June 5 , 2008
From the producer: 26 May 2025
I love life story narrative . In my little routine , it can be unmanageable to see advancement , other than the straight-out obvious : acquire this calendar week ’s CTG on the air , the medulla foliage pruned down , Erlicheer bulb move while I could still see them , and the first coneflowers in the crepe bed bloomed !
Of of course , I can see advancement outside . Greg and I are astounded that what was bare ground a few months ago has filled in so well . We agree that the front looks a lot better , glorious even , in our view . But I would n’t wish last pin ’s plumbing risky venture on anyone .
Still , it was the inducement to underprice nandina - ville and cut up a beautiful new look . I have a few gap to fill yet , and I ’m thinking of the dwarf Abelia ‘ Rose Creek ’ or ‘ Mardi Gras ’ that Jeff from The Emerald Gardenmentioned on CTG a few weeksago .
And we do n’t miss photinia - ville one morsel ; in fact , we wonder now why we did n’t do it preferably . The cenizo , thryallis , and move rose are growing like weeds . I ’m think about adding the orange version of esperanza ( Tecoma stans ) to the mix . Pictures of the front before long , it ’s still too former for extensive shots .
Achieving these small goal is great , but the really big picture of life is operose for me to grok . I guess that ’s why I ’m such a fan of PBS programs likeAmerican ExperienceandAmerican Masters . When I see someone ’s timeline put into perspective , I get hold significance in that journey to insert into mine . It ’s also one loyalty I have for CTG ; to partake nurseryman ’ journeys with you .
This week ’s guest , Jeannie Ralston , is another inspiration I ’ve met in soul . A New York journalist , she espouse National Geographic photographerRobb Kendrick . He want to return to res publica roots , and she wound up in Blanco . On a fluke , they startedHill Country Lavender , and unwittingly start up a whole new manufacture for the Hill Country .
I met her years ago when we taped the lavender farm . Here ’s Robb with our theater director , Ed Fuentes .
you could see our award - winning video recording onJeannie ’s web site under Videos . We ’ve stayed in speck as she and Robb run on to other pastime , leaving Hill Country Lavender in do it hands . Now , Jeannie ’s print her first Good Book , The Unlikely Lavender Queen : A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming , detailing the unexpected showdown that modify her life .
In her conversation with Tom , she also give us hands - on tips for growing lavender at home . Lavender can be the Holy Grail for gardener , who prize its foliage , fragrance , and herbal use ( the flowers are a nice bonus ) , but that can suddenly go belly up between sniffs . I ’m still quite astonied that the lavender I nonplus in the quat cove last year survived all the rain . I guess it ’s the crushed granite that did it .
To meet Jeannie yourself for more lilac-colored bakshis , visit our calendar on our Blog page or atEventson our home page to scroll through her Texas appearance . you’re able to also get the grievous bodily harm on the Blanco Lavender Festival June 14 & 15 . Grab a friend and a photographic camera for a sensory good time .
Although my lavender is n’t blooming , the hollyhock ( Rose of Sharon ) put on a decent show in the rental side bed . This is rightfully amazing since it ’s way too louche for her , but I do n’t defy seek to move her . She ’s almost the last of the ones that come with the house , old - fashioned deciduous shrub that I eff .
They mean summer to me .
In the crepe bottom , the Mexican oregano have start to bloom lavender . This isPoliomintha longiflora , not to be confused withLippia Graveolens , since they have the same mutual name . This little evergreen plant woody perennial ( about 2 - 1/2′ for me ) accepts shade , attracts hummingbirds , butterfly , and bees , and can be used for cookery . In February , I give it the same tough pruning I give to the Salvia greggiis to boost plushy novel growth . And that ’s about it .
The plumbagos , in a hue of lavender , are begin to flower , even the ones I lately move in front . This guy is under the rental fence pistache , with a passalong prawn plant beyond .
For another good read , a mystery that include lots of terrific pourboire about growing lavender , along with formula and guile , jibe out Susan Wittig Albert’sLavender Lies . But to get the complete picture of her serial publication , feature existent - existence life deepen through her fictional case , gardener China Bayles , embark on withThyme ofDeath , the first in the serial . It wo n’t be hard to keep on interpretation until you get to the current Christian Bible , Nightshade .
You ’ll also want to match out herweb site and blogfor the history of herbs , recipe , garden tips , her life as an writer , and much more .
Susan does n’t know it , but she was a sprightliness - changing event for me . A few years ago I went to hear her address about how she switch over her impregnable career to become a full - time writer . I ’ve also watched her acquire into outside acclaim on her web site , as well as a tell apart and beloved writer , where readers but ca n’t wait for the next book .
I thank her , Jeannie , our CTG guest and gardeners , and especially all of you , for a life ’s progression that gets richer every day . And let me know how your lavender is doing ! Linda
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