Sideration:The use of green manure

White Lupin (Lupinus albus)/ lupin blanc/ altramuz blanco

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)/ fenugrec / alholva

This winter I grew these plants as green manure on my plot at the community garden. Both are just starting to go to flower and are at the perfect time for turning into the soil. According to my well thumbed copy of Rodale's How to grow vegetables and fruit by the organic method, green manure plants are one of the best soil conditioners ever discovered. "They cost little, take little time to use and provide the answer to good soil tilth." Every gardener who may not have time to make enough compost for the whole garden area can get the fertility build-up, biological activation and disease and insect resistance by planting green manures.
I am tempted to save some seed of the Fenugreek as it is such an aromatic Indian spice. In Hindi it is called methi and is a traditional ingredient in the spice mix panch phora . The "Greek" part of the name foenum-graecum means Greek hay.
(Note to self: Sideration is a great word to keep up your sleeve when playing Scrabble)

Lavandula dentata 'Pure Harmony'

Lavandula dentata "Pure Harmony', White French Lavender

This species of Lavender has a profusion of flowers at this time of year and the batch I have grown looks fantastic massed together. However despite the great cultivar name, I don't think you can beat the plain species with the lavender/mauve flowers. 'Pure Harmony' is just as hardy as the traditional form of French Lavender and would make a great addition to a garden where white flowers are chosen as the theme.

Joey Palms

Small Johannesteijsmannia magnifica growing in a nursery in Singapore. There are 4 species of Johannesteijsmannia, or Joey palms, which has the centre of distribution in Peninsula Malaysia. These are one of the most architectural palms - with large broad or lance-shaped undivided leaves. J. altifrons, not yet full grown, used as an architectural specimen in a shady corner of Singapore zoo.

The other 2 species, J. lanceolata and J. perakensis are rare species found in northern Peninsula Malaysia and they are under threat from deforestation in the wild, although I believe they would be brought into the landscaping trade very soon, if not already.