LAVENDER’S blue and purple flower is easily recognisable, and is used in essential oils, perfumes, in aromatherapy, in herbal medicine and in the kitchen as a herb.

The Romans called it lavender which may have come from the Latin verb “lavare” which means “to wash”.

There are around 25 different species of lavender in cultivation, with blue, purple,pink or white flowers.

Not many people realise that the plant comes from the same family as mint and is rich in history.

Lavender plants will grow in a wide range of growing conditions but it does best in full sun in well drained soil, which makes it a common sight around gardens in Britain.

The plants don’t produce seeds, but reproduction is done by cutting the existing plant.

Owner of the Secret Garden Mamhilad, RobWilliams, which stocks lavender between March and August, said: “It’s a good versatile plant that remains popular.

“Most people like the scent of lavender and it’s still widely seen in gardens and people like it as decoration for centre pieces because of its colour.”

Commercially the plant is grown mainly for the production of essential oil of lavender.

As well as the UK, other producers are Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia, Australia, Japan, Canada, and USA.

Only the buds contain the essential oil of lavender, from which the scent and flavour of lavender are best derived.

The oil is used in fragrances for bath products, balms, and perfumes.

In Elizabethan times, lavender was used to perfume clothes and bed linen as bathing was less frequent, and it is a common ingredient in potpourri.

The oil also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, and is said to soothe aching muscles and joints, reduce anxiety and stress, and to induce sleep. During the FirstWorldWar, lavender oil was used by hospitals as an antiseptic and disinfectant, treating wounds and sterilizing medical equipment as medical antiseptics were in short supply.

Today it is mostly used to induce sleep, ease stress and cure headaches in herbal remedies such a lavender tea and balm for the skin.

Lavender scented products remain a popular gift item, but it is mostly associated with use by old ladies.

It can also be used in the kitchen as a condiment.

Bees who have fed on lavender produce scented honey, which can be used as a glaze.

Lavender flowers can be dried and used as cake decoration, and its flavouring is often placed in baked goods, desserts and tea. A popular product is lavender-infused cupcakes.

Popular types of lavender

It’s a perfume, kitchen herb and medicine English lavender, also known as Lavandula Angustifolia, is widely grown because it doesn’t mind humidity and winter moisture. But it is not actually from England, but is actually from the Mediterranean.

It’s commonly used in cooking and baking, and has a sweet fragrance.

Hidcote lavender, is popular because of its dark purpleblue flowers from late spring to early summer and is one of the strongest-scented varieties.

Royal Purple English lavender is known for its long early-summer stems of strongly scented purple flowers, and is popular because it holds its colour well after drying.

Offering something different is Lavandula Angustifolia Melissa, which provides light pink flowers that fade to white.

While Jean Davis English lavender produces pale pink flowers in late spring and early to midsummer.