posted August 28, 2011 06:43 PM            

The name Lavender was derived from the Italian word lavarsi, meaning simply to wash oneself, as the plant was crushed, added to olive oil and then used as a primitive soap in Roman times to improve its suppleness. The plants strong scented resin has strong antibiotic properties and was even used to disinfect hospital floors during World war II. When the plants oil is burned in aromatherapy it will curiously repel moths from the house and induce a positive effect on human respiration. Lavender's anti-inflammatory properties can relieve skin burns and when mixed with rose water can even cure acne. The plant was used during the years of the plague to repel the fleas that carried the disease.

Health precautions

These remedies should be used with caution since lavender oil can also be a powerful allergen.

Avoid ingesting lavender during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In vitro, lavender oil is cytotoxic. It increases photosensitivity as well. Lavender oil is cytotoxic to human skin cells in vitro (endothelial cells and fibroblasts) at a concentration of 0.25%. Linalool, a component of lavender oil, may be its active component.[14] Aqueous extracts reduced mitotic index, but induced chromosomal aberrations and mitotic aberrations in comparison with control, significantly. Aqueous extracts induced breaks, stickiness, pole deviations and micronuclei. These effects were related to extract concentrations.

However, according to a 2005 study "although it was recently reported that lavender oil, and its major constituent linalyl acetate, are toxic to human skin cells in vitro, contact dermatitis to lavender oil appears to occur at only a very low frequency. The relevance of this in vitro toxicity to dermatological application of Lavandula oils remains unclear."

In terms of phototoxicity, a 2007 investigative report from European researchers stated that, "Lavender oil and sandalwood oil did not induce photohaemolysis in our test system. However, a few reports on photosensitivity reactions due to these substances have been published, e.g. one patient with persistent light reaction and a positive photo-patch test to sandalwood oil."

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Author: Mary Ann Walz
Keywords: lavenders
Date: April 2007

You have a busy life and want a low maintenance landscape that looks great. Lavender is a great choice. Here’re some reasons why.
Drought tolerant—Lavender plants thrive in dry conditions and don’t need to much watering once the plants are established
Neat and tidy shape—Lavender maintains a nice rounded shape and requires only minimal pruning; in spring and after blooming.
Low fertility soil conditions—Lavender thrive in low fertility, alkaline, limey or limestone derived soils that are well-drained.
Fertilization—Lavender needs only a light application of organic fertilizer, such as Yum Yum® Mix. Apply in mid to late fall.
Fragrance—One of the characteristics of Lavender that makes it so popular is its delightful fragrance. The flowers can be harvested and used for culinary purposes, bouquets, dried for potpourris, or made into bath and beauty products.

Extend Bloom Time by Combining Varieties

Be sure to plant both English and French Hybrid types to extend the blooming season and give your garden several months of flowering lavenders.

English Lavenders

As Lavender cultivars developed, those with English origins were referred to Lavandula angustifolia. These English species are typically the most cold-hardy, being suitable for USDA zones 5 through 10. Late spring/early summer bloomers, English Lavenders planted in a colder climate will typically not get as big as the same variety will in a climate with warmer winters. Two varieties, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Buena Vista’ and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Sharon Roberts’ will actually bloom twice a season if promptly deadheaded after first flowering. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Superior’ and Lavandula angustifolia ‘Mitcham Gray’ are the most deeply colored with dark violet-blue spikes. ‘Graves’ is the best cut flower variety as it has the longest flower stems.

French Hybrid Lavenders

In less severe winter USDA zone 6 through 10 climates, the Lavandula intermedia hybrids, sometimes referred to as French lavender, are wonderful summer bloomers. Larger than the English varieties, they have longer flowers and flower stems. In France, many of these varieties are grown commercially for oil and flowers. Lavandula x intermedia ‘Provence’ is the variety most often used for culinary purposes. Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ is the most cold-hardy intermedia type and has the darkest colored flower spikes. Lavandula x intermedia ‘Hidcote Giant’ is the longest blooming with very long graceful, compound flower spikes.

