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A Garden with Fragrance

A Garden with Fragrance

by | Sep 2, 2021 | Herbs & Vegetables, Thanks Plants!

There are few things nicer than walking in your garden, soaking up the sun, smelling all the different fragrances of the flowers and hearing the bees humming away. One specific plants comes to mind when picturing this image, and it is the lovely Lavandula dentata ‘Elegans‘.

As they dance in the wind with their long dainty stems topped with a vibrant purple, we now understand why bees absolutely love these shrubs!

Lavendula dentata ‘Elegans’

A bushy shrub with fragrant dark green leaves and dark purple flowers from spring to summer, they love to be planted in the sun where they can cope with all the shine in your garden! The Lavendula dentata ‘Elegans’ grown by Malanseuns is excellent to use for cut flowers and can be used as pot-pouri as well.

When you think of planting lavender, don’t limit its use to garden beds bedding – use the lavender as a fragrant hedge in your driveway or try it in a beautiful pot on your patio to enjoy.

What benefits would you enjoy from this delicate perennial?

Lavendula dentata ‘Elegans’ is a very versatile plant that can be used for cooking, for decorating and for aromatherapy apart from using it in your garden. We would say yes to choosing this plant for all these wonderful reasons!  

Bringing the lavender fragrance indoors

Savouring the Lavendula dentata ‘Elegans’ in your food is a treat, from baking with lavender to savoury dishes or making a soft lavender ice-cream – lavender brings a floral-earthiness-minty type of flavour and aroma to food.  How delicious!

If you’re not sure how to use lavender in your food, always choose to use it sparingly because its scent can be a little overwhelming, like vanilla. We suggest to rather start mixing a little bit with your dish, along with other great pairing herbs such as thyme and rosemary, and as you get used to the taste explore with different combinations. You can use freshly picked lavender or ground dry buds that you can keep as spice in your cabinet, for you to explore with in the kitchen.

Easy chicken and lavender recipe:

We found this easy and delicious chicken recipe for you to try. Thank you www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com for this recipe! Enjoy readers.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 – 4 chicken leg quarters (or other chicken pieces)
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 10 cloves of garlic, peeled and halved
  • Several sprigs of fresh lavender leaves
  • 1 lemon, cut into slices, rind and seeds (mostly) removed
  • Seasoning of your choice, including freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
  2. Heat an oven-proof pan over medium heat, then add the olive oil and swirl around to coat the bottom of the pan.
  3. Fry the chicken till the skin is golden brown on both sides (not to cook the chicken, just to brown it).
  4. Remove the chicken from the pan, drain the excess fat, add the wine and honey, and swirl around to deglaze the pan.
  5. Arrange the chicken pieces in the pan, sprinkle with pepper and other seasoning, then sprinkle with lots of lavender leaves and add the lemon slices on top.
  6. Set the pan in the oven and set a sheet of aluminium foil on top for 20 minutes.
  7. Remove the foil and let cook for another 20 – 25 minutes or until the juices of the chicken run clear when poked with a knife.

Add some fragrance to your garden

Next time you visit Plantland, remember to add the Lavendula dentata ‘Elegans’ to your trolley: you will be amazed as to all the astounding things you can do with this perfect lavender.

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How Plants Can Help Us To Relax and Feel Peaceful

How Plants Can Help Us To Relax and Feel Peaceful

by | Aug 17, 2021 | Thanks Plants!, Tips

We are complicated beings that experience all sorts of complex emotions, from the ones we enjoy, like feeling love or contentment, to the emotions we wish we never experienced, like anxiety and sadness.

From the green we see to the peace we feel

Most of us live in a fast-paced work environment and have also been dealing with a pandemic for 2 years now. Many of us are working from home, some have lost their jobs, and there are so many other stresses that came along with this pandemic.

Many of the activities we used to enjoy to help us relax have been put on pause, like enjoying fun nights out with friends and attending a public event.

Luckily we still have plants. We have learnt that plants help us to relax and are good for our wellbeing, but what we would like to fully understand is what goes on in our brains and bodies when we are around them.

How do plants help us relax?

We experience wonder, a feeling of mysteriousness, curiosity and abundant love. It could even be called oneness.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines awe as, ‘an emotion variously combining dread, veneration and wonder that is inspired by authority or by sacred or sublime.’

Would you not want to be in state of constant sublimity?

What we know for sure is that being in a garden helps our immune system. Unconsciously, without noticing, we become quiet and hear the buzzing of the bees and the singing of birds.

Having a plant or two in your bedroom purifies the air your breathe, making it easy for your body to rejuvenate and sleep better. Some say that paying attention to the symmetry, fractals and patterns of leaves or flowers is also what helps to reduce stress and direct our attention outside of ourselves.

To summarise, you need plants to help you relax! 

  1. Greenery is good for the brain, body, and soul

When you do not have the opportunity to go outside often, bring plants to your workspace and home to help decrease your blood pressure.

  1. Helps remove toxins from the body

Plants are natural air purifies and remove toxins from the air.

  1. Plants are therapeutic

Looking after plants is a natural form of therapy.

  1. Helps reduce background noise

Big leafy plants help with creating a tranquil mood.

  1. Plants help sharpen our attention

If we pay attention to plants, it will help with concentration.

  1. Plants help us recover from illnesses

Plants can help speed up your recovery.

  1. Plants can help with productivity

Studies have shown that people in workspaces with plants take fewer sick days off work.

  1. Plants could help with your outlook on life

Just pay attention to plants, their textures and colours, and experience a feeling of being both a big and a small part of the ecosystem.

  1. Plants provide us with a sense of companionship

You can talk to them, tell them private things and give them names, all of which help a lot.

Get the ‘in’ on plant relaxers

Having plants can be a source of pleasure! Sharing your space with living breathing beings can make your environment feel happier and healthier.

While this was just a small collection of relaxing benefits, there is so much to explore on the importance of plants. To get more info visit Thanks Plants!

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