J. Lynne Associates is looking to add several crew members in the 2023 season to assist in current operations and to help us continue learning and growing. Whether you are looking for a short term summer job or want to get outside after wrapping up an indoor career, let’s explore working together. Check out the poster below for more information and contact Judith via the contact page or by texting her number listed.
Each year the International Herb Association (IHA) reports on its chosen Herb of the Year and the herb of 2019 is Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). This member of the mint family has a wide variety of applications from tea infusions to pollinator attraction in the garden. As a medicinal herb Anise Hyssop is beneficial for digestive function and can help reduce inflammation. The herb is also high in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties that lend its digestive benefits. The leaves can be used to add flavor to salads, jellies, honey, or distilled spirits for a taste of the garden in your evening cocktail.
In its native ecosystem of North America Anise Hyssop can reach heights of four to five feet with stemmed purple flowers topping the stalks. These bloom in mid to late summer and will self seed readily so be ready for little sprouts in the next season. The benefits of this plants extend beyond their decorative and culinary properties and more is being learned about ancient uses of this herb and how it can be useful in a modern health regimen. The IHA offers a book full of information on the herb of the year that you can check out here if you would like to dig deeper into the soil of the Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). Pick up a start of a pack of seeds and start growing some Anise Hyssop in your garden this year!
A large part of the work of a gardener who chooses to work with native plants involves combating the encroachment of the many invasive species that have been introduced to the environment over the past few centuries. Presently the Natural Resource Commission is adopting a rule that will prohibit and restrict the introduction, sale, distribution and transport of invasive terrestrial plants into Indiana. This is a big step toward keeping our ecosystem as close to its original state as possible and gives the native plants a little leg up in the struggle against these aggressive invading species that tend to take over whole habitats. A list of the 44 prohibited invasive terrestrial plants can be found on the INCR website linked here.
Along with this legislative motion the Indiana Invasive Species Council is pushing to have the Callery pear and it’s approximately 20 cultivars and varieties added to that list. The Callery pear was not expected to be an invasive species but with the introduction of more varieties the trees started to cross pollinate and produce viable seed which has lead to the extensive spread of these species. Bad smelling flowers, messy fruit, and branches prone to breakage all add up to this being a poor choice for Indiana gardeners and homeowners.
The IISC has compiled a list of native Indiana trees that support songbirds, butterflies, and pollinators of all kinds with similar aesthetic value as the Callery pear but without all the mess and headache. Some of these native alternatives include Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), and Green Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis). The IICS website is a treasure trove of information so a trip through there is a must do for a true Indiana gardener.
We here at J. Lynne Associates are thrilled that our Indiana government is taking steps to protect our native plants and wildlife!
The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) is a group that works to educate the public on the benefits of utilizing horticulture at a greater rate throughout society to increase the overall well-being of individuals and communities alike. They have created a wonderful infographic series called #PlantsDoThat and we found a piece of their latest release that directly addressed utilizing plants in living spaces. We found this information very useful and wanted to share it with all of you. Check out what NICH has to say about horticulture where we live.
A large part of what NICH educates on is the financial and fiscal benefits of increased horticulture. As they stated, well landscaped homes are more valuable and represent a great portion of our personal wealth. Investing in the landscaping of your home increases its value and your personal wealth. Aren’t plants so useful?!
NICH has much more information on there website (click here to check it out) and their #PlantsDoThat series is immensely useful as well. We recommend looking at what they have put together as it is a great resource of plant knowledge for the everyday homeowner.
Landscaping and Design 