Essential Oil Distillation Archives

Lavender or lavendula is a very hardy evergreen aromatic shrub which is grown for its scent as well as its flowers.

Lavender Flower attracts butterflies, honey bees and bumblebees. A honey bee sips nectar from a lavender flower.

Lamiaceae

There are many species to choose from as the genus Lavandula has more than 30 known members. The family to which the they belong is Lamiaceae. The Lamiaceae is a huge family is well known for its aromatic volatile oils and includes plants like the Rosemary, thyme, oregano and mint. It is in fact these oils which makes the plants in the mint family so useful as medicinal and culinary plants.

English or French Lavender

The so called English version can live up to 25 years whereas the less hardy French or Spanish lavender will only live to around 5 years old. The fatter flowers of the Spanish and French varieties tend to be a little more flamboyant.

Where does Lavender come from?

The lavender grows naturally around the Mediterranean and was taken to Britain by the Romans. The Roman legions and their Greek doctors took medicinal herbs with them on their marches.

What is the origin of the name?

There are two possibilities for the origin of the name “Lavender”. Possibly it comes from the Latin “lavare” meaning to wash. It has been used since before Roman times as a bath perfume and to scent washed fabrics. The other possibility for the source of the name is the Latin “lividus” meaning blueish or livid.

Landscaping Melbourne with Lavender

This is an ideal plant for creating the authentic Mediterranean garden. It will also thrive in sunny locations in your Melbourne garden provided the soil is well draining and not too acidic.

Lavender or Lavandula with a terracotta pot

Lavandula with a terracotta pot. This is a great combination for a Mediterranean garden. The complementary colours also look great together.

Growing Lavender in pots

If you do not have enough sun, you can plant them in a terracotta pot and move them to get some extra sun. The blue and violet flowers of the lavender will be complimentary to the rich earthy colours of the terracotta.

Where is it best to plant lavender?

Lavender plants thrive in full sun and can grow well in raised garden beds and containers. They can even be used in hedges and make a great herbaceous border along a garden path.

How do you take care of a lavender plant?

Cut back the flowers as they finish.
Do not be afraid to prune twice a year with one pruning after flowering has finished.
Lavenders that are not pruned regularly will become spindly.
Replace plants that have become too woody.
Do not over water.
Very little fertiliser is required.
Soil must be well drained to avoid root rot.
Annual light application of garden lime in acidic topsoils.

Potential Diseases and Pests

Grey mould or leaf spot can appear. Prune your plants to allow good air circulation and move plants to a sunnier location in the garden. Plants can also be attacked by frog hoppers, so look for signs of frothy “cuckoo spit”.

Lavender Varieties

Varieties for essential oils

Old English Lavender (Lavandula spica) is often grown on farms for the harvesting of the fragrant essential oils. This is a tall variety that can grow to around 90 centimeters, so it will need plenty of space.

Lavendula Augustifolia (English Lavender)

Despite being known as English, this plant originates in Southern Europe near the Mediterranean. It is a bushy shrub to around one metre tall and quite wide. In mid to late summer the long unbranched stalks will produce deep or pale purple dense fragrant spikes of flowers.

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’

Popular varieties and Colours

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Ashdown Forest’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Cedar Blue’

: Lavandula × intermedia Dutch

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Dwarf Blue’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Folgate’

: Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Imperial Gem’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Maillette’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Melissa Lilac’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’

: Lavandula x intermedia Old English lavender

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Peter Pan’

: Lavandula × chaytoriae ‘Richard Gray’

: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Rosea’

: Lavandula Angustifolia Royal Purple

: Lavandula ‘Sawyers’

: LAVANDULA angustifolia ‘Twickel Purple’

: Lavandula x intermedia ‘Edelweiss

: Lavender-Flowers up close

Lavender Farms

These plants are often grown on farms where the plants are harvested to make essential oils. Often the distillation process takes place on the farm itself. The farms are also a great tourist attraction drawing visitors to experience the aroma and the beautiful sea of purple that stretches into the distance.

Lavender farm for essential oil manufacture

Lavender farms like this one in the Cotswolds are great tourist attractions and are also used for essential oil manufacturing.

Visiting the farms

Lavendula Swiss Italian Farm is around 120 north-west of Melbourne and has over 40 Hectares of lavender farm to explore.

In the UK there is a farm just near the National Trust property of Snowshill in the Cotswolds Area on Natural Beauty, where many of these photos were taken.

Landscaping with Lavender

The hardy and versatile lavender has hundreds of uses in landscaping and garden design. As a border it can give the violet or blue design theme continuity through a landscape. When used as a border opposite a long blue swimming pool it provides visual balance to the garden.

Lavender border opposite a swimming pool. The lavender provides continuity as well as visual balance.

Lavender in a herbaceous border along a path. The lavender border looks great against the earthy tones of cottage path.

Lavender field in the monastery of Saint Paul de Mausole in France. Mass plantings like this always create a stunning effect.

Agricultural uses for lavender

In agriculture lavender also has a wide varieties of uses. Home gardeners can learn a few tips from these. Some varieties are grown for the cut flower industry for fresh and dried bouquets.The flowers of these plants are very high in nectar and many varieties have a long flowering season. This has made them a great plant for attracting and feeding bees. The quality and the quantity of honey produced from hives close to lavender plants is well known in the industry. Attracting bees is important too for the orchard industry. Lavender is a useful companion plant as the aroma repels some pests as well as attracting pollinating insects. The main agricultural use is essential oil manufacturing.

Essential Oil Distillation

Lavender essential oil distillation process schematic

To make the essential oil on the farm, the cuttings have steam passed through them. The steam collects the oil and takes it to the condenser. The oil steam mix condenses and is them separated into the pure oil and floral water.

Uses of the essential oil

The essential oil has a wide variety of uses including helping with sleep and anxiety. It also has been used to treat fungal infections and to repel insects. The main uses however are in the cosmetics industry where it is used in fragrances, soaps and shampoos to help purify the skin. It is also used in the food industry, but concentrated oil should never be ingested as it can be toxic in this form.