Hopeful Homemaker

More Lavender

June 22, 2011 jennifer Gardening

Imagine my delight to happen upon Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ in a local nursery this week. Immediately I was sorry my lavender garden isn’t ready for planting, for if it was I would have happily scooped up two dozen Munstead lavender plants and taken them home. This, I am certain, is what I grew at my old house with such success. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted it, but I limited myself to only three.

The lavender garden will have to wait for now. I’ve decided on the plot of ground, but first I must clear it of weeds, rid it of ants and prepare the soil for lavender.

Early in June a friend stopped by unexpectedly and I offered her my most recent lavender recipe experiment for sampling. She told me she had some lavender plants she was going to pull out of her yard. I told her I’d take one if she had nothing to do with it. Later that week she called me, saying it was out and ready to be picked up. I was surprised when I got there; it was huge! It took both of us to carry it and get it in my car.

It’s approximately 3 feet in diameter and very woody; not what you want lavender to look like. This is what becomes of lavender when it isn’t pruned. The transplant made it uglier than it was before she took it out. Some of the branches fell off or started to sag. It’s got to be at least 5 years old, which means it only has a few years left so I figure I can at least harvest it until then.

I worried that it might not do well. I was moving it from a part-sun location to full sun, and also to a spot that is much windier than where it came from. Happily it appears to be thriving (even after a couple of bad wind storms), and is now beginning to bloom.

I’ve now planted all around it as well, so the general appearance of the bush isn’t such an eyesore.

Finally, I found a French lavender that is just gorgeous, although it’s not good for harvesting. It’s called Lavandula dentata ‘Goodwin Creek’ . The dentata is a giveaway – it refers to the shape of the leaves, which is what I love about it.

Sometimes called “toothed lavender”, the dentata name refers to the toothed leaf shape. The flowers themselves remind me more of wildflowers than lavender but I thought it was so beautiful that I added it to the yard. I hope it thrives.

What do you think?

Composition in Nature part II

June 21, 2011 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

Ok, here are the second half of my “nature” photos from our recent trip.

I thought this tree was so interesting. The trunk seems to be composed of last year’s growth being pruned off. I love that the leaves are graceful and fern-like, and the play of pattern next to the traditional palm leaves is beautiful.

All the enormous leaves were stunning.

I know I should remember the name of these blue flowers but it’s escaping me. I loved the size of them and how they were planted in mass. They remind me a bit of the allium that is more common where I live. Can anyone help me with the name? It was fun to see them all over the place.

And how cool are these tree trunks? We were all impressed by their spikes. I think the brown spikes on the lime green trunk is so pretty.

Fern leaves are always pretty.

The first thing I noticed about this fern was its herringbone type pattern formed by the closeness of each stem. Kind of a sawtooth herringbone pattern. Isn’t it pretty?! Of all the things I noticed, this might be my favorite.

It’s always interesting to see an old, mature tree sprout a tiny little branch near it’s base.

Lastly, the play of leaves here was so interesting. In the foreground are tulip leaves dying back with a pretty bush behind. I don’t know what it is, but the graceful little leaves and the colors reminded me of a burning bush. Of course the red leaves add interest and depth to the view, and the palm branch gracefully draping itself over the bush is unusually pretty. In my own landscaping I lean too often to flowers to provide interest. This picture reminds me that greenery can play off itself in startling beauty if planted well, a lesson I’m trying to take to heart.

It is all so beautiful; a reminder of our infinitely creative Father in Heaven. How grateful I am for His generosity in creating such a beautiful home away from home for us.

Have you noticed something beautiful lately?

Hopeful Homemaker

Composition in Nature

June 20, 2011 jennifer Musings on Life and Beauty

I couldn’t help but observe the flowers and vegetation while we were in California earlier this month. I took pictures of some plants and trees that caught my eye because of their detail and pattern.

These were bushes growing outside the hotel. I love the coral, orange and yellow colors in this flower. Anyone know what it’s called? Gorgeous.

These trees were growing outside the hotel as well. The leaves were somewhat sparse and yellowing and I don’t know if that is normal or unhealthy. Either way, they had these amazing red flowers on them.

I asked the employees at the front desk what kind of tree it is. They were all clueless and one of them had never even noticed them. Seriously? I’m so curious to know the name of this tree. The flowers were spectacular and I also noticed hummingbirds buzzing around them.

I thought the base of this tree was fascinating. Are those roots that have wrapped around the trunk of the tree?

The basketweave/crosshatch pattern on the palm trees is also beautiful. It’s fun to be reminded that so many of the patterns and designs we see in textiles are merely copycat interpretations of nature.

Honeysuckle is my husband’s favorite fragrant plant. I agree that it’s scent is heavenly. I saw an entire hillside covered with it. Sigh.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the second half of my pictures. Have a great day!
Jennifer