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Wait, don’t tell me – it’s lavender, of course!Photo courtesy of Running Creek Lavender Farm in Locust, North Carolina.Yes, it’s Lavandula, all right. Nothing else can match the calming, clean fragrance of this legendary herb. That marvelous fresh scent gave the genus its name. Lavender is from lavare, Latin for “to wash.” It’s been used for that purpose for millennia.Mediterranean lavenders have a multi-functional, timeless appeal, making them an essential addition to any garden or la

Mystified by Latin plant names? We hear you, and we’re here to help. Once deciphered, those tongue-twisters can actually tell us a lot. For example:Lavandula angustifoliaThis classic species charms both the optical and olfactory senses. Even before the eye spies it, the nose knows lavender lurks nearby. While it comprises familiar favorites like ‘Munstead’ and ‘Hidcote’, it’s also home to some exciting newcomers. But first, what can its name tell us? Simple: angustifolia is Latin for “narrow lea