Lavender
Lavenders like full sun, good drainage and regular pruning. If happy, they
will last many years, L x intermedias and angustifolias
are generally hardy, stoechas needs a sheltered garden and the
other species will definitely need protection. The species all set seed
and hybridise readily so you might be able breed an exciting new variety
yourself. Apart from stoechas which has been in regular use since
Dioscorides, there is no evidence that Lavender appeared in any garden prior
to the mid fourteeth century, certainly not in any Roman garden. Revised
copies of my two papers on the History of Lavender presented to the Sequim
International Lavender Conference are available from my office for £17.50.
Flowers of all types are greatly appreciated by butterflies
The following plants are available to buy from Arne Herbs Nursery. Please contact
us or call +44 (0) 1275 333 399 to confirm stock availability.
| Lavandula dentata Fringed lavender
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| Up to about 3 ft, interesting pale flrs on top of aromatic deeply toothed leaves, again slightly delicate but worth the trouble |
| Lavandula lanata Woolley Lavender
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| Tougher than its reputation suggests but hates water-logging, lovely white felty lvs and glorious dark blue flrs. Usual Lavender scent too. Source of many interesting hybrids |
| Lavandula latifolia, Spike lavender
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| True wild species collected in the Corbieres, appropriate for historic gardens. Will survive any amount of cold but can't stand wet |
| Lavandula stoechas French lavender
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| Classical Mediterranean species used in Medicine for two millennia, heads vary from claret to almost white, described as "asses ears" or "butterflies", sometimes two-tone. Worth trying outside in sheltered garden
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| Lavandula stoechas alba White French lavender
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| Dazzling white version of above |
| Lavandula viridis Green Lavender
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| Greeny white flowers on top of bright green intensely aromatic foliage. Outstanding herb to cook with wild rabbit and game. Not totally hardy |
| Limonium latifolium syn L platyphyllum Sea Lavender
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| Per from S. Russia, astringent, diuretic but chiefly notable for its Wondrous profusion of "everlasting" flrs Will flourish on sand where little else will grow |
| Santolina chamaecyparissus Cotton Lavender
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| The most popular form for parterres and knots, grey and compact. Said to repel flies. Tight white minutely toothed lvs, yellow flrs. A perfect plant for control freaks as it will stand any amount of clipping and shaping |
| Santolina rosmarinifolia formerly S virens and S viridis Green Cotton Lavender
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| Slender bright green foliage contrasts beautifully with buttercup-yellow flrs "Virens" and "viridis" have apparently now been scrapped as specific names which should make our lives easier once people stop asking for them |
