“The air was fragrant with a thousand trodden aromatic herbs, with fields of lavender, and with the brightest roses blushing in tufts all over the meadows.”

(William C. Bryant, American poet)

 

When we think of lavender, we see purple flowers swaying gracefully on long stems and we can almost smell its sweet fragrance. Lavender has to be one of the most loved and well-known plants the world over - and has been for thousands of years! And rightly so because it’s definitely not just a pretty face, it’s the ultimate allrounder. Its flowers, dried or fresh, have that inimitable, very recognisable scent, it’s good for you, it’s a real stunner of a plant and it’s a fantastic go-to for crafty DIY projects and personal, hand-made gifts. And did we mention that it’s got edible flowers and can be used in cooking? The list is endless really, so we’ve gone and picked our absolute favourite ideas and stories on all things lavender and created the ultimate purple inspiration for you. 

 

Where it all began

Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years as an ornamental shrub, for its fragrance, in cooking as well as for its therapeutic benefits. It is said that the Greeks used it to ease sore throats, headaches and gastritis. Lavender was also one of the holy herbs used to prepare the Holy Essence and is mentioned in the Bible. Its earliest mentions come from the Mediterranean area and reaches as far back as Ancient Egypt. Folklore has it that Cleopatra used lavender to seduce both Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony. While history tells us she definitely seduced both men, surely lavender can’t take all the credit for it. What we do know for certain though is that lavender was revered in those days already because when Tutankhamun’s tomb was opened, archaeologists found traces of still-fragrant lavender! Fast forward close to 2000 years and ladies would hide small lavender pouches in their cleavage to lure in suitors.

Going back to the Romans though. Lavender takes its name from the Latin ‘lavare’ which means ‘to wash’. That makes perfect sense as the Romans used Lavender to scent their baths, beds, clothes and even hair. We can thank them for bringing lavender to the rest of Europe, especially introducing it to Britain and planting it throughout France. It seems, it was love at first sight for the Brits and the French. Ever since, lavender has adorned every classic English cottage garden and southern France would not be the same without its rows and rows of rich purple flowers swaying in a warm summer breeze, as far as the eye can see. 

 

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

 

Types of lavender

It’s likely that you’ll smell lavender before you even see it. The plant has such a distinctive scent. But did you know that the plant actually belongs to the mint family? There are some forty-odd species of lavender, but we seem to have kept it quite simple and mostly divvied them up into Spanish, Portuguese, French and English Lavender. They are, together with Lavandin, the most popular ones.

 

English (or common) Lavender:

Compared to its French cousin, it is smaller, but has a stronger scent. It’s also more cold-tolerant, which is likely a must for any British resident. It usually blooms from late spring to midsummer and makes a fantastic border or container plant. It’s the most popular of all lavender species, probably because it also produces strong, aromatic oil that can be used in perfumes and soaps, and as a flavouring.

A note on culinary lavender: All species of English Lavender are edible and can be used for cooking and baking. Varieties Munstead, Hidcote, Grosso and Provence are the most commonly used.

 

French Lavender:

Southern France’s lavender farms - the stuff summer dreams are made of! French Lavender can grow up to a metre tall, but its flowers are lighter with a milder scent. They will bloom from spring to autumn and need warmer climates to do really well. French Lavender is grown for potpourris, sachets and of course for perfumes.

 

Portuguese (or spike) Lavender:

This one has an even stronger scent than its British cousin. Not surprisingly, this beauty is Portugal’s national flower. Its delicate, pale lilac flowers sway on graceful long stems from late spring to late summer. Oil made from Portuguese Lavender is sought after for its antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. 

 

Spanish Lavender:

The flower of Spanish Lavender rewards you with quite the transformation as it grows. Its distinctive white flowers with long ear-like petals change to pink and deep purple as the plant matures. It grows to a medium height, and can tolerate a bit more humidity than its English cousin. It blooms from mid spring to late summer. Spanish Lavender makes a great container plant but is often used in mass plantings. In this species, only the leaves are fragrant and are usually used for essential oils and potpourris but not for culinary purposes.

 

Our fav species:

Edelweiss, Betty’s Blue, Nana Alba, Miss Katherine, Thumbelina Leigh, Royal Velvet, Hidcote Giant, Kew Head, Ballerina, Fathead, Royal Splendor.

