Lavender is one of nature's greatest healers
Lavender is a favourite with bees. Bees get very relaxed when pollinating the lavender and usually will not sting. They are like happy drunks.
Lavender is super scented . Bees travel up to 5 kms through smell of lavender
Lavender is drought tolerant
Lavender does not like wet feet
Lavender loves lime
Lavender has been used as a herb over 2,500 years. Lavender was used in Egypt to make mummies smell sweet
The Romans used lavender a lot for cooking, bathing and perfume .
Lavender keeps away insects and it perfumes the air.
The fragrance is long lasting and is used to keep linen and clothes scented.
Lavender brings peace and relaxes the breathing.
It is helpful to breathe lavender bags to relieve stress or clear the airways when you have a cold.
Lavender is used as a healing agent and is said to heal migraines, headaches and the common cold.
It is said that lavender oil perfumed leather prevented the plague.
Lavender rubbed into stiff joints can ease them.
Lavender in your bath is always relaxing
A lavender bag in your purse can be breathed in to relieve colds and relax breathing.
Lavender can be gargled for tooth ache. Burning lavender oil at bed time can relax and help sleeping. Making lavender bags for under the pillow can help relaxation
Lavender bags, placed in camphor boxes is helpful to scare away insects.
The word Lavender comes from the same Latin root as the word as lavatory. In the olden days people would surround their toilets with lavender to keep the smell and insects away.
The word lavish came from the same Latin root. The lavender plant has so many flowers.
The word Lavender is probably sourced from Roman times
One of the herbs which Mary placed in the tomb around Jesus was lavender.
In Tutankhamen`s tomb when excavated the scent of lavender was still strong even after 3,000 years. Perfumed urns were sealed into tombs to provide fragrance.
Lavender farms are increasing in New Zealand and oils, soaps and creams, keep their perfume for many years.
The Lavender Plant loves a haircut and can flower profusely three times a year.
Types are now many. Most popular are the large French Lavendula dentate
English Lavender is best for aromatheraphy and cooking and is long flowering particularly if you dead head promptly.
Lavender water for ironing
Distilling for oil Bottles usually cost around ( $15 )
Antiseptic properties for mild burns or stings or mosquito itchy bites
Lavender tea for lifting spirits soothing indigestion for headaches
Lavender can be used for tea, biscuits, honey, ice cream or sprinkled on salad.
Types Lavendula stoecha ,French or Spanish not as scented or hardy as English
Lavender dentate, French lavender reaches height and spreads. It has a long season.
Lavendula intermedia. A heavyweight lavender in all respects, long life span and large quanties of oil.
Grosso or Super, Hidcote, Munsted and Pacific Blue , Nan Alba( white ) are popular in NZ.
Planting in clumps helps bees.
France is producing wonderful lavender products. Some of these are available in Akaroa NZ but still Lavender is nowhere near as popular as roses.
Lavender Growers Association hold an International conference in Auckland in August
For further information contact Shona at Shona@shonahammondboys.com
I arrived to live permanently at Lavender House in 2006 and began work on house restoration and setting out a Monet like organic garden and making a garden studio. The dream was to walk through roses to the studio, to plant in specific colours and to grow my own food and to have a garden open for tourist and friends. Woofers were used to support the work and it took two years to clear the section of its buried ancient materials. The soil is excellent and I make my own compost. The house is solid Kauri and was built in 1891. The house has some fine internal features and is treasured for its history by the local people of Opotiki. I have made some paintings in the garden. There are mosaics and sculptures, a perfumed courtyard and lavender plants are available.Works are for sale in the gallery studio.
