For my third course towards my horticulture certificate, we had to pick an edible plant to discuss the cultural practises, origins, and potential problems. We were asked to choose something that isn't especially common. I chose Lavender as I wanted to choose a herb, and many people don't realize that it is edible. Hope you enjoy!
The origin of lavender can be traced back in history to the early Egyptians, who used lavender dipped shrouds. France and Britain are the leaders of the lavender trade today. The Romans also used lavender for their bath water, the word lavender came from the Latin word ‘lavare’ which translates to ‘meaning to wash.’
Lavender (Lavendula) is a genus of the flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It’s a native plant from the Mediterranean region and south to Africa and India. Cultivated forms are found around the world, and can be found growing wild. The most common species is Lavendula angustifolia or as it is more commonly called, English Lavender. English Lavender is the most common of over 25 species.
Lavender is a perennial woody shrub, with gray-green narrow linear leaves and bright, fragrant beautiful purple/blue flowers. Lavender prefers full sun, and is hardy through Zones 5a to 9b. Lavender also requires excellent drainage, and is quite drought tolerant, but it really does not like soggy areas.
When planting lavender, plant in the spring after the last frost – you can plant in the fall, but it must be done early enough so the plant roots may establish themselves. The most important consideration while growing lavender is that is not planted in high moisture areas, and that the soil drains well. Use organic material such as mushroom compost with uneven particle sizes to promote lots or air space for circulation. You can also use builders sand to improve the drainage conditions in the soil. The pH balance of the soil should be between 6.5 and 7.5. If you are finding yellow growth, the soil is out of balance. Ensure that lavender plants are pruned regularly (twice a year) to ensure the plants don’t get to woody or overgrown; regular pruning also helps the plants bloom better, with stronger flowers.
Although lavender is a pretty tolerant plant, you should watch out for mealybug, whiteflies, and spidermites. Although bugs are not typically attracted to lavender, you do need to watch out for fungal disease and rot. Lavender does not like wet conditions, and too much heat and humidity. Plants should be spaced apart to ensure lots of air circulation. Smaller lavender plants cannot compete with weeds, be ensure the garden plant is clear prior to planting, as smaller plants cannot compete.
If you wish to start lavender from seed, sow 6 weeks before the last frost. It’s much easier to start lavender with cuttings, which is the preferred method. To grow from cuttings, cut 2-4” from the stem when pliable, remove all leaves, dip into a rooting hormone and place in damp soil. When roots appear, you can now place in a pot. Most lavender growers recommend that you take cutting from a 5 year old plant.
Lavender has been used for centuries, mostly for the blooms scent, in sachets to deter moths, and as potpourri. Lavender oil is the most popular use of the flowers, and France is the world leader in lavender essential oil. It’s used for many antiseptic and aromatherapy uses to help with sleep, relaxation, and for bath products. It takes about 80 pounds of lavender to make 1 ounce of lavender essential oil.
What many people don’t realize that lavender is used for cooking, and it’s one of the ingredients for the famous French ‘herbes de Provence”. The flavor is close to that of rosemary, sage, and thyme, and generally can be substituted for recipes where rosemary is called for. Lavender is also tasty in many teas, cookies, jams, sorbets, ice-cream, and with goat cheeses. Some love to use the brightly fragrant blooms for garnishes in salads, and champagne.
Lavender has also been used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, back in WW1 nurses used lavender to wash walls and floors in hospitals. Lavender has been claimed to ease insomnia and sleeping problems, combat stress, and to help with anxiety. It’s also used to help heal cuts, and scars on the face. Typically it is not the blooms that are used for medicinal purposes but the essential oil extracted from the blooms.
There is much folklore surrounding lavender, Benedictine Monks used it as a medicine, while others used it as a plague remedy, or to keep mice away, as an insect repellent, and as a deterrent to deer. It’s also been said that it is the good witches herb to avert the evil eye. Many claimed that if you stuffed its blooms in keyholes, ghosts would not enter your home, but it doesn’t stop there, London Peddlers used it in charms against evil and even as an aphrodisiac.
