Lavender Herbs for Potpourri

May 22, 2010 |

Author peter

Lavandula species (Labiatae)

Appearance
Little greyish abundant leaves (evergreen in European herb gardens) form a rounded bush 90-180 cms (3-6 ft) high – and sometimes more in spread – which is populated with rigid stems of lilac-blue blossoms . The complete plant is not unlike a large pincushion. In America lavender isn’t regarded as a hardy evergreen because of the low winter temperature ranges; however, if grown inside containers in yards and covered up in the winter months its fragrance can be appreciated in summer.

History
The finest essential oil of lavender can be obtained from L. angustifolia, which botanists fairly recently appear to have included within the generic class L. spica. Gerard named it ‘spike’ which should settle the issue since the classic herbalists avowed that spike lavender was the best one for you to cultivate.

For centuries the effectiveness of its clean crisp and clean fragrance has been used to relieve ‘a light migrain’ or for the falling sickness or maybe giddiness of the brain as outlined by Culpeper. Long before the modern world produced deodorants and bath salts the Romans used lavender in their bath water; the name comes from the Latin lavare – to wash.

Usage
Lavender is among the most widely used plants in the modern herb garden and it is valuable in borders to pathways, internal hedges and on the top of dry walls. It can also be grown in large containers.

Lavender is not really regarded as a culinary herb, but the odd sprig may be added into rich game stews. The blossoms can be crystallized in order to spruce up appearance of sweets as well as confectionery. Its most enduring virtue is its fragrance, and it is a truly wonderful pot pourri component.

Cultivation
Propagate through cuttings of strong new growth in summer or autumn (fall), and once rooted plant most of them out in a nicely drained fairly poor soil. (It may be a good idea to keep a supply of adolescent plants for spot planting later.)

The established herb garden plants tend to take care of themselves and react well to an annual trim in autumn after flowering or otherwise in early spring.

Shrubs tend to straggle as they mature and it’s often important to cut back drastically in autumn (fall) to generate a strong growth the following spring.