THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf." ~ Rabindranath Tagore Lady's Mantle ( Alchemilla mollis ) Gardener's Note: Lady's mantle, a gracious hardy garden companion whose mounds of scalloped foliage with airy chartreuse blossoms drape over the ground like a mantle, are 'a must' perennial for zones 3-7. Legend tells us that perhaps Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, chose Lady's Mantle as an adornment or that the lobes of the leaves were very similar to the scalloped edges of the mantle or cloak that she wore. Many herbalists regard lady's mantle as 'women's medicine', treating a variety of female issues. With a preference for light or partial shade, lady's mantle is perfect for woodland or cottage gardens, sprawling ground cover and delightful informal edging. Covered in fine hairs, its fuzzy leaves capture raindrops and dew that bead up and shine like sparkling jewels. The airy flowers make fab...

"On this June day the buds in my garden are almost as enchanting as the open flowers. Things in bud bring, in the heat of a June noontide, the recollection of the loveliest days of the year - those days of May when all is suggested, nothing yet fulfilled." - Francis King ~ Bursting poppies, exbury azalia , Lady's Mantle and peonies _________ SKEWERED SHRIMP & MANGO BASMATI RICE SALAD ~ Simple light Sunday night supper, perfect after a long working day in the garden (adapted from June 2005 Cooking Light) _____ 2 lbs. peeled and deveined large shrimp 1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic 2 Tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 4 tsp. good curry powder 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/8 tsp. ground cumin 2 cups water 2/3 cup light coconut milk 1 1/4 cup uncooked Basmati rice 3/4 cup shredded carrot 2 cups diced peeled mango (about 2 mangoes) 1 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup sliced green onions 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 3 Tbsp. l...

~ Oriental poppy ( Papaver orientale) ~ Scarlet O'hara (Paeonia) ~ Garden companions Lady fern, Japanese painted fern, Hardy Geranium, Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)