The real lavender is an upright-growing, evergreen subshrub. The plant is very versatile in borders, stone, steppe, heather and gravel gardens and is traditionally planted together with roses. A fragrance is obtained from the flowers for the production of cosmetic preparations; Dried flowers are often placed in the linen cupboard to keep moths away.
What is real lavender and where does it grow?
The true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an evergreen subshrub from the mint family that is native to dry, rocky Mediterranean areas. It prefers a sunny location and well-drained soil. The plant grows up to 100 cm high and blooms in violet-blue colors from May to September.
Data and facts about real lavender at a glance
- Botanical name: Lavandula angustifolia
- Popular names: little Speik
- Family: Mint family
- Origin: dry and rocky slopes on the Mediterranean coast, v. a. Tuscany, Greece, Dalmatia
- Distribution: cultivated worldwide (except climatically unfavorable regions such as Antarctica / Arctic or the far north)
- Location: sunny to full sun; dry and poor soils
- Growth habit: shrub
- Perennial: yes
- Height: up to 100 centimeters
- Flowers: yearly
- Colors: violet, blue
- Flowering period: May-September
- Fruit: ovary / angiosperm
- Leaves: lanceolate, up to 50 millimeters long, gray-green, hairy
- Propagation: seeds, cuttings
- Sowing: February-March (pre-culture)
- Winter hardiness: no
- Toxicity: no
- Use: ornamental plant, kitchen spice, medicinal plant, scented plant
- Use as a medicinal plant: depression, sleep disorders, stress, flatulence, gum and mouth infections
- Use as a spice: fresh and dried for meat and fish dishes, desserts, sauces
- Harvest time: June-September (flowers)
Sunny and dry location preferred
As a Mediterranean plant, the plant needs a sunny to full sun location that is as dry and lean as possible. Lavender tolerates both heat and drought and needs a lot of warmth. The soil should be sandy and very permeable as well as neutral to alkaline so that the plants can survive the winter well - in our case, real lavender is not hardy and needs good winter protection.
Cultivating lavender in the garden / in the pot
The real lavender can be cultivated very well both in gardens and in planters if the location conditions are appropriate. However, the plant is not suitable as a houseplant and should be kept on the balcony or terrace at least during the summer. Annual pruning in early spring keeps the plants compact and ready to bloom, as the lavender becomes bald over time. Do not cut into the old wood because the plants only sprout from young shoots.
Tip
The following varieties have proven particularly successful: “Hidcote” (dark purple flowers), “Munstead” (blue-purple flowers), “Rosea” (pink flowers) and “Dwarf Blue” (intense violet-blue flowers, particularly suitable for container cultivation).
