Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lavanda Growing Lavender
Lavanda Growing Lavender
Growing conditions 16
Cultural controls 19
Considering flower quality and quantity 21
Propagation 22
Buying lavender plants 26
Summary for lavender 26
CHAPTER 3 LAVENDER SPECIES 27
Lavandula abrotanoides 27
Lavandula alba: this has no botanical standing as a species name. 27
Lavandula angustifolia 27
Lavandula aristibracteata 29
Lavandula bipinnata 29
Lavandula buchii 29
Lavandula canariensis 30
Lavandula chaytoriae 31
Lavandula coronopifolia 32
Lavandula delphinensis 32
Lavandula dentata 32
Lavandula gibsonii 35
Lavandula x intermedia 35
Lavandula lanata 35
Lavandula latifolia 36
Lavandula maroccana 36
Lavandula minutolii 37
Lavandula multifida 37
Lavandula nana 38
Lavandula officinalis 38
Lavandula pedemontan 38
Lavandula pedunculata 38
Lavandula pinnata 38
Lavandula praecox 40
Lavandula pubescens 40
Lavandula pyrenaica: 40
Lavandula rotundifolia 40
Lavandula serrata 40
Lavandula spica 40
Lavandula stoechas 41
Lavandula subnuda 42
Lavandula viridis 42
CHAPTER 4 CULTIVARS 43
Lavender Oil 92
Lavender crafts 94
Culinary use 96
Medicinal uses 99
Cosmetics 100
Cleaning 101
Landscaping with lavender 102
APPENDIX 114
CREDITS
© Copyright: John Mason The information in this book is derived
from a broad cross section of resources
Written by (research, reference materials
John L. Mason Dip.Hort.Sc., Sup’n Cert., and personal experience) from the
Adv.Cert.App.Mgt. FIOH, FPLA, FAIH, authors and editorial assistants in the
academic department of ACS Distance
Photos: Education. It is, to the best of our
John Mason knowledge, composed as an accurate
Leonie Mason representation of what is accepted
and appropriate information about the
Layout: subject, at the time of publication.
Stephen Mason
The authors fully recognise that
Editorial Assistants: knowledge is continually changing,
Marie Beerman B. Sc., M.Hort. Dip. Bus. and awareness in all areas of study
Cert. Ldscp. is constantly evolving. As such, we
Gavin Cole B.Sc., Cert.Garden Design encourage the reader to recognise
Adriana Fraser Cert.Hort., Adv.Cert.App. that nothing they read should ever
Mgt., Adv.Dip.Hort. be considered to be set in stone.
They should alway strive to broaden
Published by their perspective and deepen their
ACS Distance Education understanding of a subject, and before
acting upon any information or advice,
P.O. Box 2092, Nerang MDC, should always seek to confirm the
Queensland, Australia, 4211 currency of that information, and the
admin@acs.edu.au appropriateness to the situation in which
www.acsbookshop.com they find themselves.
P O Box 4171, Stourbridge, DY8 2WZ, As such, the publisher and author do
United Kingdom not accept any liability for actions taken
admin@acsedu.co.uk by the reader based upon their reading
www.acsebooks.com of this book.
ISBN: 978-0-9925878-0-2
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CHAPTER 1 DIVERSITY
AND CLASSIFICATION
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2. Stoechas Section
1. English Lavender or Spica Section
(also referred to as the Lavandula section). Plants grow to around 90cm. and have
broad round fertile bracts.
Species and cultivars in this section are Lavandula stoechas ssp. stoechas
shrubs usually growing to from 30cm to (Spanish/Italian lavender)
90cm or more. The former name ‘spica’ L. stoechas ssp stoechas ‘alba’
refers to the spike-like nature of the L stoechas ssp. pendunculata - syn.
flower heads. L. stoechas ssp. canariensis
L stoechas ssp. Sampaiana: a shrub
Lavandula angustifolia syn L.vera, to 1 metre tall; leaves linear to oblong –
L.spica, L.officinalis (English lanceolate; flowers usually purple.
lavender) L. viridis: 1m green/cream flowers,
A shrub to 1 metre tall; leaves narrow green leaves.
linear‑lanceolate to linear‑oblanceolate
to 5cm long to 6mm wide, whitish
when young, becoming green; flowers 3. Dentata (sometimes included in
approximately 1cm long usually purple. Stoechas)
Lavandula alba: no botanical standing.
This is a white flowering variety of L. Plants have toothed leaf margins,
angustifolia. inflorescence have reduced sterile
L. angustifolia ssp. angustifolia bracts compared with stoechas. Spikes
L. angustifolia ssp. Pyrenaica are elongated and sterile bracts appear
Lavandula lanata about 1/3rd of the way down the spike.
