Prized for its tiny fragrant flowers, this mint-family perennial is an easy-care garden staple dating back thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, only queens could wear prized lavender perfume. Later, lavender was found to repel disease-transmitting fleas during The Black Plague. Today, lavender’s camphor-rich scent is still a soothing ingredient in medicinal, cosmetic and culinary preparations.
Lavender needs room to grow, air circulation and well-draining soil. Plant 12- to 18-inches apart. Boost drainage by amending soil with sand or pebbles, or plant atop a mound or slope.
Harvest flowers throughout summer, up to a third of flowers at a time. Thin spots help air circulate. Give lavender a Halloween haircut, pruning shrubs down to the size of a fragrant porcupine.
Once reserved only for Egyptian queens, lavender is used the world around for its medicinal, cosmetic, culinary & aesthetic properties.
'Grosso'
'Anouk'
'Provence'
'Hidcote'
'Munstead'
'Dilly Dilly Lavender'