Featured Plant: Lavender!
Ornamental Qualities of Lavender
Evergreen Shrub for Perennial Winter Interest
Beautiful, long-lasting, fragrant summer bloom
Variety of flower colors and types available
Insectary Plant, attracting pollinators
Extremely heat and drought-tolerant
Lavender Recipes
Peach and Lavender Butter
3lbs peaches
1/3 c water
2 tbsp fresh or dried lavender buds
3 tbsp bottled lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp lemon zest
3 c sugar
Blanch peaches to remove skins (boil 30 seconds and then plunge into an ice bath). Once peaches cool, peel, pit, and chop roughly. Bring 1/3 c water to boil. Place Lavender buds in a small bowl, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid through a mesh sieve and set aside. Combine Lavender water, peaches, lemon juice, and zest in a heavy, medium stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, until mixture thickens and clings to a spoon. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Press mixture through a sieve or food mill or puree in a food processor to combine. Return puree to the pan, adding sugar and lavender buds. Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes. Enjoy Peach and Lavender Butter on toast, muffins, or mixed into oatmeal. Store cooled butter in the refrigerator or process sterilized jars in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes. Substitute nectarines for peaches, or try adding 1/2 tsp allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, or 1 tsp cinnamon for additional flavor. Yum!
Lavender Care
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil
Water deeply about 1-2 times a week during the first summer, less frequently afterward
Mulch with compost to feed the soil and retain moisture
Fertilize in the spring with an organic Vegetable Fertilizer to promote healthy blooms
Harvest blooms in the morning for maximum Lavender oil and flavor for cooking
Shear back in the fall to just below current season’s foliage