Lavandula latifolia syn. L. spica Lavandula dentata (French lavender): a
shrub between 30cm and 1 metre; Grey
There are many hybrids within this green linear‑oblong leaves crenately
section. toothed to pectinate pinnatifid; purple
L. x intermedia (hedge lavender) is a flowers.
known cross between L. angustifolia and L. dentata var. candicans
L. latifolia. This sub-group within the Spica
section has many cultivars; the name
Lavandin applies to these cultivars.
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Stunning array of different lavenders, in full bloom in Denver Botanic Gardens, USA.
4. Pterostoechas 5. Chaetostachys
This less commonly grown group is This section, plants of which are not
distinguished by “winged flower spikes”. very common in cultivation, consists
Shrubs have heavily branched stems. of herbaceous plants with branched
The flower spike is compact and usually peduncles and spikes. Stems and
without stems. leaves are thick and do not resemble
Lavandula multifida: a shrub to 70cm, other species of lavender.
grey‑tomentose, leaves pinnately or L. bipinnata
2‑pinnately dissected, to 1.5 inches L. gibsonii
long; flowers blue‑violet.
L. canariensis
Lavandula pinnata: a shrub to 1 metre 6. Subnuda
tall; leaves pinnate, to 5cm long; flowers
lavender colour. A rarely cultivated section; Plants
L. pubescens are herbaceous; the fertile bracts are
L. abrotanoides alternate or spiral in arrangement. Adult
plants are often devoid of leaves.
There are also some intersectional The following are the three most
crosses i.e. Lavandula x allardii, L. x important species in this section.
heterophylla. L. subnuda
L. macra
Note: Lavandula x allardii (Mitcham L. aristibracteata
lavender) is thought to be across
between L. latifolia and L. dentata.
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Classification L. multifida
L. canariensis
One lavender authority, Tim Upson, L. pinnata
divided the genus Lavandula into a L. buchii
number of groups (called sections), L. minutolii
placing different species in each section L. maroccana
there may be one or several species L. tenuisecta
and/or hybrids. Upson’s classification is L. mairei
outlined below: L. antineae
L. coronopifolia (syn. L. stricta)
L. pubescens
Section 1: Lavandula (previously L. citriodora
Section Spica) Hybrids are several
L. angustifolia
L. lanata Section 5: Subnudae
L. latifolia
L. x intermedia (hybrid) L. subnuda
L. lanata x L. angustifolia (hybrid) L. macra
L. dhofarensis
L. setifera
Section 2: Dentatae L. nimmoi
L. galgalloensis
L. dentata var. dentata L. aristibracteata
L. dentata var. candicans L. somaliensis
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Section Pterostoechas
Section Stoechas
Section Subnuda (Subnudae)
Lavenders belonging to this section
are shrubs growing to at least 1 metre Lavandula species belonging to this
high. They are mostly native to the section are herbs, native to South
Mediterranean region, while some are Arabia and tropical Africa. They are
found in North Africa, Algeria, Asia rarely cultivated. Adult plants are often
Minor and the Azores. Leaves are linear, devoid of leaves. The fertile bracts are
lanceolate, oblanceolate or elliptic, with alternate or spiral in arrangement.
entire margins. The sterile bracts are
large and petal-like, varying in colour.
The entire plant may be covered in Section Chaetostachys
hairs. Lavenders in this group have a
camphoraceous fragrance. Lavandula species in this section (L.
gibsonii and L. bipinnata) are herbs
Species in Section Stoechas grow well in with thick stems, native to central
most soil types, even in relatively acidic and southern India. Peduncles and
soils. They prefer warm, humid conditions spikes are branched. L. gibsonii and L.
and may be frost-sensitive. Lavenders in bipinnata are rarely cultivated.
this group flower frequently and therefore
require pruning throughout summer. They
may be pruned into a rounded shape.
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Fertilisers Watering/Drainage
Most lavenders will survive with little Lavender needs good drainage they
feeding; but plants will be healthier, may sometimes die unexpectedly
more productive and live longer after heavy rain, if the soil becomes
if fertilised at least once a year. waterlogged.
Remember, when you harvest or prune
a plant, you are taking away nutrients Lavender generally withstands periods
that entered those tissues from the of dryness far better than periods
soil. Over time, the ability of the soil to of extreme wet, and if soil becomes
keep replacing what is removed during waterlogged, lavender tends to suffer.
harvest will diminish. For best results,
feed in early spring with a general slow Commercial plantations are often grown
release plant food such as pellets, on sloping ground, where surface
organic manure or blood and bone. drainage is good. When growing in a
garden, choose carefully where you are
going to plant lavender. Avoid heavy
soils and low lying places; and if need
be, provide better drainage.
