Tuesday 13 November 2018

Compact Lavender Balls


Newly planted banks, 21st March 2018

In March the two new beds that had been created in the banks of the quad were planted up with  rosemary and lavender, see blog entry for the 21st March 'Lavender And Rosemary Replace The Grass' and the latter has been producing a floriferous display throughout the summer. 

View across the quad to the lavender and rosemary

Lavender on the slope of the banks

A floriferous display from the lavender 24th July 2018

The abundance of flowers with their fragrant perfume attracted many different insects who spent the hot summer months foraging for the nectar.

Flowers for the pollinating insects
Red Admiral Butterfly


View across the quad lawn to the lavender

View from on high


Starting to trim the lavender

The lavender has had a long flowering period and, although there were still some flowers still attracting a smaller number of insects, the majority of the flowers have faded. The stems that were still in flower were cut off and placed in a vase filled with water and left on the steps just in case a hungry insect returned to feed. The trimming of the lavender started yesterday afternoon and was finally completed by the end of today with each lavender having been trimmed into a compact ball shape using a cordless, battery hedge trimmer.  

The right side border

The left side border with the water filled vase filled with lavender stems

Trimming completed

Both lavender borders, trimming complete

Looking across the quad lawn to the lavender

View through a cloisters arch

2 comments:

  1. It seems a good sturdy variety of lavender, I expect you have said what it is earlier.
    Good to see it trimmed back. Are you confident if it is a very hard Winter that it will be ok?

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    1. Hi Roger. The lavender is Lavandula angustifolia 'Vera'and is known for its superior winter cold hardiness, fingers crossed! Ali

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