Lemon Verbena

The lemon verbena plant that I planted last year and almost lost to a summer storm, is now firmly established and positively thriving. Whenever I pass it I can’t resist rubbing a leaf, because it smells so wonderful.

Transferring that wonderful lemony scent to taste is quite easy - simply steeping it in some boiling water for about 10 to 15 minutes does the trick. This granita is infused with the aroma of lemon verbena, soured with a little lemon juice, and sweetened with a delicate acacia honey. Any light colored honey will work here instead. It makes a wonderful light dessert or palate cleanser, or cooling summer snack.

• Lemon verbena and honey granita
• About 8 large sprigs of fresh lemon verbena
• 3 Tbs. acacia honey, or a similar light-colored runny honey
• 1 small organic lemon
• 500 ml / 2 cups boiling water
• Additional honey for drizzling
• Additional lemon verbena leaves for garnish

Wash the lemon verbena if needed under cold water. Zest the lemon (peel off the yellow part only with a vegetable peeler). Juice the lemon.

Bring the water to a boil and put into a pan with the verbena and lemon zest. Smash the leaves down a bit if they are floating above the water. Let infuse for 10-15 minutes.

Take out the leaves and zest, and put in the lemon juice and honey (add more if you want it sweeter). Strain through a sieve to take out any leaf bits or lemon seeds. Let cool to room temperature.

Put into a flat plastic container and cover. Place in freezer for about 2 hours. Take it out and mash and scrape it into a slush with a fork. You can serve this right away, or put it back in the freezer to serve later. (If it turns into a block of ice, microwave it on the Defrost setting for about 3 minutes, and mash up with a fork.)

To serve, mound into a glass and garnish with a fresh lemon verbena sprig. Drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon of honey per glass on top (Drizzling the honey on the leaves makes it look like there are dew drops on the leaves.)

Variations

You can try this formula with any fragrant herb that you think would make a good granita base. Lemon balm would work fine of course, as would mint. To turn the granita into an interesting cocktail, add some chilled vodka.

Aloe Vera

From the family Lilaceae/Aloeaceae

There are between 250 and 350 species of aloe around the world. They are originally native to the arid areas of Southern Africa. In cultivation they need a frost-free environment. Aloe has been valued at least since the 4th century BC when Aristotle requested Alexander the Great to conquer Socotra in the Indian Ocean, where many species grow.

Species

Aloe Vera (barbadensis)

Half-hardy perennial. Grown outside: ht 60cm (2ft), spread 60cm (2ft) or more. Grown as a house plant: ht 30cm (12in). Minimum temperature 10°C (50°F). Succulent grey/green pointed foliage, from which eventually grows a flowering stem with bell-shaped yellow or orange flowers.

Aloe arborescens 'Variegata'

Half-hardy perennial. Grown outside: ht, spread 2m (6ft). Minimum temperature 7°C (45°F). Each stem is crowned by rosettes of long, blue green leaves with toothed edges and cream stripes. Produces numerous spikes of red tubular flowers in late winter and spring.

Aloe variegata

Partridge-breasted aloe Half-hardy perennial. A house plant only in temperate climates. Ht 30cm (12in), spread 10cm (4in). Minimum temperature 7°C (45°F). Triangular, white marked, dark green leaves. Spike of pinkish-red flowers in spring.

Cultivation

Propagation

Seed

A temperature of 21 °C (70°F) must be maintained during germination. Sow onto the surface of a pot or tray and cover with Perlite. Place in a propagator with bottom heat. Germination is erratic - 4 to 24 months.

Division

In summer gently remove offshoots at the base of a mature plant. Leave for a day to dry, then pot into 2 parts compost to 1 part sharp sand mix. Water in and leave in warm place to establish. Give the parent plant a good liquid feed when returning to its pot.

Pest and Disease

Over watering causes it to rot off.

Maintenance

Spring: Give containerized plants a good dust! Spray the leaves with water. Give a good feed of liquid fertilizer.

Summer: Remove the basal offshoots of a mature plant to maintain the parent plant. Re-pot mature plants if necessary.

Autumn: Bring in pots if there is any danger of frost.

Winter: Rest all pot grown plants in a cool room (minimum temp 5°C (40°F); keep watering to the absolute minimum.

Garden Cultivation

Aloes enjoy a warm, frost-free position - full sun to partial shade - and a free-draining soil. Leave lm (3ft) minimum between plants.

Harvest

Alt leaves throughout the growing season. A plant of more than 2 years has stronger properties.

Container growing

Compost must be gritty and well drained. Do not over water. Maintain a frost-free, light environment.

Medicinal

The gel obtained by breaking the leaves is a remarkable healer. Applied to wounds it forms a clear protective seal and encourages skin regeneration. It can be applied directly to cuts, burns, and is immediately soothing. Rumor has it that the US Government is building up stocks for use in the event of a nuclear disaster.

Cosmetic

Aloe Vera is used in cosmetic preparations, in hand creams, suntan lotions and shampoos.