Out in the "Plein Air"

There are painters, such as myself.  Let's call me a recreational painter. One who loves to use spray paint but not necessarily while hanging from the side of city buildings in the middle of the night or chasing after trains in subways.  Still I see the artistry involved  in the splash of the colorful droplets emitting from the can, floating through the air and falling, just so, on an object to give it beauty and meaning.

And, there are painters/artists who paint out of necessity, such as houses, pieces of furniture and fences in order to preserve their beauty and longevity and who also paint to free their artistic and technical spirit on canvas as well as all over my granite kitchen counter top and wooden floor.  Oil paint is a bear to remove, once it has set. This kind of artist can make something out of almost anything None the less, their vision, talent and artful interpretation is a gift to those of us who may not possess the ability to convey ourselves through pencil-thin brushes, glue guns, iron and cement and even your normal, everyday can of plain white paint.

And, then, there are those artists who paint for the joy and pleasure of what they see before them.  All the world may be a stage, according to Shakespeare, as all the world may be a canvas for the artist who spends time seeing the beauty in the tiniest of flower buds, an oddly shaped leaf or the swirling action of the blue and white sky.  Thank you to Gwen, Holly and Diana, members of a Plein Air painting group and offshoot of the Blandy Sketch Club   and who, I'm sure, I have not given anywhere close to full credit when it comes to their talents and artistic vision.

These accomplished  women chose to spend their Monday morning here at Blooming Hill and use our gardens as a backdrop for their artwork, each settling on different views, out in the cool and sunny atmosphere, bursting with lavender to reinterpret on their own canvases.  A much more pleasant thing to do rather than running to the grocery store or doing the family laundry like some of us did, as a part of our typical weekday.  You can see more of their work, along with many of their fellow artist's work on their website, https://outdoorpaintersshenandoah.wordpress.com.  Come again, friends and bring the whole group.  You are most welcome anytime!

And The Winner Is...

Lavender fields forever!

Summer is here.  The weather, in recent weeks,  has come along both slowly and steadily and with it, so has the lavender, being three to four weeks later than usual--if there is anything, when it comes to our weather nowadays, that can be labeled as usual. However, now the lavender is looking lushly lavender in an array of light and dark hues, partly because rain has spurred everything and anything into a sudden growth spurt. Out of over 60 different varieties growing here at Blooming Hill, a good third of them are currently in profuse bloom mode--woohoo!! 

Dusk settling in while the humidity rises over some of the field.

Traditionally, the earliest of the lavenders would have been blooming for over a month now, beginning sometime around Mother's Day. But, no such gift was part of my mid-May.  In fact, most of the lavenders were not even very green on Mother's Day! I was disappointed but I love my lavenders anyway and waited patiently, promising visitors and friends that we would reap the rewards in June and I was not exaggerating.

Lavandula angustifolia 'Pastor's Pride'

Lavandula angustifolia 'French Fields'

The very first lavender to make her presence known about 2 weeks ago was L. angustifolia 'French Fields' and not far behind her was another dark purple L. angustifolia called 'Pastor's Pride. In other years (again, I refrain from saying "normal") The very first lavender to bloom is a petite and very pretty little one called L. angustifolia 'Thumbelina Leigh' followed closely behind by another angustifolia called 'Croxton's Wild.' Yet this was not to be this year so, 'French Fields' has crowned herself the winner in the category of first to bloom.

Tucker provides a nice backdrop to 'French Fields'.

'French Fields' closely resembles lavender that appears to grow wild in the Mediterranean, hence her name and when someone asks me what is a variety of lavender that is a long bloomer, this one always comes to mind as it seems to grow almost continuously throughout the season, even after the first flush has been harvested.  This variety grows 24-30 inches in my own field and when it opens it's flowers as peak comes on, she takes on a two-toned appearance.  'French Fields' foliage color is a true green which makes her flowers appear even more opalescent making it one of my favorites for the last three years in a row.  So, if I can't be wandering the fields, hills and valleys of Provence, at least I can imagine myself picking a little piece of it right here in my own backyard, in my own "French field."

Falling Off Of The Face Of The Earth--Not!!

Rhapsody in lavender.

Just the other day I went to a birthday party, held at a local winery, for my friend Vickie.  It was then that I realized that I had not done much of anything lately that did not have something to do with lavender here at the farmlet.  Filled with events and gatherings, May was just about non-stop leaving not very much time to even think about anything else beyond Blooming Hill.  It seemed as though I had fallen off the face of the earth, forgetting that there is life after lavender.

