Happy Mother’s day! A few early photos of “Lavender Hill” that I started a few years ago. Last Spring we reworked the area off the kitchen and had a stone mason add formal wide steps to transition up to lavender hill. The color palette is simple and subdued…stone grays and gold fine, green, white and lavenders. Creeping strawberry is already sending runners across the lower steps as the erigeron (Santa Barbara daisy) had taken hold on the upper. After getting the plan and hardscape in place, I like to stand back and see what ideas mother nature comes up with.
I picked up these concrete balls fifteen years ago…like dwarf boxwood…love the punctuation marks they make in the garden. 
The lavender is primarily lavandula augustifolia “Provence”, and a few “Grosso”, and “Hidcote”tossed in here and there.
The roses are Souvenir de Malmaison, here with artichokes, and Sombreuil at the steps, and a coral David Austin rose Abraham Darby tossing a color surprise over a wall. Still waiting for a few plants to assert themselves and will be adding lettuces in the shade below the bench. But, a much simpler, less demanding garden! 
Still biding my time ’till lavender hill is in full bloom. Changing my blog speed to “Summertime”…more time in the garden and on the trails!
Update May 2014…I am on an extended blog holiday…hiatus…but will post again, eventually, to let you know what my future plans are…
Until then the blog remains open for nostalgic jaunts into the last 4-5 years of my amateur photography, DIY home and garden design, cutting and pasting and daydreaming. Enjoy!
Your garden spaces have always been such a treat for me to venture into. Yours have France written all over them. Such an inspiration!
Thank you!
xoxo, Chris
Very beautiful pictures! I seldom see garden pictures that are as marvellous and romantic as yours.
What a beautiful space! I am so jealous…. Great job!
Trish I always love seeing your gardens! Your stone mason did a wonderful job. I can’t wait to see lavender hill all in bloom!
Happy Mother’s Day to you Trish!
XXX
Debra~
Hi Trish!
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog, it indeed made me so happy, surprised and proud. I am a huge fan of your blog, have been for a few years. So it was almost surreal to see your name, posting a greeting on my new blog. (It is written in Norwegian, so I hope the automatic translation is not too bad.)
I especially love your rose pictures. And your layout and design, it is classy and unique. You really have a great taste. I admire your work.
Love, Ingvill
Dear Trish I hope that you had wonderful weekend!
Your Lavender Steps are wonderful. The Artichokes in the garden, that is never seen in the Midwest.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Happy Mother’s Day Trish. Your garden is lush!
Hi Trish,
The hill is so unbelievably beautiful. I think that I could spend my entire life there. Thank you for sharing
The ultimate compliment, Madame Trouvais: the new addition looks like it as always been there! If nature had not created the artichoke, not sure human could conjure color, shape and taste. Lovely wildness…and color coordinated in your garden. Just beautiful.
Trish, this is completely off topic from this post, but the last post looks like the comments are closed and i didnt know how else to contact you…. Thank you SO much for posting about La Maison Antiques & Design, I am going to buy the ciel de lit! I know the drapes are your dream textile, but if they dont work out or you ever decide to sell them, please please keep me in mind. I wish there where more ! I am glad to at least get part of the lovely piece 🙂
Hi Emily. I’ll definitely let you know if I ever tire of these beautiful panels. Keep in touch with Wendy Lewis, let her know your wish list. And of course Anne Sorrells is in France for several weeks and on the hunt. Both women have held this fabric in their hands and are a good resource to find something similar for you. My contact info is on the side bar….under the teacups.