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Lavender does best with good drainage, here planted on sloping ground above a river.
3. Spoon drains: these are small open 4. Sand slitting: this technique
drains used to collect and channel involves making narrow cuts in the
surface water away from garden soil and filling them with coarse
slopes and paved areas. For minor sand. These sandy areas drain
seepage in garden beds, simply dig excess water quickly.
a small rounded channel across
the slope and fill it with large-size 5. Sub-surface drains: major
gravel. For heavier runoff, use problems that are seriously affecting
concrete or plastic pipes to form a the health of lavenders may need to
spoon drain. be fixed with subsurface drains.
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A coarse sand mulch will also help keep 1. Spittle Bugs/ Frog Hoppers
weeds down (more appropriate in cooler (Philaenus spumarius) –can cause
climates – in hotter conditions a sand deformation of stems and leaves.
mulch can raise temperatures too high).
2. Aphids (Myzus sp) - occasional
In the home garden coarse mulch in severe infestations are unsightly on
a thin layer over newspaper works L. stoechas. Can transmit alfalfa
well, it lets water and air in whilst mosaic virus.
suffocating weeds.
3. Mealy Bugs (Planococus sp) can
Pests and Diseases cause stem deformation
There are relatively few pests which 4. Phoma Disease (Phoma sp) - can
trouble lavender, though occasionally cause foliage discolouration and
caterpillars can be a problem. This die back ( Remove and destroy any
can be controlled easily with a spray affected plants)
of garlic or pyrethrum, or the powdered
bacterial spray Dipel. Fungal diseases 5. Phytopthera Root Rot (Phytoptera
are only an occasional problem in sp) - more likely to affect over
temperate climates, but can be more wet seedlings and cuttings; or
prevalent in warm, humid, wet climates, occasionally mature plants ( Remove
particularly when the plant is mulched. and destroy any affected plants)
Root rots such as cinnamon fungus can
be a particular problem. Other fungal 6. Bacterial Blast (Pseudomonas
problems can cause die back on part syringae) –causes die back of
or all of a plant, particularly in over young shoots, particularly in high
wet conditions. rainfall areas.
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7. Alfa Mosaic Virus –causes a bright flush, and after the coldest weather has
yellow mottled effect on leaves and past. Prune back by a third to a half
sometimes stems; mostly when plant as many (but not all) lavender species
is putting on growth. Foliage can resent very hard pruning.
be stunted and flower production
on affected plants will diminish. ( ■■ Spica group lavenders should be
Remove and destroy any affected pruned after flowering, but before
plants) winter so that new growth can
harden off before very cold weather
8. Yellow Decline – caused by a sets in. Prune back old flower
mycoplasma, which is a type of heads and about 1/3rd of the foliage
pathogen that resembles but neither to a rounded dome shape. Some
a virus nor bacteria. It is a serious cultivars within the spica group
issue in France, and can reduce the produce new growth all over the
useful life span of a lavender plant plant these lavenders should be cut
by several years. It is spread by a back hard to encourage new bushy
leaf hopper (remove and destroy any growth.
affected plants).
■■ Stoechas, Dentata and the
Note: Lavandins are hardier to root rot Pterostoechas groups flower more
and other fungal diseases than other frequently then the spica lavenders,
lavenders. (Most other lavenders are these plants require pruning during
fairly susceptible to fungal diseases). summer. They will withstand hard
pruning, some can be cut back to
In Australia, the range of pests is less within 15cm of the ground if the
than in some other parts of the world, plants needs rejuvenation.
however the “Tortricide Moth” can
still be a very significant problem and Pruning to a Standard
vigorous control is necessary where
it occurs. Bridstowe Estate, use a If you like the idea of standard lavender
combination of agricultural chemicals plants (lavenders trained to grow as a
and biological controls to keep this pest ball on a stick), but you don’t want to
in check. buy an expensive one at the nursery,
you can grow one yourself.
Pruning
■■ Buy a small plant at the nursery,
Most lavender responds well to pruning, preferably in a 5 cm (tube) or 7.5 cm
to shape, revitalize and encourage pot. Make sure the main growing tip
flowering. Lavender that is pruned is undamaged.
regularly is more likely to live longer. On
lavender farms, this is likely to happen ■■ Plant it in a larger pot and tie it to a
as a matter of course, whenever the strong cane to keep the stem straight.
plants are harvested, but lavenders
used in landscaping may not be pruned ■■ Pinch back the side-shoots as
as routinely. Pruning is best done in they appear, to encourage a single
spring a few weeks before a new growth strong shoot.
