FRENCH LAVENDER

Lavandula (common name lavender) is a genus of 39 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It is native to the Old World and is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils. The most widely cultivated species, Lavandula angustifolia, is often referred to as lavender, and there is a colour named for the shade of the flowers of this species.

With its lovely scent, great looks and many uses, French Lavender (Lavandula stoechas) is one of the best lavenders to grow in the more humid regions of eastern Australia. It is ideal for garden beds and pots and can flower year round. Once established it is also very drought tolerant. French Lavender needs a sunny position. When grown in too much shade it will stretch towards the light. A well drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil or potting mix is best.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.