English lavender is the most popular species out of all the 39 included in the big Lavender genus family. With a wide variety of uses, it's applications and benefits go beyond giving gardens a dreamy hue of purple.

Native to the Mediterranean, this species "borrows" its name from England. Then English lavender leaves are evergreen, holding its stem with strongly aromatic purple flowers.

Besides its beautiful color and fragrance that make it into a popular ornamental plant, English lavender is also valued for other properties.

The lavender herbal tea is known to help with sleep problems and anxiety, since its fragrance and ingredients can help with relaxation. Lavender essential oils are also very popular and can be used in cosmetics and perfumes. This flowering plant can also be used as a spice in food and beverages, like milk tea and ice cream.

If you are fascinated by this plant and consider growing it, there is good news for you, because its not difficult to do it. English lavender can thrive in poor and dry soil, but be aware that it needs watering once or twice a week to grow. It favors sunlight, so make sure it gets enough sun exposure. The blooming season normally occurs in June or July, so expect to find your lavender thriving around that time. 

If you hope to get lavenders in other colors like white or pink, you can also choose hybrid species of the English lavender.

Read more from the series "Season of Flower": 

Cape jasmine: Fragrance of summer

(Cover image via VCG, designed by CGTN's Yin Yating)

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