At 18-inches tall, 'Fernleaf' dill does well in a container. Photo courtesy All-America Selections

One of the most versatile plants in the garden and one that ranks high for attracting pollinating insects has earned Herb of the Year for 2010.

The Herb Society of America selected dill (Anethum graveolens), a tender biennial that is usually grown from seed each year. Dill forms a taproot, making it difficult to transplant; however, seedlings can be found in garden centers in spring.

The ferny dill leaves are used to flavor fish, sauces, salads, potatoes and eggs and the seeds are used in pickling and vinegars. Seed from Indian dill (A. sowa), called sowa, is an ingredient in many curries.

Sow in full sun after the last frost, usually in mid-May. Sow seeds every couple of weeks to extend the harvest of the fresh leaves. Seed usually germinates within two weeks and harvesting can begin in about two months. Dill readily self sows.

Black swallowtail caterpillar on parsley. (C) iStockphoto

The species gets about 4- to 5-feet tall and is topped with wide, umbel-shaped, yellowish flowers. This is there you’ll find bees and tiny beneficial wasps. You’ll also find swallowtails (Papilio) slurping up the nectar. Swallowtail caterpillars devour the leaves and stems. These caterpillars also like fennel, parsley and carrot leaves, which are all related to dill.

Cultivars to consider:

• 

  'Dukat' dill. Photo courtesy Jung Seed.

  ‘Dukat,’ bred in Denmark for Scandinavian food, has a sweet flavor, says Renee Shepherd, owner of Renee’s Garden Seeds. It gets about 2 feet tall, making it ideal for growing in a pot on the patio, porch or balcony. Seeds also are available from Seeds of Change, Territorial Seed, Jung Seed and others.

• ‘Fernleaf,’ a 1992 All-America Selection, is appreciated for its short, stout nature. At 18-inches tall, this is another candidate for a pot. It is available at Park Seed, Burpee and others.
• ‘Bouquet’ has large, 6-inch wide heads, making it a favorite for pickling seeds. It will get up to 3 feet tall and is available at Botanical Interests, Seeds of Change and others.
  

  'Bouquet' dill is prized for its large seed heads. Photo courtesy Seeds of Change

Family Planting Day at Garfield Park in the new Childrenís Herb Garden; volunteers Diane Drake and Andy Klee planting herbs donated by Irwin Gardens, Columbus, Ind. Photo courtesy Herb Society of Central Indiana

Plant societies do more in Indianapolis than cherish their favorite flora.

Members of the Herb Society of Central Indiana have been volunteering in the Children’s Garden at Garfield Park. This year, they installed huge recyled tires, planted herbs and helped develop educational programs for Junior Master Gardeners and other kids involved in the garden. “I am very thrilled to be a part of this project, my family and friends have a long history in the area,” said Penny Klee, a volunteer from the herb society.

“I am a new member and this is very rewarding for my first project.  (The herb society) looks forward to a long relationship with Garfield Park,” she said.

Volunteers from the Indianapolis Hosta Society recently planted their favorite plant at one of the entryways to Holliday Park. The garden, at the south entrance off Spring Mill Road, allows the society to showcase the beauty of hostas,  said Randy Goodwin, a member of the society.

“The main focus was to display massed single cultivar plantings with outstanding specimens as accents. Rock outcroppings enabled us to place the plants on several levels,” Goodwin said.

Indianapolis Hosta Society volunteers planted entryway at Holliday Park. Photo courtesy Randy Goodwin

At the Holliday Park Nature Center today (June 13) will be the society’s annual Hosta Show and sale. The public is invited to the noon sale and the show, which follows. 

 Hail-damaged hosta

If your hostas were shredded by the recent hail storm, here are some tips from Goodwin:

• Large or blue  hostas with spring growth, leave alone. “If you cut those to the ground, they will never recover. Clean up the most tattered or unsightly portions and leave the remains,” he said.

In northeastern Marion County and the Fishers area, Goodwin has had reports that hosts were decimated down to the leaf stems, called petioles. “On those plants, even a plant with only standing petioles, leave alone, he said.

• Medium to small hostas in greens or yellows, “then a total cutback is acceptable.”

Goodwin has had the same queries from hosta society members who’ve had to opt out of this year’s show. “That’s gardening and nature,” he said.