The name comes from the Latin verb meaning 'to wash.' Lavender was a favorite ingredient in herbal baths of Greeks and Romans. During the Middle Ages, it was considered an herb of love. Because of its clean, fresh scent and insect-repellent properties, it was a popular strewing herb. It also was an ingredient in smelling salts and was used to disinfect wounds during war time.
Description
The bushy, branching shrub has mature stems that become dense and woody. The smooth-edged silver-gray leaves are opposite, lanceolate, somewhat hairy, and up to 2
inches long. The small lavender-purple flowers are in whorls of six to ten flowers, forming terminal spikes 6 to 8 inches long. The fruit is comprised of four shiny gray-brown nutlets.
Plant type and hardiness
Perennial; hardiness zones 5 to 8.
Height and width
Height up to 36 inches; width 24 inches.
Light and soil
Full sun; light, well-drained soil with a pH of 7.1.
Pests and disease
None noted.
Cultivation
Sow seeds in spring in shallow drills or seed trays. Keep soil moist until the seedlings are well established. Cuttings can be taken from the tips of shoots. Place in sand medium and keep moist. Transplant once the root system is well established.
Propagation method
Seeds, stem cuttings.
Bloom time and color
June to September; lavender-purple.
Harvesting
Pick the flower stalks before the last flower on the spike has opened. Harvest on a dry
day before the sun is too hot. Hang in bundles upside down in a shady, airy place. Store
whole spikes or remove the flowers from the stems. Store in airtight containers.
Herbal uses
Aromatic, cosmetic, culinary, decorative, and medicinal. The dried flowers scent sachets, potpourris, and decorative pillows. The aromatic oil is used in toilet water, cologne, and perfume. Lavender also is used in bath products and stimulating, cleansing facial steams. It is said to repel mosquitoes. It can flavor vinegars and jellies. Decorative uses include floral arrangements, wreaths, and wands. Lavender
is said to have some medicinal qualities.
Insider's Secret
Thyme and lavender help each other grow. Also, lavender helps vegetables to stay
healthy and produce more flavor. Lavender is attractive planted in groups. Only about half of the plants that is started from seed in the garden may produce flower spikes the first year. The flowers are very fragrant, and the grayish foliage provides a nice contrast against the deeper greens and purple foliage of plants such as purple ruffles
basil.
