English Lavender Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty = 'Lowmar' (PBR) (v)
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ABOUT
Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English lavender, has a distinctive appearance characterized by its beautifully structured, compact form. This particular cultivar, 'Garden Beauty', displays a rich green foliage which is narrow, with small leaves that have a soft, sometimes slightly hairy texture. The plant is well-known for its fragrant qualities. The most striking feature of English lavender is the profusion of purple flowers it produces. These flowers are small, but they grow in dense spikes at the tips of slender, erect stems which emerge from the foliage. The color of the blooms is a deep purple that can vary in intensity and sometimes exhibits a paler, bluish hue. The blossoms are very attractive to bees and butterflies, adding to the plant's charm in a garden setting. 'Garden Beauty' nurtures a bushy habit, with a form that is neat and rounded, often described as a mound-like shape. This makes it not only visually appealing but also suitable for a variety of garden uses such as borders, container planting, or as a standalone feature. In terms of its sensory appeal, the flowers exude a strong and soothing fragrance which is quintessential of lavender. This aroma is most potent when the flowers are in full bloom and can linger in the air around the plant, making it a popular choice for sensory gardens or as a plant to walk past within a garden landscape. Overall, Lavandula angustifolia 'Garden Beauty’, with its compact shape, fragrant, colorful flowers, and attractive foliage, presents a classic lavender look that enriches the visual and olfactory experience of any garden space without discussing its dimensions.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
English Lavender, Common Lavender, True Lavender, Narrow-Leaved Lavender
Common names
Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty = 'Lowmar' (PBR) (v).
ToxicityTo humans
Lavender, specifically Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty = 'Lowmar' (PBR) (v), is not considered toxic to humans. In general, lavender is often used in culinary applications and therapeutic products. However, ingesting large quantities of lavender oil can potentially lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or headache.
To pets
Lavender is generally considered safe for pets and is often used in products designed for animals. However, as with humans, ingestion of large amounts of lavender oil can lead to mild digestive upset or central nervous system depression in some animals. It is always best to use caution and keep concentrated essential oils away from pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Gray-green
Flower color
Purple
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Produces beautiful purple flowers that can enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Fragrance: The plant emits a pleasant and calming scent which can contribute to a relaxing garden atmosphere.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it's relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-efficient gardening.
- Pollinator Friendly: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, ideal for gardeners seeking plants with reduced care needs.
- Culinary Uses: Flowers and leaves can be used in cooking or to make herbal teas, offering culinary versatility.
- Evergreen Foliage: Provides year-round greenery, adding continuous interest in the garden.
Medical Properties- Antiseptic: Lavender has natural antiseptic properties which may help in preventing infections.
- Anxiolytic: It is commonly used for its calming effects to ease anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Anti-inflammatory: Components in lavender may help reduce inflammation.
- Analgesic: It may have pain-relieving properties.
- Antispasmodic: May help relieve muscle spasms or other types of spasms.
- Sedative: Lavender is often used to help induce sleep and improve sleep quality.
- Antimicrobial: It has been shown to combat certain bacteria and fungus.
- Carminative: May help in reducing gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating and gas.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Lavender sachets can be placed in drawers or closets to impart a fresh fragrance to clothes and linen while acting as a natural deterrent against moths and other insects.
- Lavender buds can be incorporated into homemade soap for a natural scrub and calming scent.
- Dried lavender flowers can be used as a decorative and fragrant addition to potpourri mixes.
- When woven into wreaths or garlands, lavender provides an attractive and aromatic decorative element for homes.
- Lavender-infused oil can be used for polishing wood furniture, leaving behind a subtle scent.
- Lavender water made from the flowers can be sprayed on linens before ironing to give them a pleasant smell.
- Adding lavender flowers to homemade candles can enhance the ambiance with a soothing fragrance when lit.
- Culinary-grade lavender can be used to flavour baked goods like cookies and cakes, giving them a unique herby taste.
- Used in crafting, dried lavender stems can be turned into bookmarks, bringing a light scent to the pages of a book.
