So much spring happening now...

...& so much gardening to do this evening.

These are not complaints. But I'm feeling a little overwhelmed as I want to see and do it all.  And share the best with you.

For now, some cherry blossoms and blue sky from the weekend:

 

Sidewalks of my neighbourhood...

...their spring-time borders...

 ...and canopies...

...reasons to look forward to after-work walks with my Westie, especially in the sunshine but even in the grey and drizzle.

Not quite Provence, but close

Instead of booking a holiday in Provence, to get my daily dose of  lavender I just need to walk 5 minutes from my door to view, touch & inhale the mounds on City Hall's north lawn...

....and at the community garden's main entrance...

Ask me to name my favourite vegetable, tree, or garden writer, and I'll beg you to allow me at least three picks for each & several minutes of deliberation. But when it comes to my favourite herb & scent, I can quickly and easily pick one:

Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'

This morning for a couple of hours I lost myself in Lavandula while I searched for informative & enchanting links to share. Here's a short reading/viewing list to get you started:

Lavender: Practical Inspirations for Natural Gifts, Country Crafts and Decorative Displays by Tessa Evelegh - on my "own it/often refer to it" list

Lavender: The Grower's Guide by Virginia McNaughton -- added to my "to read" list this morning

The Genus Lavandula by Tim Upson and Susyn Andrews -- also added to the growing "to read" list

Mountain Valley Growers' Lavender pages: Lavender (descriptions of 24 varieties), Lavender 1.2.3 (care and tips)

And for your viewing pleasure, I recommend searching Google images for "lavender and Provence".

Now I'm off to the community garden for a compost workshop and group work party. Naturally, I'll volunteer to weed the bed with lavender.

I'd love to hear about your thoughts about this aromatic herb. Do you have a favourite cultivar? Do you grow the plant, and if so, from seeds or cuttings or both? Please share your stories and tips in the comments.

Benches are good

Especially for sitting on after a work-out planting the alpines, herbs & Japanese maple tree you purchased at the plant sale earlier that morning -- a warm, sunny morning. I'm thinking ahead to this Saturday's stellar weather forecast* & the Gwynne Vaughn Park Garden Party & Sale.

Maybe I'll score a Saxifraga as interesting as Kim's 'Gregor Mendel'.

*

...

Rest stop #6 on last Wednesday evening's walk

To paraphrase e.e. cummings,

The world is green-luscious & blossom-wonderful.