What Lavender Looks Like

Lavender is a grassy, ​​refined perennial. The plant is a flowering bushes. It adores the sun, but grows well and multiplies in many parts of the world. Lavender flowers are planted as an element of an alpine hill, a rocky garden, miniature hedges. The plant has healing properties, it is used in cooking and interior decoration. There are many interesting facts about perennial varieties. Ornamental shrub is in special demand, both among ordinary gardeners and landscape designers.

Flower story

The first mention of the plant dates back to ancient Rome. The Romans added inflorescences to the washed water. Even then, people knew that grass purifies water. It is no coincidence that the word "lava" is present in the name of the plant.

Refined shrub in the garden

It meant "cleansing, washing."

About the plant

Herbaceous perennial catches the eye with its rich flowering. Flowers can be purple, cornflower blue, pink flowers. Another reason why gardeners love shrubbery is its subtle aroma. Many people know how lavender smells. To date, the plant is grown for industrial purposes, including for adding to perfumes. The smell of lavender is delicate, fragrant. Despite the aftertaste of a sultry summer, you can feel cooling notes in it.

Characteristics

What does lavender look like? Among the characteristic features of a spectacular culture are the following:

• the bush is evergreen and lush;
• the height of different varieties is from 15 to 95 cm;
• powerful rhizome leaves in the ground at 150-220 cm;
• branched stems, mostly erect;
• each shoot is covered with a coating reminiscent of felt;
• the base of the bush becomes stiff;
• the foliage is numerous, the leaves are small, lanceolate;
• the color of the foliage is emerald-silver; it can be green with a bluish tint; there is also a variegated shrub;
• flowering lasts from 20 to 40 days, mainly begins in June;
• what a lavender flower looks like - small flowers have an irregular shape, they are collected in spikelets and are located in the upper part of the bush.

Family

Lavender is a member of the family Laminate. Another family name is Labret. It combines many famous herbs used as seasonings. For instance:

• ü mint;
• ü melissa;
• ü oregano;
• ü basil;
• ü rosemary etc.

The family includes representatives who resemble lavender in appearance. Flowers similar to lavender in appearance:

• ü hyssop;
• ü meadow sage;
• ü catnip;
• ü plektrantus.

In the wild, purple shrubs can be found in southern Europe, the Canary Islands, Africa, Australia and territories located near the Mediterranean Sea.

Varieties of perennial

There are several dozen plant species. Each variety has its own characteristics. The most popular types of lavender:

1. mountainous;
2. variegated;
3. dwarf;
4. decorative;
5. French
6. narrow-leaved.

Mountain

This is wild lavender. It grows mainly in mountainous areas - in meadows adjacent to mountainous terrain. Unpretentious, but loves warmth and sunny open spaces. Mountain lavender plant has chosen the territory of the Crimean peninsula. Bushes 50-80 cm tall have erect stems.

Mountain lavender

The color of the petals is lilac, gray-blue. The meadow shrub has flowers collected in inflorescences of 8 pieces in the form of apical spikelets.

Variegated

Another name is variegated. The plant has an unusual color of petals. The main color is light green. There are beige stripes, mainly along the edges of the foliage.

Variegated species

The species prefers to grow in areas where summer is year-round.

Dwarf

The dwarf species is a shrub. Its height does not exceed 14-35 cm. Based on this species, a large number of different varieties are bred. For example, there is a white variety Nana Alba and a variety Little Lottie, the inflorescences of which have a pleasant light pink color. Among dwarfs, the Mansted variety stands out. It can bloom only with cornflower blossoms with a purple tint.

Dwarf representatives of lavender

Decorative

Decorative lavender is a type of plant that feels great next to a person. It decorates the territory, but only in warm countries or in apartment conditions. It does not tolerate temperature drops. It is added to dishes and tea.

Decorative bushes

She has a special lasting aroma. A decorative view is jagged lavender.

French

This species is also afraid of the cold. Cultivated in the south. It has wide sheet plates. Because of this, it is called broadleaf.

French option

Inflorescences can be of different colors:

• white
• lilac;
• deep purple;
• gray-blue.

Narrow-leaved

Another name is English. It is a frost resistant species. Most often, it can be found in central Russia, in the suburbs, Chernozemye.

Narrow leaf lavender

Interesting Variety Facts

Varieties of lavender are numerous. Each of them boasts its own characteristics. Varieties can be divided into several groups. For example, by color:

1. purple
2. pink;
3. yellow;
4. blue
5. lavender tree;
6. others.

Purple

Lavender contains interesting facts about purple varieties. It is this color that most closely resembles the classic lavender that everyone knows about. Among the popular purple flowers are the following:

• ü Dwarf Blue;
• ü Hidcote Superior;
• ü Sarah;
• ü Hidcote et al.

Pink

Pink lavender itself is an unusual plant. Among the known varieties:

• ü Pink Perfume;
• ü Rosea /

Yellow

Yellow varieties are practically not common in Russia. Some gardeners have met such a plant in South America.

Blue

Blue and blue lavender planted in the garden creates a special chic. Blue color is in second place in popularity among varieties of lavender after lilac. Blue varieties:

• ü Blue Scent;
• ü Silver Mist;
• ü Tahira;
• ü Buena Vista, etc.

