Carrot Salad

I had several carrots in the refrigerator that needed consumed before we took off for Crested Butte and Telluride. Found this on Food Network, Mr. Bobby Flay. Great as an accompaniment to any entree; adding color and nutrients to your meal. Maybe served cold or at room temperature.

Ingredients:

• 6 large carrots
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole carrots (cut them in half if they don't fit in the pot) and cook until just cooked through, about 8 minutes. Drain and cut carrots into 1/2-inch thick slices.

Whisk together the lemon juice, garlic, cumin, cayenne and salt in a large bowl. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified and stir in the parsley.

Add the cooked carrots and toss to combine.

Container Gardening 2015

We had a rough spring here on the Front Range. Cold temperatures and day after day of continuous rain. Now we in Colorado can NEVER complain about rain; however, we are a spoiled bunch. After 2 days of gloom we start to get cranky.
I always plant my ornamental pots too early. This year they were hostage in our garage for 3 weeks. Despite the late start, the combinations could become one of my favorites.


I have two identical containers on each side of our curving red brick wall on our east facing patio. Center stage is Jarava ichu (Peruvian feather grass) which was bought at the Denver Botanical Garden's spring plant sale. The grass is an annual in our Zone 5 area. Heuchera micrantha ('Purple Palace') is the most common of the coral bells and can take full sun. Love the mahogany foliage which will be topped with bell-shaped white blooms on long stems. Hardy to Zone 4, I will plant in the garden this fall. Calibrachoa ('Hula Godiva') is the trailing petunia-like flower which will bloom constantly all season as annuals do. Last but not least is Nepeta (Little Trudy Catmint); the most compact Plant Select catnip cultivar. The lavender blooms will be with us all season long. I plan on replanting the catmint in a plastic grow container in the fall and sink pot and all into the ground for the dormant season. Will let you know how successful my plan is when the pots are unearthed and replanted in 2016 containers...

I have two of these little beauties next to the larger red planters above.
The Angelonia hybrid (Angelface Wedgewood Blue) is one of my favorite annuals. Hardy to 30-degrees.
The trailer is Sutera cordata (Snowstorm Giant Snowflake). Also hardy to 30-degrees. I have been pruning the plant some to prevent from becoming leggy.
I had also tucked in another Little Trudy Catmint.
This container should be with us until a heavy frost.

My three Arborvitaes bit the dust last season with the 2 periods of severe cold temps. I had successfully overwintered the evergreens in pots for 3 seasons. I chose Wichita Blue Juniper; which you can see in the back ground, as the replacement. The hope is to overwinter the pots on our east-facing covered porch.
Agastache Bolero is a stunning Hyssop variety that blooms happily for well over 2 months. Love the purple-grey foliage. I will plant in the perennial in the garden once fall arrives.

The grass in the center is Carex flagelifera 'Toffee Twist'. Unfortunately the grass is an annual. The deep purple Verbena and Speedwell 'Waterperry' round out the planter. The Speedwell remains compact and will bloom June-August. As with all the perennials that are planted in containers; the Speedwell will make it's way into the garden this fall. I tucked in one 'Purple Palace', a Heuchera 'Canyon Duet and a Heuchera americana 'Marvelous Marble'.

Now is this not fun!
Canna indica was obtained at the DBG spring sale. Blooms should be spectacular.
Heuchera 'Shanghai' reblooms all summer.
Dueling 'Marvelous Marble' (lovely purple foliage in spring changes to green with dark veins; flowers spring to midsummer) and a Little Trudy.

More 'Waterperry' and Cranesbill Geranium pratense 'Dark Reiter' fill out this container. The Geranium is a perennial that will bloom blue-lilac flowers; hopefully soon. Not a xericsape plant; as needs consistent soil moisture. Will give this plant a whorl in the fall in my moist ground in the garden. It seems a little needy, but I will win it over!

A solitary Heucherella 'Cracked Ice' "Foamy Bells" with white blooms June-July.

20-inch container with another 'Toffee Twist', 'Marvelous Marble', Heuchera 'Amber Lady' and Calibrachoa Aloha Midnight Purple.

Another solitary Heucherella 'Venus'. Yes I am obsessed with Coral Bells!

Heuchera 'Royal Flame' and Pansy Solar Flare holding up even in 90-degree weather. Gets morning sun till about 1:00.

Heuchera 'Georgia Peach' and more Solar Flare.

Heucherella 'Brass Lantern'
Foliage color changes with the season.
Perfect to lighten dark areas.

The 2 matching planters turned out striking even though all is not in full bloom.
Love the Calbrachoa Aloha Hot Orange trailer.
In the center, but not quite in bloom is Plant Select Sonoran Sunset Hyssop 'Sinning' Agastache cana. Grows to 15-inches, blooming late summer to fall with lavender-rose flowers. Will take photos when in full glory!
Little Trudy keeps it all together; blooming continuously all summer.