Whether in the ground, in pots, or nestled in a flowerbed, lavender is a must-have plant both in the garden and on the terrace, thanks to its colourful purple flowers and intense fragrance.
Adaptable and easy to grow, there are three main varieties of lavender: English lavender, French lavender (the best known), and Italian lavender, also called Spanish by some.
When planting lavender, it’s good to bear in mind that it’s a sun-loving shrub, and one that does not like to be moved.
In fact, it’s easier to plant fresh roots directly into the ground, rather than transplant them from a pot.
When choosing the right position, it must also be considered that although lavender does not grow excessively tall, it tends to spread out; it will therefore be necessary to give it distance from other plants, allowing it the necessary space to grow and aerate.
Lavender should be watered regularly but not excessively; it does not need a lot of water but well-drained soil without water logging, which is dangerous for the health of the plant.
If you already have some in the garden, spring is the ideal time to cut it back and clean it up. Ahead of new flowering, two thirds of the foliage should be cut back, eliminating dry spikes.
Rarely attacked by pests, lavender tends to grow healthily unless the roots become damp due to heavy rainfall or lack of drainage. In this case, the lower branches should be removed to encourage air circulation around the roots.
Lavender is widely used in cosmetics for its pleasant smell; by steam-distilling the flowers, essential oil is obtained. This oil is often used in relaxing massages to promote calm or relieve muscle contractures.
To preserve the aroma all year round, as our grandmothers taught us, one can exsiccate and preserve the plant, placing the dried lavender flowers in sachets to perfume clothing and linens.
The ideal time to pick the flowers for drying is during the summer, just before they bloom, preferably on a sunny day and when the morning dew has just evaporated.
Once harvested, the flower stems should be divided into bunches and tied with twine, then hung upside down in a ventilated, shady place protected from humidity.
When ready, crumble the lavender buds onto a dry cloth and fill organza bags to add fragrance to your closets or drawers.
