Lavender, originally a wild shrub from the Mediterranean region, came across the Alps many centuries ago. Benedictine monks brought the intensely fragrant and extremely useful plant to Central and Northern Europe. Most lavender varieties are quite sensitive to frost, some variants only thrive in tub culture, such as the distinctive French lavender with its eye-catching pseudo-flowers.
description
Lavender belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its mostly violet or blue flowers are arranged in axillary spikes and have a strong scent. Depending on the species, lavender grows between 30 and 60 centimeters high, but can also grow up to 100 centimeters high. Older branches become woody, which is why you should cut back down to the old wood in spring. The shrub blooms - again depending on the variety - between June and September. The strongly scented flowers are a popular meeting place for butterflies, bees and other insects.
story
Even the ancient Romans used lavender very eagerly, but not as a medicinal plant. The plant name, on the other hand, refers to its original use as a bath additive. The Latin word "lavare" means "to wash". Only when wandering Benedictine monks brought the herb across the Alps did it drastically increase in importance. From then on, lavender was cultivated in both monastery and cottage gardens. Hildegard von Bingen, the famous abbess and healer of the high Middle Ages, did not think too much of the Mediterranean plant, but the herb fathers of the late Middle Ages - such as Hieronymus Bock - saw it differently. For a long time, lavender was considered protection against vermin and thus against contagious diseases.
origin and distribution
Lavender grows primarily where it is warm, sunny and dry. In its southern European Mediterranean homeland, the half-height shrub thrives primarily on rocky and dry soil. Today, numerous varieties of this species are at home all over western and northern Europe.
maintenance
Lavender is a very undemanding plant that prefers stony soil and does not make great demands on irrigation water and fertilizer. It is only important that the perennial is cut back to about 30 centimeters immediately after flowering. Otherwise it lignifies and becomes unsightly.
harvest and storage
Lavender flowers should be harvested quickly once all the flowers on a spike have opened. In order for them to retain their scent and colour, however, they should definitely be dried.
use
The fragrant herb can be used in many ways:
- as tea or in tea blends
- in sleeping and herbal pillows (e.g. together with lemon balm, hops or rose petals)
- as a bath additive
- as a spice
- for garnishing food.
Both the dried flowers, the young leaves and the oil are used.
tips and tricks
Lavender sugar is ideal for aromatically sweetening food and drinks. All you have to do is crumble the dried lavender flowers and mix them with sugar. It is best to store the mixture in an airtight container.
IJA