Lavender species are mainly native to the Mediterranean area, though some have been found in countries not too distant from that area. Just how and when what we call English Lavenders - Lanvandula angustifolia - came to England is not entirely clear. Little early history has been recorded, but the earliest recognition of it as a separate form appears to be in 13th century Wales.

We can only assume the Romans and perhaps others took it into England. What we do know is that it has been gainfully grown and used in European gardens for over 2000 years. It has graced many gardening styles - Roman, Medieval, Tudor, Elizabethan, 19th and 20th century cottage garden styles amongst others.

Characteristic of the English lavenders are fragrant spike-like flowers whose fragrance is mainly in the calyx. For many years the flowers have been used for drying and by commercial growers for the extraction of oil. The whole bush however is fragrant, leaves are silver and stems squared, with flowers generally appearing later in the spring garden, perhaps a month or two later than those of Mediterranean type 'stoechas' Lavenders.

How do English Lavenders differ from their cousins, the Mediterranean Lavenders?

• Generally they begin flowering a little later in spring.
• They tend to be more cold hardy.
• They're perhaps better known for their 'fragrant' and many 'indoor' uses.
• Their young grey foliage usually 'greens' with maturity.

Liddle Wonder's latest english lavender
Lavender Violet Intrigue

Cultural Necessities

• One of the easiest plants to grow, English Lavenders are generally more cold hardy and tolerate moister conditions than Mediterranean type lavenders (French, Italian/Spanish). They do not however like wet feet or humidity.
• Lavenders like full sun and open and airy conditions and places are preferable. Try not to crowd them, avoid planting in proximity to plants or overhanging trees.
• Always provide excellent drainage, especially in climates with wet winters and humid summers. Avoid in particular heavy loam, or if this is the case break it down with sand before planting. Your soil drainage may be improved by raising your garden bed or adding a soil conditioner. Planting in terracotta pots is another way to overcome drainage problems.
• They have a preference for an alkaline soil - try adding lime or dolomite if necessary.
• Don't allow Lavenders to become stressed or starved - a compost mulch will help reduce stress throughout long periods of heat or drought, whilst also providing nutrition - but, don't crowd the root ball, keep the mulch clear of stem of plant.
• Remove spent flower heads and prune back once a year to encourage new growth.
• Remove dead flower heads and annually trim up to two-thirds size after flowering.
• Pests and diseases are rarely a problem.

Lots of Reasons to try lavender

• Lavenders are useful and aesthetic in coastal and cottage gardens.
• They can be established as low dividing hedges, amongst herbaceous perennials, in massed borders or planted as single bushes by a path.
• Lavenders make attractive container and tub subjects. Place containers on your deck or about the garden.
  For a 'sweet' effect plant with roses.
• For a 'spicy' effect plant with aromatic bergamot, pelargonium, orange thyme or rosemary.
• Planting lavender will attract bees and nectar seeking insects, which will pollinate other flowers in your garden haven.
• Planted in a hanging basket with chamomile and peppermint the effect will be to repel those beastly biting insects interested in you and your barbeque!
• Its fragrance and flowers make it very companionable with many other plants, both fragrant and herbal. Plant with, among or along side ...
  • Roses, sweet peas, violets, honeysuckle, jasmine and other fragrant climbers.
  • Bulbs such as freesias, crocus, muscari, jonquils and daffodils.
  • Herbs such as borage, basil, sage, thyme, chives, hyssop, nepeta to name but a few.
  • Perennials such as Digitalis, Campanula and Delphiniums.
• Think of planting a scented garden as investing in a "treasure bank" of rich and pleasant memory for yourself, children and older folk to draw on, particularly those whose sight or hearing is failing, fragrant plants can be smelt or touched and enjoyed. And remember, it can be kept quite simple and easily achieved.
• Two other highly favoured and currently very popular uses for English Lavenders are those of hedging - all varieties make excellent low hedges - and planting in tubs.
• A lavender hedge by a clothes line enables you to 'do as the English used to do' - dry and scent articles such as underwear, nappies, clothes, handkerchiefs across the hedge whilst enjoying extra drying space.
• Tub and pot use is gaining popularity. Don't restrict yourself to planting in terracotta alone - Container gardens of all types are enjoying a resurgence of interest. They'ree easy to make and especially enjoyable if you like the feel of grit on your hands. Try also in pots on a sunny windowsill.

