Lavandula pedunculata 'Papillon' - pot 9x9 cm (Crest lavender, French lavender)

Crested lavender grows quite a bit taller than its peers, and has purple-pink flags and narrow leaves

Lavender is native to the Mediterranean region. In France in Provence you will find immense undulating fields of lavender. Lavender is cultivated there on a large scale for the preparation of perfume and perfumed soap.
It is a hardy, evergreen dwarf shrub that grows up to 60 cm high. The shrub consists of numerous stems with gray-green lanceolate leaves, over which is a light haze.
Lavender blooms in summer with blue-purple flowers in spikes on long flowering stems.

Lavender is first and foremost highly valued as a garden plant. The plant can be used as a solitary, in the flower border or as a beautiful fragrant hedge.
From lavender is distilled oil that is used in perfumes, beauty and cleaning products. Lavender is also used extensively in flower ornaments and potpourri.

The dried flowers can be hung in bunches for their pleasant fragrance. You can put scented bags between the clothes for their fragrance and to repel moths.

CULTIVATION TIPS:
Lavender likes a sunny and open location.
Provide a chalky, well-drained soil. Lavender does not like too wet conditions. Plant the plants +/- 40 cm apart.

To maintain beautiful plants, lavender should be pruned twice a year
:- After flowering (late August-October), it is best to cut back the spent flower stems. Do not prune too deeply, however, so that the plant remains strong and resistant to frost.
- In the spring (mid-March-April) you can prune back to +/- 15 cm above the ground in order to rejuvenate the plant permanently.

If lavender is not pruned or not enough, you will get irregular bushes with a superficial flowering and at the bottom dry and woody twigs. one strong pruning will not help, no new shoots will grow from the dead wood. The best solution is to plant new young plants again.

USES:
For most people, the use of lavender in cooking is unknown. Yet this is becoming a new trend. The current young generation of chefs loves surprising preparations, you will find them frequently in all kinds of magazines and on TV. Both the flowers and the leaves can be used: for example in salads, dressings, desserts with ice cream and fruit.
Lavender leaves also give a special aroma to marinades or game ragout.
There is also lavender vinegar, lavender ice cream, lavender jam, lavender tea, etc.
Be careful in the use, the taste can quickly become overpowering.

Lavender has a tremendously broad, soothing effect. Lavender extracts and essential oils are often used in aromatherapy and spas. A few drops of lavender oil on your pillow or handkerchief and you can sleep soundly. A foot bath with lavender water is soothing. The oil also helps with colds and flu, against cramps and digestive problems.