Dear Helen: I was surprised to see an old potted basil plant, still located at the same window where it grew last year, producing fresh foliage. I did not know basil could regrow like that. Is this unusual?
R.R.
Like many of the frost-tender, warmth-loving plants we grow here as annuals, various kinds of basil, in warm and tropical regions, grow as perennials, shrubs and sub-shrubs. Your plant looks like the familiar and most commonly grown large-leaf sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum).
The pot’s placement must have given the plants enough light and warmth to induce sprouting from old stems. The soil must also have been kept at least modestly moist.
Within the sweet basil group are varieties more suited to pot cultivation than others. A look through the extensive basil listings on the Richters herb website (richters.com) might be of interest. They list a sweet basil called Jolina, a compact form with somewhat smaller leaves than standard sweet basil varieties. It is recommended for containers. West Coast Seeds also lists Jolina.
Among the sweet basils are compact bush types with small leaves (Oocimum basilicum minimum). Examples are Piccolino and Green Globe. These are the easiest I’ve found to grow in pots at a bright window through the winter.
One of the best small-leaved basils I’ve found for growing in indoor winter pots and also in outdoor summer containers is Pluto, from William Dam Seeds (damseeds.com).
Dear Helen: I was intrigued by a climbing zucchini you described in a recent column. It sounds like a very interesting and space-savin g food plant that I’d like to try. Where can I find seeds for it?
G.A.
The climbing squash called Tromboncino is listed in the West Coast Seeds catalogue under "Other Squash" -- a category located in the catalogue immediately following the winter squash listings and before the pumpkins.
Dear Helen: One of my neighbours has had all the holly trees removed from his property because they are apparently invasive, but birds feed on the berries and I still see holly plants recommended for planting.
M.F.
English holly (Ilex aquifolium) has become seriously invasive in our region. The trees, which will grow almost anywhere, shade out native vegetation. The seeds, which are poisonous to humans but not to birds, are spread widely via bird droppings to grow easily and fast to crowd out native habitats.
Hollies that are recommended now are non-invasive forms that produce attractive berries with sterile seeds, that is seeds that will not germinate. Examples are the Meserve hollies including Blue Boy, Blue Girl and several more. The plants are smaller and more manageable than English holly.
GARDEN EVENTS
View Royal meeting. View Royal Garden Club meets tonight at 7:30 in Wheeley Hall behind Esquimalt United church, 500 Admirals Rd. Entrance is off Lyall St. Andy MacKinnon, a professional forester, will present Cool Plants and their Fungal Friends. The evening will also feature a judged mini show of exhibits from members’ gardens and a sales table with plants and garden items. Non-member drop-in fee $5. viewroyalgardenclub.wordpress.com.
Seedy in Galiano. The Seedy Library of Galiano Society hosts the Galiano Island Seedy Saturday on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in South Community Hall, 141 Sturdies Bay Rd. The event will feature swapping of saved seeds and vendors. Guest speakers are Nancy Turner and Keely Nixon. Lunch will be available. Contact: [email protected].
Seedy on Denman. The Denman Island Seedy Saturday event is on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Denman Community Hall. Dan Jason of Salt Spring Seeds will be one of the speakers. There will be a talk also on fruit tree pruning. Contact: [email protected].
HCP classes. The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd. in Saanich, is offering the following classes. To register call 250-479-6162. Details at hcp.ca.
• Plant Identification and Culture, Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. This is an ongoing series of monthly classes that can be joined at any time. In each session Diane Pierce introduces 25 new plants with descriptions, preferred growing conditions, landscape uses and maintenance. Cost to HCP members per session is $35, others $45. Cost for 12 sessions: members $350, others $450.
• Grow Your Own Wellness Journey, a series of six Sunday sessions beginning this Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m. Learn how to decrease stress and increase wellness through connecting with nature and the seasons. Cost $45 per session for HCP members and non-members.
