I admit it: I am an avid reader! But I am a slow newbie when it comes to teen vampire/werewolf drama romances. However, even years late, I admit that the Twilight Saga makes a great summer read. Stephanie Meyer’s The Host was an excellent example of vivid storytelling. But I’ll talk about that book in another post.
After reading all 4 books in the Twilight Saga, and then reading my Baker Creek Heirloom Seed catalog again, I realized that one could very easily plant a Twilight garden! (Some of these can also be found at Tomato Growers Supply.) Some of my descriptions may include spoilers, so go out and read the books already 😉
This list could be used to encourage young adults and teens to get into gardening. It could be used for a community garden, a school garden, or in your own personal garden. There’s a wide variety here for vegetables, but I’ve included some flowers as well at the end for those who are inclined. Enjoy!
A smattering of the tomatoes for the Twilight Garden
Tomatoes:
Violet Jasper: These tomatoes are similar to Green Zebra only deep purple with green stripes. Very nice. So picked after the character Jasper, obviously. Jasper is one of my favorite characters–he was excellently developed deeper in Eclipse.
Topaz: These tomatoes very similar to Violet Jasper only they are yellow with green speckles. Picked after the color of the Cullen’s eyes. Bella changes her favorite gemstone to topaz after meeting Edward.
Bella Rosa Hybrid: These are medium-large red globes. Yes, this is a hybrid pick. But it is the only tomato named Bella–can you believe it?
Rosalita: These are red grape tomatoes. Picked after Rosalie, of course. I loved how she was developed more in Eclipse. You could also plant Rose or Red Rose instead.
Black Prince: A black salad tomato, or a small globe. This is doubly appropriate for Jacob, as he is a Black and the natural leader of his pack, or alpha. So prince works. You would not believe the number of plants that have the word ‘Black’ in them, so this is the only one I’ve included here. I’m totally Team Jacob, btw.
Break-o-Day: a great producing red globe. So picked for Breaking Dawn.
Seattle Best of All: Another red all purpose tomato. So picked because the books take place in Forks, Washington. Seattle is in Washington, obviously. It is also where Victoria chooses to create her new vampire coven in Eclipse.
Weeping Charlie: This is a red paste-style tomato. So picked after Bella’s father. But does he actually seem like the kind of man who’d weep? I think not, but it’s the only tomato named Charlie so there you go.
Morning Sun: A yellow grape (cherry) tomato. These would look great when paired with Rosalita. So picked after Breaking Dawn also.
A beautiful assortment of veggies from the Twilight Garden
Other Vegetables:
Loves-Lies-Bleeding Red Amaranth: This is one freaky looking plant. It is grown for its edible leaves (use like spinach), and also as a grain crop for its seeds. But the name is so interesting when thought of in the Twilight perspective. Bella lies bleeding on the floor in Twilight, and again in New Moon, and finally in Breaking Dawn. She probably bleeds in Eclipse too, when Edward is fighting Victoria.
Moonshadow Hyacinth (Lablab) Bean: I’ve grown these for 2 years now and I love them. It is ornamental because the vines and leaves are tinged purple, and it puts out beautiful lavender flowers. Its dark burgundy bean pods are very tasty in stir fry. So picked after Eclipse. As an eclipse is when the shadow of the moon covers the sun, or the shadow of the earth covers the moon. Which is more appropriate for the series?
Mary Washington Asparagus: These are the classic heirloom asparagus. I did not choose to plant these because they drop seeds and can become invasive. So picked because they are in Forks, Washington (not picked after the person in this instance).
Dragon Tongue Bean: These are a very cool looking bean for the garden, being both green and purple. They are to be eaten as a regular green bean (edible pod). This is an intersting pick because the word ‘dragon’ in Romanian is ‘dracul’ which of course, referrs to the original vampire, Dracula.
Jacob’s Cattle Bean: These are a very old type of bean that is used dry, like Pinto beans. They are white and maroon speckled. So picked after Jacob, though he hardly has cattle.
Bull’s Blood Beet: These are the reddest of the red beets. Even the leafy parts are deeply colored. So picked because the Cullens survive off the blood of animals, not humans.
Romanesco Italia Broccoli: This is the super cool spiriling broccoli. You may have seen pictures of it, but it is more commonly grown in Europe. In New Moon, Bella and Alice travel to Italy to save Edward from the Italian vampires. This broccoli’s name covers all the bases for anything Italian.
Tete Noir Cabbage: This is a very dark purple variety of cabbage. So picked because the French name means ‘black head or face’, which makes me think of an eclipse again.
Lunar White Carrot: Before carrots were orange, they were white. These are a natural pick after New Moon.
Edmondson Cucumber: These are a very cute 4 inch light green mini cucumber. It has also been around since 1913, which is very close to Edward’s year of birth. But it is so picked because finally something is named Edward or a derivitave.
Golden Honeymoon Melon: This is a unique Honeydew melon with gold skin. Obviously picked for Breaking Dawn where Edward and Bella honeymoon on a private island off of Brazil.
Jake’s Melon: This unique melon is a Native American heirloom. It has yellow-orange flesh with a spotty tan rind. So picked after Jacob again.
Alaska Peas: These are a classic shelled pea. So picked because when Edward meets Bella for the first time, the only thing he can do to keep himself from killing her is to drive to Alaska. Plus another friendly coven of vegetarian vampires lives there as well.
Chicago Warted Hubbard Squash: These are like classic Hubbard squash except with wrinkled warty skin. It might be a stretch, but Edward was born in Chicago. I think that’s where Carlisle turned him as well.
Victoria Rhubarb: Despite Victoria’s red hair, this rhubarb only has a blush of red on the stalks. They’re mostly green. They’re also perennial (come back year after year–much like the real Victoria) so don’t plant them unless you really mean it.
Verona Watermelon: A classic red watermelon with dark green skin. It’s another stretch, but in New Moon, Bella and Edward are studying Romeo and Juliet and the play takes place in Verona, Italy.
Diamond Eggplant: This eggplant grows a longer, more narrower shaped fruit. In Eclipse Edward gives Bella a diamond (and more than one in her engagement ring).
And some lovely flowers as well.
Other Plants:
Yeti Nasturtium: because like the Yeti (Abominable Snowman) we all know that werewolves and vampires don’t exist. 😉 Nasturtium is also edible, having a spicy peppery taste.
Moonlight Nasturtium: another stretch but with all the ‘moon’ talk, moonlight seems appropriate. Plus Moonlight was another vampire-related tv show which was very good.
Evening Sun Sunflower: a stretch, but technically twilight is the last light of the day.
Lion’s Tail Herb: This herb is like mint. Edward’s favorite meal is Mountain Lion. He also refers to himself as a lion, and Bella a lamb.
Tiger Eye Sunflower: a stretch, but if you’ve seen this flower it looks just like Edward’s eyes.
King Edward Sweet Peas: Finally, something actually named Edward! But sweet peas aren’t edible, alas.
Isabellini Zinna: The only thing even closely related to Bella’s name, Isabella. It is the flower in the center above, a buttery yellow flower.
The end! If you’ve read down this far, congratulations!
Earth Outlet by Petalfuzz 