Lavender. Ten species. Hardy and half-hardy evergreen shrubs. Cuttings. Light gravelly loam. L. Spica. Common Lavender.

Soil And Situation

A poor and light soil is best suited to this plant, being in such, more fragrant, longer lived, and more capable of enduring severe weather. In rich or moist soils it grows luxuriantly, but is in general destroyed during the winter. The situation cannot be too open.

Time And Mode Of Planting

It is propagated by slips and cuttings of the current year's shoots, planted in May and June, as well as by cuttings of those which are a year old; to be planted in March, April, and early May. Both slips and cuttings must be from five to seven inches in length, which, after being stripped to half their length of the lower leaves, are to be planted to that depth either in a shady border, or in any compartment, to have the shade of a mat during mid-day until they have taken root, in rows six inches apart each way. Water must be given in moderate quantity every evening until thus established.

Having attained sufficient strength, they may be moved to their final stations in September or October, which is the season to be preferred, or they may be left until the succeeding spring. If it is grown in considerable quantity for medicinal purposes, which is the only claim it has for a place in the herbary,it must be planted in rows two feet apart each way, otherwise only detached plants are inserted along the borders. The only after-culture required is the occasional employment of the hoe, the decayed spikes and branches being removed in autumn, and the surface gently stirred with the spade in the spring.

The flowers are ready for gathering, either to dry or for distillation, in July or the end of June.