Lavender: From the Mediterranean to the Midwest

For most of us, the fresh, aromatic perfume of lavender is instantly recognizable. We’ve come to associate its soothing smell with spa days and therapeutic relaxation, bubble baths and hand creams, and for good reason- the restorative properties of lavender have been touted for centuries, and the oil produced by the plant has been used in candles, household cleaning agents, culinary goods, and a seemingly endless array of skincare products. A member of the mint family, lavender is native to Mediterranean climates, where full sun, low humidity, and sandy soil abound. In other words, a land far, far away from the rich, fertile, often clay-heavy soils found here in the Midwest. And let’s not get started on that humidity. There are almost enough conspiring elements to make this gardener want to wash her hands of the purple-flowered plants entirely. Almost. As it happens, with a little extra work at the outset, lavender can be grown very successfully here. A number of the varieties are rather cold-hardy, and as long as plants are provided the required growing conditions- soil, adequate light, proper spacing for maximum air circulation- they won’t mind the change of scenery. Though in a few months time, when your lavender row is thriving, you may find yourself quite overcome with the urge to plant an olive grove. On a cliff overlooking the seaside. Well, almost.

Lavender For the Home Gardener

There are many, many species of lavender available to the home gardener, though some may have to be grown as annual plants in the upper Midwest region. The most cold-hardy of the bunch are called Lavandula angustifolia, and known as the true lavenders. Some of the more popular and reliable choices (all hardy to zone five) include ‘Munstead,’ an early blooming plant with purply-blue flowers and an especially strong fragrance; ‘Hidcote,’ a late spring bloomer with pale silvery foliage and deep purple flowers; and ‘Royal Velvet,’ with dark blue and purple flowers that can reach three feet in height. In addition to these, there are many lavender hybrids that will flourish in our northern climate as well. Do your daydreams tend toward the vineyard-in-the-south-of-France variety? Plant the hybrid ‘Provence,’ a rot-resistant cultivar grown widely in the region, with pretty purple flowers that are ideal for cooking.

When and How to Plant

To insure lavender is properly established before winter, it’s best to get plants in the ground in early spring. This will allow them a full growing season to prepare for when freezing temperatures set in.

Spacing plants about three feet apart will promote proper air circulation, which in turn bolsters the health of the plants. Plant lavender in full sun- eight hours a day or more- and very well drained soil. In fact, when it comes to lavender, you’ll want to toss out most of what you know about soil fertility! To survive, thrive, and produce the most oil (a.k.a. fragrance), this plant likes its soil dry and sandy, and not too fertile. Here in the Midwest, where soils tend to be rich in moisture-trapping clay, special care must be taken to provide the right growing conditions for lavender. A mixture of one-third garden soil, one-third organic matter, and one-third sand or pea gravel to a depth of about one foot should create a bed with good drainage and prevent plants from rotting. Planting in mounded rows can also aid drainage. After planting, avoid mulching with organic material like wood, as it can retain too much moisture and cause plants to rot.

Maintaining Lavender

Initially, plants should be watered regularly until roots are established. After that, lavender is very drought tolerant, and typically requires nothing in the way of fertilizer or individual attention.

While growing lavender from seed can be a challenge, it is easy to propagate plants by taking cuttings from stems during the summer, or dividing mounds in the fall. If plants are left to stand over the winter, the silvery color and unique shape of mature lavender will add visual interest to the often stark winter landscape. In spring, cutting plants back to six inches in height will revitalize them and promote new growth.

Harvesting and Drying Lavender

To harvest lavender for fresh floral arrangements, cut stems approximately six inches below flowers, just above the leaves, once they have opened. And harvesting promotes new growth, so snip away! The best time to cut is in mid-late morning, after dew has evaporated. If you plan on drying your bouquets and the strongest fragrance is what you’re after, harvest when essential oils are the most potent- when flower buds are just beginning to show color, but haven’t fully opened. Dry your fresh lavender by cutting, then hanging upside down in small bunches of eight-ten sprigs, in a dry, dark location with good air circulation to prevent flowers from getting moldy. After the bouquets have dried, remove the flower heads and place in a clean sealable container. Fresh or dried, lavender has myriad uses throughout the home from cooking to cosmetics.

Lavender in Cosmetics

Lavender’s pleasant fragrance and calming properties have made it a go-to addition in soaps, lotions, shampoos, lip balms, salves- whatever skincare product strikes your fancy! And while there are plenty of commercially prepared options available, creating your own concoctions allows you to tweak the ingredients to get the combinations you like, and probably save a little money too. The scent of lavender pairs nicely with other commonly used fragrances like vanilla or rose, and most recipes are easy to make, with straightforward ingredient lists. A simple infusion of lavender flowers and water creates a soothing tonic for irritated skin, and adding lavender oil to a lip balm recipe can help treat delicate chapped skin.

Lavender Use Around the House

There are a number of popular ways to use your lavender around the house as well. Make sachets by filling pretty paper envelopes or fabric bags with dried flowers and give them as gifts, or keep for use as a relaxing sleep aid, or to freshen closets and drawers. Lavender’s antiseptic properties make it a good choice for homemade cleaning products or a laundry additive. DIY candles made with lavender oil and buds are an attractive way to diffuse the pretty scent throughout the house. Or simply gather lavender into bunches and use dried as a centerpiece or other room accent. The soft fragrance will add a delicate perfume to the air and, according to French custom, may even act as an insect repellant!

Bringing fresh or dried lavender into the kitchen is another fun way to enjoy the flowers throughout the year. Flowers can be used to flavor everything from syrups, sugars, and honey to custard and ice cream. Finely chopped, they can be incorporated into sugar cookie recipes, or used with lemon or olive oil to make a marinade in more savory recipes for meat and fish.

Lavender Home Remedies

In addition to its cosmetic, culinary, and decorative uses, lavender has long been employed for medicinal purposes. A noted natural remedy for ailments such as anxiety, insomnia, and depression, lavender has also been used by aromatherapists and herbalists to treat headaches, inflammation, nervous disorders, and muscle and joint pain. It can even take some of the sting out of sunburn. Typically, the essential oil is extracted from fresh flowers, then vapors are inhaled after diluting a few drops in water, or the diluted oil can be applied topically.

And even if you never cut or dry a single stem from your plants, the graceful blooms and wafting fragrance of the lavender will create a tranquil mood and add a little soft enchantment- you might even say je ne sais quoi – to the garden all summer long.