There are about 30 species of lavender growing in the vast territory of the Canary Islands to the West Indies. All kinds of lavender can be divided into 6 major groups (sections), four of which are used by man. The first section (Lavandula) represented Lavandula angustifolia (L. angustifolia), Lavandula latifolia (L. latifolia) and their subspecies second (Stoechas) - French lavender (L. stoechas) with subspecies green and lavender (L. viridis), third (Dentata) -lavandoy gear (L. dentata) with subspecies and hybrids and fourth (Pterostachys) - Lavender wormwood, Canary and some other species with branched inflorescences, and pinnate leaves. The leaves of all kinds of lavender emit a strong aroma.
Please put the Huskies and subscribe to the channel "About Fazenda". This will enable us to publish more interesting garden articles.
Lavandula (Lamiaceae)
This fragrant, popular flower around the world considered to be one of the most useful plants. It has the broadest spectrum of healing properties, its essential oil is used for centuries in cosmetics and perfumes, and the fresh and dry inflorescence find a variety of uses in the home.
Used parts:
- flowers (inflorescence)
Lavandula angustifolia
Homeland Lavandula angustifolia - Western Mediterranean, where it is found at an altitude of 500-1500 m above sea level. Like all other types of lavender, this plant is a branched shrub up to 1 meter. Its narrow leaves covered with dense hairs, and flowers are collected in spike inflorescence high.
Among the dwarf varieties can be distinguished: "Rosea", "Compacta", "Folgate" and "Munstead". The group of medium height varieties include: "Hidcote", "Miss Catherine", "Pacific Blue" and many other species. Among the tall varieties are: "Alba" and "Irene Doyle", blossoming in the summer twice.
The essential oil derived from wild lavender, highly prized in France, mainly for its medicinal properties. Unusually fragrant oil obtained from plants grown at high altitudes, in particular it is widely used in perfumery and aromatherapy. For the purposes of perfumes lavender cultivated in France since the XVII century.
Among the varieties grown for the sake of the essential oil are: "Maillette", "Matheronne", "Heacham Blue" and others.
Fresh and dried lavender flowers are widely used in cooking (e.g., they are part of some spice herbal mixtures) and for the manufacture of various articles. Before you can use lavender flowers for culinary purposes, make sure that the plants were not cultivated garden chemicals.
Lavandula latifolia
Wild Lavandula latifolia is found in Spain, France, Italy and the Balkans. It grows here at a much less high mountain slopes than its cousin angustifolia.
This leaves little lavender smell camphor and flower stalks form paired side branches.
Lavender intermediate
On hillsides where Lavandula angustifolia adjacent to Lavandula latifolia, as a result of hybridization of these natural plant species having intermediate characteristics. They are bigger and stronger Lavandula angustifolia, more resistant to moisture and give twice as much essential oil.
Artificial lavender varieties of human intermediate (L. intermedia) - the main source of lavender oil on the planet. The aroma of this oil, however, has a distinct shade of camphor, but because it costs about half the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia and is mainly used in the household. Unlike Lavandula angustifolia lavender flower stalks have paired intermediate side branches.
The most popular varieties for essential oil are: "Grosso", "Abrialii", "Super", and others. And used dried flowers of this plant. Many varieties of lavender intermediate ( "Alba", "Dutch White", "Grappemhall" and others) - beautiful decoration of the garden landscape.
Lavender woolly
This lavender leaves are covered with a very thick layer of hairs, and fragrant flowers gathered in long spike-like inflorescences. Lavender woolly very afraid of rain and quickly perish from the waterlogged soil. It is best to grow it in a large pot in a sunny spot.
The most popular among gardeners enjoy the variety: "Richard Gray", "Silver Frost" and "Sawyers" with long spikes of purple flowers and silver foliage.
series Pterostachys
This series form several kinds of lavender used as ornamental plants: Canary Lavender (L. canariensis), lavender feathery, lavender dissected (L. multifida), Moroccan Lavender (L. maroccana) with bright blue flowers, and others.
location
Lavender all need well-drained soil and bright sun. They grow best on dense nutrient-poor soils, where long-acting fertilizer is introduced
Lavender French
Short, compact, dark-purple blossoms of lavender resemble the shape of a pineapple fruit: their tops crowned beam long bracts. All varieties of lavender the French are quite suitable for cultivation in the lowlands with warm climates (including on the coast).
