Many gardeners question whether or not lavender is a flower due to the fact that it has traits of both a herb and a shrub, as well as a flower. This amazing plant is one of the most well-known flowers in the world because of its delightful aroma. Here, we’ll go into its definition, cultivation, and inherent properties.
Lavender – what is it?
Lavender is a herbaceous plant endemic to the Mediterranean region that is a member of the Lamiaceae family. In the summer, its blooms bloom into a delightful aroma that permeates the fields where it is grown.
There are over 30 different species of lavender, all belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Because of its ability to cleanse both physical and mental wounds, the Latin word lavandulae, from which lavender gets its scientific name, is derived.
Grow lavender in full sun and on soil that drains well but is otherwise calcareous and rather nutrient-poor. You can even get the notion that it can still survive on practically pure limestone gravel if you take a trip to the south of Europe.
Lavender requires very well-drained soil. A location with highly permeable soil and plenty of sunlight is vital for winter hardiness. It’s especially vulnerable to drowning in the winter.
Is Lavender a Flower?
Lavender, or Lavandula, is a blooming plant whose purple fragrant blossoms are great for scenting flowerbeds, planters, and window sills. Lavender may return every year if it is kept warm over the winter.
Lavender grows in a dense, pillow-like form with tall, branching, wiry stems. Identifying features include needle-shaped, gray-green leaves and mostly violet-blue, fragrant flower clusters.
It’s possible for lavender to bloom even under the hottest of conditions. As a result of the Mediterranean climate, spring and summer blooms are certain to be continuous here (from June to August). Honey-producing bees are drawn to its tubular blossoms in shades of blue or lavender.
Even after drying, the plant retains its distinctive, airy, and fresh aroma. The inflorescence consists of numerous tiers of colorful blooms and can reach a length of 8 centimeters (3.1 inches).
Lavender is a perennial that may grow to be between 60 and 100 cm tall (1.96 to 3.2 feet). You can find types with pink or white blossoms, too. The peak flowering season is from June to August.
Because of its distinctive fragrance, this plant is widely regarded as aromatherapy’s crowning achievement. Perfumes and eau de cologne are two of France’s most prominent uses for it.
Putting a bag of lavender flowers in a cabinet or drawer is a great way to provide fragrance and deter insects. The essential oil used to treat muscular pains and headaches is steam distilled from the plant’s bushy flower spikes.
Lavender is a shrub, right?
Lavender adds a touch of the Mediterranean to whatever garden it inhabits and may be grown either as a perennial or a subshrub. Even though it’s most stunning near the Mediterranean, it may be grown as far north as the Paris area.
If it’s herbaceous, it may liven up a rock garden or flower bed; if it’s woody, it can serve as a border or a slender hedge. The flowers and leaves of the lavender plant are highly sought after due to their intoxicating fragrance.
This low-maintenance shrub thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil or may be grown successfully in a container, even on a balcony.
Lavender is a shrub native to the southeastern United States. Its late spring blossoms, which look like slender purple or blue spikes, are loved by pollinators, including butterflies and bees. It can survive both freezing temperatures and scorching heat waves, making it a versatile crop.
Are lavender flowers perennial?
When it comes to their botanical classification, all species of lavender are considered subshrubs, not perennials. Lavender is unique among perennials in that it overwinters with partially woody, partly herbaceous, winter-green shoots above ground rather than totally retreating into the underground overwintering sections.
A crucial part of any winter garden plan is that it helps to define the garden’s space and define the seasons. It does just as well when grown in containers of 5 liters or more.
When Does Lavender Flowering Occur?
This kind of lavender blooms in the late spring to early summer, produces purple flowers and grows to a mature height of 80 to 120 cm.
First, we come upon a kind of lavender named variously as English lavender, French lavender, and excellent lavender. This lavender produces some of the finest essential oil of any kind. The blooms on this plant are tiny and have a bluish-purple tint. Flowers appear at different times of the year, with the peak season being summer.
Lavender is best planted in the spring when the danger of frost has passed. Plants should be spaced between 40 and 50 centimeters apart (count 5 feet per m2). When you buy a plant in a container, you have to “dress” it, which means you have to untangle the roots and cut off the “bun.” Only in areas with a moderate climate in the fall can seeds be planted.
Conclusion
Many Mediterranean gardens feature lavender, a semi-shrubby flowering plant with a pleasant perfume. Because it’s so simple to grow, it’s a failsafe option on less-than-ideal soils like dry and clay.
Medicinally, it’s utilized for its antibacterial characteristics; aesthetically, it’s employed as a decorative plant for its color and perfume, both of which have therapeutic applications in aromatherapy.
Lavenders come in more than 30 different species, all of which are members of the Lamiaceae family. Its tall, spreading stems are topped with fragrant, spike-shaped blooms that lean toward the blue/lilac spectrum.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lavender
Exactly what is a lavender flower?
Plants in the Lavandula genus, which includes lavender, are native to the Mediterranean, India, North and East Africa, and the Canary Islands. It’s also widely spread over southern Europe.
Are lavenders considered flowers?
Lavender is considered a flower, thus the answer is yes. Given that the bloom possesses both herbaceous and shrubby traits, this subject frequently causes consternation.
Does lavender grow as grass or as a flower?
Never mistake lavender for a grassy flower. Lavender is unquestionably a flower, despite the fact that it can be seen growing in vast fields and may look like a weed.
Does lavender belong to the herb or plant family?
Lavenders may have a herbaceous appearance and aroma, but they aren’t actually herbs. In some ways, these blossoms resemble herbs.