Lavender has been known for centuries, it was commonly used in Roman baths to scent the water, and it was thought to restore the skin. When the Roman Empire conquered southern Britain, the Romans introduced lavender.

Lavender is originally thought to have grown around the mediteranean countries; France, Spain, and Italy right through to Greece and the middle east. It pefers a well draining somewhat rocky soil with plenty of sunshine.

Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years, and probably longer. In ancient times lavender was used for mummification and perfume by the Phoenicians, Arabians and the Egyptians.

Ther are even references to lavender in the bible although the plant goes by its name at the time, spikenard. In the gospel of Luke he says: "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment."

Queen Elizabeth I of England required lavender conserve at the royal table. She also wanted fresh lavender flowers available every day of the year - now that's dedication to a plant.

When most people think of lavender they think of England and France. The French lavender is known for its oil production from the varieities Grosso and Provence {lavandula x intermedia}, but these plants produce a fragrance which has different qualities than the English lavender. Although the french lavender does produce the essential oil in much larger quantities, it does have a more camphouros smell to it.

The English lavender is grown for its fragrance and for its buds and not so much for the oil content. That is why English lavender essential oil is much more expensive than French lavender essential oil. The plants are smaller and not so fast growing as French lavenders as well.

We import English lavender oil that has been grown and steam distilled from across Europe.

Lavender is now additionally being commercially grown in New Zealand, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada and the U.S.A.

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