Here’s a little something we would like to share with you…

...a fantastic book that is the epitome of good taste when it comes to taking cut flowers and foliage from your garden. ‘Bringing Nature Home’ published by Rizzoli showcases a portfolio of seasonal and simple floral arrangements directly taken from gardens and the great outdoors.

Presented through lush photography, there is the added bonus of the beautiful interiors that the arrangements are created for. It is as much a decorating tome as a natural cut-flower arrangement guide. 

...and because we like this book so much and we like to share – we have a copy to give away. All you have to do is subscribe to this blog. The winner will be selected randomly from existing subscribers and new. We will post your user name and then if it's you, you'll just need to send us an email with your postal address. Anyone with a valid postal address worldwide can enter. So subscribe or tell a friend, or both!

This stunning book is the result of a collaboration between New York based photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo, floral designer Nicolette Owen and stylist Amy Wilson.

We love lots of things about this book, particularly its seasonal approach. 

Very helpfully, it contains a how-to section offering advice on the selection, trimming, and care of the arrangements and on repurposed and unique containers, making this book practical as well as inspiring.

The book is available to buy from Amazon and all bookstores. Or cross your fingers and hope you win a copy. Entries close on Saturday 11^th of August 2012.

Here are some of our own inspirations from the last few weeks that made us think of sharing this book. 

And with the wash out summer in the UK it seemed particularly relevant to draw attention to ways of bringing outside in to brighten spirits.

 Next week we are back to the scheduled blog white hot. This coincides with the release of the second landscape design book published by Phoenix that five of our projects feature in. And guess what? One of the gardens is all white.

We’ll take you on a little snoop inside that next week. Also coming up in August, the kid’s garden blog, swimming pools : to go natural or not? AND colour, colour, colour. Even if the sun has bowed out again in the UK we are going to press on with a bright outlook.

On a final note we just wanted to take our hats off to Danny Boyle for the Olympics opening ceremony.

His 'Green and Pleasant Land' theme highlighted that wildflower environments are an integral part of Britains' heritage.

Images: Hendy Curzon Gardens, unknown, Ngoc Minh Ngo, The Guardian

It's all about the beneficial attributes of Lavender in this fourth and final blog in the Lavender series. We admit that we have a big crush on Lavender for many reasons - it has style and grace, it can be quite seductive, even intoxicating. We have explored it in different ways over the last few weeks and have grown to admire it for its heritage and durability throughout the ages. We rate it as a timeless classic and a contemporary garden plant full of vintage beauty. Last week we talked all about growing it so this week let's take a look at what then, this versatile plant can be used for. First of all...

Harvest it

Whether you have opted to grow Lavender or Lavandin or multiple cultivars, the same rules apply. Harvest it before it fully flowers for maximun potency. This is also good for the shrubs themselves as it will help to prevent them from growing leggy. You've seen them right? Big, woody, unsightly shrubs in odd shapes. These are the Lavenders that have been cut too late. So that also dispells the myth that all Lavender gets 'leggy', those badly groomed Lavenders have been giving all Lavenders a bad name!

Bundle up Lavenders and tie with string. Hang to dry in a well ventilated area that is not in direct sunlight. With some varieties a catch mat or newspaper will need to be placed beneath for buds that drop.

If you intend to use your Lavender for purely decorative purposes like this -

or this -

A good tip is to spray it with hairspray to aid it from shedding too much.

 Whether you harvest lavender yourself our let the farmers and growers do it for you...

Let's take a peek at how you can use harvested Lavender to create that feel good factor we all need in our lives right now.

Settle down

In the Middle Ages lavender was recognised by apothecaries for its 'cure–all' properties. Doctors now recommend lavender tea as a digestive aid.

It has an antispasmodic effect, helping to relax the muscles of the digestive tract and prevent cramping of the stomach and intestine. To make tea, put a heaped teaspoon of fresh, unsprayed flowers (or one level teaspoon of dried lavender) in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and add honey, if you wish.

Cool off


In 1910, French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse noted that when he burned his hand, lavender oil resulted in faster healing. This discovery sparked research into the capabilities of essential oils: it was, in fact, Gattefosse who invented the word aromatherapy. Put a drop or two of undiluted lavender oil on small burns to ease pain immediately. The discomfort of sunburn can also be alleviated with a compress of cold lavender tea. 

Heavy head 


Queen Elizabeth I favoured lavender tea for her frequent tension headaches,

and lavender farmers of old would wear a spray of the flowers beneath their hats — it was apparently a notable fact that they never suffered from headaches, despite working in the bright sun all day. Apply a little neat oil to temples and massage it in for remarkable relief, or sip cool lavender tea.

