Narrow-leaved lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Content:
A perennial plant, narrow-leaved lavender is one of the most ancient cultures. Roman Aesculapius used herb in medical practice, perfumers prepared oils from it. The plant does not lose its value today.
A bit of history
In ancient Egypt, lavender was called a gift from God, endowing not only with healing properties, but also mystical ones. According to legend, thanks to incense, Cleopatra seduced men. Lavender was used to heal wounds and mental illnesses. Persistent ethers were used for embalming - their remains were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Lavender in the landscape
Lavender came to Russia at the beginning of the 19th century as a new plant for the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. Nowadays, the culture is grown on an industrial scale on the plantations of the Crimea.
What does narrow-leaved lavender look like?
Some know about the existence of a flower from the song of Sofia Rotaru, others from the pleasant scent of perfume. Someone came across a plant in the wild without knowing its name.
Lavandula angustifolia is a representative of the Labiate (Lamiaceae) botanists. The people call spikelet lavender, due to its appearance.
Description of lavender
| Characteristic | Features of the |
| Rhizome | Woody, powerful, with a well-developed rod system of appendages located in the upper soil layer |
| Leaves | Opposite-sessile, oblong-linear, with curled edges. Densely pubescent grayish-green plates grow up to 6 cm long |
| Flowers | Spike inflorescences on the tops of the stems |
| Fetus | Quadrotoises, complemented by a flower calyx |
Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender has a long-lasting pleasant aroma. At the same time, all parts of the plant are fragrant.
Plant use
The usual habitat of lavender angustifolia is the Mediterranean. The plant prefers to settle in the mountains, in the company of edelweiss. For example, in the French Alps, you can find extensive bushes at a height of more than 1.5 m.
This indicates the frost resistance of the perennial. Of the 25 species in Russia, it is the lavender Angustifolia that has taken root, which can withstand cold temperatures at 30 ° C. Therefore, the culture can be found in summer cottages and in the northern regions of the country.
In Europe, lavender is mainly used in perfumery and cosmetics. They do not lag behind in the production of incense in the East.
Scented sachet with lavender
For medicinal purposes, lavender inflorescences are used. In addition to persistent essential oils, the composition contains flavonoids, phytosterol, coumarins, resins, tannins and other useful substances.
In medicine, lavender remedies are prescribed:
- in the treatment of neuralgia, as a sedative;
- externally and internally - with paralysis;
- in the treatment of traumatic injuries (dislocations, bruises).
Most popular varieties
Angustifolia is the generic name for the English narrow-leaved lavender species.The breeders managed to create several interesting varieties adapted to the Russian climate.
Lavandula angustifolia cultivars
| Name | Description |
| Lavender Hydcote | The most popular group of plants found in mixborders, hedges. It includes several varieties that differ in color shades. The most attractive compact purple-blue lavender shrub Hidcote Blue. Narrow-leaved lavender Pink Hydcoot stands out with pale pink inflorescences. |
| Lavender Manstead | Small bushes barely reach a height of 35 cm. Therefore, Munstead lavender is planted along the borders of garden paths, borders, flower beds are framed with flowers. This variety is characterized by resistance to strong winds. |
| Rosea | The height of the bush is within half a meter. Rosea lavender has a mauve shade of petals in harmony with green foliage. |
| Dwarf blue | A bright representative of its kind with fragrant purple inflorescences. The Dwarf Blue lavender variety is characterized by increased drought resistance. |
| Nana alba | A feature of a low bush of 30 cm is white inflorescences, which makes the plant especially attractive for alpine slides. |
| Vera | Dutch breeders managed to breed the tallest lavender bush - 1 m. During flowering, it is covered with a pale blue "cap". |
So different lavender
Among spikelet holly-leaved lavenders of Russian selection, one can distinguish the varieties Bordyurnaya, Voznesenskaya 34, Record, Stepnaya. Bushes are not only a design solution for garden plots. The varieties are beneficial in the industrial sector due to their high concentration of essential oils.
How does it multiply
The culture is also popular with summer residents because it is easy to breed it on the site, using all known breeding methods.
