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Lavender is one of the best
tempered and least demanding of plants, asking only well-drained alkaline
soil and plenty of sunshine. Although a native of the Mediterranean region
and it can be grown successfully in most parts of the British Isles. There
are many different lavenders to choose from, in all shades from dark blues
and purples to pink and even white. The height of plants ranges from the
dwarf to the tall and each variety has its own slightly different perfume |
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It is thought that lavender was
first brought to Britain by the Romans. In The Middle Ages monks
grew a wide range of herbs and spices in their 'physick' gardens, and used
lavender in many of their remedies. Lavender sellers became a constant
feature of street life, especially during the Plague Years when lavender
was burned to cleanse the air. The Victorians used lavender in
perfumery and the scenting of bed linen and clothes.
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Among the many types of
lavender commonly available are English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia);
spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia); Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia),
which is a hybrid between English and spike lavender; dwarf English
lavender; French lavender (Lavandula dentata); Spanish lavender (Lavandula
stoechas)- the French with serrated leaves and large woolly flowers, and
the Spanish with dark purple winged bracts all along its flower spikes.
These names are often confused since English lavender is native to France
and French lavender is native to Spain.
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