Last year when I let my gardens go entirely to weeds because of not being able to work in them, a strange plant took root on the edge of my rock garden. I thought about yanking it out... then just never got around to it. I didn't know for sure what it was but remember as a kid we'd see them growing alongside the dirt road by our farm. They got about 4 or 5
feet tall and grew a stem in the middle where the yellow flowers bloomed along the side. We kids used to call them Indian Tobacco. Of course my younger brothers had to try rolling up a leaf and smoke it to see if it actually was tobacco. I don't recall them getting sick or anything... oh the stories I could tell ( five kids growing up on a farm) but I digress.
Maybe the real reason I let this thing keep growing, knowing it was a weed, was the memories it brought back of my childhood.
It is really quite pretty as far as weeds go. The silvery hairy leaves are gigantic. I got a chuckle as I read more about my prized weed online. Out west where the plant grows on the prairies they call it Cowboy's Toilet Paper! Oh man... I think I'll pass on trying THAT out! But I know two brothers who maybe would give it a whirl.... just sayin'! LOL!
Anyhoo... the real name of this glorious weed is Common Mullein. (Verbascum Thapsus)
The Reader's Digest North American Wildlife Guide says they are also known as Velvet Plant or Flannel Leaf.
According to Wikipedia the plant has astringent qualities. It was used in making torches. Witches might use these torches to ward off evil.
Hmmmmmm..... lots of interesting stuff you can learn about something growing right in your own backyard!
Here's a pic of something else we have growing in our side-yard this year.... I think Hubby is down-right proud of his little gardening effort this year....
He usually doesn't entertain much interest when it comes to gardening. Probably because he works long hours and has more projects going around here than you can shake a stick at!
I had purchased a few Red Norland seed potatoes on a trip to a greenhouse and had intentions of planting them myself in a garden. Well, the gardens I have right now are just little rock gardens and don't have the proper room for growing potatoes. On youtube I found a video of how to grow potatoes in a 5 gallon bucket!
Wow... I was intriqued so I told Dave the potatoes were his responsibility. He reluctantly watched the video and followed all intructions to a T. I am happy to report the taters are growin' like weeds... just not as big as MY prize weed though! LOL!
If you want to grow your own spuds in 5 gallon buckets go look up Hollis and Nancy on YouTube! I LOVE their gardening videos! I just love listening to Hollis' sweet southern accent!
Well, there's more going on but I will save it for another post!
Happy Gardening!
Cathy G