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I have had the same lavender plant growing in my garden for over seven years. Some herbalists have told me that this is a remarkable feat as most lavender plants in my area barely last past one growing season much less seven years. Lavender is not only a beautiful plant, but fragrant and useful as well.
Most varieties of lavender (a perennial) are hardy to zones five through 10. The plant blooms beautiful purple flowers in summer that last well into the early fall. The lavender flowers produce a delightful scent, as well as the silvery-green leaves and stems, although not as strong as the flowers. Lavender grows similar in shape to a small bush, with most varieties being as tall as they are wide and the flower stalks sticking upward about four inches higher than the bushy bottom.
The lavender plant needs little care. They love full sunlight to semi-shade and well drained, organic enriched soil. They are native to the Mediterranean area so a simulated environment resembling it will help your lavender plant thrive. Lavender can be planted from seeds, which I have never had any luck with, or from cuttings.
It is best to harvest lavender in late spring, just before the flower buds bloom. Depending on what you intend to use your lavender for will depend on if you want to cut the stalks only or both the stalks and leaves. Be sure to leave enough of the plant so as not to keep it from surviving through the hot summer months.
Lavender is excellent for cooking purposes and you are really missing out if you have never tied lavender tea. My husband would lightly brush lavender essential oil on his pillow at night as the aroma is reputed to relax the body and help with sleep problems, and it did for him. The tall stalks with their beautiful purple flowers on the end are great in fresh flower arrangements and when the lavender is dried, they add fragrance and color to potpourri.
There are many other uses for lavender such as wreaths, bath salts, cosmetics, perfumes, body powders, and more. Lavender wands were and still are used as linen sachets. Even though I have tried weaving one of these wands, they never seem to turn out the way I would like.
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Author Bio Box: Agnes Farside
 http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/110407/agnes_farside.html
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