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■■ Repot, fertilise, etc. until the plant For flower quantity factors that need
has reached the desired height. This considering are:
may take a couple of years.
■■ How many flowers does the plant
■■ Allow the leading shoot to produce produce?
several pairs of leaves and then
pinch out the growing tip. ■■ How big are the flower heads
produced?
■■ Pinch out the tips of the new shoots
that grow when they reach about 15 ■■ How long are the flower stalks?
cm in length to encourage a bushy
head to form. ■■ How many weeks of the year does
the plant have flowers?
■■ Keep pinching out the tips to
maintain a dense, well-shaped ball,
and rub out any shoots that appear
lower down on the main stem.
Considering flower
quality and quantity
If you are growing commercially you
will need to consider the quality and
quantity of flowers you produce.
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Seed propagation is also used in plant pack, as it is very hard to get an even
breeding programs to develop new distribution of such seed. Seed may be
varieties of lavender. mixed with some fine sand to get a more
even spread. Once sowing is completed
Seed can be sown directly into position lightly cover the seed by replacing the
in specially prepared seed beds or soil that has been removed while making
in containers from where germinated the furrow or hole. This soil should then
seedlings are later transplanted be lightly firmed down.
into pots or the field. In general, the
following rules should be remembered It is recommended that seeds be given
when sowing seeds: a thorough watering when planting
taking care to disturb the soil surface
■■ Use good quality seed. as little as possible. Fine mist sprays
or fine nozzle watering cans may be
■■ Sow at the right time of year. suitable for lavender seeds.
Environmental factors, particularly
temperature and moisture levels As seeds germinate and emerge from
play an important role in the the soil they can be thinned out to the
successful germination of seeds. required distance apart. Any gaps can
often be filled by seedlings thinned out
■■ Do not sow too deeply. In nature from elsewhere in the bed, etc.
seeds are generally dispersed from
plants onto the ground surface. Seeds are often planted into a pot
or seedling tray and germinated in a
■■ Do not sow too thickly. Germinating greenhouse. This allows you to “get
seedlings will compete for space your plants started” before the weather
and nutrients. Pest and disease is good enough outside.
problems are also generally
increased. Tissue Culture
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foliage from several inches of stem near made from layers of paper, straw, hay,
the ground, cover this area with soil and manure, compost and other organic
place a weight over it to peg it to the materials.
ground. After four to six weeks, roots
should appear along the stem. Cut the Unlike traditional gardening methods,
branch free and pot in suitable potting no soil is used in the construction of
mix, pruning the stem back to three or the bed, and no digging is required;
four inches above the soil. Place the the beds are simply built on top of the
plant in a protected position. When the existing ground. This means they can be
roots are well developed transplant into built just about anywhere, regardless of
the garden bed, again prune back the the soil conditions – on compacted soil,
top foliage. This method works well in poorly drained areas, even on top
but is more time consuming than other of concrete.
techniques, is wasteful of propagating
material, and as such, is generally not The beds are easy to construct and care
used commercially. for, and give very good results. They’re
also good for people with back problems
– although some lifting and barrowing
is still required, the construction of the
bed involves much less bending and
jarring of limbs compared to the hoeing,
digging and forking which is needed for
traditional soil-grown plants.
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■■ Finish with a layer of compost. Make Try to use organic principles with this
sure the compost is free of weed method of gardening. Avoid using
seeds and has an open texture. pesticides and herbicides as these will
harm beneficial organisms, including
■■ Lavender plants can now be planted earthworms, which are an integral part
directly sown into the top layer of of the process.
compost.
Liquid fertilisers can be used to assist
■■ Water with a liquid fertilizer. growth. Liquid seaweed, fish fertiliser
and liquid manure are good. To make
The heat generated by the decomposing liquid manure, half-fill a large drum with
layers aids seed germination (if you manure and top up with water. Leave
decide to sow lavender seeds in-situ) and for four weeks and then use well-diluted
also the root growth of new plants. The (about 500 mL to one bucket of water).
open texture and layers of newspaper
retards the growth of weeds. Any weeds Designs for No-Dig Gardens
that do grow are very easy to pull out. The
organic matter gradually decomposes as As a lavender patch usually comprises
the plants grow, leaving beautiful, rich soil. of rows of lavender, the simplest design
is a rectangular bed/s, with the sides
If the bed is built on concrete, first cover surrounded by timber sleepers, bricks
the ground with twigs, leaves, small or whatever material is available and in
stones and seaweed if available, to a keeping with the surrounding garden.