The most popular varieties are: "Major", "Kew Red", "Marshwood", "Somerset Mist" and "Butterfly". The gardens are all parts of the world today can meet representatives of the series "The Bee" and "Bella", created by the Australian breeder Bob Cherry.
Lavender Green different light green leaves and greenish flowers, gathered in compact spike-like inflorescences on short stalks.
"Beverly"
For variety is characterized by white, sterile bracts.
Fragrant lavender blossoms toothed lavender inflorescences similar to the French, but leaves her pinnate, with rounded tip. The gardens are usually grown varieties: "Ploughman's Blue".
"Linda Ligon"
Variety with green and cream foliage.
"Goodwin Greek Grey"
Hybrid variety.
reproduction
Spring sowing seed or softwood cuttings (high-quality plants).
Care
Annual pruning (preferably a spring). Lavandula angustifolia crown and the intermediate may be formed in the middle of summer, during collection of flowers.
Do not cut too much of the old woody sprouts - the plant may die!
Pests and diseases
They are rarely affected.
Harvesting and storage
Inflorescence Lavandula angustifolia and intermediate cut in mid-summer when blooming flowers occupy 1 / z 2 / z their length. The cut stems are associated beams and hung down for Drying inflorescences, then purified from the stems of flowers. Lavender oil is obtained from flowers by steam distillation.
Sometimes referred kiparisovidnuyu Santolina (Santolina chamaecy-parissus) - plant of the family Asteraceae, whose greyish-green serrated leaves give off a scent of lavender and are often used to scare away moth. For this purpose, they are dried and, together with other dried plant-repellent placed in a cupboard with woolen items. In addition, santolina great for creating low hedges and framing garden paths.
Drugs and essential oil of fragrant lavender flowers are used for centuries as a means of calming nerves, uplifting and relaxing muscles. In addition, it improves sleep, relieves depression, anxiety and nervous tension and facilitates related disorders (eg, dyspepsia).
Sprinkle laundered clothes and squeezed lavender water and hang it to dry.
Lavender flowers taken orally in the form of infusions and tinctures, or added to the relaxing and soothing bath. Applied to the skin undiluted lavender oil relieves itching from the bites and stings of insects, and also prevents infection with cuts and abrasions. Added to the massage oil, it helps to relieve muscle tension and headaches.
Before taking the drug inside lavender, consult your doctor. During pregnancy or breastfeeding to take drugs lavender is possible only under a doctor's supervision.
The history of economic use lavender as old as time. Legend has it that this plant was brought from the Garden of Eden on earth Adam and Eve. Ancient Egyptians impregnated lavender water burial shroud and Romans lavender added to bath (lavare Latin word meaning "to wash" - hence the name plants). In the Middle Ages lavender along with rosemary, cloves and some other plants, part of the popular a love potion, and medieval healers monks resorted to her help to ease labor pains and to expel demons.
household
If for use in the home had to choose just one herb, lavender would be in the first lines of the list of applicants. In addition to the wonderful flavor and pretty flowers, it has antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, and repels air refreshing insects. With these beneficial qualities of lavender can be used in living rooms, bedrooms, children's rooms and bathrooms, the kitchen, in the courtyards, wardrobe and a desk. Finally, its products can be applied to your own skin and rub in the fur of pets.
Of dried flowers and leaves of lavender, you can cook excellent "dry spirits" to repel moths and other insects.
White vinegar, infused with fresh or dried flowers and leaves of lavender - an inexpensive and very effective spray for cleaning and disinfecting various surfaces and objects.
Add a few drops of lavender oil to the normally odorless "ecological" used to wash dishes and bowls, you will add them to the fresh natural flavor.
On a cotton swab dampened with water drip a few drops of lavender oil. Put it in the trash or the dust bag in a vacuum cleaner to remove unpleasant odors.
cookery
Although lavender flowers are edible, and their culinary use is quite limited. They come in a mixture of Moroccan herbs Ras Al hanut and similar Provencal seasoning. Lavender goes well with sweet dishes of cream (eg, ice cream). It can be added to the sugar cookies, icing, jams and jellies. Candied flowers - the perfect edible decoration of cakes and pies.
original article and many other materials can be found on our website.
Please put the Huskies and subscribe to the channel "About Fazenda". This will enable us to publish more interesting garden articles.
Read more:Transplanting vegetables for the winter at home: pots