killerplants.com | Herbal Folklore | Herbal Folklore Archives Most Recent | Free Newsletter Signup

Why did ladies use lavender water?

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Lavender, Country Coneflower Collection & more—>Click here.

Lavenders (genus: Lavandula) are native to the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic islands, areas with dry summers and mild winters. In 1597, John Gerard described three "Lavander Spikes"—"floures of a blew colour", "milke white floures", and one "altogether lesser...the floures of a more purple colour" in his Herbal. These appear varieties of 'English' lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller).

Fragrant Lavender Collection The Fragrant Lavender Collection includes three each of: Pink Fragrant Lavender, and Purple Fragrant Lavender.

Shipped in 3” pots. Deer tend to avoid. Save $5.99!
Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! [More Fragrant Plants!] [All Perennials!]

Gerard commented, "In Spaine and Languedocke in France, most of the mountains and desert fields, are as it were covered over with Lavander. In these cold countries (Northern Europe) they are planted in gardens". (The Herbal, or General Historie of Plants, 1633 edition)

"Lavander", according to Gerard, "is hot and drie, and that in the third degree, and is of a thin substance, consisting of many airie and spirituall parts. Therefore it is good to be given any way against the cold diseases of the head, and especially those...beginning not of abundance of humours (nasal congestion, runny nose)...." He warned against lavender's use if "...there is abundance of humours...it is not then to be used safely..."

"Cold diseases" of Gerard's day were those that had no apparent external cause. He recommended, "The distilled water of Lavander smelt unto, or the temples and forehead bathed therewith, is a refreshing to them that have the Catalepsie (coma from a hysterical cause), a light Migram (migraine), & to them that have the falling sicknesse (epilepsy), and that use to swoune (faint) much.

"The floures of Lavander picked from the knaps...the blew part, mixed with Cinamon, Nutmegs, and Cloves...given to drinke...doth helpe the panting and passion of the heart, prevaileth against giddinesse, turning, or swimming of the braine, and members subject to the palsie (trembling)." One has only to consider the corsets, petticoats, and stiff lace to understand why ladies in those days carried small bottles of lavender water.

Horticulture and Crop Science of Ohio State University has a photograph of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) in full bloom and instructions for growing the plants. To view the page, click on the link:

http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/plantlist/description/la_folia.html

Tudor England has an article on Queen Elizabeth I who ruled England during Gerard's lifetime, included are paintings of the queen depicting the stiff clothing of the day. To view the page, click on the link:

http://englishhistory.net/tudor/monarchs/eliz1.html

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Hybrid Lilac Special

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Sweet Perfume, stunning Color! – Hybrid vigor produces bigger, better blossoms--and more of them. Exceptionally fragrant, too. The thick, sweet-scented clusters are superb for cutting--the perfume will fill your whole house! Impressive selection of kinds and colors, all 8-12 feet tall with a wide, spreading form. Provides an enticing early spring show. Best in full sun.

Save $9.85! The Hybrid Lilac Special includes one each of the following:

President Grevy: Purple
Edith Cavell: White
Charles Joly: Red
General Pershing: Pink

Zone 3 to 7 Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [More Fragrant Plants!]

Lavender, Pink Fragrant

Springhill Nursery®

Unusual pink form of the ever-popular perennials produces wonderfully fragrant, 8” flower spikes for weeks in midsummer.

Pink Lavenders are ideal for borders, herb gardens, even a low hedge. Handsome, silvery green foliage is also fragrant.

Grows 15"-18" and plant 12-18” apart.

Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid.

Lavandula angustifolia 'Rosea'

Zone 5 to 8 Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery! [All Perennials!]

Very versatile plant, can be grown in numerous situations like a rock garden, herb garden, for edging in a border, or as a low hedge. The leaves and flower heads are often used in sachets or potpourri. Unusual color for lavender.

If grown for drying, cut the flowerheads before they fully open. [More Fragrant Plants!]

Lavender, Purple Fragrant

Springhill Nursery®

Indispensable perennial for every garden!

Fragrant Purple Lavender forms neat, 18-24” mounds with delicate lavender bloom spikes and silvery-green leaves.

Blooms midsummer to fall, loves hot conditions. Dry the flowers to enjoy indoors, year around! Plant 12-18” apart in well-drained soil.

Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid.

