Lavender Lavandula angustifolia 'Loddon Blue'
ABOUT
Lavandula angustifolia 'Loddon Blue', commonly known as English lavender, is an aromatic perennial plant that is widely cherished for its beauty and fragrance. It bears slender, gray-green leaves that are simple, and lance-shaped, with a smooth margin. The foliage often has a slightly silver tint, contributing to the plant's overall soft, muted appearance. The plant is noted for its distinctive flowers that grow in terminal spikes. These flowers are a striking shade of deep blue to violet and are densely packed along each spike, creating a rich and colorful display that is visually appealing. The blossoms are small, tubular, and have a quintessential lavender shape with a slightly bilabiate form, resembling tiny lips. Each individual flower is subtended by a small bract which can have a coloration similar to the flowers themselves. The blooms are known for their strong and pleasant scent, a characteristic fragrance that is synonymous with the name lavender. The plant has a rounded, bushy habit, typically producing a profusion of flower spikes above the foliage that stands erect, giving it a lush and full appearance. English lavender is often used in gardens for its aromatic flowers and as a source of essential oils. Its appearance, with the rich blue-violet flowers contrasted against the gray-green leaves, makes it a favorite among gardeners for creating borders, hedges, or as stand-alone specimens in landscape designs. The vibrant color and fragrance of the plant attract pollinators, adding to the ecological value of the plant in a garden setting.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
English Lavender, True Lavender, Common Lavender
Common names
Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula vera, Lavandula spica.
ToxicityTo humans
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Loddon Blue') is generally not toxic to humans. It is widely used in various forms, including culinary and aromatherapy products. However, consuming large quantities of lavender oil, which is highly concentrated, can potentially lead to poisoning. Symptoms of lavender oil poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, and headache. Although not common, some people may experience an allergic reaction to lavender.
To pets
Lavender is also typically not toxic to pets. It is often used in pet-safe products for its calming properties. However, in rare cases, if a pet ingests a large amount of lavender, particularly the oil, it may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Generally, lavender is considered safe for pets in moderation.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Gray-green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
3 feet (90 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds beautiful purple-blue color to gardens with its attractive flowers.
- Fragrance: Produces a pleasant and calming scent that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden space.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it requires minimal water, making it suitable for xeriscaping and arid environments.
- Low Maintenance: Generally requires little care beyond initial establishment, thriving with minimal intervention.
- Pollinator Attraction: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects that help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Deer Resistance: Less likely to be eaten by deer compared to other garden plants, helping to maintain the intended garden design.
- Herb Uses: The leaves and flowers can be used for culinary purposes in recipes, infusions, and for flavoring.
- Long Blooming Season: Provides color and interest in the garden through a long flowering period from late spring to early fall.
- Landscape Versatility: Can be used in various garden designs including borders, rockeries, and as a low hedge or pathway edging.
- Culinary Uses: Flowers and leaves can be used in various culinary dishes, adding unique flavor and decoration.
- Crafts and Decorations: Dried flowers and stems can be used for crafts, such as in potpourri, sachets, and wreaths.
Medical Properties- Relaxation Properties: Lavender is commonly used for its calming and relaxing effects, which can help to alleviate stress and anxiety.
- Sleep Aid: It is often employed as a natural remedy to improve sleep quality and combat insomnia.
- Analgesic Effect: Lavender possesses mild analgesic properties, which can be beneficial for easing pain, such as headaches or muscle aches.
- Antiseptic and Anti-inflammatory: The essential oil from lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating minor burns, cuts, and insect bites.
- Supports Digestive Health: Herbal preparations of lavender can be utilized to help soothe stomach discomfort and reduce flatulence.
- Respiratory Health: It can be used to alleviate symptoms of colds, coughs, and other respiratory ailments.
- Antispasmodic: Lavender may help to reduce muscle spasms and cramps.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Closet and drawer freshener: Dried lavender can be used in sachets to naturally scent and freshen closets and drawers while also deterring moths.
- Natural insect repellent: Lavender oil may deter mosquitoes and other insects when applied to the skin or used in outdoor spaces.
- Flavoring in baking: Dried flowers can be incorporated into baked goods like scones, cookies, and cakes for a floral flavor.
- Herbal tea ingredient: Lavender can be used to make a calming and aromatic herbal tea.
- Crafting and decoration: Dried lavender stems and flowers can be included in floral arrangements or used to create wreaths and potpourri.
- Culinary infused oils and vinegars: Lavender can be infused in oils and vinegars to impart its flavor to salad dressings and marinades.