Seeds
This option is the longest, but the planting material does not require stratification and gives amicable shoots. Lavender is sown from the first days of spring using seedling containers. The container is filled with peat or sand, on top of which small lavender seeds are placed.
Growing from seeds
The soil is moistened, the container is covered with polyethylene and taken to a cool room or kept in the refrigerator. When shoots appear, further germination is carried out at room temperature.
Stem layering
Despite the uprightness of the branches, they bend perfectly. Having pulled out the strongest shoots, they are bent in the direction from the bush, like rays, laid in pre-dug holes. The branches are pinned and covered with earth. Regular watering is required for quick rooting of cuttings. Cut off from the mother bush next spring.
Cuttings
The most favorite way to grow lavender attracts gardeners with its simplicity. The procedure is carried out in June-July, acting as follows:
- on an adult bush, the shoots of the current season are cut off;
- take the middle part from them and divide them into cuttings of 12-15 cm;
- the segments of the shoots are buried with the lower end into the ground of the greenhouse;
- watered and covered.
Periodically, the film is removed to air and water the cuttings. In a month, the seedling will have strong roots, a new bush can be moved to a permanent place by September.
Features of care in the garden
Planting and caring for Angustifolia lavender is nothing out of the ordinary. The observance of the rules of agricultural technology determines how luxuriant the bush will bloom and accumulate fragrant esters.
Watering
Lavender can withstand drought, but that doesn't mean the plant doesn't need watering. If it is enough to add water under an adult bush, when the earth dries up a little, then young plants need watering every 7-10 days.
Spraying
In hot weather, the bushes may not have enough root watering. Lavender leaves also need hydration. Therefore, it is reasonable to install an irrigation system with rotating sprayers in the garden.
Humidity
Water is an important element in the development of culture. High humidity is destructive for the plant.Therefore, you should not choose lowlands for flower beds, where moisture stagnates. Areas with a high groundwater level are also unsuitable.
Priming
The more fertile the soil, the better the shrub develops. Lavender does not grow on acidic or clayey soils. Moderately calcareous loose earth suits her. Therefore, for a flower bed, it is necessary to prepare in advance a mixture of leafy earth, humus, sand, supplemented with mineral water.
Top dressing
In order for the bush to gain green mass at the beginning of development, it is fed with nitrogen fertilizers. At the time of flowering, they switch to a potassium-phosphorus complex.
When and how it blooms
The flowers of lavender are irregular in shape, collected in false whorls and form inflorescences in the form of spikelets on the tops of the stems. The corollas of the flowers are colored in all shades of blue. They are pubescent and reach a diameter of 1 cm.
Flowering begins in the second half of June and lasts 1 month (for some varieties, even longer). At this time, the garden is filled with a tart aroma that spreads over a considerable distance.
Transplant after purchase and during reproduction
Lavender seedlings are usually sold in flower pots. If the plant was purchased in the spring, it can be immediately transplanted into open ground, transferring it along with an earthen lump.
In a transport pot
They are also engaged in transplanting when they divide the old bush. Anti-aging reproduction gives the divisions strength for new shoots and abundant flowering.
Possible growing problems
Experienced florists do not have any difficulties in caring for the crop. Novice summer residents need to take into account the growing conditions. Otherwise, you will have to face a number of problems.
Diseases when growing lavender
| Problem | Features of the |
| Leaves wither | Sometimes this is a sign of a moisture or nutritional deficiency. If a pinkish or white bloom appears, we can talk about fusarium wilting. |
| On the shoots, yellowish spots | Over time, the formations acquire a gray tint, the stems turn black and curl, which indicates a phomosis. |
| Brown and gray blooms on inflorescences | The gray rot fungus appears in cold, humid summers due to a sharp temperature drop. |
Lavender attracts pests with its aromas: spider mites, pennits, rainbow beetles. They are fought with insecticides, and also use a mechanical method of destruction.
Improper care of lavender will provoke diseases of the bushes. Therefore, it is important to observe the irrigation regime, remove weeds in time, loosen and mulch the soil, carry out sanitary pruning and rejuvenation.
