English Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) is the probably the most popular lavender variety of them all; and rightly so with it’s beautifully scented leaves and flowers. The English Lavender plant is an evergreen shrub that is often grown purely for its scent but is fantastic as a rough hedge, in or near the vegetable garden, in a cottage garden and even in a pot.
Lavender is a must have plant in every garden. Apart from the fact that is very attractive to bees and other pollinators; it is also a deterrent to mosquitoes, borers and fleas. Planting English Lavender in a spot near your vegetable garden or citrus trees will assist with pollination and deter pests; it a win-win!
Lavandula angustifolia is one of the most used essential oils in the world. Although there are several benefits associated with its oil; it is mostly known for its relaxing and quality sleep inducing properties. It is also used in the culinary industry as a flavouring but should be used sparingly as it can overpower other flavour’s easily.
Suitable for Cold to warm Temperate Climates.
Note: We have had customers tell us that their Lavender is growing well in their tropical climate. We imagine that the plants would need protection during the wet seasons there though? This may be possible by keeping the plant/s in a pot, so they can be moved undercover, by planting them on an elevated/sloped location, where heavy rains can drain away; or by covering them up during this period somehow?
Other common names for this species are True Lavender, Common Lavender and Garden Lavender.
Growth
English Lavender is a heavily scented shrub that can grow to approximately 1.2 metres tall and 1 metre wide. Its small leaves begin life bright green but mature to a more silvery green as they age. Leaves are long and thin, growing on average to around 4-6 cm in length. English Lavender flowers are purple in colour and grow on top of longs stems that stand above the foliage. The flowers are approximately 3-7 cm in length.
Lavandula angustifolia prefers a full sun position with a well draining soil. It does not tolerate consistently wet soil; which can cause root rot. This species is tolerant of frost and temperatures down to -15°C and will cope well with hot dry weather; which is normal in its native regions. English Lavender is also grow well in coastal conditions, is drought hardy and quite resistant to pests and disease. Lavandula angustifolia responds well to trimming, prune after Summer when flowering is complete. Remove spent flowers throughout flowering season to encourage more flowers.
If you are looking for a smaller growing variety of English Lavender with all the attributes of this amazing plant; try the Lavender Munstead.
FAMILY:
Lamiaceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Dry Mediterranean.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-15°C to 35°C / 5 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1.2 metre (4 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1 metres (3 feet)
pH:
6.0-6.8
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees, Moths and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
6-18 months.
GERMINATION RATES:
30-60%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-6 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 850-1000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT ENGLISH LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia)
Extracts from English Lavender are popular in soaps; shampoo; disinfectants; perfumes and as an anti-bacterial aiding with burns, minor wounds and insect bites among many other things.
Although Lavender is a deterrent to fleas, it is best to not bath your pet in it. Lavender based pet shampoo is highly diluted because it contains compounds that can be toxic to both dogs and cats.
Lavandula angustifolia makes for a great cut flower and is also handy as a dried flower. Place it is a bowl as pot-pourri to leave a beautiful relaxing scent around the home; in a cloth bag in clothes draws or linen cupboards to keep clothing smelling fresh and to deter insects or add the leaves to a bath for its therapeutic properties. Try tying a few of the dried flower stems together and burning them as incense sticks. Apparently Lavender repels mice as well.
