Since our current weather pattern seems to be offering some long dry spells, it might be worth considering planting some drought tolerant herbs. Though many are locally available that offer fragrance as well as culinary and medicinal uses, lavender remains one my favorites. When properly placed and attended several lavender varieties grow well in Kona. Known as a Mediterranean plant, lavender is a wonderfully fragrant herb that is well-suited for Hawaiian gardens. Grown primarily for its fragrance, you may also find recipes for its inclusion in food and drinks as well as in remedies.
Part of the mint family, there are 39 varieties of lavender. The plant’s name comes from the Latin word lavare “to wash” which defined its early uses. Lavender has a long history as a fragrance added to bathing and washing waters. It has also been used to scent freshly laundered linens.
The English began cultivating lavender centuries ago for its wonderful aroma. They dried it for potpourris and fragran “wands” and used distillations to scent all kinds of British products. Though lavender is native to countries further south along the Mediterranean, the variety, Lavendula augustifolia is often known as “English” lavender.
The English variety has smooth edged silvery leaves and a stem up to two feet tall. Its stiff stem helps hold its shape and allows it to dry more effectively than other varieties. English lavender usually blooms in Hawaii between June and September. The ‘Munstead’ cultivar is shorter and has a longer bloom season.
“French” lavender, Lavendula dentata, can be seen growing to three feet tall in fields throughout Southern France. It has finely toothed, fragrant leaves and tight flower clusters that are attractive to butterflies. The distinctive flowers are compact and cone shaped. French lavender forms a bushy shrub with gray-green leaves that produces spikes of lavender flowers during a long flowering period from early spring through late summer.
“Spanish” lavender, Lavandula stoechas, is grown on large lavender farms in Spain and Italy. Its blossoms are similar in appearance to the ‘French’ variety. It produces an abundance of dark purple flowers in a pine-cone shape topped with “rabbit ears.” It has narrow gray-green leaves and strong stems. Similar to other lavenders, L.stoechas performs best full sun planted in soil that drains well.
Lavender farms are increasingly found throughout the U.S. as well, particularly in the Pacific Northwest were the summer Lavender Festival in Sequim, Washington, will be returning this year in mid-June. Hawaii is another area where lavender can thrive. The Ali’i Kula Lavender farm in Kula, Maui, proves the point and various successful plantings here on the Big Island vouch for its adaptability to our climate.
Full sun and well-drained soil as well as hot days and cool nights, are all recommended for success growing lavender. In West Hawaii elevations between 600 and 1200 feet are probably ideal but planting in hot, dry areas at higher elevations and cool spots at lower elevations can also work. Lavender’s gray-green leaves indicate their preference for dry growing conditions. Placement that allows the plants to dry out between waterings and get sufficient daytime heat is recommended. Potting them in soil that drains well and placing the pot in a hot, sunny area on your lanai where you can control the water supply is another good choice.
Lavender plants are woody shrubs though the small hardy L. angustifolia “Munstead” could be considered a ground cover. Standard lavender plants can grow to three feet high and just as wide. Their gray-green leaves and purple flowers make them a colorful as well as fragrant addition to an herb garden. The English, French and Spanish varieties have similar growth habits with slight variations in flower and leaf shape as well as climate preferences. Grouping lavender plants causes them to grow more compactly. Grown like this, they are ideal for edging walkways where passersby can brush them and release their fragrance.
In addition to its fragrance and beauty, lavender has a long history of medicinal and cultural uses. Tests on lavender’s essential oil have shown it to be good at combating bacterial infections. It also has strong anti-fungal properties and can be a beneficial in treating skin problems. Lavender’s essential oil rubbed on the temples can provide fast relief from headaches and can relieve feelings of stress or anxiety. Lavender oil is also known to repel mosquitoes and fleas and can relieve itching from insect bites.
Lavender’s aroma is credited with many healing properties. The fragrance can last for years if flowers are cut when they are in tight buds. Its scent has been used to relax the mind and relive anxiety. Kathi Keville’s “Pocket Guide to Aromatherapy” lists 15 different healing uses for lavender including insomnia relief, memory stimulation and skin care. Because it is known as a pleasant scented and gentle herb it is often included in remedies for treating pets or babies as well as pregnant women.