The Monacacy Garden Club at Blooming Hill for a tour and talk.

An evening seminar, sponsored by the Loudoun County Master Gardeners.  Lots of people interested in learning about lavender.

My last post was on April 29.  Has it been over a month already?! My, how time flies when you are having fun and it has been fun.  Between weeding and planting, there have been garden fairs to attend, garden groups who have visited, the annual Loudoun County Farm Tour, the shop to be tended and lavender teas, talks and tours right here at the farmlet!  PHEW!!--We certainly have been busy but never, no not once, did we ever slip and fall off of the face of the earth.  In fact, we are thrilled to have welcomed and continue to welcome those of you who are so enthusiastic about lavender and gardening and gardening with lavender.

A lavender bicycle built for flowers, lavender or otherwise.

Setting tables for one or our many tea events

Warmer weather certainly took its time in arriving and, thankfully, the hot, hot weather has not taken up its summer residence, around here quite yet, although I have a feeling it has booked itself into a cozy space somewhere in Western Loudoun County as usual, just a few weeks later in the season.  But, that's okay too, because its summer and all of those silvery lavandula bushes need hot and sunny weather to unwrap their pale headdresses and transform themselves into "splendiforous" purple queens of the summer garden.  Spring let them sleep a little later this year. After all, two polar vortexes and a few mega storms can be rough on even the sturdiest of hairdos, no matter how much you try to protect it--You know what I mean!

L. angustifolia 'Elizabeth'. An early bloomer that promises to be a showstopper among the lavenders this year.

The month of May also introduced to me a new favorite variety called 'Elizabeth'. It's a lavandula angustifolia and it's dark purple buds, elegant stems and shapely branches will give any of the L. angustifolia varieties like 'Hidcote Blue', 'Folgate' and 'French Fields' a run for their money here.

Peter planting new six new beds of lavender.

A sunny hillside of furrows newly planted with L. angustifolia 'Hidcote' and L. x intermedia 'Fat Spike'

In early April, we thought we might have lost about 30% of this year's lavender crop, along with a quite a few boxwoods, crepe myrtles, buddlia and more.  However, Mother Nature had other plans for Blooming Hill's lavender and, although this season is about 3-4 weeks behind, just about every plant greened up, if not a little reluctantly, and they are alive and well and, more importantly, thriving.  While we weren't completely spared--older plants took this past winter much harder than younger plants--the gardens are now lush and robust with color and texture confirming that we really do grow hardy stock here in Northern Virginia.

Members of the Hillsboro Homestead Club came for a Downton Abbey-Style Tea in the early evening.

Upperville Garden Club members admiring floral entries in between a talk on lavender and a lavender-infused cream tea. 

Early morning in the herb garden, quiet and dewy with mist before another busy day begins here at Blooming Hill.

In any case, after the whirlwind month of May and now June, I did not fall off of the face of the earth and Blooming Hill is standing strong, blooming bright and busy tending our lavenders and welcoming visitors.  I just have to make it a point to leave the property here and there and view the outside world for myself--Maybe in August after the harvest is in.  In the meantime, if all of this coming and going here at Blooming Hill is like falling off of the face of the earth, then I'll take the plunge every time.

Somewhere in the midst of everything, P. Lorenz (a.k.a. Peter) found time to design and deliver a lovely flower arrangement for a dear friend's daughter's wedding.  Look at that. No lavender in sight!

Flowers, Gardens, The Fabulous Beekman Boys and Me

What do frilly hydrangea, fancy brick pavers, packs of petunias, hordes of herbs, the fabulous Beekman Boys, Blooming Hill and what seemed like thousands of people all have in common?  We were at Leesburg's annual spring flower and garden fling this past weekend, of course!  And, as usual, it was the most happening place to be on a sunny and finally mild spring weekend.

In spite of a little rain during set-up, early Friday evening, the sun shined down on the crowds that walked through the streets, browsed the booths, sampled sweets and treats and most importantly, just enjoyed themselves. Besides, what would a Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival be, without a little rain somewhere in the forecast, anyway?

Aside from seeing dear friends and making new friends, there are always too many flowers, trees, bushes and plants to choose from which makes it all the more fun to come, plan and dream away a garden of delights for your own backyard.

