To distinguish lavandin super from fine lavender

Lavandin super is a hybrid variety of lavender with a lifespan of up to 10 years. It is the result of a cross between lavender aspic and true lavender. This aromatic shrub belongs to the Lamiaceae family, like mint and sage. Up to 120 cm tall, lavandin has a short, lignified trunk. It has two types of branches: leafy and multiple, and thicker but leafless. These branches, however, are all lignified. Lavandin’s leaves are long, narrow and aromatic, with an attractive muted gray-green color. Apical, lavandin’s inflorescences are arranged on tall, branched stems bearing several spikes of small flowers. The flowers are labiate, fragrant and nectar-bearing. They attract foraging insects such as bumblebees, bees, hoverflies and butterflies. Although they look identical, the ears of lavandin and fine lavender are quite different. Lavandin spikes are larger and more pointed. They have an attractive violet color and are borne on stems up to 80 cm long. True lavender spikes, on the other hand, are much smaller. Their stems rarely exceed 40 cm. Lavandin fields can also be recognized by their harmonious appearance.

How do you grow this hybrid plant?

Unlike fine lavender, lavandin super is hardy and vigorous. It can grow at any altitude and in any region, even by the sea. What’s more, this shrub has the advantage of being easy to grow. It adapts to all types of soil, whether stony, dry, sandy, saline or poor. The only prerequisite for an attractive plant is good exposure to the sun, but with a little shade. Beautiful and undemanding, lavandin is ideally grown on a slope, in flowerbeds and at the edge of the garden. In regions with a hot, dry climate, we recommend transplanting the shrub in September or October. In regions with a southern climate, it’s best to wait until spring to carry out the operation. In addition, it’s advisable to cut lavender bushes as soon as they approach 10 years of age. Pruning deflowered flower stems is another essential maintenance operation.

Why use lavender super extracts?

The flowering tops are the components of lavandin used in phytotherapy. They are also used to produce the essential oil for which the plant is renowned. Flowering tops are preferred because they are packed with active substances. They contain monoterpene alcohols and esters, including a significant quantity of linalyl acetate. The flowering tops of lavandin super also contain monoterpenes such as camphor and limonenes. Sesquiterpenes, including beta-caryophyllene, are other active compounds found in this part of the shrub. All these active ingredients work synergistically to relieve ENT infections such as laryngitis, nasopharyngitis and sinusitis. Lavandin essential oil is also used to soothe contractures and cramps. It is also useful in cases of migraine and headache, nervousness, irritability and mood swings. Insomnia and sleep disorders are other discomforts on which the active ingredients in lavandin can act. Today, you can enjoy the benefits of lavandin essential oil in many different ways. You can use this essential oil for wet inhalation, dry inhalation or diffusion. Lavender essential oil can also be applied to the skin. For cutaneous application, it is always recommended to dilute it in vegetable oil. We recommend using 4 drops of vegetable oil for 1 drop of lavandin essential oil.