Eucalyptus Herb Beats Jack’s Beanstalk in Growth Race
Eucalyptus, the Vick’s Vapor Rub herb, starts in our Zone 7 early spring as a 3 – 6 inch runt of a herb plant. First time purchasers have no idea how large and how fast Eucalyptus will grow over the summerfall season. In zone 7 eucalyptus is a year round tender perennial that can stay outside constantly. More later on how it eventually dies. In zone 7, where the HerbFest is held; and below zone 7, the tree rarely ever reaches it’s full magnitude due to our cold spells and freezes, but that does not mean it can not be enjoyed year round.
It ‘s difficult when planting eucalyptus to appreciate the rapidity of it’s growth and the herbal characteristics of this plant. In one summer it can easily reach over 12 feet in height with a 12 foot diameter. The branches become long and spindly with beautiful, gray glistening round button leaves. The branches are sporadically positioned, trunk and bark exposed with the uneven bark colors and hues of graychalky white. The top grey color of the leaves and chalky white of the bark and branches make it a perfect member of the moonlight herbs category which will affect it’s placement in the landscape. Moonlight refers to the ability of the plant to reflect light and illustrates to the gardener to place the plant in a full moonlit area to take advantage of the reflected moon light. Often this is a placement outside where folks walk, or have to cross during darkness. The additional reflected light makes it much easier to navigate. Often Eucalyptus would be planted beside the outhouse as the target when one ambled between the lamb’s ears pathway to the outhouse. Of course we know what the Lamb’s Ear also would be used for!
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If you think one of the three misfits running for President can fix America, your living in a state of delusion.
As if the past year of the ‘race for the White House’ hasn’t been enough, we still have a few more months of this media circus. Who will be the final two for the home stretch from September to November Will there be a third party candidate that spoils it for one side or the other The media enhanced drama will unfold right before us. The climax of this tortuous mass of communication will be the election of another target for our tabloid enriched news.
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