Lavender and More

I am happy to see my lavender hedge blooming right now, because I cut it back pretty drastically this spring and it was looking kind of sad for awhile. However,  I have to remember that it is pretty much okay to cut this back at any time--it always comes back.  This is mostly the 'Munstead' variety of lavender, with a stray 'Hidcote' (the darker blue) in there too.

And I read about this tip in Fine Gardening: To keep your birdbath clean, tie up a small bundle of lavender and put it in the water. Change it once a week. Mine develops a lot of algae, so I am giving this a try and am hoping it helps--so far I think it is better.

There's lots blooming in the garden right now, astilbe, daisies, larkspur, yarrow, coreopsis, still some roses.  And all the hydrangeas are just beginning. We''re supposed to get some thunderstorms today--I have hardly had to water at all this year because of all the rain we have had.

Astilbe

Daisies

Rose and Larkspur

Larkspur, Achillea

Lavender Gets a Mid-Summer Trim

I have been wanting to cut back my lavenders but it has just been so hot. So this weekend I got out there early in the morning and gave them all a good trim. I like my garden all blowsy and wild, but after awhile, it kinda drives me crazy. Here's the before picture: Pretty, but you can hardly walk down the front path.

And here we are after the trim. Much better. I trim them by about a third--they will bloom again in a few weeks, and I think it is good for the plants to open them up a bit and let the sun get into the brownish interior--I think it makes for a healthier plant.

So much better, a neat and tidy walkway. Now I just need to trim those anemones on the right. And you know I'm going to scatter all those lavender seeds all over the garden, hopefully will get some new plants next year.

Lovely Lavender

The lavender is in full bloom right now. I can hardly walk to my front door because of the bees buzzing about. I can remember when Julia was little her friends would be afraid to come to our door because of the bees.  I have about six plants in this small hedge and they thrive in this spot. I've had them since I began the garden over 20 years ago, and have only replaced two plants in all those years. Mine are the 'Munstead' variety, but I think there's a 'Hidcote' in there too (it's the darker blue).

Back in the day I used to cut it and make sachets and lavender bundles. When Julia was young and in the crafty mode, she  made lavender wands. But now I just admire it.

Lavender Still Going

The sleet and snow of the past few days are gone but my lavender is still going! The snow finished off the last of the zinnias, the cosmos, the geraniums, the begonias and impatiens of course, and about the only thing still blooming is the lavender and lantana, and one pot of scavelola which is still pushing out some fleurs also. I tell you, it's the purples, they are the strongest of all the flowers. Most of the trees still have their leaves, which seems amazing to me on November 1. Aren't we usually raking leaves by now?

Star of the Show: Lavender

My lavender is amazing. I planted this hedge of 5 lavender 'Munstead' plants in 1990 and I have replaced 2. There might be a 'Hidcote' in there.  It must be just the perfect spot for lavender because it thrives in this area. I cut it back in the spring, and again after flowering, and it will flower for the rest of the summer. I have been working on this small bed for awhile, trying out different herbs. Right now it has rosemary, parsley, basil, several thymes, and oregano. And a sedum 'Autumn Joy' for some color and a purple heuchera squeezed in too. Oh, and of course Nepeta spilling around the edges. And some lily of the valley in the spring. Oh and some 'Ice Follies' daffodils, also planted in 1990. Pretty long-lived plants!

Lovely Lavender June

I went for a walk early this morning. It's another beautiful day and I don't mind walking in this weather. I like to check out other people's yards and gardens. Off to work now--