The scent of lavender intoxicates the senses

In short: English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a perennial subshrub 30-80 cm tall that blooms from June to August in full sun and free-draining, sandy-calcareous soil. Sow seeds in February to March; they germinate in three to five weeks at a constant 20 °C. Prune once or twice a year, taking off two thirds without cutting into the woody part.

English Lavender (Latin: Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most fragrant herbs and plants. It has a refreshing effect on all our senses. Lavender's aroma calms, soothes depression, and creates a pleasant atmosphere, especially at bedtime. Lavender has also gained popularity thanks to its insecticidal and repellent properties. You can use it against a variety of insects. There are several folk names for lavender, including Lavandula, true lavender, common lavender, and garden lavender. Its Latin name "lavare" translates to wash. Another species is Medicinal Lavender.

Its homeland is the Mediterranean. Lavender is a typical plant of Tuscany and Provence. Lavender groves can also be found in Bulgaria, Croatia, North Africa, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India. In these regions, you can find beautiful blue-purple fragrant lavender fields that seem to create a continuous carpet. In our latitudes, you'll only find lavender occasionally. That's why we grow it from seeds in herb gardens and ornamental beds, as well as in pots. Lavender can create tasteful colorful borders around pathways, fences, rock gardens, or brighten up your balcony or conservatory.

Even the Egyptians Treasured Lavender

In the work of the Greek Dioscorides from 77 AD, we find the first mention of a plant called lavender. He mentioned it as a calming remedy for headaches, neck pain, and as a treatment for open wounds on the skin. The scent of lavender also captivated the Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians added lavender to soaps and perfumes, and traces of it were found with the dead; apparently, they used it for embalming.

Fragrant lavender baths were prepared as early as ancient times by both Greeks and Romans, who also used it to scent their beds. They also used it to purify the air in rooms where sick people stayed. Burning twigs can disinfect and simultaneously scent a space. It's remarkable how well this old method works!

Later, Hildegard of Bingen also mentioned it in her work Physik as lavender. She emphasized the strong scent of lavender and recommended using it against lice. Medieval doctors also used it for severe pain. Odo Magdunensis said about lavender that "it removes biting and stinging pains in the internal organs. Drunk with cold water, it calms the pounding of the heart and also stops vomiting." In the Middle Ages, it was also given the attribute "plant of the Mother of God," which was said to ward off impure desires. People believed that with its intense fragrance, it could drive out demons. During times of plague, they believed that oil prepared from lavender worked against this disease. In the 17th-18th centuries, every proper lady added medicinal lavender to her bath, which according to them had a positive effect on preserving youth and freshness.

Whatever you believe, lavender has been scientifically proven to have numerous antiseptic and relaxing effects.

We use the flowers or the entire aerial parts of lavender during its flowering; preferably at the beginning, when the plant contains the most aromatic substances. We then dry the collected mixture in shade or in an airy place, or in a dryer at a maximum temperature of 35°C. After drying, we crush and sieve the mixture. (note: the dry mixture constitutes only 20% of the original weight).

Lavender as an aromatic hedge

English lavender (lat. Lavandula angustifolia) is a perennial evergreen subshrub that grows to a height of 30-80cm. It belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its stem is "four-sided." The lavender plant has long, narrow, grey-green and downy leaves. It blooms in June-August with violet-blue flowers located at the end of the stem. Its flowers smell with a pleasant fragrance and have a slightly bitter taste. The fruit of lavender is a nutlet with four seeds. We can easily grow lavender from seeds, which we sow preferably during February-March. Seeds germinate in approximately three to five weeks, at a constant temperature of 20°C. (greenhouse)

Young lavender plants of 10cm size should be planted in permeable substrate with sandy-calcareous composition. In a sunny location at a distance of 40cm from each other, most often during May. It is advisable to create soil drainage before planting lavender by sprinkling the planting site with, for example, perlite, then covering with soil, then the soil is ready for planting.

Tip: For pot cultivation, it is advisable to choose a pot 2x larger than the plant.

