English Lavender

Common names	English Lavender
Latin name	Lavender officianlis 'Hidcote'
Life cycle	Perennial
Height	15"
Space	--
Bloom	Mid summer to early fall
Light	Sun
Soil	Well-drained
Zone	--
Feature	Attracts butterflies, deer and rabbit resistant, drought tolerant

Ornamental Use:
Lavender is famous for use in sachets and has been used since ancient times to scent clothing and linens. The fragrance of the flowers and foliage can linger for years. It has been used in clothes chests as a moth repellent or simply hung in a room to drive away flies and mosquitoes. Lavender is extensively used in aromatherapy to calm the nerves and relax tensions. It is commonly adminstered as a bath or in pillows to induce tranquil sleep or as a tea. Ad lavender flowers to sugar, honey, jellies, salads, dressings, soup, wine and vinegar. English lavender has a sweet lemon-foral tast, but other lavender species have more camphor and can taste medicinal. Use it sparingly because lavender is intense and too much can taste soapy.

Ornamental:
This plant has compact silver-green leaves and intense deep lavender blue flowers which combine well with many xeric and hardy perennials. It's excellent for edging sidewalks and paths where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Culture:
Cutting off the old woody growth every year in the spring will keep the plants more compact. Most ornamental cultivars will require replacing at least every ten years, and if not trimmed annually will probably decline sooner. Lavender is drought tolerant.

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