Yesterday I planted my first seeds of the 2023 gardening season… English lavender and now I’m already thinking of all the different ways I’ll be able to use it.
I’ve made my own sachets, lavender hand scrub and bath salts before, but maybe this year I’ll try making a batch of lavender scented soap.
Here are a few fun facts I discovered about lavender.
1. Lavender is a member of the Lamiaceae family – the family of mint, rosemary, sage, and basil. It can be used as a milder form of rosemary in cooking.
2. Lavender is a perennial shrub that enjoys full sun, well-drained soil, and low water. Lavender will not tolerate wet, poorly drained soil. Lavender attracts butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to your garden.We need some.
3. The English word lavender is thought to be derived from Old French lavandre, ultimately from the Latin lavare meaning (to wash), referring to the use of oil infused from the plant.
4. In the late 1800s, women were encouraged to carry a sachet of dried lavender flowers around their neck to protect themselves from diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. Lavender just smells good too.
5. Since ancient times, Lavender has been used for medicinal purposes to relieve headaches and insomnia. Lavender is used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and relieve anxiety. The herb was used by the Romans to scent their public baths.
6. The best tasting edible lavenders are the ones with the sweetest perfume. English lavender is extremely popular as a culinary lavender.
This is normally sold as Lavandula angustifolia, but it’s sometimes sold as Lavandula officinalis or Lavandula vera. Occasionally it’s listed as “true English lavender.” I think it’s the prettiest too. Nothing against French lavender though.
7. Bridestowe Lavender Estate in Tasmania runs over 260 acres and is the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm with an estimated 650,000 plants of French lavender.
8. About two hours from Seattle, Sequim, Washington is often called the “Lavender Capital of the Country,” and it has one of the largest annual lavender celebrations in the United States. We’ve been there many times and it is beautiful.
9. Lavender with washing and bathing have gone hand in hand over time. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, washerwomen were known as “lavenders” because they spread their laundry over lavender bushes to dry for the scent it gave.
Royalty is known to have used lavender for the bath, most notably Louis XIV who loved bathing in lavender-scented water. Ooh La La!
10. Essential oils have been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years. Lavender is by far the biggest seller in the essential oil business. It just smells great and has been used as a bug repellant as well.
Lavender is also renowned as being one of the best natural remedies to reduce stress and anxiety and improve mental well-being. Is there nothing Lavender can’t do?
Have you heard any of those fun facts before? Do you have any of your own to add? Is there a particular plant or herb item you’re just dying to know more about? I take requests!
~Mavis
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Jamie says
I love my English lavender plants. I have three on the walkway to my front door so I can brush my hand over them when I walk by. I am curious, how are you cold stratifying your seeds? I am doing to milk jug winter sowing method this year, but last year did the fridge method with limited success.
Mary3M says
I’ll buy your lavender soap!!! What a great idea.
Ellen in Clackamas says
I grew up in Sequim (a hundred years ago, haha) and there were no lavender farms. I think the first ones were planted in the mid 90’s. The weather has always been described as Mediterranean like …dry summers with little rain. Someone discovered the town sits on the same parallel as Provance France. Many farms there now and a big festival in July. Used to be dairy farm country but now there are fields of lavender instead of hay. Very pretty when in bloom.
Kelly says
My Aunt is know as the lavender lady in Sequim! I would imagine you’ve met 😀
Ellen in Clackamas says
Who’s your auntKelly? I don’t live there now and the town is much bigger now…but it’s a possibility!
Susan says
One of the lavender growers told me that most people who have trouble growing it are “loving it to death”. In her words, it likes to be ignored, and not babied. I don’t know if it will grow in Florida, or if it is too hot here. It grows in Maui, though – there’s a famous farm there.
Marie says
Let’s hear it for the BEST floral bushes that my deer never touch!!
Gigi says
I planted a row of about 25 plants last year. I’m hoping they make it through the winter. Thanks for the reminder, I’m going to get those seeds going this weekend.
Melonie K. says
I love lavender – one of my top herbs to work with. Here in Arizona we have a lavender festival coming up in June. https://redrockfarms.com/lavender-festival/
Cindy Brick says
For years, I had a lavender hedge on one side of our sidewalk, going down from the house to the street. It smelled absolutely wonderful, especially when it rained.
And the next owner ripped it out, as well as the boxwood hedge on the other side. Figures.
BUT — a friend and I went to High Tea at the Brown Palace in Denver last night. It’s known for its wonderful teas…and they’re great. But stay away from the lavender cookies. It was like chewing a mouthful of perfume. Obviously not the best ‘culinary lavender’ you could pick.
The funniest thing happened…we were with a group. The ladies acted very dignified during the tea — but the second it was over, various people were scavenging the goodies off our table!
Mavis Butterfield says
Lavender and boxwoods… Two of my favorite things! Also, if I ever go back to Denver, I’m adding High Tea at the Brown Palace to my list.