Lavender

Lavandula spp.

(lav-VAN-dew-la)

COMMON NAMES:  LAVENDER

FAMILY:  Labiatae

TYPE:  Evergreen perennial

LOCATION:  Full sun to partial shade

PLANTING:  Transplants can be set out year round. Seed can be grown by putting on top of the ground when it’s hot. Not easy to germinate and grow.

HEIGHT:  24 to 36 inches

SPREAD:  36 to 48 inches

FINAL SPACING:  18 to 24 inches

BLOOM/FRUIT:  Spikes of fragrant lavender-blue flowers in summer.

GROWTH HABITS/CULTURE:  Grey-green narrow foliage, aromatic lavender-blue flower on narrow stalks in spring and intermittently throughout the summer. Shrubby overall growth. English lavender is the easiest to grow. Excellent drainage is a must.

PROBLEMS:  Overwatering, damp weather causes lots of trouble for lavender.

HARVEST/STORAGE:  Harvest leaves anytime. Harvest flowers early as they first come into bloom for the best quality. Dry and store in glass if needed.

CULINARY USES:  Use anyway rosemary is used in cooking. Teas should be made from the flowers and leaves. Flowers are used in spice mixes.

MEDICINAL USES:  Lavender is antiseptic, sedative, and antispasmatic. Use from capsules or tea for the above and for headaches.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Perennial garden, border plants, specimen plants.

OTHER USES:  Fragrance plant - used to scent linens. Beautiful perennial for landscape. Perfume and moth preventive.

INSIGHT:  Lavender angustifolia is English lavender and has smooth edged leaves. French lavender, Lavender dentata, has a serrated leaf. Spanish lavender - Lavender stoechas, is gray-leaved and flat purple blooms with broad, flat-topped clusters of flowers instead of a spike. The pink and white flowering varieties are not recommended.

Slide show of a lavender farm from TPSL

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