![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGUiC9laofEWfoku8g4lj9V565unoB6BX0-zjD_YYyQNJVAuU1ks0kgzN0qNJI1rm8AWyPq33u9UyuC5KxUQfNc-RDuCoHztcN2kS9_Qgtc-vrPPVrChSsUfE95CE_TuPvcwMtxiXJsS7/s320/Poppies+at+S.B.+Botanic+Garden.jpg)
The majestic meadow at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden is dotted with my beloved California poppies
I take a great break along the way and visit the GORGEOUS Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens, which is truly rising from the ashes of the devastating Jesucita fire that roared through the grounds. I took many classes at SBBG and still return there for special lectures, walks, and classes whenever possible. They also have a wonderful gift shop with everything a plant lover could desire.
And, how do I get back down to earth after filming gardening segments all afternoon in L.A.? I GARDEN, in my own little yard with fabulous organic plants from one of my favorite mail order sources Mountain Valley Growers. Honestly, you can't find a better selection of organics that are shipped than those from Mountain Valley. Not one of the dozens of plants arrived with any damage.
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Vanilla grass-who could resist ordering this? I'll have to experiment with it a few times before writing about it, but if it retains its vanilla fragrance when dried, perhaps it can go into my edible flower seasoning mix or into a pot pourri
Here's what I'm doing...planting a sinuous pathway of scented pelargoniums that will greet guests at our front gate and entice them up the pathway with their diverse aromas: apricot, ginger, lime, lemon, Rober's Lemon Rose, and so many more. Yum. I had a pathway like that at my old Heart's Ease store, and my visitors loved the natural perfume of these stalwart, old-fashioned plants.
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Oh, wow, I feel rich. I have a couple dozen of these scenteds, and they have grown an inch and a half in the past two weeks
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These have many common names, but they are calaminthas, and I am wild for their fragrance and taste. I learned a few years ago that in Italy they are called mentha de funghi or mentha de porcini (which is simply another mushroom), and they are great with cooked mushroom dishes
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Here's the BEFORE shot of the future fragrant pathway. All you can see now is the thyme lawn and the wooden plant stakes, but in a couple of months, there will be a magical transformation.
Traveling was fun, but it is so great to be back home.
Simple joys,
Sharon