From perfume and insect repellant to food flavoring, lavender’s everyday use dates back more than 2,500 years to the Egyptians, Phoenicians and the people of Arabia.
Derived from the Latin word lavare, meaning “to wash,” the essential oil of lavender is used to scent bath and body care products, soaps, candles and even household cleansers and laundry detergent.
But one of the best things about sweet-smelling lavender is its love for the dry climate and rocky soils of the Texas Hill Country. That means it can easily be incorporated into your landscape.
The lovely herb is also a part of our current WaterSaver Landscape Coupon package! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Well-drained soil that water can pass through easily is a must. Heavy clay soils and high humidity can be damaging to lavender, but improving the soils tilth and mulching with pea or granite gravel will help protect lavender from water-borne fungal diseases.
- Good watering techniques, such as allowing the top inch of soil to become dry before watering again, will go a long way toward preventing fungal diseases. Lavender also benefits from drip irrigation as opposed to overhead watering.
- Choosing the right variety for your area makes all the difference. Talk with local nurseries, lavender farms and other herbal experts to select the variety that grows best in your region.
With thoughtful planning and knowledge of lavender’s tendencies, you can successfully grow lavender, too.
