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Lavender - one whiff and you're hooked!

Native to the Mediterranean, this fragrant member of the mint family has been used since Roman times in bath water, and as a fabric deodorizer for clothes & linens.

Lavender, once only native to the Mediterranean, is now used worldwide by crafters, herbalogists, aromatherapists and perfumers, and used to make potpourri, sachets, teas, as a mainstay of decorative door wreaths, and in dried flower arrangements.

In the home garden, it is usually planted close to a doorway or window for the whole family to enjoy the full effects of the lavender fresh scent.

Of course, it will do best in full sun and well-drained soil, but it proves to be fairly drought-resistant and will stand up to infrequent watering.

Harvesting is usually done in the early mornings when lavender "sap" or oils are at their highest. Branches are then spread out on a flat surface to dry.

Get a head start on the spring growing season by planting indoors in pots, or sow directly into your garden after the last frost ...

On the Web - How to plant & grow lavender :

How to Grow Lavender (Lavandula) - Step-by-step guide to choosing, planting & caring for lavender, and related photos from eHow.com.

Growing Lavender in Containers - Picture & fact sheet on choosing a container, transplanting, soil, fertilizer, required water & sunlight with a discussion on varieties recommended for container growing.

The Allure of Lavender - Extensive guide to the subject with related folklore and historical references, recommended sunlight, soil preparation, watering & fertilizing, pruning, best varieties for drying, common lavender diseases and their prevention, photos, related links & resources.

Papa Geno's Garden Blog - Lavender - Growing & Enjoying - Experienced gardener with a breadth of knowledge on the subject including tips on choosing among hardy and tender, "English" and Non-English lavenders, how to's on soil preparation & propagation, with related photos and visitor comments.

Lavender Care - Planting times & instructions, tips on harvesting, plus how to's on drying, storing & using lavender, with related photos, from the Cape Cod Lavender Farm.

My lavender addiction - Extensive gallery of photos depicting dozens of popular lavender varieties.

Lavender Production, Products, Markets, and Entertainment Farms - Intended for the serious lavender grower with discussions on best U.S. geographic locations, soil preparation and cultivation techniques, propagation, production, and potential for lavender agri-tourism. Also includes a working farm profile, a list of U.S. lavender farm Web sites, suggested reading & related resources.

also see in Flower Gardening -> Asters | Bellflowers

Candytufts | Carnations | Chrysanthemums | Geraniums

Sweet Pea | Violets