Outdoor Uses

• Lavenders are useful and aesthetic in coastal and cottage gardens.
• They can be established as low dividing hedges, amongst herbaceous perennials, in massed borders or planted as single bushes by a path.
• Lavenders make attractive container and tub subjects. Place containers on your deck or about the garden.
• For a 'sweet' effect plant with roses.
• For a 'spicy' effect plant with aromatic bergamot, pelargonium, orange thyme or rosemary.
• Planting lavender will attract bees and nectar seeking insects which will pollinate other flowers in your garden haven.
• Planted in a hanging basket with chamomile and peppermint the effect will be to repel those beastly biting insects interested in you and your barbeque!

Lavender Indoors

• Culinary - Lavender offers a gentle sweetness of flavour. It can be used for flavouring salads, kebabs, custards, biscuits, ice cream, cheeses, punch, yoghurt, sauces, vinegar, honey, icing sugar, meringues, fritters and making lavender and apple jelly.
• Fragrance - As in days gone by, lavender is used to purify the air and has a relaxing therapeutic effect.
  • Fragrant dried lavender is frequently used in pot-pourri, in scented sweet-bags, placed amongst linen, and used to scent rooms by placing a bowl near the window where the sun's warmth draws out the scent.
  • It is ideal for placing in handbags whilst storing them, it makes a lovely 'sweet-water' and is always appreciated when used in a lavender sleep pillow or cushion, also in lavender water, candles and soap.
  • Should you find Noddyland eluding you at night Lavender Oil can be purchased from your health shop to assist you dropping off to sleep!
  • And last, but not least, you may be able to buy perfumed Lavender writing paper to win the hearts of your nearest and dearest.
• Cosmetically - Lavender can be used as a hair conditioner, in moisturisers, night creams and lotions, and enjoyed as aromatic shower or bath water in bags held under hot running water.
• Floral & Ornamental - Dried lavender is ideal for tying in bunches. Place a few sprigs tied together with a bow and place on your guest's pillow; make your own lavender fan or use in terracotta pots.
• Medicinally - Many are the uses! Lavender oil has sedative qualities, although it can relax and stimulate at the same time. It has been used for the relief of migraines and as massage oil for muscular pain. It is used in aromatherapy, for cuts, burns and insect bites, as a cough suppressant, a steam inhalation and as an antiseptic wash or footrub!
• Interestingly its botanical name Lavandula comes from the Latin word 'lavare' meaning 'to wash' and lavender has been used through the ages in many herbal medicines. Don't forget to seek medical advice before relying on the above, especially if symptoms persist.
• Insect and Moth Repellent - Planted with chamomile and peppermint and placed in the kitchen or elsewhere the effect is that of repelling insects and moths. Placed in food cupboards lavender will repel food moths and weevils and when placed in dogs bedding helps repel fleas!
• Flavouring - As a culinary flavouring herb, use in salads, kebabs, custards, biscuits, ice-creams, cheeses, punch, yoghurt, sauces, vinegar, honey, icing sugar, meringues, fritters and lavender and apple jelly.

There are many more uses, both dried and fragrant - far too many to outline here, but they are detailed delightfully in many books.

Lavender Oil

• Some quick and easy things you can do around the home with Lavender Oil, available from local health or lavender products shop.
• Insect Repellent - Mix 1 tablespoon of Lavender oil to 2 cups of warm water and using a pump spray for curtains, carpet, and bedding to help repel moths, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, ants.
• Ironing - Can be made more pleasurable using the above mixture - spray on clothes etc. Inhale as you iron, enjoy these articles as you use them.
• Scenting a Room - Put a little lavender oil on a light bulb and enjoy the gentle fragrance as it evaporates.
  Hair Conditioner - To condition and keep hair shiny and fragrant, sprinkle a little lavender oil on a hairbrush, brush dry hair well - the oil's not greasy.

Drying Lavender - Is simple!

Cut the flowers as soon as they show colour or you may wish to cut once the flower spikes have completely opened, then hang by their stems to dry in an airy dark place.

Once dry, tie in bunches or pack upright in boxes or baskets. If you wish to use your lavender for cooking purposes you can dry it in a conventional oven or microwave. Placing it on brown paper helps absorb the moisture - simply leave in the oven at 50°C (120°F) for about one hour or microwave on 'high' for one minute.

The flowers can then be crumbled off the stems and added to other ingredients.

Lavender is the only herb that can be used fresh and for most purposes need not be dried. For instance, it need not be dried before being added to potpourri and can be placed in bunches in the linen cupboard and even between sheets and not mark them.

More on lavenders

• Mediterranean Lavenders
• ... and for something a little different
  Lavender Sidonie