depth of 10 cm. or use a plastic grid The sides should be around 20 cm high.
drainage base (like those now used
under driveways – they are made up of You can also incorporate lavender into
cells and about 3 or 4cm high, providing a more stylish design for example a
the perfect drainage under your bed. design based on the French potager
gardens which feature a series of
The organic materials used to make the kitchen garden beds planted with edible
bed will depend on what is available and ornamental plants. You could use
in your area. For example, it may be lavender as the edging or hedging plant
difficult to obtain lucerne in your area to line the beds and then plant other
– just substitute it with a similar open herbs or vegetables inside the hedge.
textured organic material, such as sugar
cane, straw or Rhodes grass. A simple four-bed potager could be
adapted for no-dig gardens, with each
Wood chips are widely available and bed built to the same size and shape,
can be used in the bed but make sure and separated by paths for easy access.
the toxins are leached out and the Ideally the paths would be paved, but
material is partly composted. You may gravel or sawdust also gives a clean
need to compost the chips for 8 weeks neat surface.
or more before use.
The beds can be as large or small as
If using straw or hay be sure it is free of you like, depending on the number of
grass or weed seeds. plants you want to grow. As a guide it
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generally looks better if 3-5 plants are ■■ Do not choose plants that appear
grown in each bed, with the selection too big for the pot, or have extensive
of plants repeated in each bed. A root growth protruding from the
sundial or standard lavender makes an container. These plants will often not
attractive centre piece. transplant as readily as smaller ones
that are not pot-bound.
Kerri Kerri lavender nursery in New ■■ Prefers full sun. May need protection
Zealand uses an inexpensive tunnel from sun in hot northern areas.
house to start off the new plants;
moving them outside once they are ■■ Best with perfect drainage. If not,
growing well, to acclimatize to a more provide raised beds.
exposed environment.
■■ Tolerates very dry conditions
■■ Reject any plants with obvious signs ■■ Propagate by fresh heel cuttings in
of pest or disease damage. autumn or spring.
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The species outlined (in alphabetical order) in this chapter include some of
the more widely cultivated ones.
Lavandula alba: this has no Uses: Often (if not always) has
botanical standing as a species name. negligible or no camphor oil. As such
this species is considered the best for
most commercial oil uses; in particular
Lavandula angustifolia perfumery, culinary and aromatherapy
Synonyms: L. officinalis, L. vera, L. spica applications.
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Lavandula buchii
Lavandula buchii
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L. canariensis
Lavandula canariensis
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Cultivars/Species:
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Lavandula dentata
Lavandula dentata
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Lavandula dentata
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can flower for 9 months of the year, Particularly useful in areas where
and live in the ground for well over a humidity can be higher.
decade.
Cultivars/Species:
Uses: Container plant, garden
shrub, hedging plant and cut flower. L. dentata var. candicans
Lavandula dentata
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Native to India, herbaceous plant with Most varieties have blue or lavender
thick stems and many leaves. Rarely coloured flowers. At least one variety is
cultivated. white.
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COMMON NAME: SPIKE LAVENDER Culture: Does not grow well in shade,
prefers well drained soil, tolerates
drought, grows well in dryish or moist
soil, but also grows in sandy loam or clay.
Cultivars/Species:
None listed.
Lavandula maroccana
Lavandula latifolia
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Lavandula multifida
Cultivars/Species: Cultivars/Species:
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Lavandula pedunculata
Lavandula officinalis
A sub species of L. stoechas.
syn. L. angustifolia
Lavandula pinnata
Lavandula pinnata
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Lavandula pinnata
From Madeira and Canary Islands - Culture: Full sun. Tolerates to around
some experts consider it synonymous minus 5 degrees Celsius, prefers to
with L. buchii not go below freezing point though; it is
drought resistant.
COMMON NAME: FERN LEAF
LAVENDER, JAGGED LAVENDER, Uses: Container plant, greenhouse
PINNATA LAVENDER plant, garden shrub in mild or warmer
climates.
Appearance: Spreading shrub,
growing up to 1 m tall and 1 m across. Cultivars/Species:
Pinnate, grey-green leaves. Blue-purple
flowers; flower buds can develop up to L. pinnata ‘Sidonie’: a pest tolerant,
a metre high, well above the foliage, drought resistant cultivar.
before opening.
