One of the most important elements of the Magic Garden is the lavender. At the moment these are predominantly ‘English’ lavenders although I do have the French type in pots. The reasoning of having a pentagonal arrangement of lavender is to create a silver line pattern. This structural role in the Magic is almost as important as its role in attracting bees & other insects to the garden

Unfortunately I have found increasing numbers of Rosemary beetles (Chrysolina Americana). These are attractive metallic iridescent leaf beetles that feed on the foliage and flowers of rosemary, sage, thyme & lavender & can cause sufficient damage to kill the plants. I have only ever found these on my lavender plants & mainly have operated a policy of toleration. I have though noticed during the last year that one of the more mature plants has been dying back. I plan to do some replacement planting this spring.