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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

The Eponymous Garden Rides Again!The green industries embrace many careers and companies that could be described as “a hobby that got out of hand.” You may know – or be – one of those ex-hobbyists.One such entity gave the world a popular herb: Lavandula ‘Otto Quast’. Let’s meet its namesake.Born in 1924 in Hamburg, Germany, Otto Quast emigrated to California. He worked as a shipyard carpenter and dabbled in gardening. When an accident ended his woodworking career, he turned his pastime into a fu