Special Lavender Hybrids

Two little known non-intermedia hybrid varieties we highly recommend. Lavendula x ‘Silver Frost’ is a super fragrant, summer-long bloomer with silver foliage and incredible dry-heat tolerance. ‘England’ is a tidy, compact, sweetly fragrant, summer blooming beauty with dark blue flower spikes.

Ways to Use Lavender in Low Maintenance Landscapes
Mix lavender into a border with other highly fragrant plants to create a garden of sensory delights. A fragrant genus of companion plants for Lavender is Agastache. Both Agastache rupestris and Agastache neomexicana are perfect matches. Other fragrant plant companions can be found in our Xeric Aroma Garden.
Combine Lavender with other plants from the Mediterranean region such as Santolina, Rosemary, or Stachys to recreate a look found at villas in southern France or Italy. Select the Cold Hardy Mediterranean Pre-planned Garden to mix in with the various Lavenders or choose just a few of the plants as companions.

Regional Notes for Planting Lavender Varieties
Western US; all the Lavender plants are at their very best as our arid climates, cool to cold winters, and dry summer heat match their native habitat.
Texas and the Southeast; if you want to grow them in hot, humid summer climates with mild winters it’s best to grow Spanish Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and French Lavender (Lavandula dentata).
Mid-West and New England; when growing Lavender in these areas, stick with the English Lavenders as they are the most cold-hardy.
In cold, wet winter climates like the Midwest and New England, the lavenders must be grown in sandy soils in the sunniest, hottest location possible. Plant in the spring to get them well established before winter. Cold hardiness is not just about cold winter temperatures. Protection from soggy soils and freeze/thaw cycles in the winter and early spring is important. Check with local herb growers in your area to ask them about growing and over-wintering lavender.

Relax and Enjoy

Whatever variety of lavender you choose, make sure you have a place to sit nearby. There’s nothing like taking a break from your busyness and have a few minutes of tranquility next to some fragrant lavender.

^^_^^ NOT me

posted August 28, 2011 07:30 PM            

The lavender is a lovely mix of the white and lavender as pictured above by the house. She also has the most beautiful wisteria about and the scents is divine.

That lavender lady & hummer is aqua don`t cha know

Beautiful pics & thanks for sharing!! Gardening blessings to you and your posies!

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Submit to Love without thinking, as the sun rose this morning recklessly, extinguishing our star-candled minds.

posted August 28, 2011 07:32 PM            

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Submit to Love without thinking, as the sun rose this morning recklessly, extinguishing our star-candled minds.

posted August 29, 2011 07:15 AM            

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quote:

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Remember, love can conquer the influences of the planets....It can even eliminate karma.

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posted August 29, 2011 08:18 AM            

I miss having a real garden.

are you sure you can't just throw some in the ground and see what happens? I think that poor soil stuff is a little overstated.

Especially if you throw an established plant in the ground.

RE: The house. that wisteria was icing on the cake for me too... Bit of climbing rose [or red Clematis?] mixed in there as well...sigh

posted September 06, 2011 07:06 PM            

When I harvested, I brought some home for my linens in the dresser draws. It scents til the next harvest.

Now that you mention the house, I think you`re right. A touch of red would be the icing on the cake!

posted April 21, 2012 07:52 AM            

Rajji, those look like hyacinths which are very fragrant. Do you know the name of them? Beautiful either way.

posted April 21, 2012 02:45 PM            

wait that's not how it goes....

I used to see a lot of them up north. I'd love to have one or two down here. The article said Spanish or French Lavendar for humid climate. I'll have to remember that.

What I also like about them is they are natural mosquito repellents. Fleas don't like Lavender either. The article said moths arent fond of it either.

I'm a fan of any plant that will keep bugs from biting pup and I