Since ancient times, lavender is known as a spice andbeautiful medicinal plant. The peculiarity of the culture is that all parts of it are very fragrant. This seemingly southern plant may well grow almost anywhere.
Many travelers wonder whereto see the blooming of lavender and lotus in Russia? After all, this is the most exotic and beautiful thing that can be seen on our fields. In order to watch the lotus bloom, you need to visit 4 regions: Krasnodar Territory, Volgograd and Astrakhan Regions, the Far East. About another wonderful plant, whose name is lavender, you can learn in more detail from this material.
general information
Includes the genus "lavender" more than 25 species,and he is represented by shrubs and dwarf shrubs. After reading the article, it will be possible to find out what this culture is and where lavender grows in central Russia.
This medicinal aromatic plant is known.people from the time of ancient Rome. If a person at least once in his life sees a lush lilac-purple bloom of spherical bushes with delicate leaves, fragrant with unique freshness and exquisite delicate aroma, then he will never forget this fabulous picture.
Many growers dream to plant their ownand grow this amazing plant in your backyard. Lavender is also known for producing oil from it. The scale of obtaining the "fragrant essence" is impressive. Every year around 200 tons are produced in the world, with the lion's share in France. It produces approximately 70 tons annually.
Types of culture
Before we find out where lavender grows in Russia, let's imagine some of its varieties. The most common types of lavender:
• English;
• French;
• Spanish - moderately beautiful, but widely used in perfumery.
For decorating gardens oftenFrench lavender is used. The Spanish variety is not particularly attractive, but very fragrant, so it is grown on an industrial scale for use in cosmetology and perfumery. English lavender is for its unpretentious and attractive appearance is very popular among gardeners.
There is a huge number of varieties of this culture, but the most popular are such ones:
• Rosea - narrow silvery leaves, bluish-lilac or lilac-pink inflorescences. The height of the bush is 40 cm.
• Munstead. Differs in beautiful blue flowers.
• Hidcote Blue. This variety is a compact dense bushes with a height of approximately 40 centimeters. Flowers - saturated purple-blue hue.
Another popular variety is lavender.dolphin-like. This is a small plant, with a height of up to 30 cm is often used for the design of rock gardens. Particularly impressive culture looks in the company of bright yellow arabis.
In group plantings on lawns, the Hidcote Giant variety is good (about 60 cm high).
Habitats in nature
Lavender is home to the Mediterranean.It grows in nature on a narrow strip that extends to Front India. Lavender is actively cultivated in almost all of Europe, in Southern and Northern Africa, in tropical mountainous regions of Australia, Asia and America.
Before we find out where lavender grows in Russia, we give a brief description of this culture.
Plant characteristics
Lavender is a true family of Luminous -shrub perennial. His root system is quite powerful. Strongly branched at the top. The main skeletal roots penetrate to a depth of two meters.
In adult plants, the trunk is right on the ground.starts branching and its almost imperceptible. Woody lower branches, repeatedly branching and arcuately rising, have a grayish-brown bark. The bush has a hemispherical shape, and its height reaches up to 50-70 centimeters, with a diameter of 60-80 cm.
Annual young 4-sided shoots are grassy andpubescent. The stems bearing flowers and leaves are formed on them. Last gray-green, linear-lanceolate, densely pubescent and entire. The length of the leaves is 2.5-6.5 centimeters, and the width is from 1.1 to 5.0 mm.
Inflorescences have a spike shape.On one plant, the number of peduncles reaches from 40 to 1000. The inflorescence, in turn, consists of whorls (4-12 pieces) oppositely arranged. Each of them has 7-20 small bisexual flowers. Tubular calyx covered with a large number of hairs. The double-lipped tubular corolla has a deep purple or white tint. After flowering, it falls. The fruit is a smooth and small, single-seeded nut, oval-shaped.
Growth features
Where does lavender grow in Russia, in what conditions?This lavender is a mountain plant, light-requiring, drought-resistant. It belongs to the group of heat-loving cultures, but it is also characterized by excellent frost resistance. For example, adult plants withstand temperatures down to -26 ° C.
Lavender is well cultivated on light soils withalkaline and neutral reaction. Under climatic conditions with normal and insufficient moisture, plants suitable for growing are loamy and sandy soils. Poor lavender grows on swampy, salty, acidic and clayey heavy soils with a fairly close bedding of groundwater.
Russian culture
Where can lavender grow in Russia?In 1812, the culture was brought to the Nikitsky Botanical Garden (Crimea), but then it did not receive much popularity. And only since 1930, lavender began to grow in Russia for industrial purposes. Today, not only abroad, but we have received various hybrid varieties. They appeared as a result of the crossing of broad-leaved lavender and spike which are called lavandins. They contain 2.5% of oil per wet weight, ensuring collection of about 100-200 kilograms of this product per hectare with inflorescence yield up to 10 tons per hectare.
