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Don't prune your lavender!
We normally prune our lavender after flowering, but for various
reasons this year it didn't get done. We have been delighted as a result to see a flock of goldfinches feeding on the lavender seeds. We've seen them on other seeds before, but not the lavender (not surprising really since we don't normally let them seed ...). Just thought I'd pass this on to those of you who don't worry about too tidy a garden and might like to encourage the goldfinches. -- Sally in Shropshire, UK bed and breakfast near Ludlow: http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk Burne-Jones/William Morris window in Shropshire church: http://www.whitton-stmarys.org.uk |
Don't prune your lavender!
"Sally Thompson" wrote in message ... We normally prune our lavender after flowering, but for various reasons this year it didn't get done. We have been delighted as a result to see a flock of goldfinches feeding on the lavender seeds. We've seen them on other seeds before, but not the lavender (not surprising really since we don't normally let them seed ...). Just thought I'd pass this on to those of you who don't worry about too tidy a garden and might like to encourage the goldfinches. -- Sally in Shropshire, UK bed and breakfast near Ludlow: http://www.stonybrook-ludlow.co.uk Burne-Jones/William Morris window in Shropshire church: http://www.whitton-stmarys.org.uk Thanks for the info Sally news:uk.rec.birdwatching may like to know this as well? (I have just set up a garden webcam) -- Regards James (ukjay) http://www.ukjay.co.uk |
Don't prune your lavender!
Hi All
We normally prune our lavender after flowering, but for various reasons this year it didn't get done. We have been delighted as a result to see a flock of goldfinches feeding on the lavender seeds. We've seen them on other seeds before, but not the lavender (not surprising really since we don't normally let them seed ...). That's most interesting - we have a 2 lavender bushes in a border beside a small patio outside our french doors and have observed on several occasions that they have been heaving with sparrows eating the seed - particularly the Spanish lavender bush. We haven't seen any goldfinches there, regrettably, but have seen them periodically on feeders in other parts of the garden. Question for this knowledgeable group ... We have a large (long) Leylandii hedgerow which breaks the wind over our property in rural Lincolnshire - it's open farmland to the next village, about 2m to the West. There is a breeze most days and when it blows - it blows. The hedge seems to start it's smaller branches about 12 - 18 inches above the garden and I think the former owner had the garden top soiled and landscaped as there is probably another 18" to 2ft drop into the field beyond. During "the season" - that is the "weed season" - weed seeds seem to blow under the hedge from the uncultivated edges of the farmland and I am getting several lots of nettles and other weeds growing in the lawn (it's not a show lawn). They are difficult to get rid of without killing the grass. I am looking for something to help stop the ingress of weeds from the field side and wondered about the lavender - maybe take some cuttings and build a bush hedge up as we go along? Nice source of food for the birds, and we have a lot! Sensible thoughts and other ideas most welcome Thanks & regards Hew |
Don't prune your lavender!
The message
from "Hew Moore" contains these words: Question for this knowledgeable group ... We have a large (long) Leylandii hedgerow which breaks the wind over our property in rural Lincolnshire Oo-er! Another black mark in the leylandii book. I never realised it broke wind. - it's open farmland to the next village, about 2m to the West. There is a breeze most days and when it blows - it blows. The hedge seems to start it's smaller branches about 12 - 18 inches above the garden and I think the former owner had the garden top soiled and landscaped as there is probably another 18" to 2ft drop into the field beyond. During "the season" - that is the "weed season" - weed seeds seem to blow under the hedge from the uncultivated edges of the farmland and I am getting several lots of nettles and other weeds growing in the lawn (it's not a show lawn). They are difficult to get rid of without killing the grass. I am looking for something to help stop the ingress of weeds from the field side and wondered about the lavender - maybe take some cuttings and build a bush hedge up as we go along? Nice source of food for the birds, and we have a lot! Sensible thoughts and other ideas most welcome Well, it's unlikely to grow directly underneath the hedge, and I can't think of anything which will, and thrive. You could grow (and train) clematis, wisteria, honeysuckle and other climbers, provided they are planted well clear of the hedge and just trained into the base of it. A bed of a short variety of bamboo might do, or some of that weed membrane snipped and clipped all along the inside of the hedge. That would take all the force out of even the Fenland Fury. -- Rusty Separator in search of a sig |
Don't prune your lavender!
Hew Moore wrote:
snip Question for this knowledgeable group ... We have a large (long) Leylandii hedgerow which breaks the wind over our property in rural Lincolnshire - it's open farmland to the next village, about 2m to the West. There is a breeze most days and when it blows - it blows. The hedge seems to start it's smaller branches about 12 - 18 inches above the garden and I think the former owner had the garden top soiled and landscaped as there is probably another 18" to 2ft drop into the field beyond. With this new farm stewardship scheme being implemented by DEFRA, you may find that the farmer will allow his field edges to develop naturally for the sake of the wildlife. That could mean that your hedge bottom will infill naturally from his side. During "the season" - that is the "weed season" - weed seeds seem to blow under the hedge from the uncultivated edges of the farmland and I am getting several lots of nettles and other weeds growing in the lawn (it's not a show lawn). They are difficult to get rid of without killing the grass. There are several agricultural weedkillers which are specially formulated to kill off nettles, thistles, docks, etc. without damaging grazing pasture (ie your lawn). One that I have used in the past was called (appropriately) Grazon. These are not readily available from the local garden centre but, a quiet word with a neighbouring farmer might get you a cupful (it is potent stuff and requires much dilution). I am looking for something to help stop the ingress of weeds from the field side and wondered about the lavender - maybe take some cuttings and build a bush hedge up as we go along? Nice source of food for the birds, and we have a lot! Sensible thoughts and other ideas most welcome And for a horticultural under hedge blocker, you might try Honesty. Honestly. :-)) It naturally took up residence under our Leylandii and does the job quite effectively. Both suggestions are tried and tested in rural Lincolnshire. ;-)) -- ned http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk last update 27.11.2005 |
Don't prune your lavender!
