46 FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062 GARDENING CANARY ISLAND LAVENDER Purple paradise Lavandula canariensis, other- wise known as Canary Island lavender, is a species that is endemic to the archipelago. Extremely tolerant of high tem- peratures, this pretty plant can be a great addition to any garden, needing limited care and providing a splash of col- our most of the year round. It’s a tender evergreen plant with fine, fern-like foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers. A mature specimen can reach 75cm high and have a spread of 60cm, so it’s a good size for most plots. It’s also per- fect for beginner gardeners or those with little time, as it’s low maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Going violet Being a sun-lover, Canary Island lavender is a great choice for hot mountain gar- dens but is also suitable for coastal level. Its natural envi- ronment tends to be on the dry side, with rocky or poor soil, so simulating conditions simi- lar to these is important if you want healthy growth. Excellent drainage is an absolute must, and preferably in a neutral to alkaline sandy soil. The ideal time for sowing from fresh seed is late summer or autumn, though early spring will also suffice. Once they are ready, plant seedlings between 45cm and 60cm apart if posi- tioning several specimens together. Alternatively, you can grow in large containers (laven- der has long, deep roots), just make sure you provide plenty of that all-important drainage. Feed weekly throughout the growing season, using a high- nitrogen organic feed, such as seaweed, if possible. Water well throughout sum- mer, but reduce during win- ter, as one thing lavender will not tolerate is a constantly wet soil: the roots will quickly rot and the damp will encour- age fungal infections. If your plant begins to wilt and dis- play yellowing of the leaves, this could be a sign that you are over doing it. Other than that, all they should need is a tidying prune after the main flowering season is over. Medicinal uses Lavandula canariensis has long been used in traditional medi- cine around the Canary Islands and is well known for its healing properties. It is said to reduce fevers, get rid of parasites, treat digestive problems, and be an effective skin disinfectant. It is also a relaxant, can help with muscle pain, and is an anti- inflammatory. It can also be useful for calming insect bites and stings and has even been used to help cure insomnia and depression. It also makes a wonderful air freshener. Simply dry flower- ing stems by laying them out on open trays or hanging small bunches upside down in a dark, airy room. Place around the house in vases for a wonderful display, mix into potpourri, or sew into mini cushions. n The fern-like foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers of the Canary Island lavender Photo: Stan Shebs CC BY-SA 3.0 CreativeCommons.org Photo: Imc CC BY-SA 3.0 Wikimedia Commons Lavandula canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands
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46 FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 062GARDENING
CANARy ISlAND lAVeNDeR
Purple paradise
Lavandula canariensis, other-wise known as Canary Island lavender, is a species that is endemic to the archipelago. extremely tolerant of high tem-peratures, this pretty plant can be a great addition to any garden, needing limited care and providing a splash of col-our most of the year round. It’s a tender evergreen plant with fine, fern-like foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers. A mature specimen can reach
75cm high and have a spread of 60cm, so it’s a good size for most plots. It’s also per-fect for beginner gardeners or those with little time, as it’s low maintenance and tolerant of a wide range of conditions.
Going violet
Being a sun-lover, Canary Island lavender is a great choice for hot mountain gar-dens but is also suitable for
coastal level. Its natural envi-ronment tends to be on the dry side, with rocky or poor soil, so simulating conditions simi-lar to these is important if you want healthy growth. excellent drainage is an absolute must, and preferably in a neutral to alkaline sandy soil. The ideal time for sowing from fresh seed is late summer or autumn, though early spring will also suffice. Once they are ready, plant seedlings between
45cm and 60cm apart if posi-tioning several specimens together. Alternatively, you can grow in large containers (laven-der has long, deep roots), just make sure you provide plenty of that all-important drainage. Feed weekly throughout the growing season, using a high-nitrogen organic feed, such as seaweed, if possible. Water well throughout sum-mer, but reduce during win-ter, as one thing lavender will
not tolerate is a constantly wet soil: the roots will quickly rot and the damp will encour-age fungal infections. If your plant begins to wilt and dis-play yellowing of the leaves, this could be a sign that you are over doing it. Other than that, all they should need is a tidying prune after the main flowering season is over.
Medicinal uses
lavandula canariensis has long been used in traditional medi-cine around the Canary Islands and is well known for its healing properties. It is said to reduce
fevers, get rid of parasites, treat digestive problems, and be an effective skin disinfectant. It is also a relaxant, can help with muscle pain, and is an anti-inflammatory. It can also be useful for calming insect bites and stings and has even been used to help cure insomnia and depression. It also makes a wonderful air freshener. Simply dry flower-ing stems by laying them out on open trays or hanging small bunches upside down in a dark, airy room. Place around the house in vases for a wonderful display, mix into potpourri, or sew into mini cushions. n
The fern-like foliage and delicate blue-violet flowers of the Canary Island lavender
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Lavandula canariensis is endemic to the Canary Islands
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