Try it in sachets, perfume, bath water, custard and even martinis! Lavender is an ancient herb, a cleansing herb. It is said to be the herb of courage and restfulness. The herb to improve concentration and meditation, beloved in perfume, a pleasant moth repellent, soothing tisane and mild topical antibiotic. Lavender is said to be uplifting, refreshing, an anti-depressant. It just plain smells good. And to top it off: it's a great butterfly plant, too!
No wonder lavender (finally) made "Herb of the Year" for 1999. Everyone seems to know it and to know it is to love it, and it's been that way ever since people discovered it. Lavender smells heavenly and looks great and keeps well; it is in every herb garden design ever made or close to it. Growing True Lavender, though, is not always a charm.
For starters, true lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is native to the Southern Alps where the soil is chalky and the climate is hot and dry. Not exactly suited to field crop culture, in other words, so eventually more amenable hybrids were developed. There's also distinction to be made between lavender, lavendin and spike lavender. Here's one explanation of why this is so. Unless we grow our own, most of the lavender we are likely to use or purchase is probably a hybrid rather than the real thing. Only a purist would notice, I'm sure.
The lavender market is not what it used to be, either. The French don't use portable stills to distill lavender in the field any more, but French lavender is still honored, grown and processed with care and pride. Don't miss the distillery locations and maps for the intrepid among us who plan to visit for the harvest this summer.
If you would prefer a more structured outing to the heart of French lavender country(or are pressed for time) you might enjoy Perfumerie Gallimard's offer to see the "ancient processes of extraction" or let loose your personal talent and concoct a perfume under the tutelage of their esteemed "nose" (yes a perfume expert is called a nose) in the Studio des Fragrances.
Then and again, how about "the ultimate aromatic adventure" -- a French Aromatherapy Retreat! (Send me a postcard if you go. Inquiring minds want to know.)
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