Lavender

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Lavender
Scientific name	Lavandula
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Lamiales
Family	Lamiaceae
Type	Fragrant flowering plant
Habitat	Full sun; well-drained, slightly alkaline soil
Native range	Mediterranean and the Old World
Edible parts	Flowers, used in cooking and cake decoration
Special feature	Oil is used in perfumes and soaps

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is also known as English lavender, true lavender, narrow-leaved lavender and common lavender. It is a flowering plant with a wonderful scent and beautiful purple flowers. It comes from the Mediterranean region and is the most widely grown kind of lavender, popular in gardens for its color and fragrance.
Lavender belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and its genus, Lavandula, includes about 47 species. Lavenders are native to the Old World, from Europe and Africa to parts of Asia. As well as being grown for decoration, lavender is used in cooking, and its oil is very popular in perfumes. The flowers are so famous that their color is simply called lavender.

History

Lavender is a small, bushy shrub that usually grows about 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) tall. Its stems become woody at the base, and its narrow, gray-green leaves are covered in tiny hairs that help it save water. In summer, it sends up long, thin stalks topped with spikes of small purple flowers. Both the leaves and the flowers contain fragrant oils, which give lavender its famous smell. Bees and butterflies love visiting the flowers for their nectar.

Anatomy

Lavender is a small, bushy, evergreen shrub that usually grows about 30 to 90 cm tall. It has narrow, grey-green, aromatic leaves, and slender spikes of small purple-blue flowers rise above the foliage on long stems.

Habitat

English lavender is native to the western Mediterranean, especially the mountains of Spain, France and Italy, including the Pyrenees. Other lavender species grow wild from the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, across the Mediterranean and North Africa, to southwestern Asia and India. In the wild, lavender grows on dry, sunny, rocky hillsides with poor, well-drained soil. Today it is grown in gardens and on farms all over the world, from France to England and Australia.

Soil

The Lavender plant grows well in well drained soil. It grows best in slightly alkaline soil. It has the ability to tolerate diverse growing conditions. Dampness kills the lavender plant. So it does not grow well in damp soil. Chalky soil is also ideal for them. It cannot survive in wet soil.

Planting

Seeds of lavender plants are slow to germinate. Growing this plant is easy. Planting has to be done in an open area with full sunlight. The most important aspect while growing a lavender plant is to provide a well drained soil. Hence it should be grown at the top of a slope or in a pot with alternate holes for drainage. You can add some sand in the soil to increase the porosity. It should be placed in a sheltered area that receives at least 8 hours sunlight and near some big wall to protect it from winter. The soil should be prepared well with a good amount of composting manure, half cup of lime and some stones about 1 inch to improve the drainage. Trim the plant before planting it into the soil; that helps to improve air circulation and encourages new shoots to emerge. If planting more than one plant, then there should be a space of 36 inches between the plants. Pruning in the spring season is ideal for lavender.

Water

Water is essential for s healthy growth of plants, but over watering is not good for the lavender plant. Water is necessary when the plant is dry. In early times it requires water regularly, but once established, it needs little water.

Care

Lavender plants require protection from the winds of the winter good air circulation and drainage. It requires full sunlight. Gravel mulch is beneficial for lavender because it helps in keeping the top of the plant away from excess moisture. It also helps to keep away weeds from growing near the base of the lavender. Mixed compost and bone meal can also be provided during the spring season.

Harvest

The stem of lavender plant is harvested by cutting them when they mature and the flowers bloom. When harvesting is done just before the flowers are open, these flowers will retain their perfume for months. Flowers should be cut just above the base of the stem where the foliage is present. To dry the flowers, a bundle of hundred flowers should be tied with a rubber band at the base and hanged upside down in a dry, warm and dark area for at least 10 to 14 days.

Pests and Disease

Strong pests and foraging deer are not appreciated by lavender plants because its leaves and flowers are rich in strong essential oil. Fungal problems may arise in humid climates. This fungal problem can be controlled by good air circulation and drainage. It can tolerate pests and disease. Spittle bugs are common pests. They secrete a foamy, spittle-like substance that is harmful for the health of the plant, and may kill the stems. This pest is controlled by washing the plant. White-flies are other pests that feed on plant’s sap and they are normally found on the underside of the leaves. A strong spray of water can remove the white-flies from the plant. Aphids are directly not harmful to plant, but they spread mosaic virus disease on the lavender, causing yellow patches to occur on the leaves and shoots. Horticulture oil and insecticides can address this disease.

Uses

Lavender flowers and oil are used in perfumes, soaps, lotions, bath products and scented sachets. The flowers are also used in cooking, to flavor cookies, cakes, honey and teas, and to decorate desserts. Many people find the smell of lavender calming and relaxing, and it has traditionally been used to help with sleep, headaches and insect bites. Gardeners love lavender too, because it attracts bees and butterflies while deer tend to leave it alone. Lavender oil should never be swallowed, and it is best to ask an adult before putting it on skin.

Lavender FAQs