by Jerilee Wei

Created on: May 08, 2008

As a Cajun-American, I'm aware that most people aren't familiar with the word "lagniappe" (pronounced lan yap). Those who are familiar with this French noun, may only think it is defined by the small gifts that are presented to a customer with their purchase in certain parts of Southern Louisiana and Mississippi. However, whether you are a Master Gardener or just someone who wants to master your own idea of a garden, I'd like to challenge you to practice planting gardens of "lagniappe".

First, this can't be ordered from a seed catalog, nor can it be found in your local nursery or garden center. There are many varieties, but there are no known scientific names for them. It can be grown in any planting zone, in any soil or environment, and it thrives in sun or shade. Additionally, it requires no water or fertilizer. Furthermore, no two lagniappe gardens will be alike and all are as preciously unique as the gardener who planted them.

The origins of the "jardins du lagniappe" or "something extra gardens" were one of many gifts the Acadian people received from the Spanish. The French word "lagniappe" derives from the New World Spanish word "la napa" which means, "to give." Ultimately, the word mutated and propagated itself from another word, the Native American Quechua word "yapay" a word that is closer to what the French lagniappe actually embodies, which is "to give more." By now, you are probably wondering exactly what is in a "jardin du lagniappe" or a something extra garden? So let's take a walk down my nostalgic garden path while I share what I learned.

Here in my garden, you'll find old world roses: My Great-Grandmere, Hirma Robichaux - best exemplified this type of gardening, when each time her roses bloomed, she took a bouquet to a nearby nursing home. She placed it on the bedside table of a blind woman, so that the patient could enjoy the delicate scent of those blooms. Hirma didn't know the woman and didn't know how to speak English. It was enough to for her to see the smile this frail elderly woman had, the moment she sensed the roses.

FLOWERING LESSON #1 - MAKE TIME TO SHARE THE JOYS OF YOUR GARDEN WITH THOSE WHO CANNOT GARDEN.

In this garden, you'll find edible and native plants: My Tante, Sue Navarre - demonstrated this type of gardening by sharing the results of her secret recipe for beauty berry jelly roll cakes, each time her book club met. If it were a special occasion, like someone's birthday, she'd decorate her cakes with the likes of marigolds,

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