Lavender-the Ideal Landscape Herb

Since it is an evergreen, I once thought it required Wilt-Pruf, an anti-desiccant, to help it survive the winter. But that has turned out to be untrue. I sprayed it the first year, but became too busy in subsequent autumns. Yet it continued to survive every winter.

What it will not tolerate is pruning late in the growing season. When cutting the flower stalks, avoid damaging the rest of the plant. Pruning, which is rarely needed, is best done after warm weather arrives in the spring.

With lavender there seems to be almost no limits to its herbal uses. It is used as a culinary and medicinal herb. Imagine eating lavender ice cream. The Auraca Herbarists in Ithaca, NY served it at the annual herb festival at Cornell Plantations one year. The ice cream was made by the famous dairy store at Cornell University with a recipe provided by Auraca. The group often serves lavender cookies during public events.

With its rich fragrance, lavender is often used in cosmetics, bath, and body care products. It has long been used in linen closets and drawers.

Lavender makes an excellent cut and dried flower. It is often used in wreaths and flower arrangements. Traditionally, it is prepared as lavender wands.

The name lavender actually comes from a Latin phrase that means "to bathe" or "to wash."

Lavender originated in the Mediterranean area. Although some believe that lavender was introduced into Britain by the Romans, the first recorded note of its culture in England was in the 1500's. Each new generation of gardeners has found it to be an appealing, praiseworthy plant.

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