About seven years ago, I planted some lavender plants that had been raised from cuttings to create a hedge around two of our fruit beds.
Over the years they grew to make large plants which were trimmed back each year after flowering. As the plants grew so unfortunately did the grass between the plants. I removed as much as I could but now the edging is looking untidy and in need of a makeover.
With this in mind, last May when I saw that Thompson and Morgan had an offer of 72 lavender plug plants for £2.00, I decided to order some.
There were two varieties - Hidcote and Munstead. As the plants were tiny, I first planted them in module cells and then into what was meant to be a nursery bed.
Not all of the plants survived winter but those that did have grown into strong plants and the nursery bed has become a sea of deep purple flowers. It seems impossible to do the bed justice in a photograph.
So that leaves me with the tatty edging to replace. I've decided that once the flowers fade, I will dig up the plants, remove the entangled grass etc and then replant them deep into the ground and hope that they regenerate.
Best laid plans eh?
In answer to Belinda's query on her blog - so far I have never used any flowers in cooking. I do cut some for a vase but mostly the bees and I enjoy them just where they are.
In answer to Belinda's query on her blog - so far I have never used any flowers in cooking. I do cut some for a vase but mostly the bees and I enjoy them just where they are.
I have a few Lavender plants in pots, but they only ever look good for a couple of weeks every year, when they flower! Despite my best efforts at clipping, they always go woody and look tatty most of the time. I have taken cuttings a few times, and the seem to do OK but never brilliantly. Maybe I'll have to re-stock next year.
ReplyDeleteThe lavender bed has been looking good for a while, Mark. Maybe it is something to do with the varieties. They are also a much deeper purple than my other plants.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous bed! I gave our lavender plants a good haircut last year and they are rewarding us with some lush growth & many more flowers this year.
ReplyDeleteI usually clip the lavender, Margaret but the hedge has gone beyond the point where clipping will improve them things.
DeleteThey look beautiful. I can only imagine the perfume.
ReplyDeletePity we can't transmit perfume across the internet, Vesna
DeleteOh, they look magnificent like that ~ no wonder you will leave them there! Lavender features heavily in my plans for my new herb and tea garden. I especially want to buy long stems as I use them for lavender wands, and also culinary use. Lavender sugar is a doddle, just pop a clean stem or two in some sugar and wait!
ReplyDeleteThe bed has earned its place as a permanent feature, Deborah
DeleteHow lovely. Lavender look best mass planted. It must smell great.
ReplyDeleteI now have my own mini lavender field, Margaret
DeleteI would have left them in situ too, how wonderful they look. Good luck with the cuttings and digging the old plants up, I have the same problem with grass growing through my lavender hedge.xxx
ReplyDeleteI think that the old plants will take quite a bit of effort to dig out, Dina.
DeleteThey were a good buy.
ReplyDeleteThey were, Brian. I didn't expect the tiny plug plants to grow so quickly.
DeleteSuch a beautiful purple lavender bed!
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely, Malar
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