Where else is such a beautiful plant growing now?In Altai, lavender does not grow as widely as the stunning Marin root, wild rosemary, maryan (Altai Sakura), chamomile and cornflowers. These plants flood the vast endless fields. Lavender gradually grows where it is specially cultivated. And many people are engaged in this in Altai. The cultivation of varieties of medicinal, narrow-leaved lavender is especially popular.
Planting and care in the Urals
В России культуру стали выращивать во многих regions. Breeding this plant, in general, does not require much effort, if you choose the right type for the appropriate climate. You should listen to the opinion of experienced breeders to choose the appropriate zoned variety for the locality.
For different climatic conditions there are differences andimportant features in planting and caring for this wonderful beauty. Even the territory of one region may have completely different weather conditions. For example, the Urals north is characterized by winters more severe than the south. There they are softer, more moist. In one of them, any cultures develop and grow well. For another part of the region, more viable plant varieties should be selected for cultivation.
Для Урала прекрасно подходит вид лаванды наиболее cold resistant - English. Such a plant with the use of appropriate shelter can tolerate 35 degrees of frost. You can cultivate it even in Siberia. But, it should be remembered that an acceptable and the only way to reproduce in such conditions is seed. Since lavender has a non-capricious character, it can often be found in household plots in the Urals, and also as a homemade, fragrant plant.
Cultivation
Lavender present propagated in two ways -vegetative (layering, cuttings and dividing the bush) and seed. Cuttings are harvested on 1-2-year-old shoots, and then planted in a greenhouse according to the scheme about 5x5. Rooting of the plant begins in the spring and lasts about 2 months, after which the seedlings are planted in the ground at a permanent place.
The soil under the lavender should be plowed to a depth of about 60 centimeters and cultivated. Harvesting begins in the second year. Lavender plantings are used up to 25 years.
In the very first year of life care for the plantIt boils down to repeated inter-row spacing, removal of inflorescences and restoration with the help of various preparations of dead plants. Recommended annual fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers. In the process of decreasing productivity, a rejuvenating pruning of the bush should be carried out 4-5 centimeters from the soil surface. In general, unpretentious and unsightly in growing lavender.
Useful properties and harm
The composition of lavender oil includes 30-60%linalyl acetate. This substance gives lavender, characteristic only for her wonderful aroma. The remaining compounds are approximately 300. Phytosterols, flavonoids, cyneol, linalool, coumarins, camphor, tannins, alcohols, esters, etc. are included there. Everything cannot be listed. It is important to note that all these compounds give lavender oil a multitude of healing properties.
Lavender oil is a powerful antidepressant,exhibiting sedative and sedative properties. In this regard, it is used as the main ingredient for the treatment of insomnia, hysteria and depressions in aromatherapy. Lavender oil is also recommended for neurosis, migraine and headaches. It has an analgesic effect.
Есть в применении лаванды и негативная сторона.It can cause an allergic reaction in the form of rash, nausea, headaches and even vomiting. Also, excessive consumption of lavender tea can lead to gastric upset, cramps and abdominal cramps.
Purple Plantations
Fields look fantasticly beautiful wheregrowing lavender. There are many such places in Russia. The most magnificent of them can be seen in the Crimea in July-August - near Bakhchisarai and Sevastopol, on the road from Simferopol to Sudak and on Cape Tarkhankut. There is even a village called Lavender. The largest field is located near the village of Turgenevka, where, as in Provence, thematic festivals dedicated to this plant are held. And one of the most valuable Crimean delicacies is lavender honey.
Where else does lavender grow in Russia? In Altai, as noted above, one can observe the flowering of this plant in areas where it is cultivated by private individuals.
Application in everyday life
An interesting fact is that many centuries ago in the southFrance collected natural lavender for processing and obtaining oil from it, not only for medicinal purposes, but also to create incredible flavors. It is widely used now in the production of perfumes and cosmetics. From her make perfume, colognes, creams, eau de toilette and soap. In addition, the culture used in the liquor industry for flavoring wines.
For medical purposes, lavender is used asexternal antiseptic. Effective rubbing of lavender oil for injuries, bruises, burns and rheumatism. Dried flowers are used to control moths. They shift furs, carpets and woolen fabrics. They make fragrant poultices, snuff powders, herbal pads, smoking fees. Aromatic candles with lavender are very popular.
Conclusion
As follows from the above, the cultivation of thisPlants are possible almost everywhere in Russia, even in Siberia and the Urals. Planting lavender and care for her are simple. With a minimum of attention, this plant, which has an amazing spicy aroma and tart taste, can please with an unusually beautiful view of its shoots, especially during flowering. It should be noted that lavender is almost not susceptible to pests or diseases. This is very important for gardeners.
