Lavender
Background
Having its origins in the Mediterranean as well as France, Spain and Italy, Lavender has been used for a variety of purposes. Lavender gets its name from the Latin word lavare, which means “to wash.” Much like we do today, the ancient Romans added lavender to their baths.
Uses
Such a versatile herb, lavender can be used in soaps and baths to help soothe and calm the mind. Add it to pillow spray and it will help you drift to sleep at night. Fill a sachet with it and it will repel moths, as well as other insects. Make a relaxing tea from it or add it to sugar cookies and cakes for a light floral flavor.
Landscape Use
Although they are not dependable enough to be used as a hedge, Lavender still makes a lovely garden or walkway border. One of its benefits is that it repels both deer and insects.
Planting and care
Plant lavender in warm, well-draining soil and full sun. Make sure to plant in the spring after the soil has warmed and there is no threat of frost. Avoid planting it in the shade as it doesn’t do well with excess moisture. Ideally, you want a spot that gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. Place lavender 2 to 3 feet apart as they can grow from 1 to 3 feet in height.
After planting, water twice or three times a week until the roots are well established. Lavender does not do well with excess moisture, so once the plant is well-rooted in the soil, you only need to water it every 2 to 3 weeks. In Colder climates, you can add straw or wintergreen mulch to protect it through the winter months.
During the second or third season, you can prune your lavender in the spring. When green leaves begin to appear at the bottom of the plant, remove one third of the top. This prevents the lavender from becoming twiggy and sparse. Do not cut back into the old wood or it will not grow.
Harvest and Storage
It is best to harvest in the morning when the oils are most concentrated. Once about half the buds are opened, cut the stems long. Bundle them, secure them with string or rubber bands and hang them in a cool, dark, well-circulated space. The flowers and buds should be dried within a few weeks. Once dried, you can gently shake them from the stems and put them in a lidded jar or directly into a sachet. Keep the jarred lavender buds in a cool, dark place.
Lavender Varieties Offered (Scientific Name: Lavandula)
We will offer the following lavender varieties for the upcoming planting season and typically, we offer these same varietals each year:
As always, our plants are subject to availability.
Don’t see what you are looking for? If there is a particular variety of lavender you are looking for, please reach out to us via email or phone to discuss. We love to hear from our customers about what they are looking for and strive to accommodate any special requests.