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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2008)
Your Garden Can Show Pride Can you say gayfeather? ’ve been dreaming of a gay garden. The opportunities abound say it out loud every rime you see one now too. G-A-Y. for inappropriate ramblings of what plants qualify. What is the plant that says ggggrrrrr? Acanthus Of course, there are the easy ones. Like Gayfeather, also mollis, thank you. Also known as Bear’s Breeches. known as Liatris spicata. It has many great qualities other than I might assume those breeches come with leather its name, mainly that it blooms beautiful purple stalks in the chaps and a handlebar mustache, but I could be deep of summer, when the spring flush has subsided and many flow wrong. ers have stopped putting on a show. It’s my little drag queen that Next up? I’ve been called a lipstick lesbian many times in my life, just keeps singing. but I’ve never been called Aeschynanthus radicans, also known as the Since it’s the season of Pride, there’s always the Pride of Lipstick Plant. It is a gorgeous vine (did you expect anything but?) Madeira, Echium candicans, such a tease of beauty in coastal areas. with bright red flowers and can even be grown as a houseplant. The most gorgeous Pride of Madeira I’ve seen are in Santa Barbara, If you’re into zonal denial, you can always try your hand at Calif. Huge, monstrous purple blue flow Billbergia pyramidalis, Flaming Torch. ers in such a sturdy plant. I’ve tried grow A tropical or tender perennial, it certainly ing them in Portland, but without a long flames well in areas like Florida and Texas, enough hot season, mine didn’t bloom. although it may not be completely out of the Alas, no pride in my gay garden. closet. Last year I came across a basil named Georgia O’Keefe is famous for her beautiful Aussie Sweetie, O.b. Lesbos. Now how watercolors of sexually explicit flowers, but did was I supposed to see that and not buy it? she ever paint Dykes Seashore Iris? One can My Lesbos basil was very tasty, by the way. only wonder. Of course I knew it would be. It was de Last but not least? The Pansy. Enough said. scribed as a “variety slow to bloom.” Give it a break, ladies. She came out later in life. D ear S assy G ardener : Anytime I see this plant I shout its I’m in the mood for vines, and because common name out loud because of, well, we’re mainly focusing on edibles, do you have its name. Red Hot Poker. Also known as any ideas? Something that can both climb and Kniphofia uvaria. There are several differ produce food? ent varieties, but the great qualities are its A very queer basil. O.b. Lesbos. How drought tolerance, and large, erect flowers. can a lesbian see this basil for sale and Good question! I love thinking about You know, like a red hot poker. See? You’ll not buy it?! planting with multiple purposes; plants can serve many purposes, so put them to good use. Vines are good when you’re try ing to maximize your space because they grow verti cally. My top recommendation for edible vines are hops, especially because we live in one of the beer capitals of the continent. Hops are beautiful vines whose flowers provide the essence of some of the best beers, and their flowers have other medicinal purposes as well (like helping induce sleep and, some say, an aphrodisiac). Some ad ditional ideas: • Kiwis: A great pick because it is a beautiful plant and provides delicious fruit. The key to kiwi selection in Portland is finding one that ripens early: They have a long growing season, but I’ve known gardeners who have a harvest (if planned correctly) just in time for the first freeze, then bring them in to slowly ripen in egg cartons in their garage, ready for Thanksgiving. That’s a special time to have fruit from your garden! • Grapes: Is there anything more decadent than deep blue purple grapes dripping from a vine? I’ve had my eye on a type called Glenora, said to have a spicy flavor. Yum! • Beans and peas: A classic in the kitchen garden. I’m grow ing Chinese Yardlong Beans for the first time this year. I’m mainly interested in their freakshow output of bright red beans that get as long as a yard, but there are many different types of beans to con sider growing if you’re seeking edible vines. • L e A nn L ocher gardens with [xride in North Portland. And she loves to hear from other gardeners. E-mail her at sassygardener@gmail.com or visit her blog at www.sassygardener.com. (chin alions • Conferences • Heircab — Gay Owned & Operated— priDe speciaL oj--------------------------------------- U Mention this ad and get $1000 OFF the regular price of a Commitment Ceremony • Wedding • Anniversary Coming Out Party • Halloween • Company Party/Picnic (...or anything else you want to celebrate anytime between June I and November 30,2008!) 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