Recently an influx of recipes using lavender has appeared. At Ali’i Kula Lavender farm on Maui, for instance, they offer a farm tour that ends with lavender scones accompanied by lavender tea. Sharon Shipley’s “The Lavender Cookbook” goes beyond the expected in recipes like hers for lavender butter, which combines finely ground lavender buds with lavender infused honey into unsalted butter for a tasty topping for toast, pancakes or cornbread. Lavenderfarms.net also carries recipes for lavender infusions, lavender salad dressing, lemonade, cookies and even a lavender mojito!
Lavender can be grown from seed or from cuttings. Root division is probably the most successful method, however, as lavender seeds can be slow to germinate and successful cuttings are usually those taken early in the spring or during a growth spurt.
Lavender prefers slightly alkaline soil, close to pH 7. Avoid acidifying the soil with too much fertilizer. Pests are rare because of the strong aroma of the plant and its oil. Diseases are rare in lavender plants but overwatering can cause root rot. To strengthen young lavender plants, remove the first round of blooms about one third down the stalk. Continual dead-heading will increase blooming and the production of side shoots. You surely can find many uses for the cut flowers.
Online sites are an excellent resource for recipes for healing products as well as delicious dishes made from lavender. Some sites also give information on extracting the oil or making infusions for healing formulas. Check them out.
Most nurseries in West Hawaii carry lavender or will order it for you if requested. Try calling Tropical Edibles Nursery in Captain Cook to see if they have any in stock. You might try planting several different varieties to find out which works best in your location.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.
Gardening Events
Saturdays: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and be prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit the website www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ and sign up for the weekly email for more information on work days.
Monday: “Soil Nutrient Management Webinar” 5 to 6:30 p.m. Discussing soil testing and fertilizer timing with UH presenters. Register at https://go.hawaii.edu/Ukx. Contact Josh Silva for more information (jhsilva@hawaii.edu
April 9-10: “Native Hawaiian Plant Sale” from 9 a.m. to noon at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook (across from the Manago Hotel). Lots of Native Hawaiian plants for sale. Sponsored by the Friends of Amy Greenwell Garden. All proceeds support the Garden.
April 11: “Soil Nutrient Management Webinar” 5 to 6:30 p.m. Discussing on-farm trials comparing nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and using sunn hemp as a nitrogen amendment with UH presenters. Register at https://gohawaii/xnU. Contact Josh Silva for more information (jhsilva@hawaii.edu
Thursdays in April and May: “Talk Story with Coffee Berry Borer researchers” noon to 1 p.m. Presentation topics: IPM for CBB and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) monitoring. Open to all. Contact Roseann Leiner roseannl@hawaii.edu (808) 969-8256 for information or to request an auxiliary aid or service at least seven days before the event. Information and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talk-story-with-coffee-berry-borer-researchers-2022-tickets-288914339567.
Pesticide Subsidy Program Outreach to Coffee Farmers: To take advantage of the HDOA CBB and Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) Pesticide Subsidy Program contact Melanie Bondera at (808) 323-7578 or email hdoa.cbb@hawaii.gov with questions.
Saturday, June 18: “Hawaii Coffee and Cacao Festival” at the Kaka’ako Farmer Market in Honolulu. The festival is seeking growers, producers, chocolatiers, baristas, chefs and related Coffee & Cacao items. Vendors: RSVP by May 1 by filling out an application and waiver at alohafarmlovers@gmail.com. w
Farmer Direct Markets (check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday: “Ho’oulu Farmers Market” at Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
Information on their online market: keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
“Waimea Town Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
“Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
“Hamakua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka’a
Plant Advice Lines
Anytime: konamg@ctahr.hawaii.edu; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu at (808) 322-4893. Walk-in from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays at the UH-CES at Komohana in Hilo or call (808) 981-5199 or email himga@hawaii.edu
