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The word lavender comes from the Latin name “lavare” which means “to wash”. It was used during Roman times for its healing and antiseptic qualities. There are many references in the bible to lavender, referring to its ancient name, Spikenard. Mary Magdalene used lavender to wash Jesus’s feet. Adam and Eve took lavender with them when they were banished from the Garden of Eden. For years lavender was considered a safeguard against evil.
In the Middle Ages, monks and nuns were known for using lavender to make medicine. For years, it was considered a “cure-all”, known to treat anything from upset stomach and kidney disorders. Queen Elizabeth I made the herb popular during her reign.
Contemporary aromatherapists have discovered that odors can affect the chemical balances in the body and lavender is gaining popularity for its mood changing properties. Lavender is a known antiseptic and can be used to treat burns and acne. Many use it to release toxins and tension. A gentle spray of lavender water on your sheets can calm you before bedtime. Many manufacturers are now using it in baby wash as a relaxing additive in bath water.
Lavender is also a natural alternative to bug spray. Place lavender sachets in your shoes or closet to keep the moths away. Sprinkle a bit of lavender buds in your kitchen cupboards to deter ants from eating your food. As a garden plant, lavender attracts beneficial bugs such as ladybugs, butterflies and honey bees.
Lavender Species
Many people would be surprised to find out just how many lavenders there are in the world today. According to The Genus Lavandula, Tim Upson and Susyn Andrews, there are 42 species of lavender and within those species are hundreds and hundreds of cultivars. Each cultivar has characteristics that make it different from any of the others. Each lavender variety has their own phyto-chemistry, oil content, color and bloom habit. For the sake of simplicity, we will focus on the varieties available to us here in North America, especially those that thrive when grown outside.
Lavandula Angustifolia
Sometimes referred to as “English” lavender. They tend to grow 12-30”, bloom from early spring until mid to late June, have a sweeter lavender smell and have a wide range of flower color from light purple to dark blues, whites and even pinks. They are most recommended for culinary for their lack of champhor and sweet taste in dishes. Many make wonderful fresh and dried bouquets and are recommended for crafts. Some Angustifolia lavenders are continuous bloomers. (picture)
Lavandula x. Intermedias
Commonly referred to as lavandins, this group of cultivars are a cross between L. angustifolia and , L. latifolia or spiked lavender. Two common varieties that are more readily available are ‘Grosso’ and ‘Provence’ however there are several new plants that rival these types. Lavandins are characterized by their larger plant size, 24-48”, longer stem length and later bloom time. You can see these varieties blooming from late June through August depending on the weather. Many contain champhor so culinary use is not recommended. They make beautiful fresh or dried bouquets, wands, potpourri or sachet. Their flower colors range from dark purple to blue to bright white. (picture)
Lavandula Stoechas
Lavandula Stoechas, sometimes referred to as Spanish lavender, is distinguishable by butterfly-like bracts on the top of the flower heads. They are grown primarily as a landscape plant. Most bloom continuously through the summer. Some crosses have produced stunning cultivars with dark flower heads and light colored bracts. (picture)
L. x. Chaytorae
A cross between L. angustifolia and L. lanata, they combine the dark purple blossoms of angustifolia and the attractive silver foliage of wooly lavender to produce reliable, beautiful ornamentals. They bloom from early July through mid August. Long stemmed, they are great for crafts.
L. Viridis
In a family all it’s own, this yellow flowering lavender is similar in appearance to L. Stoechas but has a hint of lemon scent and is a prolific bloomer. With chartreuse green foliage, it makes a distinctive addition to any garden.
The Right Soil
Lavender needs good drainage to thrive. Their roots go down approximately 1 foot, so digging a generous hole is important. Fertilizer or compost is beneficial at planting, but high levels of nitrogen for the long term can produce strong foliage growth while diminishing flower production. Lavender needs a neutral ph, between 6.5 and 7.0, so a dose of lime can help when trying to reach the proper ph levels. If you have clay, adding sand can create a hard soil base so pumice is a good addition for increasing drainage. Mounding can also help and building your mound a foot high and a foot across insures against runoff.
Watering
Lavender is a drought tolerant perennial which makes it attractive for many gardeners who want a plant that is low maintenance. Lavender does need to become established and may need watering through the summer depending on your climate. Overhead watering can cause your lavender to be susceptible to fungal diseases or to split. Drip tape or drip lines are recommended. Don’t plant your lavender near other plants that are on automatic watering more frequently as overwatering lavender can stress your plant. We let our plants go dry, then give them a good soak to eliminate on- going “wet feet”.
Pruning
Lavender likes to be pruned. It may be difficult to let go of the blossoms, but it is best for the good of the plant in the long term. If you buy a starter plant, cut the blossoms off in the first year. If you do not, the energy will go the blossom instead of the plant and can cause your plant to get “woody”. As your plant grows, give it a “crew cut”, about two inches above the wood in early fall. In the second year, harvest your flowers, then give your plant another haircut by cutting the foliage in a mounding shape. Your plant will double in size from year one to year two. By year three, your plant will grow 2/3 bigger than that. A lavender plant is considered full grown by year three, but will continue to grow in size over the next few years. By pruning your lavender plant correctly, it can last up to 20 years.
Harvesting
Different types of lavenders bloom at different times throughout the season. One way to keep the flower buds on your bunches for longer periods of time is to harvest the flowers when you see just a few flowers opening up on the plant. It makes a big difference when you harvest the flowers earlier rather than later. The colors are brighter, the flowers are healthier and your harvested plants look better.
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