More About Lavender

10 Interesting Lavender Facts 

 

For over 2500 years, lavender has been an important, historical herb. Here are 10 of the most interesting facts. Enjoy! 

 

1. Nardus - Lavender was brought to Provence, France in 600 BC by Greek traders. Lavender was called Nardus because it was from the Syrian city, Naarda.

2. Mummies - The Egyptians used lavender for mummification.

3. Incense - Lavender was included in incense and is believed to have been used by Mary to wash Jesus’ feet before the Crucifixion.

4. Which came first? The plant or the color? Lavandula angustifolia gave the color “lavender” its name. 

5. Evil Eye - During the Middle Ages, Lavender was strewn on church floors to ward off evil spirits and pinned to children’s garments to ward off the evil eye.

6. The Plague - Bunches of lavender were first sold on London streets during the Black Plague to cover the smell of death.

7. Battle Wounds- In WWII lavender was used for battle wounds due to the shortage of other medical supplies.

8. Aromatherapy - A French chemist, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, coined the word “aromatherapy”  in the 1930s after using lavender oil on a burn.

9. 450 - There are over 450 varieties of lavender, which fall into 45 different species.

10. A, A, A, A - In clinical studies, lavender has been proven to be Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, and Antifungal. And if that is not enough, this amazing herb promotes healing and repels lice, mice, and fleas!

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Sources

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Purple Moon Cultivars

 

Lavandula angustifolias (culinary)

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1. Bowles Early - Lavandula angustifolia: Dark purple buds, sweet scent, good for culinary, good for wreaths and bouquets

2. Hidcote - Lavandula angustifolia: Sweet, strong scent, dark purple blooms, holds color well in dried bunches

3. Imperial Gem - Lavandula angustifolia: Hardy in cold climates, rich purple blooms, sweet fragrance, can be toxic to pets

4. Miss Katherine - Lavandula angustifolia: Pink blooms, used in culinary, sweet scent, can be used for bouquets, plant 36” apart

5. Munstead - Lavandula angustifolia: Early bloomer, lilac-colored blooms, good for sachets and oils, small, sweet scent, from Gertrude Jekyll’s  Munstead Wood in Surrey, England, plant 18” apart

6. Royal Velvet - Lavandula angustifolia: Dark purple velvety flowers, good for drying, culinary, fresh or dried bouquets, hardy in cold climates, good for dried buds, grows fast

7. Super Blue - Lavandula angustifolia: Sweet scent, deep violet blue, good for culinary,  dried wreaths and bouquets, prolific flowering all summer

 

Lavandula x intermedia

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1. Exceptional - Lavandula x intermedia: Beautiful white flowers, white version of Phenomenal, tall spikes, hardy in cold climates, heat and humidity resistant

2. Grosso - Lavandula x intermedia: Most widely planted lavender around the world for oil production, purple flowers, long stems, good for dried buds

3. Phenomenal - Lavandula x intermedia: Hardy in cold climates, heat and humidity resistant, purple blooms, tall spikes

4. Provence - Lavandula x intermedia: Named for the region of Provence in France, beautiful, tall spikes, sweet scent, mauve-purple flowers, good for culinary, dried buds, good oil producer, struggles in our climate

5. Sensational - Lavandula x intermedia: Hardy in cold climates, tolerant of heat and humidity, related to Phenomenal lavender, purple blooms, tall spikes

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