Lavender's one of the most versatile plants in the garden - no surprise when you think that it's been in cultivation for a couple of thousand years - we've had plenty of time to think of ways to use, enjoy and benefit from it.

In The Garden

• 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!

In The Kitchen

• 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, 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 bath 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.

Traditional Health Remedies

• 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 a 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!
• 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!

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.

Growing Mediterranean Lavenders

Key Points

• Full sun and good drainage
• Neutral to alkaline soils - add lime
• Clip off spent flower to encourage further blooms
• Prune of top third of bush mid-autumn.

A Little More Detail

• 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.
• A near-neutral to alkaline soil is best. Give most New Zealand soils a dressing of lime each autumn. For the technical buffs aim for a pH between 6 and 8.
• 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, such as gypsum.
• Planting in terra-cotta pots is another way to overcome drainage problems. Place a few big stones or pieces broken pots or brick in the bottom of the container to aid drainage. Incorporate water retention crystals and a re-wetting agent too. The latter also assists with drainage, and aids summer watering, important because while lavenders do not like wet feet, they don't grow well in a container that's left to dry out.
• Most Mediterranean forms are tolerant of light frosts, but only for a short time and not too many off them. If frost damage is evident, particularly from late spring frosts, just clip off the damage portion once the weather warms. There's an excellent chance the bush will fully recover.
• Remove spent flower heads to encourage a fresh flush of late season flowers.
• To retain a compact habit, free-flowering nature and plant vigour, prune the bush mid-autumn. Cut off between a third to half of the bush. By doing this in mid-autumn, it will give the bush a chance to begin to grow again prior to the first frost.
• Common pests and diseases are rarely a problem that threatens the lief of the plant. If you concerned talk to your garden centre about a preventative or curative problem. The most common cause of lavender failure is root fungal attack following prolonged periods of wet feet.