Lavendaula angustifolia Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
[More Fragrant Plants!] [All Perennials!]

Climbing Shell Plant

Springhill Nursery®

A favorite of Thomas Jefferson!

Fast-growing, twining vine attracts butterflies with fragrant flowers from mid-summer into fall. The 2" blooms have upper petals that contort and bend backwards, with the elongated keel coiled in 4 or 5 spirals like a snail's shell. Climbing Shell Plants can even be grown in containers indoors and out.

Grows 20-25' tall and spreads 2-3'. Space 5-6' apart.

Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid.

An outstanding and exotic looking, fast growing vine that produces masses of fragrant flowers carried in bold clusters around strong 6" - 8" stems. The large, spiraling flowers are extremely attractive and create an on-going display all summer long. The flowers show up especially well set against the handsome mid-green foliage.

This rare and unusual vine is ideal grown over a fence, trellis or arbor and can be used over lattice work to create shade for a deck or patio. It can even be grown in containers over a support. The most out-standing and floriferous member of this family. Totally unique!

Vigna caracalla Zone 9 to 10 Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
[More Fragrant Plants!] [All Perennials!]

Mango Meadowbrite Coneflower

Springhill Nursery®

Another Color breakthrough and a stunning complement to Orange Meadowbrite!

Fragrant, golden-yellow blooms have a subtle orange highlight down the center of each lance-shaped petal. Flowers continuously from mid to late summer. Easy to grow in borders, open woodlands and meadows. Grows 24-36" tall with a similar spread. PPAF

Shipped in 3" pot. Deer tend to avoid.

Exciting new color for Echinacea. A sport of Orange Meadowbrite. Golden yellow with a tinge of orange down each petal. Nice compliment to pink or white coneflowers. Free-flowering versatile perennial can be grown in a number of areas. Open woodlands, meadows, foundation plantings.

Echinacea 'Mango Meadowbrite' Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!
[More Fragrant Plants!] [All Perennials!]

Country Coneflower Collection

Breck's Bulbs®

Few Flowers say "old-fashioned country charm" quite as well as coneflowers. Native to North America, coneflowers are a beautiful sight growing wild in meadows.

Even more exciting are the cultivated varieties American gardeners have come to adore over the past one hundred years. Seeing these cheery, youthful wildflowers takes you right back to the wicker chairs on Grandma's porch, the wooden screen door opening as she comes out with a pitcher of lemonade.

Now Breck's brings you five truly outstanding varieties in our new Country Coneflower Collection. With their profuse blooms and vivid gold, black, white and pink colours, they are sure to add just the right touch of soothing beauty to your summer garden. Capture this old-fashioned charm now and save 65% while our supplies last!

Get 3 each of 5 varieties with Breck's Country Coneflower Collection:

MAGNUS CONEFLOWER - Lovely coneflower features a scarlet to bronze, raised, central cone surrounded by wide, lilac-pink petals. Beautiful massed at the back of a border or showcased by itself. Seeds attract flocks of goldfinches! Grows 3-4' tall. Spread: 18-24" Flower Size: 4"

WHITE SWAN CONEFLOWER - Beautiful white coneflower! Bears a profusion of large daisylike flowers with reflexing petals and stunning gold cones at the centre. Use both the flowers and decorative seed pods in arrangements. Grows 3-4' tall. Spread: 18-24" Flower Size: 4"

DOUBLE DECKER CONEFLOWER - Double your pleasure with these most unusual coneflowers! Bright pink petals surround the base of the showy centre cones and cap the top in the second year. A conversation piece in borders and bouquets! Grows 36-40" tall. Spread: 18-24" Flower Size: 3-4"

GREEN WIZARD CONEFLOWER - For those who appreciate the unique! Luminescent black cones are ringed with gold, creating a very striking effect. Blooms for up to 12 weeks, attracting butterflies all the while. Grows 3 feet tall. Spreads: 15-18" Flower Size: 3-5"

GOLDSTURM RUDBECKIA - The Perennial Plant Association's 1999 Plant of the Year. Large blooms with glistening black centres and golden, raylike petals 1-2" long. Densely packed blooms form a lush carpet. Grows 18-30" tall. Spread: 18-24" Flower Size: 2 ½" across

15 prime-quality potted plants! Click here
- Free $25 off any order of $50 or more at Brecks Bulbs