Lavender tree

Many met with such a concept as a lavender tree. This is not a plant variety. So called chic paintings with a bright purple-pink field, in which a lone green tree grows.

Other

Among the curious varieties, which can be said a lot of interesting things, stand out:

• ü The variety is the earliest of all. It blooms in spring. Purple flowers with a blue tint are ideal for cutting.
• ü Variety with snow-white inflorescences.
• ü Hybrid Grosso. The bushes have the largest purple flowers.
• ü Helmsday. The bush blooms with burgundy inflorescences with notes of purple color.

Landing Recommendations

The plant loves nutritious breathable soil. A place for a perennial is selected taking into account his love of the sun. It is not allowed to plant a decorative culture on a flower bed, next to which water stagnates. Spring is suitable for planting, after all the frosts are completed.

Variety of perennial varieties

The hole should be large. The root system of a seedling with a lump of earth is placed in it. The planting is mulched with compost, covered with a plastic cap. The cap is removed daily for ventilation. After 15-20 days, rooting occurs. The cap is no longer needed.

Breeding

The plant reproduces in various ways, including:

• seminal;
• layering;
• cuttings.

The seed method is the most difficult. It needs stratification of seeds, after seedlings are grown. The other two are more affordable. They are most often used by gardeners.

Layering

The description of this method is quite simple. Layers breed many garden crops. To do this, a small part of one of the stems of an adult plant must be buried in loose soil. First, the shoot at the point of contact with the ground is fixed with wire. A few weeks later, in the place where the branch touches the ground, roots form. As soon as the baby starts to grow, the branch can be separated from the mother plant.

Cuttings

For this, a stiff annual shoot is separated, from which fresh twigs grow. Sprigs are pruned, the shoot is placed in a pot with loose moist soil. It should consist of garden soil, compost. A bag or plastic cap is put on the pot.

Propagation by deepening cuttings

In order for lavender field to move faster, the petioles are ventilated and watered daily.

Competent care for perennials

Despite the fact that lavender is a strong plant, it will not please the owner with flowering, if it is not provided with proper care. Among the activities that need to be carried out with the plant are the following:

1. pruning
2. top dressing, loosening the soil;
3. watering;
4. preparation for winter time.

Pruning

The structure of a tall bush provides for the need for pruning. The procedure is organized for dwarf species, and flowers of medium size. Pruning is carried out in summer and in autumn. In summer, immediately after flowering (or during flowering), dried inflorescences are removed. This stimulates lavender to re-throw new inflorescences.

Summer pruning

Immature, immature shoots are removed in the fall. They are cut in half without affecting the numerous kidneys. Experienced gardeners often spend autumn pruning, forming the crown of a bush in the form of a ball.

Top dressing, loosening the soil

Perennials are fed infrequently. In early spring - nitrogen-containing mixtures. In the summer - mineral supplements. As a top dressing, it is recommended to mulch the bushes with compost. It will prevent the rapid evaporation of moisture and protect against weeds.

In spring and autumn, the earth under the lavender thickets necessarily loosen. You can perform the procedure more often. This makes the soil more loose, breathable.

Watering

Lavender does not like stagnation of moisture. Because of this, an evergreen living decor can get sick. Watering is carried out as necessary, approximately once every 7-9 days. It should be watered with warm, settled water.

Winter preparations

In winter, in the middle of Russia, the shrubs are mulched with compost and covered with spruce branches. It is not allowed to cover the lavender with fallen leaves - this can cause decay.

Lavender is able not only to decorate the garden, but also to benefit people. It has many useful properties. As a result, the plant has found application in industries such as:

• ü medicine;
• ü aromatherapy;
• ü cooking;
• ü interior decoration.

The medicine

A dried bush will be a great addition to a medical kit. Grass relieves fatigue, relieves headaches, irritability. It is only necessary to brew a small piece of dry twig with tea. Plants similar to lavender, in terms of utility, are motherwort, thyme, cuff.

Aromatherapy

Natural lavender essential oil is used in aromatherapy. To do this, a few drops are placed in an aroma lamp. The smell normalizes sleep patterns, lowers blood pressure, stimulates blood circulation, and helps the heart.

Cookery

Due to the pleasant smell, the grass is added to desserts as a seasoning, for decoration. Flowers are part of the marinade ingredients for venison, bear meat, lamb.

Interior decoration

Lavender has found application in the decoration of interiors.

Lavender for table decoration

Bouquets, wreaths are collected from the spectacular dead wood, used during table setting.

Malicious insects fighting them

Both lavender and decorative shrubs attract bees. Honey made from the pollen of this plant has a pleasant aroma. But not only bees choose a sophisticated perennial. Among fans to enjoy lavender:

• ü aphids;
• ü two-bladed agalmatium;
• ü spider mite;
• ü chrysanthemum nematode.

The distinction between bees and the listed pests is obvious. Bees do not harm the plant. While these microscopic creatures destroy the bush.

For the fight, both chemical and folk remedies are used. Among the folk stand out bush dusting with fly ash, its treatment with soapy water.

Lavender is a wonderful decoration of both the garden and the interior of the apartment. It doesn’t matter which one is selected. Even a novice gardener will cope with the cultivation of a useful plant. The main thing is to immediately plant a shrub in a sunny place with loose soil.

Watch the video: 4 Types of Lavender Plants (November 2024).