bean and sugar syrup of your choice.

Simmer for 30 minutes.

 Remove the vanilla bean and store if canister of caster sugar for a week. 

This gives you vanilla flavoured caster sugar.

NOTE: As long as the vanilla bean hasn't been used on milk, you can use the bean up to 3 times before discarding.

Here’s why you shouldn’t use imitation vanilla.

Did you know that less than one percent of the world’s vanilla fl lignin.
Guaiacol is a fragrant liquid obtained by distilling wood-tar creosote or guaiac (resin from the guaiacum tree).
If you have any questions either for me or for Ian, drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

VEGETABLE HEROES

Horseradish

Armoracia rusticana syn. A. lapathifolia

Horseradish is a member of the mustard family or Brassicaceae

You may be wondering what comic book character loved this veggie and what country adds it to their beer and make Schnapps with it?”

If you were a fan of the comic strip that featured Dagwood and his wife Blondie, well you would know that Dagwood ate horseradish.

"Blondie," by Dean Young and Stan Drake.”

But did you also know that Germans still brew horseradish schnapps and some also add it to their beer?

Apparently the Egyptians knew about horseradish as far back as 1500 B.C.

And early Greeks used it as a rub for lower back pain and as an aphrodisiac.

In Germany, it’s called "meerrettich"

In the 1600s, Englishmen loved to eat their beef and oysters with horseradish.

But not only that, the loved it so much, that the English, grew it at inns and coach stations, to make cordials to revive exhausted travellers.

So Why grow Horseradish?

Armoracia rusticana

Gardeners grow horseradish for its thick, fleshy white roots.

Did you know that the bite and aroma of horseradish root is totally missing until it’s grated or ground?

That’s because as soon as the root cells are crushed, volatile oils known as isothiocyanate (ISO-THIGH-O SIGH-A-NATE)  are released.

Vinegar stops this reaction and stabilizes the flavour.

Very similar to Wasabi really.

If you’re interested in making your own horseradish, and you don’t want it too hot and bitey, just add the vinegar straight away.

Growing Horseradish

Growing horseradish is easy – the tricky bit is stopping it taking over your garden.

• 
• Horseradish is a perennial to 1.5m high above ground but below ground there is a parsnip like tapering, fleshy taproot to 60cm long and 5 cm thick
• The above ground parts look like lime-green large rough textured  leaves, 30-90 cm long, so that’s about 1-3 ruler lengths.
• The edges of the leaves are extremely saw toothed, or serrated and as botanists would say, leaves with toothed margins.
• Horseradish has white flowers in the middle of summer to mid-autumn.
• Plant your horseradish in a permanent position and don’t disturb it because new plants will spring up from any broken roots and will quickly spread throughout the garden bed.
• Horseradish can grow in most soils even damp soils and grows quite quickly.

TIP: This deep rooted plant can be used in orchards to open up compacted soils and return nutrients to the soil’s surface.

By far the easiest way to grow Horseradish is from root cuttings.

Now’s the time to get a piece from a friend or your friendly garden club members because Horseradish is propagated by root division in spring or

Don't worry too much about soil or position, other than too much shade because it’ll die off.

Dig out a trench at least 60cm deep – horseradish has extremely long tap roots.

Replace about 40cm of topsoil and then add some compost .

Lay the roots of horseradish on this about 30cm apart and then cover with more soil.

Firm down the soil.

If you can get seed. the time to sow it is in early spring.

Keep your horseradish well-watered.

Next year by mid-autumn if you were lucky enough to have planted it last year either in autumn OR spring, the roots should be ready to harvest.

Dig up all the plants.

Use the larger roots to make horseradish sauce and store the smaller ones in sand for replanting next year.

You could plant some of the smaller shoots in pots – either give them away or sell them once they start showing signs of growth.

By digging up all the plants, you’ll stop the horseradish from getting out of control and taking over your garden.

Although I must say, in my garden it’s extremely well behaved.

