The Lavender Garden: Part II

I managed to get all the lavenders in.

These are Lavendula Grosso,  just in case you were wondering.
This particular variety is very easy to grow...even if you have a brown thumb!

It never ceases to amaze me how many crazy big ole rocks there are in the soil in Ojai.
My back was killing me at the end of the day.

When you view this part of the garden from the lawn you immediately notice all of the different garden elements and how there is interplay between them.

We have two bridges going across the creek,

 using the same materials as the grape vine fencing.

Adding some color to the wine barrels will be a nice contrast

 with all of the tall wavy blue lavenders.

The color in the barrels are a pink zonal geranium called: 

 Americana Rose Mega Splash.  It has really bright pink oversized flowers.

The yellow flowers are a Nemesia.  I love them and they grow like a weed in a container!  Neither of these plants require tons of water, and neither does the lavender, so that is an added bonus.

Planting lavenders a bit on the high side actually makes for a healthier plant. 

 I have killed a few because they hate being overly wet.

There are a variety of natural willow elements in the garden too.  

Some support vegetables like peppers and cucumbers.

I have used similar willow fencing around the English Rose garden which is to the very right in the photo below.  They haven't had a first bloom yet,
 maybe in a week or so.

Using these tall willow tuters is a nice addition to the barrels.

I haven't found the right vine to climb up and around the framework yet, but I have a few ideas that might work.

I really don't mind them as a garden element with nothing on them actually.
 They are rustic and simple and wonderful for a country garden.

We are really looking forward to seeing these tall fragrant plants

 when they are fully grown.  

And can you imagine how happy the bees are going to be?!

~kelley~

The Lavender Garden: Part I

 You may have read about the new lavender garden here.

It was tons of work to get the soil right, but it really needed to be done.

Oh well...it's a good work out, right?

 The lavender will be really visible as you walk toward the rear of the property,

 from the front drive.

 I included 3 wine barrels as part of the design too.

These inexpensive garden barrels actually are great in a country garden like this one.

I got the lavender delivery on Friday....all 80 plants....

holy moly, what did I just get myself into!

I reworked the layout a couple of times but in the end,

 the quantity was just about perfect

The plants were hand pick by a grower friend and she sent me the really compact beefy little guys that will take off quickly.

Millie, as usual, is a huge help.

Next post...plant the plants!

Thanks for stopping by...kelley

Flowers for Your Spring Table

All photos above from Carolyn Roehm and Martha Stewart

All photos below from The Polished Pebble 

A picture is worth a thousand words...right?

~kelley~

Beautiful Table Settings

 Setting a beautiful table just comes naturally to some people.
There are many bloggers out there, who share this love too...

It is more than just about dishes.
It is the little extra things, that make a table interesting and beautiful.

A wonderful blogger friend of mine, Delores,
has mastered the art of the perfect table.
 And she has lots of
vintage dishes and goodies that make it look so special!!
Her favorite at the moment is a transfer-ware with a fruit center called Windsorware.

Delores has been a collector of vintage dishes for well over 20 years.
 Her collection consists of transfer-ware,
plates with fruits and florals,
Majolica and Provencal pottery.

Her blog is called Vignette Design and you really need to take a peek!  She showcases her vintage collections often, in her home in San Francisco and her getaway house in the California wine country.

Look at this wonderful setting and how Delores uses so many different elements.
Notice the faux leopard trim on the place mat and the paisley napkins.

When Delores does a table she thinks in terms of layering of patterns.

These were used during the winter Holidays,
How clever are the napkins and the ribbon place cards?!

I love the simplicity of her table setting below...I think this was for a special event at a winery that she styled.

Delores has over 25 different collections to chose from!

I have always loved Belleek Irish pottery, 

and look how she used hers for a St Patty's Day Lunch.

The lacy linens look perfect!
And of course we are having some Irish tea.

Another favorite collection is purple transfer-ware 

from Johnson Brothers.

She loves the farm scenes and the woodcutter...I do too.

Below is a table she styled for her Husband who is an avid fisherman. 

 She often uses books as part of her centerpiece...what a great idea.

This would be fun for Fathers Day.

How perfect is the combination below, using fresh squash with candles and Majolica.

The stemware is another element that she always uses perfectly.

More layering of linens, plates and items in the centerpiece...
this looks like Thanksgiving.
Notice the tapestry shawl over the table cloth.

Here is what she did last Easter.

Is that a chicken wire place mat?...

And lilacs...Perfect!

The linens are fresh and match so wonderfully with the Majolica and the purple cut stemware.

And her little egg cups...

so cute.

So what will you be doing with your table this Easter?

Thank you Delores for sharing your beautiful and inspiring tables.

I am off to dig around in the kitchen
for a few things to use for my Easter Breakfast table too!



~kelley~