Lavender BeeZee Pink
Lavandula angustifolia 'BeeZee Pink'
As it is the same height as Melissa Lilac and Hidcote it looks very pretty mixed into a hedge with one of these, or simply as a small specimen shrub either alone or as a group.
This unusual coloured lavender makes a fine contrast when planted
with the more traditional purple and blue forms.
It can be planted very effectively at either end of a purple lavender hedge
or as part of a mixed planting of different coloured lavenders, with the pink looking best in the foreground.
The leaves can be used in cooking much in the same way as rosemary.
French cuisine uses a lot of lavender in stuffing mixes, with roasting meats and even chopped finely in sweet biscuits.
The flowers are also widely used in jams, vinegars, sweets and teas.
Lavender is very much an all-round herb as it is also important medicinally and in aromatherapy, cosmetics and perfumery.
English lavender produces particularly high-quality oil.
Lavender has a multitude of uses both internally and externally.
These include indigestion, depression, headaches, burns, muscular pain and head lice to name but a few.
Lavender infusion for the bath
To make a strong infusion use 4 heaped tablespoonfuls of lavender flowers that have been picked when fully open.
Bruise the flowers lightly inside a clean cloth then place in a bowl and pour on 500ml of boiling water.
Cover tightly and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
Strain the infusion and use within 2 hours for maximum fragrance and benefits.
Dried lavender can be used in winter, use only 2 tablespoonfuls and extend the infusion time to 15 minutes.
The flowerheads for drying should be harvested just before fully open, as they will continue to open as they dry.
When harvested commercially for oil they are cut a little later so as to contain maximum essential oils.
The generic name Lavandula comes from the Latin – lavare - which means to wash.