Lavender is an unusual flowering plant in that it is probably better known for its scent than its flower. The fragrant blossoms of the lavender plant have been used for thousands of years for their fresh scent, cleansing and antiseptic properties, and to rid people of insects. It was even believed that lavender scent held away the Bubonic Plague. While this last belief might not have been entirely true, lavender did ward away fleas who were carriers of the deadly illness.
Lavender is an herb in the mint family. Its genus, Lavandula, consists of 25-30 varied species, which include herbaceous plants, annuals, subshrubs and shrubs. The plants have long stems, at the top of which a collection of tiny purple blossoms bloom along a long slender cone. The flowers are almost always shades of purple (as one might imagine from the name), but white, pink and even blooms with yellow parts also exist. These lovely plants are native to a region which extends from the Mediterranean south into northern, tropical Africa and eastward into India. From there, the plants' native range spread to include southern Europe, Arabia and most of India. Because they are highly sought after, cultivated plants are grown throughout the world. Many species like sandy, or at least loose, well-drained soil. Although sometimes difficult to grow in gardens, they remain a favorite for their use in fresh decorations, as dried flowers in arrangements, for cooking, and purely for their fragrance in sachets and containers.
Growing lavender in the world today is not only for pleasure gardeners, it is big business. Farms in France, Italy, the United States and other parts of the world grow lavender for its economic value. Lavender is used for cooking, including as one of the herbs in herbs de Provence (a fundamental herb blend in French cooking), as well as on its own to flavor anything from chicken to tea. It is used to flavor sugar for use as a general sweetener and to add interest to a variety of baked goods. Lavender flowers are also a favorite for bees, and their nectar enhances the flavor of honey. These exquisite plants, even in small numbers, play in the breeze to release their spicy fragrance. In large fields, they are an aromatic slice of heaven, with vibrant blooms waving in the sun.