Rhythm and routine

The rhythm of the seasons changes again as we head from Summer into Autumn.  The nights are drawing in and there is a cooler breeze in the air.  It is all part of a the routine in the garden.

This is the time we cut back our lavender, most of which are intermedia varieties such as Grosso and Sussex.  They throw out longer stems with their pointed flower heads and come into flower later than our Angustifolia varieties.  But they extend the season and the drama of their massed array of flowers is a striking feature of the garden for an extended period in Summer.

Bees and Butterflies love our lavender and the garden is full of insects going about their busy business throughout Summer.  But now is the time to cut the lavender back hard and shape each plant creating an array of grey cobbles.

They will now put on around 3cm of growth before Winter comes and this insulation will help overwinter the plants.  But key to lavender growing is sharp drainage and that is what we have here with our chalky, thin, fast draining soil.

It is all part of the natural rhythm of the garden and the routine of the chores is as reassuring as the moving hand of a clock.  Seasons come and seasons go and the garden moves with them.