My visit to Cork lavender farm was heaven-scent

Lavender season is upon us, and the air is filled with its heady aroma on sunny summer afternoons as it hits peak flowering.

There are many different varieties of lavender, with the hardier L. angustifolia (English lavender) and L. stoechas (French lavender), a more tender type, being two of the most commonly grown in Ireland.

It is a drought-tolerant, plant preferring free- draining soil, the grey foliage giving an indication of its liking for the sun - these plants do best during a sunny summer.

Lavender can be included at the edge of a mixed border, or it can also make an attractive informal hedge, giving some serious summer impact in July and August.

Generally, they are short-lived plants and will need to be replaced after 8-10 years.

They tend to get woody at the base and really benefit from a good trim after flowering, but do be careful not to cut down into the old wood as this will kill the plant. Use a hedge clippers to cut the flowers and the tips of the fresh foliage when the flowers have faded in another month or six weeks. This will tidy the plants after flowering, while leaving a compact mound in place for the winter months, and prolong the life of the plant as it will maintain a better shape.

Lavender is such an evocative scent for most people, and has been shown to calm the nervous system, lift mood, help with sleep, and lower blood pressure.

Dried lavender bags are commonly used in the hot press or wardrobe to keep moths away as they do not like the strong scent from the plant. It has antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so many benefits are associated with this iconic plant.

Our damp climate can create a challenge for the successful growing of this aromatic beauty, so getting the micro-climate right is an important consideration.

Just such a spot for the successful growing of lavender has been chosen in West Cork, and a lavender wreath making workshop took place there last weekend.

Lisslee Lavender Farm is located between Blind Strand and Broad Strand and it comprises about two acres of planted lavender that runs down into the sea at a blissful location on a sunny summer’s day (which it was last weekend!).

It is owned and run by Hugh and Caroline Mullan, who plan on expanding the events being run here over the next few years.

The lavender harvesting and workshops have a short season and wreath-making and lavender-picking are two of the events currently happening at the farm.

Hugh and Caroline also have planted an acre with fruit trees and bushes and vegetables, with exciting plans for the future.

The main variety of lavender that is planted is a cultivar called ‘Grosso’ which have large, rich, purple flower heads.

The workshop was very much a family affair. with Hugh and Caroline harvesting the lavender, Hugh’s sister Una delivered the workshop and provided instruction as to the creation of our masterpieces, and another sister, Maria, cooked a most delicious three course lunch which was enjoyed once our wreaths were complete.

All of this against the breathtaking back-drop of the Old Head of Kinsale as we looked out the workshop door! It certainly was a morning to remember.

The wreath-making business was a pleasure and it involved bunching the lavender flowers and then assembling the bunches and wiring them around a metal circle, to create a most elegant wreath that can be dried and will last for years.

The colour of the flowers will of course fade but the scent will remain for some time. Such a blissful exercise, bunching the piles of lavender that had been cut the previous day.

It is a precarious business, growing lavender in Ireland, and the weather can upset plans for workshops which had to be rearranged last year due to rain. The flowers will simply rot if they are picked wet, which makes harvesting them dry a critical factor for success.

There are plans to develop the business further in the future, with soap-making workshops on the cards and extracting the oil from the lavender. Herbs are also being grown on site to be used as part of the soap-making business in the future.

It is important to note that the lavender farm is not open to the public, and at present the only way to access it is when events are being hosted.

The best way to stay in touch with the events happening there is through social media outlets such as Instagram - check out lislee.lavender for more details.

Plant of the Week

Lavendula x intermedia ‘Grosso’, like all lavender plants, will do best in full sun on a free-draining soil.

It is quite a big plant, getting to 90cm tall and about the same spread. It is notable for its larger deep purple flowers that flower from July through to September.

They will do best if pruned after flowering and, as with all lavender plants, do not cut into the old wood as this will kill the plant.

Pruning annually after flowering will result in a more compact, bushy plant that will live for longer.

This vigorous cultivar of lavender is suitable to plant as a low hedge to give great summer impact. They are also very attractive to pollinators of all descriptions, providing plenty of nectar and pollen, and the scent from their flowers and foliage is dreamy!