- Companion planting: Lavender is often used in gardens to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and it may help protect neighboring plants by repelling certain pests.
- Flavoring honey: Beekeepers sometimes plant lavender near hives so that the nectar will contribute to a subtly flavored lavender honey.
- Natural fabric dye: The flowers of lavender can be used to create a natural dye that imparts a soft purple hue to fabric.
- Photography and art subject: The vibrant color and appealing form of lavender fields or individual plants make them popular subjects for photographers and artists.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiLavender can be used in Feng Shui to promote relaxation, tranquility, and a sense of calm. It can be placed in the living room or bedroom to enhance peace and improve sleep quality, or in the home office to reduce stress and enhance concentration.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityLavender is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Calmness: Lavender is commonly associated with a soothing and calming effect. It's often used in aromatherapy to help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Purity: Due to its clean and fresh fragrance, lavender symbolizes purity and cleanliness.
- Silence: The quiet and peaceful fields of lavender can represent silence and tranquility.
- Devotion: With its enduring and resilient qualities, lavender is often seen as a symbol of devotion and undying love.
- Healing: Historically, lavender was used for its medicinal properties, and it stands for healing and recovery.
- Protection: Lavender is thought to ward off evil spirits and negativity, symbolizing protection and safety.
- Royalty: The color of lavender is sometimes associated with elegance and regal bearing, possibly tying to its use in royal gardens and emblems.
WaterLavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Loddon Blue') requires infrequent but thorough watering. During active growth in spring and summer, water the plant once or twice a week, depending on the temperature and weather conditions, ensuring the soil dries out between watering sessions. Provide about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering to ensure deep soil penetration, and reduce the amount to half a gallon as the plant matures and requires less frequent watering. In the winter, water sparingly, only when the soil is dry to the touch, as lavender is drought-tolerant and prefers drier conditions.
LightLavender thrives best in full sunlight with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day. Plant it in a spot that receives ample sunshine throughout the day, as this is crucial for the development of the fragrant oils and overall plant health. The ideal location is an open area, away from taller plants or structures that could cast shade on the lavender.
TemperatureLavender prefers a temperature range between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit but is quite hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing conditions for lavender are warm days with cool nights, which helps develop their scent and oil content. They can survive summer highs up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but need good airflow to prevent issues like root rot in high heat.
PruningPrune lavender in the spring just as new growth appears, and again in the fall after flowering to maintain its shape and to encourage robust new growth. Deadhead spent flowers throughout the season to promote continued blooming. An annual prune, removing about one-third to half of the plant's height, ensures it doesn’t become too woody, which is particularly important for maintaining a healthy, productive lavender plant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLavender ('Loddon Blue') prefers well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. A mixture comprised of one-third garden soil, one-third sand or perlite, and one-third compost or aged manure will create an optimal growing medium for this plant.
RepottingEnglish Lavender ('Loddon Blue') should generally be repotted every 2 to 3 years, to refresh the soil and provide space for root growth. However, as a hardy plant, it can tolerate less frequent repotting if it's not root-bound.
Humidity & MistingLavender ('Loddon Blue') thrives in dry to average humidity conditions and does not require high humidity. In fact, too much humidity can encourage fungal diseases in lavender plants.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a sunny spot, use well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun with good air circulation and well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleLavender 'Loddon Blue' begins its life cycle when seeds are sown or cuttings are taken and rooted. The young plants go through a juvenile phase where they focus on leaf growth and establishing a strong root system. As the plant matures, usually within its second year, it enters the reproductive stage, developing spikes of blue-violet flowers that attract bees and butterflies during the summer. After pollination, seeds are produced, allowing for the possibility of dispersal and new plant growth. The plant typically goes dormant during the winter, with foliage remaining evergreen in milder climates. Over several years, the plant may become woody at the base, which can reduce its vigor, indicating that it may be time for propagation to rejuvenate the life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method for propagating Lavandula angustifolia 'Loddon Blue', commonly known as English lavender, is by taking semi-hardwood cuttings in the late summer. To do this, choose healthy, non-flowering stems from the current year's growth and cut a 3 to 4 inch (approximately 7.5 to 10 centimeters) length just below a node. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Then, insert the cutting into a well-draining soil mix and ensure the environment is kept humid by covering with a plastic bag or placing in a propagator. The cuttings typically root within a few weeks, after which they can be gradually acclimated to less humid conditions before being potted on or planted out.
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