ENGLISH LAVENDER Sarah Fry Monday, April 18, 2011
THE BASIC’S
Common Name: English Lavender Botanical Name: Lavandula angustifolia Member of the mint family
Monday, April 18, 2011
ORIGIN & HISTORY From the Mediterranean Region Coined “English” because it thrives in that climate In the 1700’s it was extensively sold in the scented oil industry in England Documented use for over 2,500 years Egyptians and Arabians used the plant for perfume. Egyptians also for mummification Greeks and Romans used in baths The origin of the word comes from Latin “lavo” which means wash
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HISTORY Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603) commanded her royal table to never be without lavender. She also drank it in her tea to ease her migraines. Queen Victoria (1819-1901) used it in every room of her home to freshen the air. WWI nurses bathed soldiers in lavender baths Today, French sheepherders still take lambs to lavender fields to graze so meat will be fragrant
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DESCRIPTION Most popularly grown variety of the Lavender in North America.
Herbaceous perennial in the family Lamiaceae.
Grows to two to three feet and it’s spread ranges from two to four feet.
The hardiest of all of the lavenders and therefore tolerates the cold better than the other varieties.
Contains less camphor which causes it to have a sweeter scent than the other types of lavenders. Also known as “true lavender.”
Semi-woody with narrow gray-green leaves on square stems.
The purple flowers grow in terminal spikes.
Attracts butterflies.
Holds it calyx color when dried. Monday, April 18, 2011
GROWTH Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8. It will come back in colder regions (than 5) if planted next to a south facing wall or given protection over the winter. Bloom Period: It blooms in the early summer and continues to bloom until the fall. Its bloom time is from June through August. Preferred Growing Conditions: Sun: Full sun / Water: Dry to medium / Maintenance: Medium
Monday, April 18, 2011
PESTS
Nearly impervious to diseases and pests (even deer!) May suffer from root rot
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VALUE & USE Culinary Sweetest smelling and flavorful of all types of lavenders Can be used in recipies Good addition to ice cream, sorbets, baked desserts. Can be made into jams and vinegars. Best lavender for cooking
Monday, April 18, 2011
VALUE AND USE Aromatic Used in oils, perfumes and soap for calming aroma Best for scent. Sweet smell.
Household insecticide against aphids and repellent of cockroaches
Medicinal internally for: digestion, depression, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, tension headaches, migraines and bronchial complaints externally for: burns, sunburn, rheumatism, muscular pain, neuralgia, skin complaints, cold sores, insect and snakebites, head lice, and halitosis
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VALUE AND USE
Landscaping Common for edging annual flowers, perennial flowers and vegetable and herb beds Frequently used in traditional European formal gardens
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POTENTIAL PROBLEMS May get leaf spot May not survive the winter if the soil is not well drained or if the temperature drops below zero without protective snow cover
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RELIABLE CULTIVARS ‘Compacta’ : white purple flowers ‘Dwarf White’ : white flowers ‘Hidcote’ : dark purple flowers, best for drying and crafts ‘Jean Davis’ : pink flowers ‘Munstead’ : blue-violet flowers, can withstand dry hot climates, best for warm climates
Monday, April 18, 2011
THE PRODUCERS
Modern Producers of lavender include: Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, Australia, Japan, Canada, and U.S.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011