Lavenders

This plant is hard to beat for a sunny position. They all like good drainage. Loosely they are divided into the English  (argentifolia) and French varieties. The French plants are known as Lavandula strochas types and are generally less hardy then the English varieties since they originate from warmer Mediterranean climates.

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The growth and use of lavender dates back to ancient times. There is recorded use of lavender for various purposes by the ancient Egyptians (for mummification and perfume), in Greek  and Roman times (for bathing, cooking and perfume)  as well as references to it s use in the Bible. There is a belief that lavender originated in the Garden of Eden and it has since been used to protect from evil. The word lavender is thought to be based on the Latin verb ‘lavare’ to wash.

The use of lavender in Europe has been well documented over intervening times where its growth flourished due to its herbal and medicinal properties. As well as being used simply for its fragrance and cleansing properties,  possibly its widest use has been as a relaxant and aid to sleep, sometimes in the form of lavender filled pillows. Its other medicinal qualities include its use as an antiseptic and to aid digestive disorders.

Culturally it is good to dead head them during the summer months but do not trim them until early March as you want to get the worst of the winter over before they are cut back. Trimming each year also has the advantage of preventing then becoming too woody.

Lavender angustifolia Hidcote is famous for its compact habit and dark purple flowers which flower over a long period of time. Lavender angustifolia Munstead is a paler but equally reliable form with similar habit. Lavandula angustifolia Nana Alba is a dwarf white flowering variety which provides excellent colour variation. There are also  pink forms; Lavandula angustifolia Loddon Pink which has pale pink blooms and a compact habit similar to Hidcote and Munstead.
Lavandula stoechas Pedunculata is a red-mauve flower in tall spikes which I can only describe as having the unusual form of “ears” on the flower heads. Lavandula angustifolia Vera has the best foliage for winter interest with a lovely compact habit of two foot high by two foot wide and which flourishes a sunny position.

Finally, Lavandula stoechas Papillon is a typical French variety with lovely mauve flowers.