No more spots


Lavender's natural antibacterial, antiseptic, and oil-regulating effects make it ideal for treating acne and other inflammatory skin problems, including eczema and psoriasis. It also helps to reduce scarring. Add 10 drops of lavender oil to 50ml of witch hazel, and dab directly onto spots.

Lather up




A lavender-scented bath is not just a fragrant treat, it provides relief from musculo-skeletal pain, including arthritis, sciatica, sprains, strains, muscle spasms, labour pain and period pain. It is recommended for sports related injuries and repetitive strain injuries.

Not only does the lavender reduce the actual pain, it also eases anxiety and tension about the pain, which can be a trigger in itself. Add 10 drops of lavender oil to a bath. Notes on how to make your own coming up. 

Stress less


According to a Japanese study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, linalool — a substance found in lavender — 'switches off' stress-induced activity in more than 100 genes.

Add lavender oil to a diffuser to disperse the scent through a room, or if you have the luxury of time, take a stress-busting soak with Lavender products.

Lavender's aroma comes from airborne molecules of linalyl esters, oils that stimulate the olfactory nerve in the brain and have a balancing effect on the central nervous system, making it very helpful for treating shock, panic, faintness, hysteria, anxiety or depression.

Researchers have also discovered that lavender increases the production of particular brain waves that are associated with relaxation and calm. Massage lavender oil down either side of your spine, or inhale it, either via a diffuser or on a tissue.

Take the sting out 


Lavender oil helps to reduce the transmission of nerve impulses that carry pain signals, giving it a mild analgesic effect. Apply it neat to relieve the itching and irritation of insect bites and stings — this will also ease redness and swelling.

Hush now


It is no accident that lavender is a universal ingredient in sleep pillows. Its calming and mildly sedative effect encourages you to sleep soundly and wake refreshed. A few drops of oil on a pillowcase is very effective; this is also comforting for a child having nightmares or disruptive sleep. Pictured below the Cozy Plush toys , microwaveable cuddlers with lavender inserts, all sorts available from amazon.co.uk and appearing in our amazon sidebar widget very soon.

 

Best boy

Lavender can aid in a dog’s rehabilitation after injury or illness and is good for their general well-being, believed to calm a nervous or scared dog. Deborah Wells, a senior lecturer at Queen's University in Belfast decided to test this theory further. "We have found that lavender has a calming effect on dogs in certain contexts, specifically rescue shelters," she says. The discovery prompted her to test its effects during car rides. For the study, Wells recruited 32 dogs with a history of unruly behavior in cars.

The owners took their dogs for a 20- to 30-minute car ride for three consecutive days with nothing but typical car and outdoor smells. Then Wells sprayed a cloth with about .16 ounces of lavender oil, hung it in the cars and asked the owners to take the dogs for 20- to 30-minute rides on three consecutive days. On each ride, the dog's movements and barking were recorded, and Wells computed the percentage of time dogs engaged in various behaviors. When exposed to lavender, the dogs barked less, moved around less, and rested and sat more during the rides. During the normal-odor rides, they spent more than 70% of the time barking and otherwise vocalizing. In the lavender-scented rides, their vocalizing time dropped to 55%. Wells also is researching if Lavender may also help with dogs' motion sickness.

Further on dogs - dog shampoo containing lavender is believed to be beneficial for dogs with skin problems such as eczema, common in long haired breeds and such shampoo is also considered to have calming effects. All as well as eradicating bad odours.

We have yet to try any of these out, but we will let you know when we do and if the effects are like this -

Bug off 

Blast those pesky midges instead of fashioning this fetching head gear... Boil 1 cup of water and add 3-4 TBSP of dried lavender and a few cloves. Mix well, cover and let cool (covering is important to keep the volatile oils in). Strain herbs out and mix water with 1 cup of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. Store in a spray bottle in a cool place. Use as needed. For a super strong repellent... Fair warning: this stuff stinks when it is wet, though the smell disappears as it dries. It works incredibly well though, and this is the one to use when in the woods or in tick infested areas. It is based on the recipe for the Vinegar of the Four Thieves that we have talked about before in this blog.

You will need one 32 ounce bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar. 2 TBSP each of dried Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme and Mint. At least a pint size glass jar with an airtight lid. How to make it - Put the vinegar and dried herbs into large glass jar. Seal tightly and store on counter or place you will see it daily. Shake well each day for 2-3 weeks. After 2-3 weeks, strain the herbs out and store in spray bottles or tincture bottles, preferably in fridge. To use on skin, dilute to half with water in a spray bottle and use as needed. Use whenever you need serious bug control! Other repellent ideas: Add vanilla extract to either of the above recipes, or just rub on the skin. You can also mix vanilla with witch hazel and water for a spray version. Rub lavender flowers or lavender oil on your skin, especially on hot parts of body (neck, underarms, behind ears, etc) to repel insects.

