Alloway Creek Gardens

08/30/2026

Haven't been here for awhile-was busy earlier repotting plants. Take a look right of light bulb, a rat snake shed his skin above where I pot!

08/05/2026

See you at Good Ole Days--Crouse Park-Littlestown. August 15! Our Littlestown Garden Club will be there with a great selection of well grown plants! We are a non profit and will be in the local non-profits by the Gazebo. All sales go to our local Community projects!

06/30/2026

05/19/2026

A favorite lemon herb!

Native to South America, lemon verbena was introduced to Europe in the late 17th century by Spanish and Portuguese explorers who were captivated by its intense, lemony fragrance. While it arrived in the 1600s, it truly rose to botanical fame in the late 18th century when Spanish botanists officially named it Aloysia citrodora in honor of Maria Luisa of Parma, the Princess of Asturias. The plant’s popularity quickly surged across the continent as it was discovered that its leaves could be steam-distilled to produce a bright, zesty essential oil that became a staple in the burgeoning European perfume and soap industries.

Today, the cultivation of lemon verbena for its essential oil is concentrated in Mediterranean and North African climates that mimic its native South American habitat. France remains a historic center for processing and fine fragrance application, while Algeria and Morocco have become leading global producers of the raw organic material. In these regions, the plant is prized for its high citral content, which provides that characteristic "clean" citrus scent used in aromatherapy and high-end cosmetics. Despite its phototoxic properties—which require careful regulation in modern skincare—the oil continues to be a high-value export for these countries, bridging centuries of botanical history with contemporary luxury markets.

To learn more and find recipes, visit: https://loom.ly/0k4mN48

04/22/2026

Florentine Iris, an early blooming iris also called Orris root- used in potpourri, fragrances

03/21/2026

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03/16/2026

Some pretty blooms of Lenten Rose, Helleborus in the dooryard garden.

03/08/2026

The Missouri Botanical Gardens has a great Planter Finder!

Look up, view a photo and read about the over 7,500 plants which are growing or have been grown in the Kemper Center display gardens (plus selected additions) by scientific name, common name and/or selected plant characteristics.

03/02/2026

I just had a phone call from a lady in the Littlestown area that has to re-home her Peace Lily. It is quite large and needs at least 2 people to move it. If you are interested please message me at Steele.

02/19/2026

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