I don't recall when my love affair with lavender started. Perhaps the first hint is found in a happy memory from decades ago. The week after I made my First Holy Communion, my mother asked what color I wanted her to dye my simple but lovely dress--a cotton sateen, I think--hand-tailored by a kind woman in our village. "Lavender," I immediately replied.
We didn't grow lavender in our gardens nor do I recall any elderly ladies wearing woolens scented with it, as some of my own sweaters are now! Somehow I'd latched onto the mystique of lavender though. Considering I was drawn to the color itself in first grade, it's no surprise I grow it in my gardens, despite our acid soil. Or try to grow it.
Through milder years, I've harvested up to 16 plants twice a season. It's true I fed them lots of lime, but I had to be careful that neighboring plants keep their distance. And what good is it if you can't plant something that flowers in brilliant reds to complement the lavender, like this beautiful begonia?
19 comments:
I love lavender and when insomnia has me firmly in its grips I dab lavender oil on my pillows.
In the garden, I try and mix and match greens - with splashes of colour for accent. Yellow is always a sunshiny delight, but I have beatiful red and mauve tulips under a soft pink double cherry tree which delight me every spring. And I love my green and white tulips.
Hello from Spain: I love the color red. My favorite flowers are red roses. Lavender is also a nice color. Keep in touch
EC, You write so beautifully. Glad you stopped by.
Also your color combos sound delightful. I've seen the green and white tulips you mention, but only in a catalog! I bet those are sunning.
I love making lavender sachets, which I tuck around my pillow!
Hi Marta, Red is wonderful and it's hard to beat red roses. Happy to hear from you this morning.
I have baked with lavender. I made a lavender cake and cookies. Hoe do use the lavender you grow?
Hi Vickie. I think lavender is a lovely plant and the fragrance is divine. Have never attempted to grow it. Yours look great!
Here, in our year, I'm very partial to pinks but also have purples and dots of yellow. The peonies are now coming out and some are cream colored with yellowish centers. Others are deep burgundy. So gorgeous . Susan
Oooooh....I hope you'll share your lavender cake and cookie recipes? Or better still, maybe you could share some photos in a blog?
I've made a lavender Crème brûlée that was good. It sounds fairly easy to make herbs de Provence, but I have yet do try that. For non-edibles, I also make little lavender wreaths and sachets, and hang little bundles of lavender sprigs to dry - these look pretty tied with a ribbon.
Ah yes, those peonies....love their scent too. And they are such a beautiful flower! Your color scheme is lovely....and I enjoy your floral photos so much. -Vickie
Hi There, OH--how I love the scent of Lavender.... I'd love to have some plants in my yard --but never have tried them... Lavender is one of my favorite scents --so one of these days I may try to grow some.... That is so neat!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Oh Betsy, I answered you via email. I'm feeling like a ping-pong ball, and thinking about trying trying your approach to answer everyone's comments via email. Wonder if anyone circles back or if they all receive email notification as well, like I do. This might be a blog topic!
Oh gosh, I meant "stunning," not sunning! LOL
Hi Vickie,
Enjoyed your post! I love lavender I have some growing in my herb garden now. I love the combination of reds and lavender. I think yellow is a nice color alongside too. I have some yellow day lilies that are beautiful this year. Blessings and Sunshine, Valerie
how very beautiful. :) thanks for finding me and entering my drawing giveaway! i truly appreciate it! blessings and happy gardening!
Can you send me an email address where I can send the cookie recipe?
Hi Valerie, I love your idea of yellow day lilies next to lavendar...thanks for the inspiration! Blessings to you also, Vickie
You betcha! It's fiberfurnishings@gmail.com. Am looking forward to this....thanks! Vickie
Oh, thanks TexWisGirl! Blessings and happy gardening to you too....love that phrase! Vickie
Oh, I can smell your lavender from here. It's so pretty. I remember my Holy Communion like it was yesterday. A simple white dress I wore also. I have always loved lavender, and I enjoyed this post very much.
Have a peaceful weekend.
~Sheri
Sheri,
Thanks for your visit...sweet memories of Holy Communion, no matter how long ago that was! Glad you enjoyed my post.
Hope you enjoy a lovely weekend too.
-Vickie
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