Lavender is grown mostly in England or France for commercial use, mainly for it's oil, but also for soap and sachets.

Lavender must not be mollycoddled if it's fragrance you're looking for. One reason for Norfolk Lavender's success is that the somewhat dry soils of the region force the plants to develop a strong root system in search of water. This promotes good oil production.

To help the plants develop a good shape, it's vital to prune the plants all the way back to the brown stalks at the end of each growing season. One reason for the attractive plants in commercially grown fields is that harvesting cuts the plants back to roughly six inches above the soil line, leaving them in a slightly mounded shape.

English lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 6 and 7. Farther north than zone 6, plants may not survive the winter. Some gardeners in zone 5 are successful at getting lavender to return year after year by mulching it heavily, and others grow the plant as an annual.

In the Southern states, French lavender (Lavendula dentata) and lavendin (Lavendula intermedia) are more suitable than English lavender, because they stand up to the heat and humidity better.

Lavender grows readily from seed but most gardeners start with plants. Once you have your favorites in place (colors range from the traditional lavender to shades of blue, pink, and white), taking cuttings and rooting them in early summer is a simple way to extend your lavender beds.

One other note, the French Lavender does very well in a potted herb garden, allowing the plant to "die off" in the winter, and treating it as any other plant that has just gone dormant through the winter. Bring the potted plant indoors through the winter months and keep it in a cool room with little to no water for the winter in the northern states, in the south, simply provide a heavy mulch over and around the pot for the winter.

English Lavender Bath

This recipe is taken from Natural Beauty from the Garden (Henry Holt 1999) and is an excellent way to relax and enjoy fresh lavender in bloom. The bath recipe also includes oatmeal and baking soda, which are soothing to dry, sensitive skin. This is an ideal bath for calming a bad sunburn or insect bites. It also makes a wonderful gift from the garden.

Ingredients:
1 cup lavender flowers fresh or dried
2 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup baking soda

Directions:
Place all the ingredients inside a food processor or blender. Grind until you have a smooth, fine powder. The powder should have the consistency of whole grain flower. Pour into a clean, airtight container.

To use: Pour 1/2 cup into your bath as you fill the tub.
Yield: 28 ounces, enough for seven baths.