Two of my favourite late spring flowers. Campanula Takesimana with Cordelia in charge. It loves space, sun and part shade. It is romantic. Beautiful.Originaly it came from an island off Korea called "Ullung-do" ( Sea of Japan). In the 1920's it was deemed rare, but after all these years it is off the rare list.
And Lavender (Lavandula). Growing down the hill in full sun. It loves the heat, and soil that is allowed to become quite dry. Very much like the Campanula, which also does not require a lot of water. You'll find both re seeding itself in drier areas.
Lavender comes from the mint family. It's prolific and spreads. The plants can last up to ten years, but then will die out and need to be replaced.
Campanula Takesimana is perfect in an uncontrolled space, where it will spread quite happily. The big drooping bells remind my of Beatrix Potter stories. It is a bellflower on a mission, because it likes to move out and grow in big clumps.
It only lasts for a weeks each year. I find myself frantically taking pics to capture it's essence each time. Then after it dies out I wait longingly for another year. You will find it here and there in the garden as the summer progresses. Sometimes it has another blooming. I long for that as well. I watch and try to make it last.
Lavender , it is said, was brought from Arabia to sell to the Greeks about 600 B.C.eventually making it to France. Lavender was used in the process of mummification, as an essential oil in baths, and perfume of Cleopatra.
Lavender gets its name from the Latin "to wash" . It was put into Roman baths to make the water smell wonderful. The scent also gets rid of rodents, mosquitos and other pests. So has a lot of uses.
Campanula takesimana looks beautiful with cranesbill geraniums, phlox or hosta.
It is resistant to rabbits, and comes in the colours of pink, white, and dark purple.
During Victoria times, the queen was known to drink lavender infused tea. It was said to settle her headaches, and her nerves.
Lavender oil eases tension, sleep disorders and is supposed to bring devotion, luck, success, and happiness. In the early 1900s the amazing healing powers of Lavender were documented. Lavender jelly and lavender honey can be used in teas to help soothe and calm.
"The most beautiful thing under the sun is being under the sun. "
( Christa Wolf. 1929-2011, German writer)
No comments:
Post a Comment