Description
The flowering plant Lavandula angustifolia, formerly known as Lavandula officinalis, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Common names for this plant include garden lavender, common lavender, narrow-leaved lavender, and true lavender (even though it is not native to England).
The ideal way to grow lavender is to start small, spaced one to three feet apart, in the spring. This plant usually reaches a height of two to three feet, and its narrow, gray-green leaves, which are slightly longer than two inches, are borne on square stems. The leaves may be evergreen in areas with higher temperatures. It grows at a somewhat sluggish pace during the warm growing season as fresh stem development stretches several inches and its woody base gradually widens.
Habitat
Native to the Mediterranean region, which includes Croatia, France, Italy, and Spain.
Uses
English lavender is used by aromatherapists as an inhalation therapy for fatigue, headaches, and nerve problems. Lavender oil is used by herbalists to treat a variety of skin conditions, including fungal infections (like candidiasis), wounds, eczema, and acne. For joint and muscle pain, it can also be used in a healing bath.
Varieties
‘Hidcote’ is a shorter, mounded-growing cultivar of Lavender angustifolia that is highly popular and fragrant. It grows to a height of approximately 20 inches and has spikes of dark purple flowers.
The ‘Hidcote Giant’ variety of Lavender x intermedia is a larger variety with longer stems that grow to a height of 36 to 40 inches and spikes of exceptionally fragrant vivid violet flowers.
With rosy-purple flower spikes, L. angustifolia ‘Munstead’ is a slow-growing mounding cultivar that grows to a height of 18 inches.
Compact and with medium purple flowers, L. angustifolia ‘Sarah’ is a 12-inch-tall variety that’s perfect for containers.
Growing to a height of approximately eighteen inches, L. angustifolia ‘Jean Davis’ is a tiny, slow-growing type with light-pink blooms.
Plant Care
- Light
Grow lavender in full sun in England. In general, plants in shaded areas grow more leggy and produce fewer flowers. However, in really hot areas, plants benefit greatly from some afternoon shade.
- Soil
Planting English lavender requires soil that drains quite well, although it should be somewhat sandy or granular. Soils that are very wet and humus often lead to root rot. Aim for soil that is as dry and barren as that of its native Mediterranean location. Not only is it unnecessary to add organic material to the soil, but it could also lead to issues.
- Water
For the first week after planting, young plants should be watered once every other day. Once established, they don’t mind too much water, which could prevent them from blooming, and they are quite drought-tolerant. Depending on your environment, water mature plants once a week or so. To ensure a robust harvest, increase the frequency to every four days once flower buds appear.
- Temperature and Humidity
Warm but not overly hot weather is ideal for these plants to grow in. They do not do well in humid environments and prefer comparatively dry ones.
- Fertilizer
English lavender normally doesn’t require feeding. English lavender may not be able to flower if it is fertilized.
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