Wednesday, June 22, 2011

l a v e n d e r


With the arrival of summer, the hot weather is here. Our three week delay in blossoms is starting to catch up. I was happy to be able to pick my first bundle of lavender recently. Weeks behind in blooming, it is still more bud than bloom, but the fragrance is lovely! They hybrids are blooming well right now, and the rest aren't far behind. I'm especially enjoying the white and pink lavender blossoms. They are delicate and sweet, giving contrast to the dark blues and purples of the other plants.  It's time to start harvesting lavender for projects.  The ideal is to gather them to dry while they are just about ready to blossom.  Petals are not considered desirable for lavender craft and food projects.  But, they are so pretty in the garden that I have a hard time actually harvesting too many of them.  Even when the blossoms are past their prime, they look beautiful in the garden as the lavender dries on the stalk, creating a contrasting backdrop for other flowers in bloom.  There is such beauty in such a simple plant.

13 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh, I love lavendar, La Tea Dah. Sooooo pretty. Yours look great. Susan

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  2. I'll have to keep the lateness of lavender blooming in mind and maybe I'll go to the lavender festival after the fact this year. Nice way to avoid the crowds...
    Love your little bouquet....

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  3. Love Lavender!!! So simple but so elegant! I love to tie small bundles with jute and hang them everywhere!!

    Blessings

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  4. So pretty! My lavender has all been picked. I tried to divide my one lavender bush but I don't know if it will be successful because even though it had grown large, there was just one crown. I am sure I will know soon if they survive.

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  5. Last year we planted 20 plants along our walk and I was just noticing them today with their new spikes almost ready to bloom. They are a soft lavender, almost a pale blue and I am loving them. This year I think I will just enjoy seeing them flourish in the front of our house. Maybe next year I will follow some of your wonderful ideas and do something with them.

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  6. How wonderful to have lovely lavender to pick at your choosing. I didn't realize it came it different colors. We always associate it with a pale purple color. I bought a big container of dried lavender from Pottery Barn so that I could make some sachets. It's quite fiddly to spoon out -- tends to want to all stick together. Have a terrific day. Tammy

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  7. How lovely to have lavender right there to pick at your choosing. I had to buy mine from Pottery Barn so I could make some sachets. We always associate lavender with purple, I didn't realize it comes in other shades. Enjoy! And have a terrific Thursday. Tammy

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  8. Lavender is one of my favorites but I've yet to grow any. I have one in a pot outside right now that is only half living that I am going to get in the ground and just pray there is enough life in it to thrive!

    Blessings, Debbie

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  9. Oh, one of my favorite smells! Just bought some Lavender oil at at tea shoppe last week. I lost 2 large plants this winter...just too wet this year. I plant them with gravel, but they just didn't survive. I just hate to say goodbye to them. Love to have a variety of lavender plants...so fun.

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  10. Lovely lavender! We toured two different lavender farms in Eastern PA this past Tuesday with our Rosemary House bus trip. I hope to get the photos posted on our blog soon. Too busy around here!

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  11. This year, I have a wee bit of lavender. All that's there is greenery, but perhaps one day...

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  12. You have such lovely photos!

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  13. I am thinking I might have to look up lavender and see if it would grow good here in Texas!
    Lisa :o)

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