By this time all the virtuous gardeners have put in their bulbs, ordered amaryllis and/or paperwhites for the holiday season, and possibly even put a few bulbs in the refrigerator for forcing at winter's end.  If you are thinking of ways to get through the plant-deprived winter months, consider buying a lavender plant to grow indoors.

Generally around holiday time, the stores sell pots of Lavendula dentata 'Godwin Creek Grey'.  This lavender, which has toothed foliage that is almost more gray than green, is a variety of a species sometimes called "French Lavender".   The name is something of a misnomer, since the plants are native to southern Spain. 

The important thing to remember is that 'Godwin Creek Grey' and other French lavenders are too tender for cold-winter climates.  Given enough sun, though, they are excellent pot plants.  The purple flowers and aromatic foliage have all of lavender's winning traits--especially the wonderful clean fragrance.  You can snip of flowers and leaves, dry them on a piece of newspaper and use them in sachets.  You can also avoid all of that work and liberate that great scent by simply rubbing the foliage between your fingers every time you pass the plant.

Water your potted lavender only when it is dry and don't over fertilize as the plants like lean soil.  When spring comes, take your lavender outside, where it can pretend that  it is back in Spain soaking up the sun.  Don't let the pot get waterlogged when it rains.

Growing lavender indoors means a winter of lovely fragrance.  What could be better?