A Grower Perspective

We have a special connection to lavender here at Pleasant Hill Nursery. Nancy Blum, our horticulturalist (and frequent writer on this blog) spent many years growing lavender at the Sawmill Ballroom Lavender Farm. She is an expert in all things lavender. In fact, her husband, Joey Blum, wrote a book on how to grow lavender. Nancy’s love of lavender inspires us here to love it too. Just today, a reporter from the local paper, The Register Guard, came out to visit our nursery and talk with Nancy about growing lavender and the culinary uses of lavender. We grow several different varieties which are great for cooking, ‘Provence’, ‘Mustead’ and ‘Tuscan’.

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Michelle brought in this beautiful bouquet she snipped from plants around the nursery.  Isn't it so colorful and cheerful? There's some 'Bennerup Blue' Iris, Hemerocallis 'Stella d'Oro', Spanish lavender, Salvia 'Caradonna' and some ferns, peiris and evergreen branches to round out the bouquet. 

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 Do the fun stuff first. Eat the frosting before the cake. Eat desserts or your favorite things first as you never know what will happen.  In my garden I cut sunflowers and dahlias for cheery bouquets before I even put my gloves on.  Fill your home or work space with colorful joy in the form of bright late summer /early autumn floral beauties.  That done, you may adorn yourself with gloves, kneepads, pruners in hand and head out to spend some pleasant time with your plants. 

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 When I want to take some time to renew my spirit, get some fresh air and have a bit of creative time, I pot up some big pots with a variety of plants from the nursery.  I’m like a kid in a candy shop choosing plants and tucking them together.  As I was out there today, a scene on the Paris streets went through my mind.  I went to Paris once.  It was winter, January to be exact, cold damp.  We never saw the sun or blue sky, but we were in Paris.  The scene was this; outside a lovely florist shop someone was arranging a huge bouquet for I assume something very special.  He had all the flowers and branches laid out around him on the sidewalk and he was using his special touch to put together something of great beauty. So I think of him, and Paris and the bathtub we soaked in every night to warm up after a cool winter day.   

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My favorite store in town is, without a doubt, Passion Flower.  To call it a florist and gift shop does it no justice.  It is full of unique and fabulous gift items that you don't often see other places.  Their floral arrangements are breathtaking.  What I love most about this store is how I feel inspired when I walk through the doors.  The design inspiration here is amazing.  I love to take my time when I stop by Passion Flower so I can look at every little thing....every detail.

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