To raise lavender in one’s own garden and use the crushed flowers and leaves as a sachet is to touch hands momentarily with the lady of the 17th-century manor.
She and her maid grew it in the stillroom garden, where it was especially favored for preparing sweet washing water and other “conceits” employed by the coquettes of those times.
Servants in medieval castles strewed it on the floor of a milady’s bedchamber to form a scented carpet.
Fascinating Herb
Shakespeare Gardens, popular in England and made up of trees, shrubs, and herbs to which the bard referred in his plays, contain lavender.
Lavender is on an herb list published in 1201 and displayed in the British Museum.
The fact that lavender is still distilled for its precious oils and its perfume is marketed extensively throughout the world proves its age-old charm.
Not for the amateur, this distilling business; nevertheless, the lavender plant is a fascinating herb with which to experiment.
Uses Of Lavender
The English drop a few flowers or chop a leaf or two into their salads and soup. French women prepare lavender vinegar.
Springs of lavender, left to stand in alcohol, shaken occasionally, produce a sweet-scented rubbing lotion.
Flowers and leaves are a welcome addition to potpourri, and a pinch of dried leaves in boiling water becomes an aromatic tisane or herb tea. And, of course, it is fragrant and beautiful in the garden.
Two Species of Lavender
Only two species of lavender are commonly found in this country:
- Lavandula silica is a Mediterranean herb cultivated in the South.
- Lavandula vera is the true English lavender, and because of its relative hardiness, it is usually grown in northern sections.
It is subject to winter kill in colder regions and must be heavily mulched to survive.
For that reason, although perennial, it is treated as an annual by many gardeners and replanted yearly.
Lavandula `Hiticote Blue’
One nursery has recently developed a Lavandula `Hiticote Blue,’ which is guaranteed to be completely hardy.
Rooting and Transplanting
As seed produces variable results, plants are usually propagated by cuttings taken in spring or fall.
Three inches is the recommended length for cuttings taken from one-year-old “wood.”
After rooting in wet sand, they are set in partial shade in the garden about 4” inches apart for a season.
Then they have transplanted 2′ feet apart in a sunny location in light, well-drained soil. Lime in the soil is important for developing the maximum fragrance.
They grow poorly in wet soils and become too lush in rich soils, a cause of winter-killing. They bloom from June to frost.
Pruning Time
Flower spikes grow on erect stems about 12” to 15” inches long above ten to 15”-inch shrublike plants.
Authorities differ on when to prune, one saying to cut back moderately in March or April.
Another says to prune after flowers are gathered in late summer to give plants time to make fresh growth before cold weather sets in and avoid having dead patches.
Actually, they may be trimmed all summer as clippings are needed for bouquets or potpourri with no problem as long as no one plant is cut back too severely.
Drying Flowers
Flowers should be dried on their stems when the very tips are still in the bud. They, and whatever leaves are to be used, should be dried slowly in an airy place.
Sun tends to dissipate aromatic oils. When dry, store in tightly covered glass jars or plastic containers.
They will mold if not thoroughly dry. A small cellophane packet of dry lavender tucked into a Christmas gift of hankies, lingerie, or linens carries its own special message.
44659 by Jean S. Sherwood