One of the highlights for me was meeting the Beekman boys as they breezed through the be-decked booths and bricked sidewalks on their way to their own booth for a book signing session of their newest cookbook. They were kind enough to stop and talk to Peter and me.  Cordial and gracious, they smiled, made some small talk and complimented us on our coordinating Blooming Hill purple t-shirts.  While I took it as a compliment, because I thought we really did look nice, if not a little tired at the end of two days of greeting and talking with our parade of customers, Peter just had to say, "My wife made me wear this."  They chuckled, shook our hands, said they enjoyed meeting us, then continued on their way down the street.

I only wish that I had my camera at the ready so I could have taken a picture of the Beekman Boys and me.  I would have had Peter take the picture since he did not like his purple shirt, anyway! But, sadly, I only thought of a photo op once the Beekman Boys had left our booth and were far down the street.  I thought it a bit tacky to chase after them, although I did consider it for a minute or two.  Alas, I'll just have to catch them again on the Food channel!

All in all, the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival is one of my most favorite weekends of the entire year.  It's always a fun couple of days filled with gardening talk and ideas and a wonderful way to come together, friends and strangers alike, and celebrate the gift of flora and fauna, remember Earth Day and pay a Virginia-style homage to Spring.

Lavender--The Color of Spring!

 The lavender field, last summer.

The herb garden, last spring and not even close to looking like this yet.

Spring at last!...Spring at last!  This was my mantra throughout the past weekend. I found myself dreaming about the colorful days this season will finally bring, of course, all the while remaining in denial concerning the hot and humid weather still to come as well.  At least the weather was finally turning warmer, here in Northern Virginia. But, I'm holding my breath since the gardens still seem to be asleep, or at least waking up grudgingly.  How I long to see the lavenders turn green and almost take flight into a purple haze in the warm sunshine. So much so, that I went out and bought myself some cans of lavender spray paint to spruce a few things up around the old farmlet.  If Mother Nature would let the lavenders sleep a little longer, then I would just have to take matters into my own hands.

 Tucker was very trusting to be sitting that close to me.

Oh yeah, that is waaaaaay better.

It started out innocently enough, on Saturday.  First, I thought the pink bike that stands in the front yard under a Yoshino Cherry Tree, not quite ready to bloom, really did need a fresh coat of paint and since we call ourselves a lavender farm, why not paint it lavender!  While touching it up, I got a little tingle of excitement in the tip of my fingers and my eye glimpsed a folkart iron structure flapping its wings out in the still groggy lavender field.  Perhaps a little lavender paint might spur those plants to sit up and take notice.

Turning into lavender.

And then, of course, since this bird looked so good, I thought I should stroll down the hill and touch up the crane (metal bird) that greets visitors as they enter Blooming Hill.  What would be the harm in turning a vertigree and rust colored jumble of steel into a lovely shade of lavender feathered bliss?

Happiness, indeed!

Suddenly, in my hands, I found a 'bluebird of happiness' who was looking a little sad.  Once he got a new coat of lavender paint it was literally transformed from happiness to deliriously happy!  I was in "the zone". Spray paint can in hand, I was truly on my way to putting color in my yard my own way.

Light purple flight of fancy.

I could feel the spirit of my mother pulsing through me, spurring me on as only she could have done, as I made my way through metal bird stakes and rusty garden angels.  When I was growing up, she loved to paint things in the garden to give them a dose of wit and whimsy, making them unique garden pieces.  Well, okay, so maybe she went a little too far at times--especially with bright yellow paint and her tie-dyed wooden spool tables that dotted the green lawn. But, she never shied away from a painting adventure when it came to sprucing up a drab piece of something to make it a piece that people would certainly notice, for good or for bad.

Even the pump could not escape my lavender dreams.

Anyway, I digress as usual, but I really did feel my mother's presence, standing somewhere over my shoulder, happy in her lavender 1970's "Here Comes the Judge" Flip Wilson sweatshirt, approving my every lavender move.  After all, lavender was her favorite color while lilacs were her favorite flower.  I'll give her that one since we lived in the suburbs of Chicago and growing lavender can be a bit of a challenge there.

I ran out of lavender spray paint but fortunately, I found a can of vibrant dark purple, hidden deep in the bowls of the garage behind the paint cabinet.  I wondered who put it there, so out of sight, that I really had to hunt for it as I grew a little more desperate since, I wasn't over my painting binge, quite yet.

Well on their way to ooohhh, la laaaaa!

