Sunday, February 26, 2012

Lovely Lavender

If I could choose but one plant in my garden it would be lavender.

One whiff of it's subtle fragrance, and I'm whisked back to my childhood and memories of my grandma's favorite Yardley's English Lavender toiletries.
Legend tells us that lavender was brought to England by the Romans. It was a highly valued plant due to it's healing, soothing and insect repelling properties.
Lavender oil was also used for massage.


I treated myself to the most wonderful pot of French Lavender yesterday, full of new buds and the promise of fragrant delight, for many seasons to come.

A member of the mint family, and cousin to rosemary, lavender can be used like rosemary in many dishes.

The flowers, can be dried and tied in bunches, laying them in linen closets, or tucking them in dried flower arrangements and scattering sprigs wherever you choose.

A gentle shake or a fond pet of the plant releases the fragrance from early spring to frost.





" here's your sweet lavender
sixteen sprigs a penny
that you'll find my ladies
will smell as sweet as any "

~ The Lavender Seller's Cry, London, England 1900

19 comments:

Country Gal said...

I have always loved the smell of Yardley's English Lavender . My mum used it in her baths, cloths drawers and linen closet. I have English Lavender growing in my garden. We have a Lavender farm 20 min away from us , they grow the English Lavender as well as other types of Lavender and make all kinds of lovely things ! Awesome post I can smell it now MMMM lovely ! Have a good day !

Tweedles -- that's me said...

We grow lavender in our flower beds.
We love it too.
The smell just takes me away to sunshiny happy, and peaceful days.
love
tweedles

Terry said...

My mother and her sister used to exchange presents of Yardley's lavender. Sweet memories.

George said...

Lavender is simply relaxing and peaceful.

George said...

Lavender is simply relaxing and peaceful.

Betsy Brock said...

Oh, I agree! There's nothing like it...the fragrance, the color...the pretty shape of the flowers. All of it!

Anonymous said...

loving lavender...Yardley's English Lavender was used by my grandmother!

cathy@home said...

I remember getting lavender soap on the rope bath sets I think it was Bronnley.
My flower would be Daffodils.

Merisi said...

Yardley's English Lavender - makes me nostalgic of People's Drugs (remember them?). The ease with which to get it. Not so here.

You certainly are now way ahead with the seasons. May your lavender grow and blossom under the southern sun!

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Sure smells good ...

Custom Comforts said...

I love lavender too, but it never grows very well in my soil or climate. Not sure which one it doesn't like. I think my favorite flowers are climbing pink roses with the blue/lavender flower of catmint at their feet. I get almost the same look with catmint as you do with lavender, only not the fragrance. But on the other hand, the catmint makes my cats very happy.
Cindy

Bittersweetfolkart said...

One whiff of Lavender and I am home again ..

DJan said...

My favorite scent, too. I have one of those things you put in the microwave and then wrap around your neck, and it's filled with lavender. What a wonderful treat! :-)

Ann Summerville said...

I haven't had much success in growing lavender here in Texas, but I remember fondly of drying it and making sachets with my grandmother when we lived in London. Yardley's was a favorite in our house.
Ann

Janice Kay Schaub said...

One of my favourites too. I am hoping that the plants I put in last year will thrive. I have them in pots so I can move them if they are not happy in the place I chose. I have some great pictures of lavender that I will post later on my blog but I want to wait until I see how my own is doing. I love the English lavender soap as well. I have a couple of bars set aside. I had thought of shaving it to use in sachets to enhance the fragrance of the dried lavender I have. I wonder if it would work?
Janice

La Maison des Plaines said...

Hi! Jo,

Just love French Lavender. The scent is amazing! I have made sachets for placing in drawers/closets, lavender tea, soaps and use the pure essential oil in the bath. Very relaxing!

Wish we could grow this beneficial plant in our area. I would have a huge garden of Lavender lol

Your images are beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy! a tranquil evening.

Blessings & Hugs,
Marlene

Anonymous said...

The red buds are in bloom here, Jo..a hop, skip & jump from you.
Have you ever woven a wand with
ribbon and your lavender,tied it in
a bow, to nestle in your lingerie
drawer? Eureka~ I found Yardley
Lavender soap at Dollar Tree the
other day for $l. each. Delicious.
Mary

Jill of All Trades said...

Oh my goodness, my very favorite smell in the world.

Mr Paul said...

Lavender and rosemary feature quite prominetly in our garden, just can't be without them. I had no idea Yardley English Lavender was still available.