The Lavender Hedge That Started It All

If there’s one plant on this property that’s earned its keep—and then some—it’s the lavender hedge. It was one of the first things we ever planted here, about 12 years ago, when the wind still tried to steal our hats and every plant we put in the ground clung to life like it was on a reality show.

Back then it wasn’t just me out there digging holes. My son and my mum were right beside me, planting around 20 or 30 lavender babies—some French, some English, because I’ve never been able to choose just one flavour of anything and I'm all about more. They were tiny little plants at the time, nothing impressive, but we had big dreams for them.

Fast-forward to now, and that hedge has become one of my favourite spots on the whole property. It’s an eye-catcher, sure, but more than that—it’s useful. Lavender is the overachiever in this garden. You can:

Cut it fresh for a vase

Enjoy it until it droops

Flip it upside down, band it, hang it, and keep enjoying it

Make sachets

Let the seed heads drop and—boom—you’ve got free plants popping up everywhere

Use it for crafting, gifting, or just making the house smell great. 

Honestly, it might be the best bang-for-your-buck plant I’ve ever put in the ground.

One of my favourite things about the hedge is how social it has become. You can wander out there with a friend, hand them a pair of scissors, and just deadhead your way through an entire conversation—big topics, small topics, or absolutely nothing at all. Lavender is therapy without the invoice.

I never let the hedge 'rest', I make it work hard and flower all year round (for both birds and bees and me!). It was a fabulous hot January day - that day planting with Mum and my baby Joe. Three generations kneeling in the dirt, imagining what this place could become. Now, every time I walk along the lavender path, that memory is baked into the scent. It’s not just a hedge. It’s history.

If you want a plant that gives generously, looks stunning, smells divine, and practically raises its own children, lavender is for you. And if you don’t have a hedge yet… well, as I always say "the best time to plant was yesterday!".

Jen.