Then, rearmed and reinforced with a new paint supply, I looked expectantly around to see what else could use a fresh coat of purple that hinted at what will eventually be a field of naturally hued lavender and purple plants. A couple of weathered metal butterflies were begging to be infused with new life via a purple face-lift!  How could I deny them?!  Somewhere around the third old watering can sitting innocently enough around the yard, it hit me--and there wasn't a mirror anywhere to be found to even think of chanting "Mirror, mirror, on the wall. I am my mother, afterall!"  I had become my mother.

Don't worry.  I have been forbidden to even think about spray painting Peter's beloved Gazebo lavender, purple or any other color that may spring to mind.  But, I'm not promising anything when it comes to the armillary (thing with arrow) in the foreground!

Oh well--it was inevitable.  I just couldn't help myself.  Perhaps it is genetic. Maybe the urge to spray paint something really does carry through the female line of my family, although my sister would probably argue that point.  However, I suspect Peter is very thankful that we have a son! Anyway, I still have some vibrant dark purple paint left and when I run out of that, there is always the hardware store in town stocked with a plethora of spray paint to help continue my lavender/purple habit foray right up until bloom time.

Sagebrush Verses Lavender--Really???

Lavender cuttings now taking up residence in my family room since there is no more room in the greenhouse!--Oh, spring where for art thou???

Last Friday afternoon, a delivery man dropped a package off at the house while I was outside transplanting small lavender cuttings into larger pots and getting ready for our opening on April 3.  It was a cloudy, gray day, the kind of day we have all gotten a little too comfortable with since winter refuses to let go, here in Northern Virginia. As he was handing off the package to me, he looked out into the backyard and the very stark-looking lavender field and asked hesitently, "Are you growing sagebrush out there?"

Really?! "No," I chuckled.  I've had a lot of people ask me what I'm growing out there--everything from marijuana to a new variety of zinnia and all of the way to just plain, "What is this stuff, anyway?"  All of them have taken me quite by surprise and, when I was asked if it was marijuana, I thought that man was just looking for some kind of shock value response.  In fact, I kept looking around for the hidden camera.

Sagebrush growing in the Northwestern U.S.  Photo from Wikipedia.

Blooming Hill lavender field before pruning this past weekend.

However, sagebrush is another first and, I must say, the delivery man was quite sincere and interested.  He told me he grew up in Wyoming and said that those lavender plants looked a lot like sagebrush.  He said that sagebrush is very fragrant and beautiful, growing wild and free, in the Wyoming countryside. Then, he happily drove off, down the driveway and up the road, I suppose, to deliver more packages and inquire what is growing on other people's property.

A picture of sagebrush fom Wikipedia.  It looks similar to a lavender bush, at least in this picture.

Look at that! Somewhere in America, they actually DO plant sagebrush in straight rows! Photo from Wikipedia.

Well, I immediately dropped what I was doing and looked up just exactly what a sagebrush bush looks like and, don't you know it?!--At least at this time of the year, after a particularly harsh winter and a bitter beginning to spring, I hate to say it, but the lavender plants do resemble sagebrush!  Only my lavender bushes are planted in straight rows and tidy, edged beds unlike, I'm fairly certain, wild sagebrush. This, to me, should have been a clue to the delivery man that it was not sagebrush--indeed!  

Can sagebrush produce this, I ask you?!?!

However, sagebrush is a common name applied generally to several woody and herbaceous species of plants in the genus Artemisia, like wormwood and mugwort.  So to be fair, that also fairly accurately describes a lavender, except that lavender is a member of the genus, Lavandula and displays other obvious and differentiating characteristics, especially when it comes to aroma. Also, in the language of flowers, sagebrush has ties to chastity, childbirth and hunting while lavender means acknowledgement, devotion, constant personal attention and loyalty.

The weekend grounds crew; P. Lorenz and the prodigal son.

Yes.  I do more than just take pictures!

In any case, after my conversation with the delivery man, I decided it was time to mobilize the troops and get out there this past Saturday and prune the sagebrush, I mean lavender. No more waiting for spring to happen and another sagebrush inquiry to come my way.  It's time to neaten up the place and tell those devil deer to move along--to Wyoming, maybe?  Although I sure Wyoming has it's fair share of devil deer as well!  And, while I'm sure wild and free sagebrush is quite a beautiful plant to behold in the more arid regions of our country, I'll take the fussy and persnickety lavender, in my backyard, any time of the year, no matter what it looks like.