The Poultry Keeper

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2036 Location: North Cornwall

This is Cerinthe if you dont know it already and really worth growing. It starts flowering in Feb and goes on until about Oct. It looks lovely in a vase with daffs in spring and with sweetpeas or cosmos in summer. It self seeds and I think its beautiful.

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

It looks really pretty - yet another thing for my wish list Laughing

Heather · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject:

OOOh it seeded itself in my garden Smile

Loads of it in the front

CP · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject:

Not edible though?? Or is it?? Confused

Very pretty. Can you buy it as seeds only or maybe as plug plants from the garden centre? Confused

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2036 Location: North Cornwall

I was given seeds and I think its in Thompson& Morgan. Ive seen it as small plants in one of those trendy catalogues that sells designer colour scheme plants but they ask silly money for them.

Lisa · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject:

CP - I don't think its edible (don't remember coming across it as an edible flower anyways).

Very pretty though - I do like it. It sounds like it flowers for ever!! And I like T&M's description of it as being easy to grow - just up my street Very Happy

Does it last well as a cut flower then Jan? (Thinking flowers for next year...)

CP · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 5:41 pm Post subject:

It is very pretty, but I wonder if the chickens will think it's edible!!! Laughing

Lisa · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 6:02 pm Post subject:

Oh now I understand.... Embarassed

Well that's different. So you're asking:

1) will the chickens WANT to eat it?

and

2) will it harm them?

Me? I was thinking a few edible flowers sprinkled over some salad leaves, a bit of vinegrette, BBQ, good company, glass of wine... Rolling Eyes

CP · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 6:11 pm Post subject:

Spana · Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 2036 Location: North Cornwall

I have it in my veg garden and the chooks are not supposed to go in there so I dont know if they would eat it. Rabbits dont tho and slugs and snails tend to leave it alone as well.

Lisa,it makes a lovely cut flower, thats why I grow it, but you have to put the stems in boiling water for about 15 seconds.

Lisa · Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject:

Woo Hoo - something slugs and snails leave alone. I love it already.

Having a battle with them in the garden at the mo. Though it is very theraputic to go out 1st thing in the morning, pick the slugs and snails off my plants (and from where they're hiding under the pots!) and throw them over the fence to the chooks Twisted Evil

My original 4 chooks didn't bother with them, but one of the newbies I got last year thinks they are the best thing for breakfast which has got the others interested more in them too Razz

Thanks for the tip about putting the flower stems in boiling water - some flowers do last a lot longer if you know what to do with them, don't they Embarassed

mojo · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:25 pm Post subject:

ok cleverclogs ...list please of edible flowers.i will start..........capucine(nastutums).violets.roses,marigolds so what else can i add to a salad please

Lisa · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 4:06 pm Post subject:

Try this link Mojo - few here to keep you going: Wink

http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers/EdibleFlowersMain.htm

mojo · Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:08 pm Post subject:

thanks lisa can this be added to the sticky list please

Sue B · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 346 Location: Lincolnshire

I got a packet of Cerinthe years ago on the front of a gardening mag and its self seeded every year since. My chooks don't touch it. The seeds are huge and easy to collect.