THE VILLAGE VOICE

"I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys." - Song of Solomon 2. 1-17 Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) also called shrub althaea GENERAL INFORMATION Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus Pronunciation: high-BISS-kuss seer-ee-AY-kuss Common name(s): Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub-Althea Family: Malvaceae USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 9A Origin: not native to North America Uses: container or above-ground planter; near a deck or patio; trainable as a standard; specimen; no proven urban tolerance Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range DESCRIPTION Height: 8 to 12 feet Spread: 4 to 10 feet Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more or less identical crown forms Crown shape: upright Crown density: open Growth rate: slow Texture: fine

"Just for one's health ... it is very necessary to work in the garden and to see the flowers growing." Vincent Van Gogh PURPLE CONEFLOWER ( Echinacea purpurea ) 'NOT YOUR ORDINARY' BLUEBERRY MUFFINS ~ On the lighter side, these are always a family favorite from ... PICNIC! Recipes and Menus for Outdoor Enjoyment 1 2/3 cups flour 1/3 cup wheat germ 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 t sp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 cups MICHIGAN blueberries (preferably small wild ones) 1 cup buttermilk 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Preheat oven to 400-degrees. In large bowl, combine flower, wheat germ, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Add blueberries and stir to coat. Add buttermilk and butter. Stir until just mixed. Spoon batter into greased muffin pans. Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans for 2 minutes. "The purple coneflower isn't really purple at all. The large, eye-catching flowers are bright rose-pink. Each flower has a bristly iridescent orange cent...

"I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys." - Song of Solomon 2. 1-17 Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) also called shrub althaea GENERAL INFORMATION Scientific name: Hibiscus syriacus Pronunciation: high-BISS-kuss seer-ee-AY-kuss Common name(s): Rose-of-Sharon, Shrub-Althea Family: Malvaceae USDA hardiness zones: 5B through 9A Origin: not native to North America Uses: container or above-ground planter; near a deck or patio; trainable as a standard; specimen; no proven urban tolerance Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range DESCRIPTION Height: 8 to 12 feet Spread: 4 to 10 feet Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more or less identical crown forms Crown shape: upright Crown density: open Growth rate: slow Texture: fine

"All gardeners need to know when to accept something wonderful and unexpected, taking no credit except for letting it be." ~ Allen Lacy Hardy Hibiscus ( Rose Mallow ) "Put a grain of boldness into everything you do." ~ Baltasar Gracian FROZEN WHITE CHOCOLATE PIE with RASPBERRIES Almond crust: 9 oz. (1 1 /4 cup) blanched toasted almonds 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup Grease 9-inch glass pie plate. Chop almonds into 2-3 pieces each. Transfer to bowl with butter and corn syrup. Stir and spoon into prepared plate. Press onto bottom and up sides. Freeze. Filling: 10 oz. coarsely chopped white chocolate 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/3 cup evaporated milk 3 Tbsp. creme de cacao 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. almond extract 1 3/4 cups whipping cream 2 room temperature egg whites 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/4 cups raspberries (or favorite seasonal berries) Melt chocolate and butter with milk in double boiler over simmering water. Stir until smooth. Remove and set in bow...

'ANNABELLE' (H. arborescens ) (Found originally in Anna, Illinois, and introduced into Great Britain in 1907) ~ Traditional Home (May 1997) Gardener's Note: 'Annabelle' (an American native hydrangea) represents the quintessential picture of a mophead or snowball hardy hydrangea. Performing well, its flower green buds mature to white and then back to green. Large globular symmetrical bloom heads can reach 12 inches across, a bit too massive to hold up when wet, needing support to keep her upright. If pruned to the ground in spring, plant will be smaller and flowers larger, an advantage in tight quarters. (Hardy for zones 4-9)

"When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves." ~ Ken Druse ~ Chelone obliqua Common name : Pink Turtlehead ~ Lovely combo ________________ PORK TENDERLOIN with GINGERED JEZEBEL SAUCE ~ Great easy recipe (adapted from old Southern Living clipping) for the holiday weekend. Combine with any treat from the great August harvest ... sauteed summer squash & mushrooms, crisp salad, sliced tomatoes ... the world is our oyster this time of year. _________________ 3 lbs. well trimmed pork tenderloins fresh rosemary 1/2 cup Tarmari or soy sauce 2 Tbsp. brown sugar 2 chopped green onions 2 cloves crushed fresh garlic 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger 4 Tbsp. sherry (or bourbon for bolder taste) 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chopped rosemary freshly ground cracked pepper to taste Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, green onions, garlic, ginger, sherry, rosemary and pepper. Pour over pork and marinate several hours or overnight. Remove pork from marinade and...