The more sun lavender has, the more fragrance we have in the garden as well as more positive energy. Lavender doesn't like waterlogged substrate. It is advisable to water only after almost complete drying of the soil, lavender doesn't mind it. During hot days it requires watering, otherwise additional watering is not necessary.

Regular pruning is extremely important for lavender, at least 1-2 times a year. This way we also get aromatic sprigs as a bonus. The ideal time for pruning is after the flowers have bloomed or early in spring, preferably in March. We prune by removing 2/3 of the plant and leaving 1/3 of the young shoot, but be careful not to cut into the woody part of the plant, as this could damage it! If we don't prune the plant, it will unnecessarily grow too large and appear loose and sprawling.

Narrow-leaved lavender is a frost-resistant herb that can withstand even mild frost, but for successful overwintering we cover it with conifer branches or overwinter the potted plant indoors in an unheated room. Lavender is both an ornamental and honey plant.

What makes lavender smell so good...

Lavender flowers at peak blooming contain essential oil (0.5-1%), 10% tannins, linalyl acetate (30-60%), bornyl acetate, α-terpineol, linalool (25-45%) and other substances. These substances have sedative and antiseptic effects, acting as a diuretic, stomachic and spasmolytic. Lavender positively affects skin blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, relieves migraines and dizziness, and heart problems. It has a calming effect in cases of general exhaustion and hysteria, regulates loss of appetite and relieves various types of colic (kidney, gallbladder, etc.). It also suppresses feelings of fear and panic. It is suitable for respiratory diseases.

Lavender extracts are often one of the ingredients in various perfumes and aromatic blends in perfumery. Essential oil obtained from lavender works miraculously on headaches, it is suitable as an ingredient in creams for all skin types, as it not only helps regenerate cells but also rejuvenates the skin overall. Lavender is a component of creams for treating burns, various types of eczema and dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Warning: The use of lavender is not recommended during pregnancy and its use together with alcohol.

Lavender proves to have versatile uses. It is also useful in the garden; it repels ants as well as aphids, so all plants in its vicinity are protected against these pests. It is sometimes recommended to plant it among roses. We place sachets with dried lavender in wardrobes and food storage cupboards as prevention against household moths. One sachet stays fresh for 3 years, you just need to shake and squeeze it regularly, you can repeat this 200 to 300 times!

Lavender is a good tip for a herb even for mothers of infants and toddlers. When they have trouble falling asleep, placing dried lavender or a lavender sachet near the baby's cot is suitable and the expected effect should occur.

Lavender as Part of Provençal Herbs

English lavender can be compared in taste to rosemary, thyme or mint. Its leaves are part of Provençal herbs. We add it to dishes carefully, as it is very aromatic and has a slightly bitter taste. It goes well with roast meat, fish or in salads.

We can also prepare flower vinegar from lavender. Lavender vinegar is prepared by adding freshly chopped herbs to warm apple or wine vinegar and sealing the glass bottle well. Place the mixture on a windowsill and shake the bottle every day. After 2 weeks, strain the mixture and the lavender vinegar is ready. We use lavender vinegar to flavour salads, sauces and marinades.

We also prepare tea, infusion, tincture, oil or syrup from it. Lavender tea is prepared by pouring 250ml of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried mixture and letting it steep for 10 minutes. Then strain the mixture and serve 3 cups daily if possible, always fresh beverage. Oil prepared from lavender can be applied directly, undiluted to damaged parts of the skin, as one of the few essential oils.

Lavender Summary...

English lavender has a fresh and crisp scent, which makes it such a popular herb. It is characterised by its blue-violet flowers, which will fill your balcony or garden with fragrance. We grow it from seeds, which we pre-grow in a seedbed and place young lavender plants in the bed during May, when the spring frosts have passed. During June - August, lavender blooms and can fill your garden and interior with fragrance. We collect its flowers, ideally at the beginning of flowering. Dried lavender flowers can be used to create dried bouquets or we fill the well-known lavender sachets with them, which we place under the pillow to induce peaceful sleep. It is a pleasant ornamental and melliferous herb that anyone can grow.