  

Photo by Rebecca Matthews on Unsplash

 

How to grow your own lavender

Whether you have your own backyard, have only room for one more pot plant or whether you are looking for some summer inspiration for your balcony, make sure you find a corner to squeeze in lavender. It will add colour and scent to any space. We found a website that has excellent practical gardening tips and awesome ideas, that are easy to follow and cover a range of possibilities. But first. Let us inspire you with these amazing photos of lavender fields around the world! Until we can travel again – these stunning photos surely are the next best thing.

 

These days, lavender is cultivated in just about every temperate region across all continents, from Europe to India, Africa to North and South America, and in New Zealand and Australia. It is super easy to grow! Its purple flowers will attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators to your garden all summer long. Grow lavender in your flower bed, alongside your herb garden or in a container – somewhere where you can enjoy its fragrance up close. When you choose a lavender plant, double check the instructions but in general, lavender is pretty forgiving and if you follow these basic tips for planting it outdoors, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful bloom for many years.

 

Light: Your plant loves warmth. It’ll need full sun and well-draining soil. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may be needed.

Soil: Lavender needs well-draining, low to moderately fertile soil, so no need to add organic matter or fertilizer. It also won’t need mulching, but if you decide to add mulch, use a very fine one. Less is more in this case.

Water: Lavender is drought tolerant and doesn’t need frequent watering, it certainly doesn’t like wet feet. The plant will only need a little extra care and water when it is still young.

Planting Time: That depends on the area you live in, so best to check in with your garden center. As a rule of thumb, if you live in a warmer zone (7 to 10) it’s better to plant your lavender in early autumn so that the roots have time to get established during the cooler winter months and are ready for summer.

Potting lavender: There is not much of a difference in care between potting up your lavender or planting it in your garden. As long as the plant is in a warm and sunny spot and doesn’t get too cold during winter, it will do very well. So, if your winters are on the arctic side, bring your pots inside and let them watch the cold weather from a warm and sunny window sill.

Trimming and Pruning: Harvest your fresh lavender stalks right through summer and use them either fresh or dry; or just deadhead (cut off) spent blossoms to get a second flowering out of the plant. Start pruning the plant once it’s 2 years old. Cut back the woody stems by one-third every spring and you’ll be rewarded with better foliage and flowering.

 

Our fav gardening ideas:

• Why not grow a lavender plant underneath your washing line so that your washing can pick up its lovely scent when drying in a summer breeze?
•  Grow lavender along a garden path. The plant will love the extra heat reflected from the walkway and it’ll also fill the air with its lovely scent as you brush past it.
• Lavender not only attracts butterflies and pollinators to your garden, it’s also a good neighbour to other plants. Because it is so fragrant, beetles and other pests avoid it. Even deer keep away from it.
• Lavender pulls off a stunning look all by itself, but will also dazzle as underplanting around roses, or paired with vibrant Californian Poppies or ornamental grasses for example.
• Pair it in your herb garden with oregano and rosemary and especially with equally sun-loving, drought resistant plants such as echinacea, sage, or thyme.

 

Photo by Dana DeVolk on Unsplash

 

How to dry lavender

Drying lavender is super easy. All you have to do is tie your lavender stems, perhaps a dozen or so, together in a bunch, and hang them upside down. Just to make sure the stems won’t fall down, use a rubber band to tie them up because your lavender will shrink slightly when drying. Hang up your bunch of lavender in a dark, dust-free place with good ventilation. If you are looking for more creative ideas on how to dry flowers and how to use them, check out our Ultimate Guide to Dried Flowers. And if you’re short on time but looking for quality, dried lavender that will last a long time, you know where to find us at the Dried Flower Bar.

Our fav tip:

If you’re not using it straight away, store your dried lavender in a glass jar with a tight lid, so that its oils and its fragrance can’t escape.

 

The secret uses and benefits of lavender

“There are some things, after all, that Sally Owens knows for certain: Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder. Keep rosemary by your garden gate. Add pepper to your mashed potatoes. Plant roses and lavender, for luck. Fall in love whenever you can.”

(Alice Hoffman, American novelist, “Practical Magic”)

 

The uses for lavender, dried or fresh, are only limited by your imagination! Are you looking for an easy way to spruce up your home and garden, soothing aromas for your bath, an extra lift for your cooking and baking, crafty, beautiful gifts? Lavender is all that and more.