I leave my Lavenders unpruned during the winter, birds enjoy the seeds
and the cover. When at last I do prune them I throw the prunings down on the greenhouse floor, untidy maybe but the smell as you move about the greenhouse in the winter is wonderful kate |
Don't prune your lavender!
-- .. "Kate Morgan" wrote in message ... I leave my Lavenders unpruned during the winter, birds enjoy the seeds and the cover. When at last I do prune them I throw the prunings down on the greenhouse floor, untidy maybe but the smell as you move about the greenhouse in the winter is wonderful kate and still going on the birds feeding from the seed, have noticed the Goldfinches on the Budliea(?) and in the last couple of days, the Sparrows and the Bluetits on the FatBall Mike The truth will prevail |
Don't prune your lavender!
On 5/12/05 15:19, in article , "Kate
Morgan" wrote: I leave my Lavenders unpruned during the winter, birds enjoy the seeds and the cover. When at last I do prune them I throw the prunings down on the greenhouse floor, untidy maybe but the smell as you move about the greenhouse in the winter is wonderful I did the flowers for someone's wedding last summer and we strew lavender heads on the entrance to the church for people to walk over. It was gorgeous! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
Don't prune your lavender!
:
I leave my Lavenders unpruned during the winter, birds enjoy the seeds and the cover. When at last I do prune them I throw the prunings down on the greenhouse floor, untidy maybe but the smell as you move about the greenhouse in the winter is wonderful I did the flowers for someone's wedding last summer and we strew lavender heads on the entrance to the church for people to walk over. It was gorgeous! bay leaves are good and walnut leaves all much better than man made perfume, in my opinion that is, bonfire smoke, grass the list goes on and on :-) kate |
Don't prune your lavender!
The message k
from Sacha contains these words: On 5/12/05 17:05, in article , "Kate Morgan" wrote: snip bay leaves are good and walnut leaves all much better than man made perfume, in my opinion that is, bonfire smoke, grass the list goes on and on :-) The smell of bay is *wonderful* and I use that in church flower arrangements at Christmas time, as well as in the house. Its bonus is that it gives a subtle olfactory nudge of the mind towards bread sauce and roast turkey. ;-) I've never noticed the scent of walnut leaves - that will be a mission for tomorrow! New mown grass, bonfires and for some reason, the scent of just-extinguished candles, fireworks and matches. I must be a closet pyromaniac! I adore the scent of crushed drimys lanceolata leaves ("wintergreen") and often carry a couple in my pocket. The cut branches smell wonderful on a bonfire. Janet |
Don't prune your lavender!
On 5/12/05 17:57, in article , "Janet
Baraclough" wrote: snip I adore the scent of crushed drimys lanceolata leaves ("wintergreen") and often carry a couple in my pocket. The cut branches smell wonderful on a bonfire. Is it D. lanceolata that can be used in cooking? We have it in the nursery but I've never tried it out for scent as you suggest - another mission! -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon (remove the weeds to email me) |
Don't prune your lavender!
Mike wrote:
I leave my Lavenders unpruned during the winter, birds enjoy the seeds and the cover. When at last I do prune them I throw the prunings down on the greenhouse floor, untidy maybe but the smell as you move about the greenhouse in the winter is wonderful kate and still going on the birds feeding from the seed, have noticed the Goldfinches on the Budliea(?) and in the last couple of days, the Sparrows and the Bluetits on the FatBall A big fat Rattus Norvegicus was eating mine this morning and it's six feet up. |
Don't prune your lavender!
"Sacha" wrote in message .uk... On 5/12/05 17:05, in article , "Kate Morgan" wrote: snip bay leaves are good and walnut leaves all much better than man made perfume, in my opinion that is, bonfire smoke, grass the list goes on and on :-) The smell of bay is *wonderful* and I use that in church flower arrangements at Christmas time, as well as in the house. Its bonus is that it gives a subtle olfactory nudge of the mind towards bread sauce and roast turkey. ;-) I've never noticed the scent of walnut leaves - that will be a mission for tomorrow! New mown grass, bonfires and for some reason, the scent of just-extinguished candles, fireworks and matches. I must be a closet pyromaniac! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks walnut leaves smell lovely :-) Mine has shed all its leaves now in the bantam paddock and smell wonderful as I tread on them. |
Don't prune your lavender!
snip bay leaves are good and walnut leaves all much better than man made perfume, in my opinion that is, bonfire smoke, grass the list goes on and on :-) The smell of bay is *wonderful* and I use that in church flower arrangements at Christmas time, as well as in the house. Its bonus is that it gives a subtle olfactory nudge of the mind towards bread sauce and roast turkey. ;-) I've never noticed the scent of walnut leaves - that will be a mission for tomorrow! New mown grass, bonfires and for some reason, the scent of just-extinguished candles, fireworks and matches. I must be a closet pyromaniac! I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks walnut leaves smell lovely :-) Mine has shed all its leaves now in the bantam paddock and smell wonderful as I tread on them. Brilliant :-) Today there will be people pottering about smelling leaves :-))) |
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