Uses
Edible uses
Notes
Leaves, petals and flowering tips - raw. Used as a condiment in salads, soups, stews etc[1][2][3]. They provide a very aromatic flavour[4] and are too strong to be used in any quantity[K]. The fresh or dried flowers are used as a tea[3]. The fresh flowers are also crystallized or added to jams, ice-creams, vinegars etc as a flavouring[5].
An essential oil from the flowers is used as a food flavouring[3].Material uses
The essential oil that is obtained from the flowers is exquisitely scented and has a very wide range of applications, both in the home and commercially. It is commonly used in soap making, in making high quality perfumes (it is also used in 'Eau de Cologne'), it is also used as a detergent and cleaning agent, a food flavouring etc[6][7][8][9][5] and as an insect repellent[10]. Yields of 0.8 - 1% of the oil are obtained[4]. When growing the plant for its essential oil content, it is best to harvest the flowering stems as soon as the flowers have faded[11]. The aromatic leaves and flowers are used in pot-pourri[5] and as an insect repellent in the linen cupboard etc[12][13][14]. They are also said to repel mice[14]. The flowering stems, once the flowers have been removed for use in pot-pourri etc, can be tied in small bundles and burnt as incense sticks[11].
Can be grown as a low hedge, responding well to trimming[15].Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
Lavender is a commonly used household herbal remedy. An essential oil obtained from the flowers is antihalitosis, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, diuretic, nervine, sedative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[16][4][17][6][18][5]. It is not often used internally, though it is a useful carminative and nervine[16]. It is mainly used externally where it is an excellent restorative and tonic - when rubbed into the temples, for example, it can cure a nervous headache, and it is a delightful addition to the bath-water[16]. Its antiseptic properties also make it useful in the treatment of burns, sunburn, scalds, bites, vaginal discharge, anal fissure etc, where it also soothes the affected part of the body and can prevent the formation of permanent scar tissue[16][5].
The essential oil is used in aromatherapy. Its keyword is 'Immune system'[19].Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Hedge
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Cuttings of half-ripe wood 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Usually very east, a high percentage will root within a few weeks[20]. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings 7cm with a heel succeed at almost any time of the year[21].
Layering.Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lavandula x intermedia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Plants are hardy to between -10 and -15°c[25]. Lavender is a very ornamental plant that is often grown in the herb garden and is also grown commercially for its essential oil[21][16]. This species is a very variable hybrid between the two main species of lavender, L. angustifolia and L. latifolia[22], There are several named varieties[22][5]. Not a very long-lived plant, it can be trimmed to keep it tidy but is probably best replaced every 10 years[22]. Any trimming is best done in spring and should not be done in the autumn since this can encourage new growth that will not be very cold-hardy[22]. A good bee plant, also attracting butterflies and moths[4][26][27].
Lavender makes a good companion for most plants[28], growing especially well with cabbages[12].Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Lavandula x intermedia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Lavandula x intermedia.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
- Salinity
- Drought
- Strong wind
- Maritime exposure
References
- ? 1.01.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
- ? 2.02.1 Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing ISBN 0-273-00098-5 (1976-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.23.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.6 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.8 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
- ? 6.06.16.26.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
- ? 7.07.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
- ? 8.08.1 Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
- ? 9.09.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
- ? 10.010.1 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
- ? 11.011.111.211.3 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
- ? 12.012.112.212.3 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
- ? 13.013.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
- ? 14.014.114.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
- ? 15.015.1 Shepherd. F.W. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society. ISBN 0900629649 (1974-00-00)
- ? 16.016.116.216.316.416.516.616.716.8 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 17.017.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
- ? 18.018.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
- ? 19.019.1 Westwood. C. Aromatherapy - A guide for home use. Amberwood Publishing Ltd ISBN 0-9517723-0-9 (1993-00-00)
- ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
- ? 21.021.121.221.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
- ? 22.022.122.222.322.422.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. (1878-00-00)
- ? Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
- ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30258-2 (1989-00-00)
- ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
- ? Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan ISBN 0-330-26642-x (1982-00-00)
- ? Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)