Lavander Flowers

Lavender Flowers For Weddings. See Photos

Name : Lavander Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Lavendula, (Lavendula angustifolia)
Lavander Description

The Lavenders are 39 species of flowering plants that make up the genus Lavandula in the Mint Family, Lamiaceae. The genus is native to the Mediterranean region south to tropical Africa and to the southeast regions of India. Lavenders may be annual or perennial herbs or small shrubs. The flower earns its name due to the bluish purple or lavender colour of some of its varieties.

Common names include Lavender and Mint. Lavender derives its Latin name lavandārius, from lavanda meaning things to be washed, from the verb lavāre which means to wash.

Lavender has been cultivated for thousands of years throughout the world. Lavender blossoms are borne in whorls held on spikes that rise up to about 4 feet above the foliage. Lavenders are long-lasting, fragrant flowers that blossom in the summer. Lavender pollen is known to be mildly allergic to some people although this is rare.

Lavender or mint flowers are available in shades of blue, pink, lavender, purple and pure white.

Lavender is also known to attract bees and butterflies that seem to find the aromatic blooms irresistible; moreover, Lavender yields abundant nectar from which bees make a high-quality honey. Thus including Lavender in your garden means you’ll have beautiful visitors along with enchanting blossoms. Lavender foliage is also aromatic and silvery green in colour. This foliage is finely textured, semi-evergreen and makes it an ideal choice to blend with other plants in a mixed border combination.

Plant your Lavenders in well-drained soil and full sun. Once fully established, this hardy plant can tolerate periods of semi-drought. Propagation of Lavender can easily be carried out using seeds, transplants or root cuttings.

Lavenders are extremely popular in gardens as well as a cut flower. Lavender varieties come in a wide range of height so they work equally well as border plants as well as in miniature gardens and containers. Lavender flower spikes are used for dried flower arrangements as well as fresh bouquets and corsages. With a vase life 5-6 days, Lavenders make an excellent choice for table centre pieces, where they not only lend soft colour and height to the arrangement but also add to the ambience with their sweetly fragrant blossoms.

Popular varieties to consider are: Lavendula angustifolia, also known as Common or English Lavender, which is the most common variety of lavender and grows 2-3 feet tall. This is the easiest to grow hence suitable for beginners. L. angustifolia 'Munstead' or Dwarf English Lavender with pale coloured blossoms and grows 12-18 inches tall. L. angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ or Hidcote Lavender is a mid-sized variety with deep purple blooms and grows 18 inches tall. Lavendula dentata or French Lavender is suitable for humid southern gardens and with its long-lasting flowers that seem to be constantly in bloom, this is an all time favourite for warm-climate gardens.

Lavander Meaning

The lovely Lavender signifies the meanings Devotion, Cautiousness, Admiration, Solitude, Protection, Modest Yet Mature and Wishes Will Come True. This flower symbolizes Womanhood in Her Prime and hence the lush, elegant lavender reflects the grace and feminine beauty of its recipient.

Lavander Mythology

The fragrant, pale purple Lavenders have found numerous uses throughout history. The flower buds are extensively used in potpourris and sealed in pouches in dried form, they help keep stored clothes fresh fragrance and to safe from moths. Lavender flowers also have culinary uses and can be candied and used as cake decorations or to flavour baked goods and desserts. Lavender flowers are also used to make "lavender sugar" or blended with black, green, or herbal tea to add a fresh, relaxing scent and flavour. In the seventies a herb blend called herbes de Provence became very popular which included lavender. The French use this beautiful blossom to make lavender syrup, while in the U.S., both French lavender syrup and dried lavender buds are used to make lavender scones and marshmallows. Lavender also finds extensive application in herbalism and aromatherapy due to its relaxing and soul soothing fragrance.

Lavender has many uses in folk lore as well and infusion of lavender is believed to soothe and heal insect bites. Bunches of lavender are effective insect repellents and lavender oil soothes headaches. Lavender seeds and flowers in pillows are also thought to aid sleep and relaxation. Lavender oil diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater, or witch hazel cures acne, skin burns and inflammatory conditions.

During the Roman era, Lavender flowers were sold for 100 denarii per pound, which was about the same as a month's wages for a farm laborer. In Roman baths the water was scented with Lavender and was thought to restore the skin.

Greeks discovered that if crushed and treated correctly, Lavender releases a relaxing fume when burned and this formed the basis for the modern drug Lavendine or purple sniff which is used for medical purposes.

Another historical use of Lavender comes from the height of the Plague, when glove makers at Grasse started scenting their leathers with lavender oil, claiming to ward off the Plague since it was transmitted by fleas, which lavender is known to repel.

The ancient Greek name for lavender is nardus, named after the Syrian city of Naarda and was commonly called nard.

Lavender also happens to be one of the holy herbs that were used in the biblical Temple for preparing the holy essence, and nard is mentioned in the Song of Solomon (4,14)

nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with every kind of incense tree,
with myrrh and aloes,
and all the finest spices.