• Here are our top ideas for:
• Cooking and baking with lavender
• Making the most of the goodness of lavender
• Lavender DIY 101: Dried lavender home décor ideas

 

Cooking and baking with lavender

 

First up and very important:

1.     Less is more when using lavender in your recipes! It can give your dish a wonderful lift but use too much of it and you might feel like biting into a bar of soap! Remember also that the potency of lavender flowers increases with drying.
2.     Find culinary lavender. Avoid eating lavender flowers from florists, nurseries, or garden centres. They will often have been treated with pesticides and are not food crops.

 

With all that out of the way, let’s get to the fun part and check out all the wonderful uses of culinary lavender. Like some of our most popular herbs, rosemary, sage, and thyme lavender is a member of the mint family. It doesn’t just enhance a recipe, it’ll also look good; no wonder then that lavender, along with fresh edible flowers are making a real comeback in kitchens everywhere. Its flowers and leaves can be used fresh, its stems and buds can be used dried. Of all the varieties, English Lavender that is the one used the most in cooking. It has the sweetest fragrance of them all with light notes of citrus.

 

It’s time to get experimenting – our fav easy fixes:

• As a rule of thumb, in most recipes, rosemary can be replaced by culinary lavender. It’s a particularly nice replacement for rosemary in bread recipes.
• It is lovely paired with fennel and oregano and its cousins rosemary, thyme and sage
• For a pop of (unusual) colour, doll up your salad with a couple of lavender flowers. We are eating with our eyes as well so they say!
• Put some lavender and sugar together into a sealed glass jar. After a couple of weeks, you’ll have slightly scented sugar which will add a lovely note to your baking or even a custard, sorbets and ice-cream.
•  Don’t throw away the stems! Use them for your fruit kebabs or even shrimp or meat kebabs for your next summer BBQ.
• And whilst we’re talking summer BBQ: pop a lavender flower in your glass of champagne. It not only tastes good, but it also looks pretty.

 

If you are curious about culinary lavender and are ready to give it a go, here are some baking and cooking recipes for you.

 

Our fav lavender recipes on the web:

• How to Cook With Lavender so Your Food Doesn’t Taste Like Soap | Bon Appétit. Not just informative, but also fun to read with a couple of delicious recipes.
• Culinary Lavender, Whats Cooking America. This one doesn’t just have a raft of sweet and savoury recipes; it also talks about other uses of lavender and links to a great piece on edible flowers.
• Blackberry Lavender Cake | Sally's Baking Addiction. We’ve added this one because it’s simply high tea, birthday and Mother’s Day worthy (nudge, nudge, wink wink)! And because we’ve used Sally’s recipes before – so far they were as delicious as they looked!
• Lavender Syrup - Annabel Langbein. Because you can use it in so many dishes – and because her recipes are always simple, don’t need a ton of special ingredients and just work.
• Lavender recipes - 9Kitchen. They had us at Lavender Negroni!

 

Photo by Olga Tutunaru on Unsplash

 

The goodness of lavender: health benefits

Lavender must be the ultimate R&R plant. They knew they were on to a good thing thousands of years ago, when they discovered the many uses and health benefits of lavender! Nothing goes to waste here; every single part of that plant has its uses. And when it comes to health benefits, the oil is used as a disinfectant, an antiseptic, an anti-inflammatory and for aromatherapy. Dried lavender flowers are often used in sachets and potpourris to help with sleep and relaxation. Many of these health benefits have been scientifically proven in recent research studies.

In a nutshell, lavender may help with:

Finding relaxation and calm: If you’re dealing with high stress levels, a few drops of essential lavender oil to your bath, a lavender scented candle, or even a bunch of beautiful, dried lavender in your bedroom may just be the pick-me-up you need. There is plenty of research supporting the claim that lavender has positive effects on your mood and can help with relief from stress, anxiety and depression.

Getting some serious zzzzs:  Lavender has been lending its scent to bedlinen for centuries, and for good reason. Its calming aroma is said to help with sleep, even when all else fails. If you toss and turn at night, either keep a small sachet of dried lavender in your linen drawer or add a couple of drops to your pillow.

Pain relief: Lavender oil is said to soothe headaches and migraines, backache and arthritis, heartburn and indigestion. Lavender oil is also said to help with motion sickness when applied to the temples.

Memory: A trial has shown that inhaling lavender improved working memory under stressful situations. This makes sense to us seeing that lavender scent has a calming and relaxing effect.

