Southern Living garden, lifestyle expert to talk plant decor, plant recipes at Taste of Charleston

Recipes flavored with herbs from the Southern Living Plant collection will be a focus of the publication’s annual Taste of Charleston on Sept. 30.

Carmen Johnston, garden lifestyle expert for the collection, will share her thoughts on recipes for food and cocktails during festivities at Boone Hall Plantation.

Herbs, especially rosemary, are a highlight of the collection this year, the magazines says. Guests at the Taste of Charleston will be introduced to two recipes using the herb.

“We will be handing out rosemary berry cookies and also will be showing how to make a sparkling rosemary chianti for the holidays and other fall events,” Johnston says.

Rosemary is being showcased because the herb is perfect for fall and holiday entertaining, she adds.

While only herbs from the collection can be used in the recipes, other plants from the collection can be used to garnish dishes, Johnston says. The Southern Living collection’s other plants are not edible, she says.

In addition to the recipes, Johnston says she will discuss simple tips for planting and decorating, including floral arranging. Novices as well as experienced gardeners can use the tips.

The collection of tried-and-true plants from Southern Living, introduced in 2008, is expanded each year. It includes plants designed to solve landscape challenges raised by the magazine’s readers, both in the South and other parts of the country.

The annual Southern Living Taste of Charleston is a weekend event organized by the Charleston Restaurant Association. New features this year are Taste: Sweet & Southern on Shem Creek and Taste: Dine Around.

Johnston will speak 2-3 p.m. at the Sept. 30 main event at Boone Hall on Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant. Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets are available online and at Southcoast Community Bank branches for $15 and at the gate for $20.