I have found suggestions that sinking half of an old rubbish bin into the ground, with its bottom removed stops its spread.

Horseradish is very versatile – not just as a sauce with beef, but it goes well with smoked mackerel, sausages, ham, trout, eggs and avocado.

Why is horseradish good for you?

Tuck into some horseradish sauce

Horseradish is a natural antibiotic.

If you’re on a low salt diet, then horseradish is really useful as a seasoning.

Horseradish has only 2 calories a teaspoon, is low in sodium and provides dietary fibre.

Where do you get it? Well there’s an online company that has divisions, but they won’t be available until July. Otherwise, the herb section of most nurseries and garden centres do stock this plant.

AND THAT WAS OUR VEGETABLE HERO SEGMENT FOR TODAY!

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Old Fashioned Shrubs and Trees for Cool Climate Gardens

Last week I mentioned that gone are the days when you had lots of variety in garden centres to choose from.
So this series is all about what were those old fashioned shrubs.
But we’re not just doing a blanket five but going through each climate zone in Australia, including some of Peter Nixon’s zoning.

Michelia doltsopa

Some of these other zones might suit your area as well even though they’re classified as say arid or sub-tropical.
It all depends on whether or not you’ve got a micro-climate in your garden that will suit.
Let’s find out what old fashioned shrubs suit cool temperate areas.
I'm talking with Peter Nixon, garden Designer and project Manager from Paradisus Garden design.

Tabebuia chrysostricha

Tabebuia chrysostricha

• Cool temperate can mean highlands and alpine regions and areas where you get a hoar frost..
• Bauhinia acuminata-small tree less than 4m.
• Syringas-lilacs
• Michelia doltsopa or Michelia Maudii small tree with white scented foliage and dark green leaves.
• Camellias japonica C.sasanqua, C. reticulata or C.vernalis.
• Peter suggested the ‘girl’ series sasanquas from Paradise nursery.
• Tabebuia chrysostricha-intense yellow trumpet flowers.
• Daphne odorata, kniphofia, and peonies 

PLANT OF THE WEEK

Daphne 'Perfume Princess'

If you love fragrance, you’re probably going to buy plants that aren’t supposed to do well in your district.

Daphne Perfume Princess photo M Cannon

Plants like Luculia, or Lilac (Syringia vulgaris) which are for cool climates mostly.
There’s another plant that has a reputation of keeling over without warning, but gardeners still want to grow if because of its high fragrance.
Now, there’s a new variety with flowers double or triple the size of the old species (Daphne odora) and hopefully, a bit more resistant to some of the problems that plagued the predecessor.
So, what so good about it? 

Let’s find out.….


I'm talking with Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

• Daphne Perfume Princess is apparently no ordinary Daphne and should be on every plant collector’s list.

Not only are the flowers bigger than the species Daphne, but it flowers longer, can grow anywhere in Australia and it has the strongest fragrance of any Daphne.
A definite must have.

PERFUME PRINCESS AND ARCHANGELS

FEATURE INTERVIEW

Wollemi pine photo Louise Brooks

WOLLEMI PINE Wollemia nobilis


The Wollemi pine is regarded as a Dinosaur plant because fossil evidence has dated it to have been around during the Jurassic period.

Way back in 1994, a chance discovery in the Wollemi National Park, by ranger David Noble and a couple of mates led to this tree being recognized as one of the rarest trees on the planet.

You can grow  buy a Wollemi pine for your home garden but need to know some expert tips as in the next segment.


Let’s find out what they are. Occasional reporter for Real World Gardener Louise Brooks is
That was Dr Cathy Offord, Research Scientist and The Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan.
She was speaking with occasional producer Louise Brooks.

 

 

PLAY: Wollemi Pine Garden care_11 May 2016 from 2006

.


