| |
Lavender - A Treat For The Senses
By Colleen Moulding
Originally found in the Mediterranean countries, the perennial herb lavender, has long been prized for it's perfume and medicinal qualities. Used by the ancient Romans for it's healing and antiseptic qualities the name itself comes from the Latin "lavare" to wash.
As a garden flower lavender is hard to beat, having fragrance, beauty and a harvest of sweet smelling blooms.
Old English Lavender, a must for any cottage garden, will grow two to three feet high given a sunny spot in well drained soil, producing fragrant greyish leaves and blue/purple flowers. It is hardy and drought tolerant too.
The more compact variety Hidcote, has darker blue flowers, grows to around a foot high and is pretty in the flower or herb garden but stunning as a low hedge that will attract bees and butterflies all Summer long.
It adapts well to growing in containers so if you place some on your patio, deck or sitting out area you will be able to enjoy it's heady fragrance as you relax.
The easiest way to propogate lavender is to take softwood cuttings in the Spring. However, as lavender benefits from a light pruning in early Autumn these clippings make excellent new plants too as long as you protect them from frosts.
Lavender's spiky form is always useful in Summer flower arranging. Can you imagine a more welcoming posy for a guest room than lavender freshly picked from the garden mixed with pretty pastel coloured sweet peas and a couple of old fashioned roses?
To dry your lavender, strip the leaves of the just opening flowers from the stalk and spread out in a warm place before using in pot pourris to fragrance your rooms, in cotton sprigged sachets to scent and deter moths from drawers and closets or to tuck between your bed pillows for their sleep inducing qualities.
You can also scent a relaxing and antiseptic bath by tying sprigs of lavender into a piece of muslin and letting the bath water run over it as it fills your bath. If you don't have fresh lavender try adding a couple of drops of the essential oil.
Essential oil of lavender is used in aromatherapy to lift depression, combat tiredness and help relaxation. It has strong disinfectant properties and was even used on the battle fields of World Wars 1 and 11 to prevent infection and relieve pain when other medical supplies were low. A drop of lavender oil mixed with a teaspoon of carrier oil such as grapeseed and massaged into the temples and back of the neck will soothe away headaches. Mixed with a massage oil it is also thought to help relieve the pain of arthritis or aching muscles.
Around the home dried lavender stalks can be burned like incense sticks or burned on the fire for their wonderful fragrance.
Dried lavender can also be tied into wands, wired on to vine wreaths or used in floral art, candlemaking and many other crafts.
In the garden, in the bath or anywhere around the home lavender really is a wonderful treat for the senses!
Copyright 2000/2006
Colleen Moulding
About the Author
Colleen Moulding is the owner/editor of the All That Women Want web sites.
She would love you to visit either http://www.allthatwomenwant.co.uk or http://www.allthatwomenwant.com
She also publishes the popular free monthly All That Women Want ezine already subscribed to by over
18,000 ladies worldwide. Join them by sending a blank email to allthatwomenwant-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
It was made for you!
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/22575.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/22575.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Colleen Moulding | 20 Toys You Don't Have To Buy
Fed up with forking out for the latest piece of over-hyped plastic? Answer "What can we do now Mum?" by making toys from items you will already have ...
Fabric Covered Boxes For Storage And Decoration
Cardboard boxes covered with pretty fabrics can be an attractive addition to many rooms. They can store hair accessories and brushes in the bathroom, underwear, scarves or make-up in the bedroom, writing materials, knitting, crafts or ...
25 Ideas For Enjoying Your Summer Home
Indoors
Lighten up. Put away any dark throws, rugs etc. Use white or cream accessories wherever you can and free your rooms of as ...
Harvest Home Decorating
Porch or Hallway Display
If you can get hold of a block or two of hay this is perfect for the ...
Quick Clutter Control
10 Tips For A Tidier Home
1. Whenever you have a few minutes to spare put away five or ten items that are not in their correct place. ...
Make Your Cut Flowers Last Longer
Nothing lifts a room like fresh flowers, but they can be expensive. Here are ten tips to help you get the best out of your arrangements.
...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
