Our Grand Plan for the Mantle Estate last year was very simple. It was do what you can, consolidate and hide the rest. A particularly troublesome area was dominated by a huge tree peony. The monster was relocated. If my memory serves me correctly, in my capacity of official photographer and heckler, it involved huffing and puffing, planks and wheelbarrows, then broken planks and tipped wheelbarrows, followed by some words I do not care to repeat. The area was weeded, membraned and gravelled; a temporary solution when so much else needed to be controlled. It also allowed time for inspiration and guilt free planning. On this sunny platform Her Ladyship artfully arranged various pots, planters and objet trouvé, “left a bit, right a bit, fire”, which provided a summer into autumn colour-fest.
Many of these plants were over-wintered in the greenhouse, including a fine blue-trimmed enamel bath which was stuffed to the hilt with French Lavender, Lavandula stoechas. Excessive wet, rather than cold, would have been its downfall. A fortnight ago it was brought out into the big bad world, waking from its hibernation into this absurdly clement weather. It hasn’t taken long to leap headlong into life. Today it looked a picture. And the tree peony won’t be far behind. Every day I love spring more.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Must admit, not a fan of French Lavender. So demanding compared to English Lavender, But that’s the French for you! Loud mouthed (frothy flowers in this case) but keel over at the first sign of adversity. But what the heck? Ignore the propensities of the plant. Enjoy the skill of the photographer. Boom! (I think you shoot with a Canon).
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I do John, my point and shoot is a Canon Ixus and the posh one is a Canon something or other else (can’t remember). Mostly these pictures are the Ixus. No skill, just snap what I think looks interesting and hope for the best. Can’t see much on the viewfinder anyway without my specs on!
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My basic is a Canon G12. Previous basic was, well, basic. Now I’ve got a Panasonic Lumix FZ82 if that means anything. Launched in March. Tried to get an additional battery day after delivery, Panasonic web site didn’t recognise camera or battery. Web said battery model discontinued by Panasonic; only 3rd party batteries available. Should’ve got a Canon Eos instead! (got a Volkswagen Eos already). Can’t see anything without my specs on.
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That’s what I’ve got, an Eos, not sure which number might be 700, wasn’t one of the really expensive ones. Expensive enough though.
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I love them all.
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Me too!
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My French lavender is also about to open a mass of buds. I’ve heard it called English lavender in France which is very funny don’t you think?
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That is very funny, it must have a real identity crisis! I love its bunny ears, I should have saved it for my Easter post. 🙂
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I can’ t keep French lavender as you say it probably succumbs to wet.
I am impressed that you moved a large tree peony successfully, I thought they resented being moved.
As I get older membrane and gravel seems increasingly attractive as I am losing the battle with ground elder.
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The tree peony didn’t look back. We chopped it back quite hard so no flowers last year, but on course this year for full bloom! Read this on David’s Garden Diary blog yesterday, something to have a go at perhaps https://davidsgardendiary.wordpress.com/2017/03/29/ground-elder-eradication-trial/
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Nice looking chimney pot too!
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Yes I thought that, she sticks a pot of trailing plants in the top.
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