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Lavandula pubescens
Lavandula pyrenaica:
A sub-species of L. angustifolia
Lavandula rotundifolia
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Lavandula stoechas
Lavandula stoechas
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Lavandula viridis
Lavandula viridis
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CHAPTER 4 CULTIVARS
This chapter presents a range of cultivars that are grown either in gardens
or on lavender farms. The list is by no means comprehensive, but it does
provide a perspective on the diversity that can be found across the genus.
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Appearance: shrub 760- 75cm Uses: fresh and dried cut flowers,
tall, flowers corolla violet and calyx ornamental garden plat, low
dark purple. informal hedge.
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Appearance: Lovely small, rounded Culture: free draining soils in full sun
shrub to 50cm tall with a profusion of for best results.
pale blue, very perfumed flowers in
mid-summer. Uses: edging, under-planting roses,
fragrance.
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Appearance: stunning NZ variety with Uses: ideal for picking and drying as it
stunning deep purple flowers and a retains its colour well; great little garden
compact form to 50cm. ornamental as well.
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Appearance: slow growing bushy to Culture: Full sun free draining moist
spherical habit to 70cm. Grey-green soils for best results
leaves and pink flowers.
Uses: Hedging; mass planting, edging.
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Appearance: compact, bushy, clump Culture: Free draining soils, full sun,
forming, lavender with highly scented clip to retain bushiness after flowering.
pink flowers in summer.
Uses: dried flowers, edging, low
informal hedge.
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Synonym: ‘Nana 2’
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(often listed as ‘Bella Purple’; Culture: Full sun. Dry-tolerant, but like
Bella™Purple is part of the Bella™ a all in this species prefers some summer
trademark/selling name rather than the moisture during the driest months.
cultivar). Prune lightly in spring and or summer.
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Syn. Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’ Culture: Full sun, well drained dry to
moist soils.
Appearance: Grows up to 60 cm tall.
Grey-green leaves. This is a showy Uses: Ornamental, hedging.
variety with red-purple flowers with pale
mauve bracts.
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Lavandula stoechas ‘WITH LOVE’ (‘With Love™’ is also a USA trademark name
for this plant)
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Lavandula x ‘CHRISTIANA’
Lavandula Christiana
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Lavandula Christiana
Some web sites list as a Lavindin. Culture: Full sun or light shade, not as
Chelsea Psychic Garden grow it under cold tolerant as some species. Drought
the name Lavandula X Christiana. tolerant.
Appearance: Deeply divided silver grey Uses: Container plant, garden shrub,
aromatic leaves, velvety in appearance. cut flowers, good for xeriscapes,
60 to 90cm tall, flowers narrow, long attracts bees, butterflies and birds.
and on tall spikes, medium blue to violet
blue.
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Appearance: A great French hybrid that Culture: Full sun to partial shade
grows up to 60-90 cm tall with grey- best in low fertility well-drained soils;
green leaves and purple/blue flowers. drought tolerant.
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Appearance: Grows 45 to 50cm tall. Culture: Very hardy to minus 15°C; plant
The highly aromatic pale purple flowers in well-drained soil and a sunny position
appear from mid-summer onwards. and prune immediately after flowering.
Foliage is grey-green.
Uses: great as a garden specimen
plant, in tubs or as an informal hedge
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Lavandula x intermedia
Walberton’s Silver Edge
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Lavender is a very versatile herb with many uses, e.g. oil, fragrant crafts,
culinary use, medicinal use and ornamental planting.
Lavender is commercially grown for oil Lavender oil typically contains more
production. Lavender oil is an essential than 100 components. It is mostly made
oil, i.e. a volatile oil obtained from the up of an acetic ester called Linalyl
parts of the plant which possesses the acetate (approx. 40%) and a terpene
characteristic odour of the plant. The oil alcohol, called Linalool (around 30%).
is used in perfumes, soaps, shampoos, Linalyl acetate has a fruity sweet aroma
face creams, deodorants, candles and that contributes heavily to the unique
disinfectants. Lavender oil is also used scent and antimicrobial properties of
for medicinal purposes. Herbalists use lavender oil.
it to treat wounds and skin conditions,
such as acne. In aromatherapy, Lavender oil also includes lavandulol,
lavender oil is inhaled, e.g. to treat 1,8-cineole, pinene, limonene, borneol,
headaches and nervous disorders. rosmarinic acid, tannins, camphor and
other compounds.
Lavender oil is superficial oil, i.e.
secreted in glands on the surface of the Lavender oil from Lavandula species
plant. The glands are located on the (e.g. L. angustifolia) with high linalyl
surface of the flower calyx. acetate content and relatively low
camphor content is commonly used
to produce perfumes and cosmetic
products.
