Lavender for essential oil

[Rusty]

Does anybody know which varieties of lavender to plant when I want to use them to distill essential oils? Which are the most aromatic varieties?

Since I already have a steam distillery setup and the essential oils online are so very expensive, I think I'll plant some and try making my own. I do know that there are varieties specifically used for making oil--I just don't have a clue which ones they are.

Anybody got any ideas?

Thanks!

:watering

 

[Sylvie]

Grosso Lavenden is grown in France for oil;
http://www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com/France Lavender & Essential Oil.html
They grow this over other Lavenders for many reasons, including disease resistance.

http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com/lavendercareandtips.htm
States Vera lavender is the best for oils and perfumes. Vera is English yet grown in central Europe at certain elevations for fine oils.

 

[Rusty]

That second link is really great! It sounds like English Lavender is the way to go, altho it will likely take a few years before it produces much. I figure a cup or so of oil will scent more soap than I can possibly use and the rest can go for potpourri.

I'm slowly trying to make the farm self-sufficient, so this is but one of many ideas I am trying to implement and I am in no hurry about things.

Thanks again for the links. I really appreciate your help!

Rusty

:tools

 

[nipitinthebud]

Hi Rusty
one of the most well known lavender oil growers here in the UK is Mayfield Lavender in Surrey. This link here is about the varieties they grow http://www.mayfieldlavender.com/our-lavender-oil/

If you grow your own lavender you can save the stalks for firelighters apparently - so says my allotment friend Pat and she'd know!
http://nipitinthebud.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/looking-afterlavender/

cheerio, Nic

 

[Rusty]

The photos were spectacular. I could almost SMELL the lavender right through the screen!

TY

Rusty

 

[Sylvie]

I admire your spirit of adventure in growing and distilling lavender oil!

I keep adding Lavender plants that I get on sale to form a short hedge border around my herb garden. They seem to be mostly Hidcote varieties. I have one Provence lavender.
All my lavender is heavily pruned following flowering which makes the plant denser and more flowering wands next year. I did have an odd year last year with 2 separate flower harvests, a bonus for my short growing season.
I was told that lavender cuttings can be rooted with great success which may be a cost effective way to propagate many in a short time.

 

[Sylvie]

Hi Rusty

If you grow your own lavender you can save the stalks for firelighters apparently - so says my allotment friend Pat and she'd know!
http://nipitinthebud.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/looking-afterlavender/

cheerio, Nic

Welcome to TEG, nipitinthebud :rose
I will definitely be trying the firelighter stalks! That is a wonderful idea!

If you looked at my first link, lower on the page it states that the french use the spent lavender bales for straw bale house construction. So 2 new uses for lavender that I learned on this thread! :happy_flower