About Vera
Vera English Lavender, or Lavandula angustifolia ‘Vera’, is THE original, heirloom lavender and is thought to be in existence for over 2000 years! The purple flowers of Vera Lavender not only add a pop of color to any garden but also serve as a favorite on our farm, as we are completely honored to house the “OG Lavender” and share that fun fact with our farm guests. Our farm currently is home to approximately 100 Vera Lavender plants. Beneficial insects and pollinators LOVE Vera!
A medium-sized English lavender variety that grows to 16″T x 24″W at maturity. Vera is incredibly winter hearty and is a suitable perennial for USDA hardiness zones 4-9. Vera is a “middle” bloomer on our farm.
What is Vera Lavender Good For?
Vera Lavender for Aromatherapy
English lavender is highly prized in the world of aromatherapy, often considered the gold standard for its soothing and calming properties. It contains high levels of linalool, a naturally occurring compound known for its relaxing effects on both the mind and body.
However, despite its numerous benefits, English lavender is very stingy when it comes to oil production. This scarcity has led to the exploration of alternatives such as lavender hydrosol, which offers a more sustainable and affordable alternative to true lavender essential oil for enjoying the therapeutic benefits of this beloved plant.
Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or seeking relief from stress and anxiety, English lavender aromatherapy can be a wonderful addition to your self-care routine. Its gentle fragrance and calming properties make it a popular choice for those seeking natural remedies for relaxation and well-being.
Vera Lavender for Culinary Dishes
The history of English Lavender for culinary dishes dates back to medieval times. Lavender’s “acquired taste” is currently gaining popularity and you can find lavender culinary creations anywhere from your local coffee houses to lavender infused cocktails at your favorite watering hole.
I would describe the flavor and scent profile that Vera lavender lends to a dish as “herbal.” It is perfect with savory dishes such as sous vide meat, herbal teas and in soup broth. When mixed with floral and sweet lavender, it provides a perfect balance in lavender water, lavender jelly or lavender simple syrup.
Vera Lavender for Skincare
When processed into a hydrosol, Lavender hydrosol’s pH mimics your skin’s pH. This makes Vera lavender hydrosol perfect for any type of skin from dry to balanced to oily. Spritz in your hair for a “next day no-poo alternative” or on your face for a balancing toner.
Vera Lavender for Crafts
Unfortunately Vera lavender’s petite stems are too small for crafts like wreaths or dried bundles. They do lend a beautiful scent in lavender wands when blended with a longer stemmed lavender variety.
Natural Bug Repellent
Lavender naturally repels bugs. I often forget to use insect repellent when I leave my property. Give the green lavender leaves a squeeze to release the lavender scent and rub the scent on your arms and legs or spray lavender hydrosol directly on your skin to test the possibilities.
How to Plant & Care for Vera Lavender
Vera Lavender prefers a sunny spot (8+ hours) plus well draining, alkaline and sandy soil with a soil pH between 6.7-7.3. Planting on a sunny slope will produce best results.
You should fertilize and prune your Vera two times a year (at the same time.) I recommend dolomite lime as the only fertilizer that you use. Nitrogen heavy fertilizers will kill your plant or slow bud/flower production.
The first time will be a light prune when your lavender is coming out of winter dormancy coupled with 1/4 cup of dolomite lime 6 inches from the base of the plant. The second time will be hard prune when you are done harvesting coupled with 1/4 cup of dolomite lime 6 inches at the base of the plant.
We do have a general comprehensive lavender growing guide available with more detailed information about creating the ideal conditions for your lavender garden..
Growing Vera Lavender from Seed
Vera is extremely difficult to germinate from seed. You do not need to cold stratify Vera seeds but you do need to give them plenty of light and heat to germinate. Vera Lavender germinates very slowly: 14-30 days under ideal conditions. We go into great depth on germinating lavender from seed in this guide.
Growing Vera Lavender as an Indoor Plant
Vera can be overwintered inside and for up to one year. We do sell our Vera plants all year round so we do give guidance on overwintering. It is not recommended to grow inside after a year as Vera is a medium sized English lavender and has a healthy sized root system. There are many compact lavender plants (ie Rosea, Ellagance Snow, Ellagance Purple) that would be suitable for indoor enjoyment.
To overwinter a small Vera plant indoors, make sure your pot is the right size and your plant does not become root bound. Continue to “pot up” if it is root bound. Use cactus soil for the potting medium. We water our indoor lavender “from the bottom.” This means use a saucer under your pot and fill it with water. Allow the water in the saucer to dry out for two days before filling with water again. While lavender does not care for fertilizer, indoor lavender plants will need a light application of indoor houseplant fertilizer monthly. Keep your lavender in a south facing window in the warmest room in the house. Lavender needs ample light to flourish so it is a good idea to have a grow light adjusted to 12-15″ above the plant.
Vera Lavender Bloom Time on Our Farm
Vera is an “middle” bloomer. Vera arrives in between all of the early and late bloomers on our farm! Our farm is located in a “microclimate” in Southwest Michigan. Our farm is one of the first to bud and bloom in Michigan. There is only one other lavender farm located in the same microclimate that buds and blooms on the same cycle as our farm! Check out Michigan Lavender Bloom Schedules.
Vera typically sends up its buds around Memorial Day on our farm. Vera’s blooms start erupting the 2nd week of June on our farm. Vera’s final blossoms are usually harvested by the 4th week of June. One exception was a drought in 2023 which caused Vera to bud and bloom late. Vera was the “last man standing.” It even outlasted our Lavandin with the final harvest ending the 3rd week of July. This was the longest bloom and harvest cycle our 5 year old farm experienced!
Again, we live in a bizarre microclimate so our lavender is first to arrive and first to depart in Michigan. If you want to see our Vera in bud or bloom, I highly recommend following Twin Flame Lavender Farm’s facebook page where we give regular bud and bloom updates!
Harvesting and Processing Vera Lavender
Typical processing methods for Vera Lavender are vinegar or oil infusions, extracts & hydrodistillation. Unless copious amounts of Vera are grown, steam distillation for oil is not recommended as Vera is stingy with its oil. Vera buds retain their color well so they are aesthetically pleasing as dried buds also..
Buy Vera Lavender Plants For Sale
We do grow and sell Vera lavender plants all year long. They are one of the varieties that may be included in our “Grower’s Choice 6 Pack Lavender Plants.” We do pick out 6 of the most viable and healthy lavender choices ready to go to a new home out of the 12 varieties we grow for your 6-pack. If you are specifically interested in Vera for your 6-pack, please contact us for availability prior to ordering.
Live English Lavender Plant 6 Pack For Sale | Hydroponic Starts
Buy Lavender Plants in a 6 Pack and Save!
This English lavender plant offering is for six different varieties of “grower’s choice” rooted starter lavender plugs. You will be pleasantly surprised with our different varieties of lavender: we have purples, blues, pinks and white! Comes with planting and care instructions.
Lavender Infused Recipes Cookbook | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
This book will address common misconceptions surrounding cooking with lavender and provide expert tips on balancing its flavor profile in different dishes. By dispelling any doubts or uncertainties, we aim to empower even those who have never ventured into using lavender with cooking or baking before.
Renee started out as an avid real estate blogger in 2006. Opting for a less stressful life, Paul and Renee moved to Michigan in 2018 and started a lavender farm in 2019.
There are very few resources available to aspiring lavender farmers for growing lavender, lavender aromatherapy and lavender culinary infusion.
Renee hopes to change and shake up the world of lavender by sharing her knowledge and experience she has gained by being a lavender farmer and aromatherapist with lavender lovers all over the world.
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