potagers ....

I know some people think it is not quite the thing to grow flowers in the allotment but I really feel that the plot should not be a strictly utilitarian affair. I wistfully think of potager gardens. Although much loved by Victorian gardeners, the concept is French with the word potager meaning soup. It really describes a kitchen garden often on a large estate with potted plants etc. The Victorians took up this idea with enthusiasm and created gardens of great charm where although the emphasis was on edible plants and herbs the space was shared with flowers, sweet peas, rambling roses, marigolds and hollyhocks. Of course, despite the aesthetic appeal all this makes good sense, the Victorians knew a thing or two about companion planting. The flowers bring bees to pollinate the vegetables, plants such as marigolds and nasturtiums attract beneficial insects to ward off pests and judiciously placed fragrant herbs protect crops by warding off predators. When planning the allotment each year it is this potager idea to which I aspire. Well it is midsummer now and if I position myself in the right place to avoid looking at the weedy overgrown patch and narrow my eyes a little what comes into focus is almost a thing of beauty. Sunflowers are turning their faces to the sky; at their feet rows of carrots, parsnips and carrots are interwoven by the tendrils of pumpkins which are running riot throughout the allotment – their vines interspersed by vibrant yellow swollen globes. In the corner the hot colours of nasturtiums and marigolds are softened by the blue of  borage and the sweet pea trellis at the far end seems alive with fragrant pastel fritillaries. But it is not just flowers that give appeal to the plot, the vegetables lend texture and movement – the fronds of carrot and fennel ripple in the wind and the sun shimmers through the vibrant veined leaves of  chard. Of course, central to any vegetable plot in midsummer are the tall trellises of beans with their red flowers studding the dark vines – a variety of height seems essential for the overall visual interest of any plot. However, although as attached as I am to the idea of the potager garden I feel I have to grow flowers that are fitting for an allotment –I don’t think I would grow roses or plant daffodils as I have to feel the flowers must play a part … either as companion planting or as edible plants. Many people are a little wary about eating flowers but try nasturtium and borage in a salad – pretty and delicious. In fact try slicing some nasturtium flowers into cooked pasta with some other summer herb, then sprinkle on some Parmesan for an easy supper. As for sunflowers we do leave some of the heads for the birds throughout the winter but mostly we save seed to toast for an autumn snack. We mix a solution of salt, water and flour to coat the seeds and then toast them for a couple of hours in a low oven. Nice to chew over an early evening drink – although not exactly filling. I must confess now that there is one flower I grow because it is just so durned pretty and that is Cosmos – I love to see their mauve, pink and purple heads dancing in the sunlight and hear the bees nuzzling into their orange centres. I’m sure the ghosts of the Victorian gardeners wouldn’t be begrudge me that..