Wollemi pine photo Louise Brooks

In the home garden, the Wollemi pine needs only 20% - 50% sunlight because that mimics the light level where they grow naturally.
Failure occur when Wollemi pines are grown in full sun.
Wollemi pines are the least heat tolerant of all the Araucariaceae family which includes Bunya pines and Hoop pines, disliking anything above 37 degrees centigrade.
They grow best on the south side of buildings and can be grown in a large pot.
Annually cut of the top of the Wollemi pine because they'll re-sprout.
Don't overwater or keep a saucer under the pot or container.
As for fertilising the good news is any general fertiliser will do as they haven't shown to be phosphorous sensitive.
Just remember that they have the potential to be large trees, growing to 35 metres in their natural setting, albeit very slow growing.
If you have any questions about Wollemi Pines or have some information to share, drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com or write in to 2RRR PO Box 644 Gladesville NSW 1675

VEGETABLE HEROES

Angelica archangelica or just Angelica

There are other varieties of angelica but only the one with the scientific name Angelica archangelica can be used in cooking.
 Doesn’t it sound a bit religious you say?
Why’s that?
Did you know that supposedly an angel presented an angelica plant to man as a cure for the plague, and 15th and 16th century herbalists recommended eating or chewing the roots as a cure for a number of diseases?
Apparently back then, they also believed that angelica would protect against witchcraft and evil spells.
Angelica is native to Europe, Asia and North America.
Although angelica is a biennial herb-growing the first year and flowering the second-it will keep growing for a few more years if you clip off the flower stems before they bloom.
So what does angelica look like?
There are a couple of different varieties.


Angelica photo M Cannon

One has yellowish green, feathery leaves that look tropical because of their large size which is about 0.7-1m long, and are divided into 3 leaflets with toothed edges.
This variety of Angelica has greenish white flowers that hang in umbrella like clusters at the ends of the stalks which are 1-1.5m tall, hollow, and stiff, so it's not really a plant for pots.
Another variety has by far the darkest of the Angelica's, with a rosette of near black delicately divided foliage.
During early Summer, dark flower stems carry broad umbels of purple buds, which open to soft pink.
How to grow it-Angelica likes moist, rich soil that is slightly acid, growing best in semi-shade.
Angelica can grow it most of Australia although doesn’t grow that well in hot humid climates.
Find a shady, sheltered spot for growing angelica - it likes moist soil, so keep it well watered - if you have a pond and can provide shelter, then it would do well there because it’s normally found near water in the wild.
Although that’s not really necessary.
Mine grows well on the south side of a garage-but then it spread to a nearby veggie bed, and seems to be OK there too.
Angelica grows easily from seed that is if you’re growing your own or know of someone that has some.
To get the flower seed-it’s just a matter of waiting after the flowers have died.
One seed head has about 100 seeds.
But you need to sow them within a few weeks after ripening or they lose their viability.
TIP: If you leave the seeds to ripen on the stems, will mean they’ll self- sow readily.
Then you can pick out the seedlings when they’re quite small and pass them on to friends.
Angelica is a hardy perennial and you need no more than one plant in a150cmsquare.
Either sow seeds in the late summer and thin to 15cm then in the second year to 60cm then to 150cm or buy plants in autumn or spring and set them a metre apart.


Angelica photo M. Cannon

If they self seed, then keep the strongest as replacement stock.
You also can propagate angelica from root cuttings.
It grows for four to five years as a rule, then it’ll die.
One thing to note, Angelica dies down completely in winter and re-shoots in spring, so remember where you last planted it.

Harvesting Angelica. How Do I Use It?

