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Garden Tour
Lavender and butterflies
Lavender has been cultivated in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India for thousands of years. In ancient Greece, lavender was a holy herb used in early Christian rituals. However, in ancient Indian ayurvedic medicine, lavender is considered to impart a cooling, calming, and soothing effect that aids in headaches and gastrointestinal upsets.
In Latin, the name lavender comes from “lavare” which means “to wash”- an allusion to lavender’s delightfully scented antimicrobial properties perfectly suited for bathing or washing bedding, clothes, and household items.
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| https://www.lavenderridgefarms.com/pages/about-us-new |
A member of the mint or Lamiaceae family, lavender is a perennial plant that comes in an array of shapes and sizes. All lavenders are perennial plants belonging to the genus Lavandula.
While most of us think of lavender as the classic purple-hued spike flower, there are over 45 species of lavender containing a vast diversity of some 450 unique varieties. Each type has its own growing preferences, uses, floral shape, and distinctive aroma.
To find the best lavender for your garden, you must begin by matching your climate with one of the four main types of lavender: Spanish, English, Lavandins, or French. Let’s dive in a little deeper on each, as well as the lavender types under each climate classification.
English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common “true” lavender that you see everywhere. These vibrant shrubs are grown in home gardens and on commercial farms around the world. They are the parents of newer Lavandin hybrids (Lavandula x intermedia), which are known for their extremely high essential oil content and fragrance.
Lavandin hybrids (Lavandula intermedia) are sometimes mistakenly called “French lavender”. In reality, they are hybridized plants made from crossing Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) and Lavandula latifolia (Portuguese Lavender).
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| Hairsteak and Purple Coneflower |
| If you want lavender that is… | Select a variety from this type |
| Best for Culinary Uses | English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) |
| Classic Lavender Smell and Look | Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia) |
| Strongest Fragrance | Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia) |
| Most Elegant Stems for Floral Displays | Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia) |
| Best Drought Tolerant Lavender | Spanish Lavenders (Lavendula stoechas) |
| Best for Hot, Humid Climates | Spanish Lavenders (Lavendula stoechas) |
| Best for Landscaping | French Lavenders (Lavandula dentata) and Spanish Lavenders (Lavendula stoechas) |
| Unique Flower Shape | Portuguese Lavenders (Lavandula latifolia) |
| Fastest Growing | Lavandin Hybrids (Lavandula intermedia) |
| Longest Bloom Time | French Lavenders (Lavandula dentata) |
| Most Cold Tolerant | English Lavenders (Lavandula angustifolia) |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
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| KEYS CREEK LAVENDER FARM, CALIFORNIA |
References and Sources
References and Resources
https://www.labyrinthhill.com/
https://www.allaboutgardening.com/lavender-varieties/
https://texaslavenderassociation.org/
SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
Lavender Growers Association: https://www.uslavender.org/home
American Herb Society
https://www.herbsociety.org/
All material © 2024 by Hyden Photography
for
Grassroots Horticulture
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