Organic Lavandula Dentata

Lavandula Dentata, called French Lavender is ideal for an organic garden, it is a small lavender from the Stiechas family and flowers in early Spring. . Lavandula Dentata is very disease resistant, in “normal” years it does not require watering. It is a hardy perennial that grows to around 50cm in height and an equal width. What I really love about it is the beautiful fern like shape of it’s leaves It has deep purple flowers in an extended pineapple shaped cone, similar to stoechas varieties of lavender. Here at the Domaine de Montrouch it flowers twice a year, firstly in late Spring, and then in Autumn. Cutting it back after the Spring flowering seems to enhance the chances of a second flowering. A second trim is also advisable after the Autumn flowering, this ensures that the bush remains compact and avoid woody leafless stems. Cutting it back twice a year also ensures an abundant flowering as it is the new growth that pushes out flowers.  The silvering nature of its leaves means that water loss is minimal so it will tolerate full sun.

Lavandula dentata, despite it’s French common name is actually from Spain, it growth wild in the Spanish garrigue as well as in Canaries. It can tolerate full sun, and likes well drained neutral to alkaline soils. Like most garrigue type plants it is always a good idea to plant it in the Autumn, this gives it all Winter to establish a good root base. Also like other garrigue plants the first year the plant does not show too much activity above ground as most of the plants energy is going into its roots. If you live in a dry climate it is always a good idea the first year to give the plant a weekly water, around the plant about 20 cms from the stem, this further encourages root growth. In the second year it should not need watering unless you are experiencing a drought.

If you live in an area that experiences hard frosts, like -10C then it is better to grow Lavandula Dentata in a pot and over Winter the plant in doors or in a green house.

Equally it can be grown in a pot, choose one about 20 cms accross and equally as deep. Use a sandy plantation soil that will drain well, in a pot the plant needs watering around once a week but the roots will rot if left standing in water so don’t put a saucer under the pot.

PROPAGATION of organic lavandula dentata

Like most lavender Lavandula dentata can be grown from seems, but frankly life is to short. Tip cuttings in Spring, Summer and Autumn take really well. Keep a close eye on the plant, when it starts pushing up new stems that is the ideal time, hence when it wakes up from it Winetr dormant stage, and after you have clipped it back after te Spring and Autumn flowering. Find a point, about 5cms down the new growth where there is a junction, ie side shoots poping out, with a sharp knife or clipper cut on the junction. Very gently, the new shoots are delecate, pull ot cit off all bit the top leaves. Plant up to their heads in a rich plantation soil leaving just their top leaves above soil. Using an organic hormone solution greatly increases your chances of success, we use a special organic soil called Orgasyl or you can try one these three organic alternative to growth hormone powder.  Jeep the cuttings damp and keep your eye on the pot, when you see toots popping out the bottom, or the cuttings start to grow- usually about a month later, that is the time to pot them on. One quick point, if the cuttings start to flower cut off the flowers, flowering takes a lot of energy that you want to be used to grow roots. You will have the next ten years to enjoy their flowers.

Using Lavandula Dentata

Lavandula dentata is used to make essential oil, as it has a high essential oil ratio, so is a good lavender to distill. The essential oil is used to make perfume.

The flowers can be used to flavour foot, my favouite organic chef, Elizabeth Garrigue, uses lavender to flavour her creme caramels. Heaven.

The flowers dry well for pot potpourri.

In Mecia, Spain a lavender tea is drunk for upset stomaches.