French lavender fields were on my travel wish list for years, and now are on my list of places to revisit. Seeing real lavender growing in France was an extraordinary girl's trip with my sister and good friend from work. Somehow our husbands were not as interested in spending days in French lavender fields as we were.
Back home in Texas I try every year to grow French lavender, but only have marginal success. The plants grow and bloom in late March to May, then fade away in the Texas summer heat, and die over the winter. Except this one lavender plant last winter. Read about French Lavender in Winter.
When I found a realistic spray of faux lavender this spring, I bought several stems to fill one of my favorite French style ceramic containers.
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The purple flowers go well with the periwinkle blue wood paneled walls in the dining area, and the French style fits the country style I love the most. The flowers look so realistic and remind me of the trip to the lavender fields in the Provence region of France.
In Provence, France, lavender blooms in late June and July in home and business gardens as well as in commercial lavender fields.
The artificial stems I bought have green leaves at the base with long bloom stalks arranged to flair out like a real lavender plant.
No watering is needed to keep this bouquet beautiful on my dining table.
The large French style ceramic container filled with the faux lavender is perfect for Spring and all Summer on my dining table.
Lavender looks good with white, natural wood, blue, mauve, yellow, green... The plant goes with several decorating styles, cottage, American country, French country, shabby chic, traditional, coastal.
Plus, the arrangement will look good all over the house... on the kitchen island, on the pine chest, on the flower stand in the entry, in the breakfast sunspace on the plate stand, on the back porch, and in the French market basket... Don't be surprised to see it in the background in future posts.
Take a look at the arrangement in the garden shed.
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I plan to keep trying to grow real French lavender outside, but will also enjoy the faux lavender inside.
If only I could get lavender to grow in my Texas yard like it grew in my sister's southern California garden. She grew Spanish lavender. I am on the left in glasses, and my sister is on the right, several years ago at her house.
Do you grow lavender in your yard? If so, what variety? Do you buy your plants locally or through an online source?