Skin R&R: Lavender essential oil, added to other, necessary ingredients will make a great skin cleaner, toner or moisturizer.

Skin healing: Lavender oil is said to help inflammatory skin conditions, even acne. Due to its analgesic and healing properties, lavender can also give instant relief from sunburn or sore skin. It can even help prevent blistering. It’s also claimed to sooth and help heal insect bites and small cuts.

Further research: Other health benefits from lavender identified by research studies include a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, reduced menopausal hot flushes, the potential to combat fungus growth and the possibility to assist hair growth.

 

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

 

An ode to lavender oil

Lavender essential oil deserves its own mention, there is so much goodness in it! It can be taken orally, applied to your skin or breathed in through aromatherapy (steam). How you use lavender essential oil ultimately depends on what you’re treating. If you use it to heal damaged skin, try not to apply it with your fingers. A cotton ball or tissue will be the cleaner option. Lavender oil is essentially a highly concentrated extract of lavender’s useful compounds and is pretty safe for humans. It can cause some discomfort like headaches or a skin rash for some. Stop using the oil if you experience any negative side effects. In any case, use it sparingly. A few drops is often all you need.

 

Our fav lavender R&R ideas:

•  For all things that are good for your body and soul, head to the The Nerdy Farm Wife post. You’ll find some creative ways to use lavender for nifty potions and luxurious lotions. Easy recipes, amazing ideas – not nerdy at all!
• And for an instant stress relief, why not fill a glass jar with dried lavender flowers with a tea candle on top. So easy, so pretty, and so relaxing.

 

On trend: home décor with dried lavender

Have we mentioned that dried flowers are the new best thing since sliced bread? Pampas Grass has a cult following by now, interior designers swear on it, and dried floral arrangements are taking the events scene by storm. So much so, that you can now get an amazing range of professionally dried, long-lasting flowers and bouquets at the click of your mouse. And lavender is right there in the thick of it all. Lavender has always been a go-to for decorations and home decor, no doubt about that, but the dried flowers buzz and the resurgence of boho chic has given it a whole new boost. Where pampas grass will deliver the statement piece you are looking for, lavender will deliver the accent, the finishing touch.

You don’t need a French farmhouse to make lavender look good. The flowers, dried or fresh, will always shine in a bunch all by themselves, but also make a great companion to other dried blooms and grasses – all with the added bonus of lavender’s sweet scent. Have a look at what the clever team at Flowers Across Australia have created, or check out the flower bar and get creative. The cool thing about your bunch of lavender is that it’ll add charm and calm to any room. Place it in your bedroom for a good night’s sleep, in your bathroom for some relaxation or your hallway for a warm welcome home.

Our fav home décor ideas:

• For a contemporary look, pair your dried lavender with a few sprigs of eucalyptus for contrasting shape and complementary colour. Pop it into a silver or glass vessel. No water needed.
•  Mosquitoes and moths really don’t like the smell of lavender. Having a bunch of lavender in your bedroom not only looks good and helps with a good night’s sleep, it’s also an effective pest control. No buzzing here!
• Still need more inspo? Check out these décor ideas here.

 

Photo by Kenny Timmer on Unsplash

 

Lavender DIY 101: Dried lavender home décor and gift ideas

Home décor and lavender DIY goes kind of hand in hand. There are so many crafty ideas that will add a nice touch to your place, complete a festive occasion or make a lovely, personal gift. We've gone and picked some of the ideas we felt were the niftiest, craftiest, and happiest ones.

Our fav gift and DIY ideas

• “Love Actually” comes to mind: For next level gift wrapping, add a handful of dried lavender buds or sprigs of fresh lavender to your gift wrapping. It’ll look pretty and will smell lovely for weeks.
• Make your very own aromatic wreath with dried lavender. It is super easy to make and will add a lovely welcome to your front door or an eye-catching, fragrant centre piece to your Sunday brunch table. Why not make a lavender wreath for Christmas? The purple flowers will match well with the classic Christmas greens and reds. For the ‘how to’, and a couple of other ideas, check out the video on the HGTV website here.
• We stumbled across this website here and were inspired by the range of ideas. It’ll not give you the instructions, but the nudge, the unexpected, the rustic, the simple but effective, and the wow. We especially loved the table decorations!
• We found this lavender lime potpourri recipe and thought we had better share it with you! Zesty, calming and pretty.
• You’d be wrong to think lavender sachets are something only your grandmother would have used in her linen cupboard! We can’t stress the calming qualities of lavender enough; so to help with getting some serious zzzzs and to keep your bedsheets and towels fragrant and fresh, there is still nothing quite like a little sachet of dried lavender popped in between them. Check out these little sachet cuties here. They come with instructions. All you need are some scraps of pretty fabric, lavender and a few other bits. They’ll make adorable presents as well!