Lavender & Linen

Continuing on the feel good factor Lavender was traditionally used by the Victorians to scent their linens and clothes. Garments were strewn over lavender bushes and left to dry in the sun. Hang your laundry next to Lavender in your garden. Whether in the country...

or the city...

Add Lavender water to bedding washes

and in to your iron on laundry days...

Lavender Garden Weddings 

What's not to love? Natural, scented, calming, vintage...

and lastly on that note, Lavender as an alternative confetti...

Lavender oil recipe

  

You will need: 2 Cups Lavender buds or flowers, 1-1/2 Cups Olive Oil, 7 Capsules Vitamin E (Pierced and drained, 400 IUs or adjust quantity), Jar with a tight lid (about a two cup capacity, sterilized), Non-reactive pot (glass, ceramic or stainless steel), Non-reactive bow, lCheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, Coffee filter.

What to do: Heat olive oil till it starts to bubble at the edge of the pot. Add lavender and simmer for half an hour on low. Cool to room temperature. Strain in batches through a large strainer and then through a coffee filter. Pierce vitamin capsules and add vitamin E oil to the mixture. Pour into a decorative, sterilized jar. Refrigerate. The mixture will become cloudy when it's cold but clear up again as it reaches room temperature. It should last about six weeks in the refrigerator. You can also freeze a portion for later use.  Frozen lavender oil will stay fragrant for four to six months.

Cook it up now

Well now, we have grown it, we have pruned it, we have dried it, arranged it, bathed in it, slept in it, repelled bugs with it, healed with it, beautified with it and even treated our pets with it, now let's eat it.

Dried lavender flowers can be used to make a delicately scented shortbread, 

or scattered over green salads and roast beef. Lavender is a herb that straddles the divide between sweet and savoury.

It is probably most familiar as one of the key ingredients in herbes de Provence, as well as in the luscious sables or shortbread for which Provence is known. It is a flavour that may give you a sense of déjà vu at times as it is often secretly laced in to popular foods and drinks. Traces of its soft mellow tones are one of the secret ingredients in Coca–Cola.

Here’s how to make your own spice mix - • 1/4 cup thyme leaves
• 1/4 cup savory leaves
• 3 tablespoons basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons crushed bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons crushed rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon crushed lavender flowers 1. Mix the whole leaves together and store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place. 2. Just before using, crush to a fine powder and add to foods. Use it to season lamb or poultry, in a honey glaze for pork or roasted turkey, and with roasted onions, garlic, and other root vegetables. Use well-dried herbs.

From Evelyn :

From the Girl & the fig: Lavender Mojitos : 

 

Lavendery Links

Take a look at recent medical research and any analysis of Lavender Oil and negative innuendo here Personal care truth

 

Lavender Scones : Crabtree & Evelyn

Lavender Mousse : Franck Pontais

For a lovely article on Lavender growing in the USA & The Sonoma Lavender festival go here : Not just the wine is purple

Fancy a bit of Lavender fancying this weekend? It's the Lavender Festival final weekend in the UK :  at The Hop Shop Castle Lavender Farm in Kent. 

A couple more foodie links : Aida Mollenkamp's Lavender Bellinis (pictured earlier in this post).

Jamie Oliver's Lavender Creme Brulee

And that's it from us. We hope you have enjoyed the 4 part journey through the lands of Lavender as much we have.

Lavender : Loving it 

The Lavender Blogs Part 4 Source Book, not really in actual particular order of appearance: Hendy Curzon Gardens Ltd., The Telegraph, Herb companion, Welsh Lavender Farm, Norfolk lavender, loqueldijealpapel, Daisy Green, KT Merry, Lavandin weddings, Allotment 2 Kitchen, Lush House, offline, BBC Food, Rosy Rings, Perfeco, Herb Companion, Levandrea, Fabulously French, Cambridge New, Anderra, 123RF, Rythmn of the home, Mohini patel Glanz, Blue Heron Herbary, Live lighter, Savarosa, The lavender bundle, Cambridge news, Eden project, Turkey creek, Curious Country, Craftjuice, Tokyo greenspace, Down in the Meadow, Aida Molenkamp, Katie Hollis, Franck Pontais Personal Care truth, L’Occitane, Crabtree & Evelyn, Terrain, Cozy Plush, Scottish TV network Jamie Oliver, The New York Times.