- Lavender can be included in DIY bath salts, offering a relaxing aroma during a warm bath.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiLavender is often used in Feng Shui to promote relaxation, tranquility, and purification. It can be placed in the bedroom to aid in restful sleep or in any area of the home where a calming energy is desired. Its scent and energy are said to cleanse the space of negative influences, promote harmony, and attract positive chi.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityLavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Calmness: Lavender, including Lavandula angustifolia, is often associated with calm and tranquility due to its soothing scent, which is commonly used in aromatherapy to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Healing: Historically, lavender has been used for its medicinal properties to treat various ailments, symbolizing health and healing.
- Purity: The clean and fresh fragrance of lavender signifies purity and cleanliness, hence it is frequently used in cleaning products and rituals that aim to purify spaces.
- Devotion: Because of its long-lasting nature, lavender is also a symbol of devotion and loyalty in relationships.
- Serenity: The gentle and peaceful nature of its blooms represents serenity, offering a sense of peacefulness and contentment.
- Grace: With its elegant stems and delicate purple flowers, lavender embodies grace and elegance, often used in decor to create a sophisticated atmosphere.
- Silence: In some traditions, lavender can be used to symbolize silence, possibly due to its association with calming effects and inducing a state of reflection or meditation.
WaterLavender, commonly known as Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty 'Lowmar', should be watered deeply but infrequently. It is crucial to allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as lavender prefers arid conditions. On average, watering once a week during the growing season and reducing to once every two to three weeks during cooler months is sufficient. A good rule is to provide about one gallon of water per plant for each watering session, ensuring the water reaches the roots. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases.
LightLavender thrives in full sunlight, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. An ideal spot for Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty 'Lowmar' is in an open area where it is exposed to ample light throughout the day without significant shade interfering with its growth.
TemperatureLavender is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures but grows best when the daytime temperature is between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty 'Lowmar' can tolerate temperatures down to around 15 degrees Fahrenheit but is at risk of damage below this. It is well-suited to hot summers and can survive temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit given proper care.
PruningPruning lavender is essential to maintain its shape, promote vigorous growth, and prevent woodiness at the base. For Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty 'Lowmar', prune lightly in early spring just as new growth begins and more extensively after the first flush of flowers fades, typically in late summer. Remove up to one-third of the plant's height, cutting just above a point where new growth is visible.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLavender, specifically the 'Garden Beauty' variety, thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of two parts coarse sand, one part compost, and one part topsoil. The optimal pH level for growing lavender is between 6.5 and 8.0, slightly alkaline.
RepottingLavender plants, including the 'Garden Beauty' variety, should generally be repotted every 2 to 3 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingLavender, including the 'Garden Beauty' variety, prefers dry air with low humidity levels and does not tolerate damp, moist conditions well.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place lavender in a bright, sunny location indoors with proper air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant lavender in full sun, ensuring it has well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Lavandula angustifolia, commonly known as English lavender, begins with seed germination, which occurs in warm, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. After germination, the plant enters the vegetative stage, growing leaves and stems until it reaches maturity. English lavender typically blooms in late spring to early summer, producing spikes of fragrant purple flowers popular with pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Once the blooming phase concludes, the plant may enter a dormant phase, especially in colder climates, shedding leaves and halting growth during winter. With the return of warmer temperatures, lavender regrows from its woody base, and the cycle repeats. This plant can live for many years, becoming more woody and less productive with age, eventually requiring replacement to maintain vigorous growth and abundant blooms.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Lavandula angustifolia Garden Beauty, commonly known as lavender, is most often propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The best time to take these cuttings is in late summer. To propagate lavender from cuttings, a 2-4 inch piece of the plant's semi-hardwood stem is cut just below a node, the lower leaves are stripped, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone for better success. This cutting is then planted in well-draining soil, ensuring that the removed leaf nodes are below the surface. The soil is kept moist but not waterlogged, and the cutting is placed in a warm spot with indirect sunlight. Roots typically develop in a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions before planting in its final location.