So now you’re growing Angelica and you’re wondering what do I do with this plant.
Firstly, it’s a reasonably attractive addition to any cottage or perennial garden, because the flowers and leaves are various shades of either green or purpleso they blend well with just about anything.
Depending on which variety you have of course.
But you can use it in the kitchen if you’re prepared to wait a year.
Plus, the candied angelica that you buy is not a patch on the real deal.
In the second year and onwards, you can cut the stalks for candying.
The books say do this in mid to late spring, whilst they are still young and green, but honestly, we’ve had such warm weather, that the Angelica I have in the garden is still green.
If you want to use the roots, then do it when the plant is still young in autumn or early winter or they may get woody
What Do You Do With It?
The roots, leaves, and stalks of angelica have a number of uses.
Young angelica stems can be candied and used to decorate cakes and pastries, and can also be jellied.
The leaves are used in herb pillows - it's said to have a calming effect - and the roots can be cooked with butter.
Chopped leaves may be added to fruit salads, fish dishes and cottage cheese in small amounts.
Add leaves to sour fruit such as rhubarb to neutralize acidity.
Boil the stems with jams to improve the jam’s flavour.
Remove the stems before canning or freezing. Young stems can be used as a substitute for celery.
You can also eat the boiled roots and stems like celery.
Commercially, the seeds and an oil made from the stems and roots are used as a flavouring in many liqueurs such as vermouth, chartreuse, and Benedictine, and the seeds also can be brewed into a tea.
So, all round it's a good value plant and there's a great deal of satisfaction to be had from producing something that most people only buy in shops or see in restaurants - candied angelica.
TIP To keep your Angelica growing in the garden you need to make sure it’s well watered and remove the stems before they flower as the angelica will die after flowering and setting seed.
You can keep one or two going longer to fill in the gap left by waiting for seedlings to mature by not allowing them to flower.
Why is it good for you?
After the bacterial theory was disproven in relation to the bubonic plaque of 1665 it was realized that Angelica had antibacterial properties. 
Some people apparently chew the dried root for its anti-viral properties.
AND THAT WAS YOUR VEGETABLE HERO FOR TODAY?

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Wildlife in Tropical Gardens
Would you think that tropical gardens are any good for wildlife?
Of course! Think Daintree and Kakadu for tropical and rainforest;

Lorikeets in Drunken Parrot tree or Schotia brachypetala  photo M Cannon

Australia has some of the oldest and largest tracts of rainforest in the world, and they are teeming with wildlife.
So how can you get that into your garden?
Let’s find out. I'm talking with Louise McDaid, Garden Designer.

Australia’s rainforests stretch across the country and cover every climatic type.

Daintree rainforest

From Queensland's Daintree Rainforest to Tasmania's cool temperate wilderness and to the Gondwanan rainforest near Byron Bay.
You'll also find dry rainforest pockets in Western Australia's Kimberley region and monsoon rainforest in Kakadu National Park.
Down in Victoria's Otway Ranges, exist lush fern gullies.
This lush landscape is home to species like cassowaries, parrots, pythons, possums, tree kangaroos, and primitive-looking reptiles, many of which live nowhere else in the world.
You may not attract these to your garden but you certainly will attract something from your local area.
So there’s no excuse for not having a tropical rainforest no matter what zone you live in.

If you have any questions about creating tropical gardens drop us a line to realworldgardener@gmail.com

PLANT OF THE WEEK

This next plant is for the lovers of fragrance in the garden.
And if you love fragrance, you’re probably going to buy plants that aren’t supposed to do well in your district.
Plants like Luculia, or Lilac (Syringia vulgaris) which are for cool climates mostly.
There’s another much plant that has a reputation of keeling over without warning, but gardeners still want to grow if because of its high fragrance.
Now, there’s a new variety with flowers double or triple the size of the old species (Daphne odora) and hopefully, a bit more resistant to some of the problems that plagued the predecessor.
So, what so good about it?
Let’s find out. I'm talking with the plant panel :Karen Smith, editor of Hort Journal www.hortjournal.com.au  and Jeremy Critchley, The Green Gallery wholesale nursery owner. www.thegreengallery.com.au

Daphne Perfume Princess

Daphne Perfume Princess is apparently no ordinary Daphne and should be on every plant collector’s list.
Not only are the flowers bigger than the species Daphne, but it flowers longer, can grow anywhere in Australia and it has the strongest fragrance of any Daphne.
A definite must have.