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shroplav v2.0
(Feb 04, 2007)
The Lavenders
The lavender family covers a wonderfully diverse range of plants from the well loved fragrant drought resistant plants we know so well to some tender exotic species that can smell downright horrid! The growing area ranges from the Canary Islands in a broad band across the Mediterranean extending as far as India. But the lavenders that have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and for perfume are found naturally growing in the south of France, the Italian Alps, the Pyrenees and southern Spain.
For centuries lavender found growing in the dry mountain conditions, was harvested and sold to distilleries by peasant farmers to supplement their income. It was only from the 1920s that lavender was grown on a commercial scale and great fields were planted up in long rows for ease in mechanical harvesting.
Lavender growing wild in the Italian Alps
Lavender cultivation has been part of the culture of Southern France, particularly Provence, for many years. The production of the essential oil is part of their rural economy but there were also many lavender farms here in England during the late 19th century. The oil was used as a base for eau de cologne and for perfuming soaps and was prized by Queen Victoria herself. But lavender gradually fell out of favour, it was perceived as having a ‘granny’ image and with the advent of synthetic perfumes which were much cheaper, a large range of alternatives were now available to everyone. However in recent years there has been a return to more natural products. People have begun to be more wary of chemicals in general and there is a feeling that health can be compromised with the use of too many synthetics. Aromatherapy has further increased our awareness of the benefit and sense of wellbeing that comes from the use of natural products. So there has been a return to the value of nature and products derived ‘from the earth’. Along with the ecological benefit of growing without the use of fertilisers and pesticides and attracting a huge range of honey bees, bumblebees of all shades and descriptions and the most beautiful and varied colours of butterflies. We’ve spotted over 20 different species this year (2006)
Lavender and Lavandin
Lavender or Lavandula angustifolia is the naturally occurring species that grows wild from 800m to 1500m in the Pyrenees, French and Italian Alps. It flowers from late June until July and has a sweet fragrance. It is from this plant that a highly prized essential oil is extracted. Used in quality perfumes and aromatherapy.
Lavandin or Lavandula x intermedia is a hybrid plant between L. angustifolia and Lavandula latifolia which grows naturally from 200m to 800m. This hybrid probably did occur naturally but it was soon found that it produced much greater quantities of essential oil which could be used for either perfuming soaps and other household products or for medicinal use, such as healing wounds, soothing insect bites and insect repellent. It has a much stronger and more camphorus scent. It is the most widely grown lavender for commercial use. It is very hardy and makes a much bigger plant than L. angustifolia
The Lavenders we grow in the field
We grow a range of lavenders selected for their properties of scent, colour and drying qualities and also for culinary purposes.
L. angustifolia ‘Mailette’ is a beautiful clear blue and early in the season is perfect as a fresh flower. It has a lovely sweet perfume and is ideal dried and used in lavender bags or pot pourri. It can also be used in cooking. Try a dessertspoon in a basic shortbread mix. Delicious!
L. angustifolia ‘Mailette’
L x intermedia ‘Grosso’ is the all round favourite. It has a wonderful strong lavender perfume and makes a fantastic pot pourri or lavender bags. It has rich purple flowers.
L x intermedia ‘Impress Purple’ another strongly perfumed variety. It also has rich purple flowers and is a little later flowering than ‘Grosso’
L. x intermedia ‘Impress Purple’
L angustifolia ‘Imperial Gem’ the darkest flowers of all, it dries to a beautiful deep indigo.
L angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ also with dark flowers, this is a firm favourite.
L angustifolia ‘Royal Velvet’ a very fragrant variety that dries well and keeps it colour.
L angustifolia ‘Avice Hill’ a specially selected variety for culinary use. It has a sweet fragrance.
In 2007 we will be extending the field with another 1,000 plants and I will be planting another two varieties, one for drying purposes and one for cooking purposes. I am going to be trying out all my lavender recipes over the winter!
The Lavender Garden
We have a lavender display garden with over 32 different varieties of lavender, which extends the season from June until September. I am continually adding new varieties to my collection - I can’t help it, it’s a passion! This year I’m planting Beechwood Blue and Melissa.
In future years I hope to get my collection of species lavender going so you will also have an opportunity to see the exotic lavenders from Morocco through to India.
I have a very small collection of L. stoechas but I find that they are so difficult to overwinter that I prefer to just nuture the plants that I collected from seed in Andalucia in Southern Spain.
Plants for sale
We have a small selection of lavender plants for sale