Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Gray'

A shrub growing to about 90cm tall having narrow, linear, grey-green leaves and beautiful blue-violet flowers borne on long spikes.

A genus of about 25 aromatic, evergreen perennials and shrubs that are found throughout Mediterranean regions, the Middle East, nd India. Lavenders are among the most popular plants for herb gardens for their subtle coloring and delightful fragrance. The hardier lavenders make attractive hedges, while tender kinds may be grown under cover. Lavenders are rich in volatile oils, and the resulting essential oils vary greatly in aroma, constituents, and quality. Due to their popularity and long history of cultivation, garden lavenders are mostly hybrids and cultivars, and accurate identification is often extremely difficult. The two most important lavenders with medicinal uses are Lavandula angustifolia and L. latifolia. The former grows at higher elevations (600-1200m/2000-4000ft) in S. Europe and therefore thrives and yields well in cooler areas. Both are rich in essential oils but differ in constituents; L. angustifolia yields an exquisitely scented oil, known in France as fine, which is used in aromatherapy and high quality perfumes; L. latifolia, a lowland species, yields much larger quantities of a rather harsh camphoraceous oil, which is used mainly in cleaning products, and as an insect repellent. Lavandula latifolia is rarely seen as a garden plant but is grown in Spain for its oil. The hybrid lavender or lavandin, L. x intermedia (a cross between L. angustifolia and L.latifolia that appeared c. 1900), is often preferred by the perfume industry, but it is not recommended for medicinal use. It is grown on a large scale for its oil, and for its flowers, which are used in sachets, potpourri, and craft work. Lavandin combines the best properties of its parents, having a more pleasant perfume then L. latifolia, and yielding over four times as much oil as L. angustifolia. For many years lavender production centered on Provence in S France, but other countries, such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, increased production during the late 20th century. Lavandula stoechas was widely used as an antiseptic and toiletry herb in ancient times by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs, but is little used today. It has a pungently scented volatile oil, containing 24-72 percent camphor.

Wide-spreading bush with silver-gray, partly toothed leaves and bright violet-blue flowers in spikes to 14cm (5½in) long, borne on woolly gray stems 19-35cm (7-14in) long. A hybrid between L. x heterophylla and either L.dentata or L. lanata.


Common Name:
Lavandula Goodwin Creek Gray
Botanical Name:
Lavandula hybrid
Genus:
Lavandula
Family:
Lamiaceae
Native Location:
Atlantic Islanda, W Mediterranean, and the Arabian Peninsula
Cultivation:
Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in an open, sunny position. Lavandula stoechas thrives in acid soil; L. latifolia tolerates slight acidity. Trim hedges and cut specimen plants back in spring to encourage bushiness. Dead-head and trim lightly after flowering. Lavendula lanata is very sensitive to overwatering and damp conditions. Lavenders are affected by gray mold, scab, leaf spot, and honey fungus. Plants become woody with age and are best replaced every 3-4 years. Lavandula stoechas is subject to statutory control as a weed in parts of Australia.
Propagation:
By seed sown on surface of soil mix in spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Seeds of L. angustifolia germinate more quickly if placed in the freezer for two hours before sowing. Cultivars do not come true from seed.
Harvest:
Flowers of L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia are picked as they begin to open and used fresh, distilled for oil, or (L. angustifolia only) dried for use in infusions, spirits, and tinctures. Flower heads and flowers of other lavenders are gathered as they open, for drying.
Height:
45-80cm (18-32in)
Width:
75cm (30in)
Hardiness:
Z7-9
Parts Used:
Flower spikes
Properties:
An aromatic herb.
Economic Uses:
Mainly grown as an aromatic ornamental, but flower heads are dried for potpourris.
Bibliography:
Aromatherapy Blends and Remedies by Franzesca Watson Copyright ©: 1995 Thorsons, Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. pp.118-121
Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham Copyright © 1989 Llewellyn Publications Inc. pp. 101-103
Wicca, Guide to the Solitary Practioner by Scott Cunningham Copyright © 1988 Llewellyn Publications, Inc. pp. 159-168
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp.252-255