The real lavender is an upright growing, evergreen subshrub. The plant is very versatile in borders, stone, steppe, heath and gravel gardens and is traditionally planted with roses. A fragrance for the production of cosmetic preparations is obtained from the flowers; dried flowers are often laid out in the linen closet to keep moths away.

True lavender flowers from May to September

Data and facts about real lavender at a glance

  • Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia
  • Popular names: small Speik
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Origin: dry and rocky slopes on the Mediterranean coasts, BC. a. Tuscany, Greece, Dalmatia
  • Distribution: worldwide in culture (except climatically unfavorable regions such as Antarctica / Arctic or the far north)
  • Location: sunny to full sun; dry and lean soils
  • Growth form: shrub
  • Perennial: yes
  • Height: up to 100 centimeters
  • flowers: spiked
  • Colours: violet, blue
  • Flowering period: May-September
  • Fruit: ovary / flowering plant
  • Leaves: lanceolate, up to 50 mm long, grey-green, hairy
  • Propagation: seeds, cuttings
  • Sowing: February-March (preculture)
  • Hardiness: no
  • Toxicity: no
  • Use: ornamental plant, kitchen spice, medicinal plant, aromatic plant
  • Use as a medicinal plant: depression, sleep disorders, stress, flatulence, gum and mouth inflammation
  • Use as a spice: fresh and dried for meat and fish dishes, desserts, sauces
  • Harvest time: June-September (flowers)

Sunny and dry location preferred

As a Mediterranean plant, the plant needs a sunny to full sun location that is as dry and meager as possible. Lavender tolerates both heat and drought and needs a lot of warmth. The soil should be sandy and very permeable as well as neutral to alkaline so that the plants get through the winter well - in our case, the common lavender is not hardy and needs good winter protection.

Cultivate lavender in the garden / in the pot

Given the right site conditions, real lavender can be cultivated very well both in gardens and in planters. However, the plant is not suitable as a houseplant and should be on the balcony or terrace at least during the summer. An annual pruning in early spring keeps the plants compact and willing to flower, as the lavender wilts over time. Do not cut into the old wood, because the plants only sprout again from young shoots.

tips

The following varieties have proven particularly successful: "Hidcote" (dark purple flowers), "Munstead" (blue-purple flowers), "Rosea" (pink flowers) and "Dwarf Blue" (intense violet-blue flowers, particularly suitable for tub cultivation).

Category:

Herbs