b'YEAR of the LAVENDEROrigin:Fun Fact: Europe The flowers and leaves of lavender plants are used in many herbal medicines and self-care Family: regimes. Homemade projects and recipes Lamiaceae include herbal teas, culinary spices, essential oils, aromatherapy, balms, and more. It is widely added to bath salts, soaps, soaks, perfumes, Genus:etc., for a fresh fragrance and calming effect. Lavandula As a strong-scented herb, dried lavender florets can also be used to repel pests in the garden, or even in the home closet as a fragrant Types: sachet pillow that can ward off moths. French English, Spanish and French chefs use lavender in a blend called herbs de Provence, which adds a fragrant spice to both Ideal Growing Conditions:savory and sweet dishes.Lavender grows best in full sun in dry, well-drained soil; it does not likeOther New Varieties: saturated roots. Adding inorganicPhenomenal, Provence, Torch, Hidcote Giant, mulches, such as gravel or sand, couldEdelweiss, Fred Boutinhelp the soil conditions for a successful lavender bed. All lavender types need little or no additional fertilizer, and it is aBreeders: good practice to provide air circulation.West Coast Seeds, American Meadows, If you live in a region of high humidity,Garden Trends, Harris Seeds, Johnnys Selected watch out for root rot due to fungusSeeds, Botanical Interests, Jung Seed, Select infection. This is sometimes aggravatedSeeds, Burpee, Territorial, Gardeners Supply by using organic mulches, which can trapCompany, PW, Brent and Beckys, Earl May, moisture around the base of the plant. Park Seed, WillhiteSource: National Garden Bureau26/ SEEDWORLD.COMFEBRUARY 2020'