A field of English lavender Jul 10, 2023

A field of English lavender

Delighting the senses with its vibrant hues and fragrant blooms, lavender is thought to have arrived in England with the Romans, around 2,000 years ago. While it’s nice to look at, the Romans likely brought it with them for its many practical uses, including cooking, repelling insects, and as an antiseptic. Many perfumes, modern and historical, have featured lavender, and Queen Elizabeth I is purported to have used lavender scent. You’ll find lavender fields scattered across the country. This one is a typical example, a quintessential summer sight here in the picturesque county of Somerset, in southwest England.

© Doug Chinnery/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jul 10, 2018Wyoming celebrates its statehood
Jul 10, 2019Put your helmet on, we’re going for a hike
Jul 10, 2020Italy s submerged village
Jul 10, 2021Celestial Spain
Jul 10, 2022Ölüdeniz, Turkey
Jul 10, 2024Collared aracari in Costa Rica
Jul 10, 2025Independence Day of the Bahamas

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug 30, 2025International Whale Shark Day
Sep 24, 2019With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
Jan 2, 2026Aerial view of Venice, Italy
Jan 31, 2022Incense making, Vietnam
Apr 30, 2022International Jazz Day
Sep 22, 2022First day of autumn
May 3, 2019A night of art and culture
Jul 30, 2018Children at play for International Day of Friendship
Dec 22, 2021Illuminating Annecy
May 8, 2018Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
Sep 1, 2020National Mushroom Month
Oct 26, 2021Red fox
Aug 1, 2020Where fire meets water
Feb 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Jul 12, 2024Mount Rainier National Park
Apr 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China
Jun 22, 2019Reflections on the mighty Amazon
Jan 7, 2024Old Rock Day
Nov 15, 2021Manatee Awareness Month
Mar 31, 2019Celebrating a Paris landmark
Jan 18, 2023White Sands National Park turns 90
Apr 20, 2018No, it s not a leaf. Happy Look-alike Day
Nov 4, 2022A century since Tut s tomb was discovered
Jun 1, 2018In Apia Harbor for Samoan Independence Day
Aug 22, 2024Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
Jul 5, 2025Tour de France begins
May 18, 2018It’s Endangered Species Day
Sep 26, 2018Art in the chapel
Dec 25, 2023Merry Christmas!
Sep 15, 2019A light on National Hispanic Heritage Month