Tea in the garden: it's a pleasure that bridges generations - Living Well in the Garden

Sunset, March, 2003 by Sharon Cohoon, Lauren Bonar Swezey

If you want a child's undivided attention, host a tea party, suggests Agatha Youngblood, a gardener in Rancho Santa Fe, California. There's something about the ceremony of brewing and sipping tea that soothes and settles everyone, she says, even the young and restless. Set aside a special place in the garden just for this activity. Add enough props to make it magical. And solicit your young guests' help in creating the scene. "That really makes the tea garden theirs," says Youngblood.

It worked for her. She turned the area near her California pepper tree into a tea garden. With the help of her granddaughter Caroline, then 7, Youngblood laid down a brick floor, brought in some French cafe furniture, and hung sun catchers (circles of colored glass) on transparent plastic fishing line from the tree's branches. This last touch is what created the magic, Youngblood says. "The way the sun bounces off the glass in the late afternoon makes you feel like you're inside a colored light," she says. "We both love it."

RELATED ARTICLE: An herbal tea plot

Many herbs make excellent teas; we grew the following in Sunset's test garden. Most of these plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil (in hot climates, give mint some shade). Buy plants in 3-inch pots.

(A) Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). This member of the mint family produces a light licorice flavor, It also attracts bees and hummingbirds. Sunset climate zones AS, 1-24.

(B) Bee balm (Monarda didyma). This herb makes a tea with a predominantly citrusy flavor-a mingling of orange and lemon, Zones A2, A3, 1-1114-17.

(C) Chamomile. We planted the common ornamental chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, a perennial), but flowers of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita, an annual) make a better-tasting tea. Zones 2-24.

(D) Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus). This is a tropical perennial grass with a zesty lemon flavor. Zones 12, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24, H1, H2.

(E) Mint (Mentha). Most members of this genus make good teas. We grew peppermint (M. x piperita) and orange mint (M. x p. citrata), but spearmint and 'Chocolate Mint' are tasty too. Zones A2, A3, 1-24.

To prepare an herb tea, add boiling water to your chosen leaves, Start with 2 teaspoons fresh herb for each 6-ounce cup of water, Steep for 5 to 10 minutes. For stronger flavor, increase the amount of herb.

Mail-order source for herbs: www.mountainvalleygrowers.com or 559/338-2775.