"I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Valleys." - Song of Solomon 2. 1-17 Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) also called shrub althaea

"The daisy's for simplicity and unaffected air. " ~ Robert Burns ____________________ GRILLED SWORDFISH with AVOCADO & TOMATO SALSA ~ Simple summer dining, perfect when tomatoes are at their peek _____________ 4 6-oz. swordfish (Halibut or salmon ) steaks extra-virgin olive oil sea salt & cracked pepper to taste 2-3 peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped tomatoes 1/2 diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup diced green pepper 1/2 diced yellow or orange pepper 1/2 chopped small red onion 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil juice and zest of 1 large lime 1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar 1 minced clove garlic 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro (or parsley) 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme dashes of Tabasco to taste 1 peeled, seeded, and diced avocado Combine chopped tomatoes, diced peppers, red onion, olive oil, lime juice, zest, vinegar, garlic and chopped fresh herbs. Add a dash or dashes of Tabasco, according to taste. Set aside. (Can be made several hours ahead.) Prehe...

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James 'BEE ~ UTIFUL ' (Bee kiss ... Japanese Anenome ) _______________ LAYERED COBB SALAD ~ 'Delightful presentation in a glass bowl ... same 1920s true ingredients in a, 'kick-it-up-a-notch', layered look originally adapted from Gourmet (June 2002) ____ DRESSING : 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar juice from 1 fresh lemon (reserve zest) 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 clove minced garlic 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil SALAD: 3 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (1 1/4 lb.) 2 California avocados 8 cups romaine (cut crosswise into 1/2 inch wide slices ) 6 chopped crisp bacon slices 3 seeded and cut (1/2 inch pieces) fresh tomatoes 3-4 oz. crumbled Roquefort cheese 2 bunches stemmed watercress 2 (forced through sieve) hard-boiled eggs 1/4 cup finely chopped chives ...

"Let no one think that real gardening is a bucolic an meditative occupation. It is an insatiable passion, like everything else to which a man gives his heart. " ~ Karel Capek ~ Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) • Family: Aster (Asteraceae) • Habitat: fields, open woods, roadsides •Height: 1-3 feet • Flower size: 2-3 inches across • Flower color: yellow and dark brown • Flowering time: June to October• Origin: Midwestern U.S. ________________ “If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things in nature have a message you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive." ~ Eleanora Duse

"A Garden is the best alternative therapy." ~ Germaine Greer ~ Rose Mallow (hardy hibiscus) Hibiscus ____________ LIME MOUSE PIE ~ Tropical in flavor, this bold tart compliments a hot summer day . Keep it handy ( Bon Appetit 1991) as I have for over 18 years _________________ Crust: 8 whole graham crackers 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut 7 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Filling: 1/2 cup amber (gold) rum 1 1/2 tsp. unflavored gelatin 4 large eggs 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup fresh lime juice 3 Tbsp. grated lime peel 1 cup chilled whipping cream Sweetened flaked toasted coconut For crust : Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Process graham crackers in processor until finely ground. Add coconut and butter and pulse to blend. Press crumb mixture on bottom and 1 3/4 - inches up sides of 8-inch springform pan. Bake until golden brown on edges, about 10 minutes. Cool completely. For filling : Place rum in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand 10 minutes to soften. Whisk eggs, sugar a...

“We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden.” ~ Author Unknown Henry Eilers Strap Petal Black Eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers ') ________________ PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS ~ An old favorite, delicious served at room temp ... good for a picnic or lunch on the boat _____ 8 skinned & boned chicken breast halves 1 lb. fresh spinach 3 finely chopped shallots 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Pesto Sauce, divided 1/2 cup. ricotta cheese 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper 4 (1/8-inch thick) slices prosciutto 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/4 cup mayonnaise Flatten each chicken breast to 1/4-inch thickness; set aside. Clean spinach and remove stems. Steam for 2 minutes and drain. Squeeze until barely moist & coarsely chop. Saute shallots in 2 Tbsp . butter until tender; drain . Combine shallots, 1/4 cup Pesto Sauce, ricotta cheese, egg yolk, pine nuts, salt & pe...