Culinary Lavender

Lavender is not simply a single scent.  For most of us, we pick products based on both scent and use.

If using around the house (our linen spray, room spray, sachets, house cleaner ... see  house collection ... then we tend to use the French Lavender (Lavandin).  This is a sharp scent that is robust and so will linger longer.  Sometimes we'll soften the French with a bit of English Lavender (e.g. our room spray) and if using dried flowers for decoration -- you'll find we carry both English and French lavender ... see dried flowers 

When using as a cream, soap, etc. ... you can choose based on scent ... e.g. the lemony / fresh scent of French Lavender (Lavandin) or the softer / sweeter scent of English Lavender.   If you are looking for a product that may have more therapeutic properties, then look for the English Lavender.  Going for a hike or sitting in your garden and want to repel bugs?  Then use one of our body mists with French lavender (or our outdoor mist).  Wanting something for your purse with an antiseptic properties?  Try one of our French lavender essences. 

Explore our lavender for body and face.  

Are you cooking?  Answer is simple.  Only use English lavender. 

For culinary buds and delights click here.

What follows is a longer description of the differences between English and French Lavender. 

Interested in knowing more about the oils we use in our products?  Click here to go to the page on our oils. What we commonly refer to as 'lavender' is more than one species -- there are tons of them!  There is much confusion over what is and is not lavender, including sorting through the many Latin names.

The two most popular varieties are Lavandula Angustifolia (what we call 'English Lavender') and Lavandula Intermedia (what we call 'French Lavender').   English Lavender is commonly referred to as English because historically it was developed for the English perfume industry. French lavender gets its name historically as it was developed for the the French perfume industry.  

Do not let these terms fool you into thinking that only English grows in England and French grows in France!  To the contrary -- both are grown everywhere. Each variety has a different scent and preference is a matter of choice. Both varieties:

• are believed to help you relax, sleep, relieve body aches, relieve anxiety, and may encourage blood flow.

• are considered to be an antiseptic and can clean the body and the home

• can help repel moths, spiders, and other bugs

English Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia  

The most popular and hardiest garden lavender in North America. Lavender species (e.g. Munstead, Hidcote, Royal Velvet, Vera) are from the "true" variety and have the most medicinal properties. This is the better lavender for cooking purposes but not all varieties work well in cooking. It has sweeter scented flowers because it contains less camphor (than French).

English Lavenders are used more for therapeutic properties and are believed to help with digestion, tension headaches,  bug bites, burns, and minor skin irritations. Some of these properties have been well studied -- others have just been observed and therefore the scientific evidence is lacking.  

French Lavender, Lavandula intermedia  

French Lavender (Lavandin) species (e.g. Grosso, Provence, Giant Hidcote, Phenomenal) are a cross between the English Lavender and spike lavender varieties.  Abrialii was a mainstay of the French industry until 1970s when it was ravaged by a disease. Grosso was discovered in 1972 and is now the dominant cultivar. Quickly emerging however is Phenomenal. The French Lavender plants are bigger plants (producing more lavender per plant). Aroma is sweet with slightly camphorous scent. The French Lavender scent is used  more for its aromatic properties and considered good in cleaning products and products designed to freshen your home. Because of their high camphor content, French Lavender may help with sinus and snoring issues. It is believed that essential oil from French Lavender should not be used by pregnant women in the first trimester nor by individuals with epilepsy.   

What essential oils do we offer and/or use in our products, and from where do they come?  First and foremost we are a small batch producer and we care about quality!  We used to grow lavender and so we know a thing or two about what makes for a good essential oil. 

We source all of our lavender essential oils directly from family run farms that properly test their oils and can provide us with a consistent volume year after year.  We source our hydrosols from Ontario lavender farms.  

Purchase oils by clicking here.  

What to know more about the difference between English & French Oil? Click Here.