 

Right, we’ve given you the lowdown on lavender – it’s time to get creative. Whether you’re a whizz in the kitchen, have two green thumbs, are a DIY genius or are looking for a bit of R&R, give lavender a go. And on that note, we’d really like to hear about your lavender creations, warts and all. With pictures if possible. Which one was your favourite recipe? What have you done with your dried lavender? What are you using your lavender essential oil for? How do you keep your lavender flowering? Let us know and your feedback, tips and ideas will ultimately create ‘the not so secret benefits and uses of lavender’.

 

Photo by rocknwool on Unsplash

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Before we go though, we’ve put together a brief Q&A section of the most commonly asked questions. But of course, if you can’t find the answer here. Our team is always happy to discuss and give expert advice via: …..

 

Q: How long will dried lavender last?

A: We use lavender that is naturally dried to the highest standard. That means that in the right conditions, your dried lavender can last for a few years. Like all dried blooms, lavender doesn’t like high humidity and direct sunlight. It’s also best to keep it out of the wind. If your dried lavender starts to look a bit worse for wear though, you can still use its buds to add to a potpourri or make a cute lavender sachet for your linen!

Q: What flowers look good with lavender in a bouquet?

A: In an arrangement, dried or fresh lavender will add a lovely pop of purple and grace. It contrasts beautifully with orange poppies for example, complements hydrangeas and pairs well with eucalyptus. Lavender looks pretty all by itself as well – our dried lavender bunches contain 20 stems, between 30-40 cm tall.

Q: Can I dry my own lavender?

A: Of course! Drying lavender is actually quite easy. Check out the “How to dry lavender” section in this blog. Just be aware that the stems may not last for as long as our professionally dried lavender.

Q: Is lavender poisonous?

A: Good question ! The lavender plant as such is not toxic to humans. It is, in fact, an edible plant. That said, ingesting lavender oil can cause some allergic reactions in some people (headaches, vomiting, or a skin rash if applied to skin are the most common reactions). It’s good to know though that lavender can make your cat or dog quite sick. The plant contains linalool and linalyl acetate, two compounds that are toxic to cats and dogs. Common symptoms are vomiting and reduced appetite.  

Q: My dried lavender has seen better days. What can I do?

A: Well, you can’t revive dried lavender unfortunately. Although professionally dried blooms and grasses will generally last much longer than DIY dried flowers, there comes a time when they no longer look appealing. Don’t throw your lavender in the bin just yet! You can still use its flower buds to add fragrance to a candle or for one of our soap recipes for example. Check out  “Our fav lavender R&R ideas:”

Q: Can I grow lavender in a pot?

A: Yes you can! Lavender is a pretty forgiving plant when it comes to care. It’ll be an easy, fragrant summer plant, looking stunning by your front door or on your balcony. Just make sure it doesn’t get ‘wet feet’. If outdoor planting is not an option, check in with your local garden center and find out what smaller varieties they have in stock. As long as you have a warm and sunny spot, your lavender will be fine indoors. And of course, you’ll have a lavender ‘harvest’ to play with later!

Q: Where can I find out more about lavender?

A: We hope we’ve given you a good overview of what information is currently out there for all things lavender. But if we’ve missed something, please let us know and ask the friendly team at ‘Flowers Across Australia’ for advice. They are knowledgeable and will be happy to help. It’s worth mentioning at this point that there are also a number of cool ‘Lavender books’ out there, from ‘The Lavender Lover’s Handbook: The 100 Most Beautiful and Fragrant Varieties for Growing, Crafting and Cooking’ right through to the ‘Comprehensive Guide on Lavender Farming’ on starting your own lavender farm. Enjoy!

View our Dried Lavender products below:

 

 

 

 

If you have any questions or special requests, need to know more lavender, then check in with us at service@floweracrossaustralia.com.au, or give us a call on Phone: 03 7036 3317. We’ll always be happy to help.