Distillation
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Quality Standards
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1. Lavender hearts
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■■ Sew up open edge and sew lace Pressed lavender makes a delightful
around perimeter of the bag. gift, mounted on a greeting card or
framed on the wall.
■■ Decorate with ribbon.
You can either use a plant press, which
is made from two wooden boards,
clamped together with screws and
tightened wing nuts, or several heavy
books to flatten the specimen/s.
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Culinary use
Dried or fresh lavender flowers can be
using in cooking and baking, e.g. to
flavour ice cream, biscuits and cakes.
Only a few lavenders are suitable
for culinary use, e.g. L. angustifolia
‘Munstead’.
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Toffees, coconut ice and other home- The following recipe uses fresh lavender
made confections can be flavoured flowers to make lavender ice cream,
by placing a layer of chopped herbs however dried lavender flowers can also
on the bottom of the container into be used:
which the candy mixture is poured.
Lavender can also be used to flavour ■■ 1 ½ teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
drinks (e.g. lemonade, cordial, liqueurs),
ice cream, gelati, chocolate mousse ■■ 1 cup sugar
and a wide range of other desserts.
Use pure lavender oil conservatively ■■ 1 cup milk
and avoid anything with discernible
camphor levels. Excessive use of ■■ 8 egg yolks (at room temperature)
even high quality lavender oil can be
overpowering. ■■ 1 cup crème fraîche
■■ 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice. 4. Add the lavender sugar-milk mixture
to the egg-crème fraîche mixture
1. Place sugar in a medium sized pan and mix well.
and add 2 ½ cups of water. Bring
to the boil and stir to dissolve the 5. Pour the mixture into the container
sugar. of an ice cream or sorbet machine
and freeze according to the
2. Add the lavender flowers, remove manufacturer’s instructions.
from the heat and let stand for at
least 20 minutes. Lavender Cream
3. Strain and discard the lavender In the following recipe lavender flowers
flowers. Pour the infusion into are cooked in a custard cream. Serve
a jug. Add the lemon juice and topped with berries.
an additional 2 ½ cups of water.
Stir well. ■■ ½ cup whipping cream
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6. Take the lavender cream out of 5. Lower to a gentle boil and continue
the refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking for up to 30 minutes.
serving. Fold the stiffly whipped
cream into the lavender cream. 6. Meanwhile sterilise marmalade jars
Serve immediately. in an oven at 95°C for 20 minutes.
Sterilise lids in boiling water.
Serves 8.
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7. Check the consistency of the 2. Add the eggs and beat until smooth.
marmalade by placing half a
teaspoon of marmalade on a cold 3. Add the lemon juice, almond extract
saucer. The marmalade should and lemon zest. Mix until the dough
thicken and crinkle when tipped. is soft and slightly sticky.
8. Remove the marmalade from the 4. Form the dough into two logs
heat, let it stand for 5 minutes and and roll in wax paper. Chill for 20
pour into the hot jars. Screw on the minutes.
lids.
5. Slice the logs into rounds.
Makes 12 jars (250ml each).
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes in a
Biscuits and Breads preheated oven at 175°C.
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■■ 140g beeswax
Lavender heat packs made with a mix ■■ 3 tsp of lavender essential oil
of lavender flowers and wheat seed.
Place in a microwave oven for a short ■■ 1-2 Vitamin E capsules
period, with a mug of water. Don’t
overheat. The water helps prevent the
seed heads deteriorating.
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Multi-Purpose Cleaner
■■ 1 teaspoon borax
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1. Mix the vinegar and borax in the dark-flowered lavenders can be planted
bottle. Fill the bottle to 3/4 with hot alongside white, pink or yellow flowered
water. Shake the bottle to dissolve lavenders. Grey- or silver-leaved
the borax. lavenders may be grown for effect, e.g.
L. x intermedia ‘Grey Hedges’. Lavenders
2. Add the soap, essential oil and may also be colour-coordinated with
lemon juice. Shake the bottle well. other plants in the garden.
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These sorts should ideally be grown other common garden shrubs. You will
in some sort of container to stop them have few problems integrating lavender,
spreading. A large range of other herbs southernwood, wormwood, thyme,
are non-invasive, like good drainage lemon verbena, rose and rosemary.
and fit in well with lavender and many
Note the contrast in foliage colour and texture between the lavender and daisies; while
the flower colours of both are similar – the contrast creates interest while the similarity
make them complementary plant choices.
Most lavenders are suitable for Here the stem of each hedge plant is
hedging, especially lavenders from pruned bare (like a standard rose) up
the Sections Lavandula and Stoechas. to a certain height, then a solid hedge
Higher hedges can be grown using of vegetation is trained on top. The
lavandins, e.g. L. x intermedia ‘Grey finished result is a hedge which appears
Hedges’. Spacing between plants can to be sitting up in the air on top of
be calculated by halving the width of evenly spaced posts.
the mature plant. Pruning is required
to prevent ‘leggy’ growth of plants and Hedge embellishments: Here topiary
should be carried out twice a year. is developed on top of the hedge.
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Topiary
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Spiral Garden
Maze
Raised beds
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Hanging baskets dry out easily. The eye is always drawn to something
Lavender can cope fairly well with that different. Try putting something in the
situation; but some types of lavender centre or at the end of a garden as a
can be too tall growing to look good in feature. A statue, urn, sundial, fountain,
a basket. If you are growing lavender seat, gazebo or even a different
in a basket; use a big basket; a lower coloured tree or large shrub can be
growing variety of lavender, and prune a used. Lavender is a great plant to use
couple of times a year to keep it looking when creating a focal point like this.
good; as well as promoting flowering.
Use lavender hedges either side of your
Tyre Garden line of view, to bring the eye to a statue
or other feature.
Lay disused car tyres on the ground
and fill them and the gaps between Consider the lines along which the
them with soil or potting compost. Plant feature will be viewed: If a feature is at
a different lavender plant in each tyre. the end of a long path, keep the view
The rubber walls between each herb clear (don’t plant overhanging trees or
will help prevent competition between shrubs); but plant lavender around the
stronger and weaker growers. The base of a feature to tie it to the ground.
tyres also provide improved drainage,
and the tyre rubber makes a nice soft,
safe material that minimises the risk
of children hurting themselves or of
machines being damaged, as can often
happen with other “harder” garden
materials such as stone and sleepers.
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Perhaps install a garden arch, build opening, but its surroundings are
a garden wall, or plant a lavender blocked so they don’t detract from the
hedge so as to frame the feature (i.e. feature).
The feature can be seen through the
Often keeping it simple can make a landscape look better. A carpet of lavender looks and
smells great, but does not distract the eye from wanting to see through and beyond the wall.
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Lavender is one of the most important herbs cultivated around the world.
Demand for high quality lavender oil is always strong; and the most pure
oils can often sell at per kg prices comparable with, or higher than the
price of gold.
Choosing the right varieties of lavender to grow, is critical to the success of any lavender
business. It all depends where you are and what you are growing them for
The best oils are used in some of the investment capital and exceptional
most expensive perfumes and this scientific knowledge combine with a
“top end” business provides excellent sharp business sense.
opportunities for lavender farmers who
can perfect their farming. Perfecting Most people who work with lavender
your skills at this level is easier said however will work at a level below
than done though; and will take years this top end. The lavender industry
of hard work combined with appropriate is diverse, and large. Some work in
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businesses that focus only, or mostly, These days most lavender farms have
on lavender products. Others produce ‘value added’ to their core business i.e.
or market lavender products, alongside turning the lavender into products. Many
other types of products (e.g. a candle operators suggest that the return from
shop that sells lavender candles along flowers for the cut or dried flower trade
with other types of candles, or a herb or oil is about 1/10th of the amount that
nursery that supplies lavender plants they get from value adding. So the real
along with other types of herb plants). money is in the products and not the
cut flowers (unless you are a very big
operator such as Bridstowe in Tasmania
for example.
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Value adding can also mean exploiting small restaurant that offers gourmet
tourism, and the aim then is to turn lunches. Some have outdoor facilities
a day out at a lavender farm into an for picnics in the gardens. Others
experience for the entire family. Some have function rooms or hire out their
lavender farms have extensive (and gardens for weddings or other special
beautiful) display gardens open to events. Although costly to set up in the
the public, along with a shop to sell first instance, some lavender farmers
their lavender products. Some also have seen that diversity is the key to
have a café for a fast snack, or a their existence.
A good place to dry lavender or other herbs, is under a roof of an open sided building. A
breeze, direct sun and protection from the rain is ideal.
Many lavender farm operators also work changing trends i.e. what people expect
closely now with the tourism industry – when they visit tourist attractions, and
bus loads of tourists visit on a weekly have used that knowledge to extend
basis in the growing season. the scope of their businesses. Tourism
is said to provide half of many lavender
The opportunities are diverse and many growers’ yearly income.
lavender farm operators have seen the
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A lavender garden can be a draw card for tourists and gardeners alike; and when
attached to tea rooms, a craft shop, and/or a plant nursery, these combined
components can create a viable business that may attract people from wide and far.
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APPENDIX
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Useful contacts
Social media
Stay in touch with the authors
through our various social media:
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