Lavandula, commonly known as Lavender, is such a romantic flower that every gardener sooner or later succumbs to the urge to grow it. Undeterred by the fact that it is a native of the Mediterranean and is most at home in dry, sunny climates, we plant it anyway, hoping it will adapt. England can hardly be considered dry or mainly sunny, yet English gardeners are renowned for growing lavender plants.
Growing Conditions
As with most plants, your success in growing this coveted plant will depend on what kind of growing conditions you can provide and which varieties you select to grow. Lavender plants will tolerate many growing conditions but thrive in warm, well-drained soil and full sun.
Although most lavenders are labeled hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 – 9, while you can grow Lavender in USDA Hardiness Zone 5, you will unlikely have a Lavender hedge. More realistically, you can expect plants that will do well when the weather cooperates and experience the occasional loss of a plant or two after a severe winter or a wet, humid summer.
Lavender is a tough plant and is extremely drought-resistant once established. However, when first starting your Lavender plants, don't be afraid to give them a handful of compost in the planting hole and keep them regularly watered during their first growing season.
Special Considerations
It is dampness, more than cold, that is responsible for killing Lavenders. Dampness can come in the form of wet roots during the winter months or high humidity in the summer. If humidity is a problem, make sure you have plenty of space between your plants for airflow and always plant in a sunny location.
Areas where the ground routinely freezes and thaws throughout the winter will benefit from a layer of mulch applied after the ground initially freezes. Also, protect your Lavender plants from harsh winter winds. Planting next to a stone or brick wall will provide additional heat and protection.
Pruning Lavender
Although Lavender plants get regularly pruned simply by harvesting the flowers to keep them well-shaped and to encourage new growth, a bit of spring pruning is in order. The taller varieties can be cut back by approximately one-third of their height. Lower growing varieties can either be pruned by a couple of inches or cut down to new growth. If you live in an area where Lavender suffers some winter die-back, don't even think about pruning your plants until you see some new green growth at the base of the plant. If you disturb the plants too soon in the season, they give up trying.
Growing in Containers
You can always grow your Lavender in pots and move it to follow the sun, or even bring it indoors for the winter. Although Lavender has a large, spreading root system, it prefers growing in a tight space. A pot that can accommodate the root ball with a couple of inches to spare would be a good choice. However, too large a pot will only encourage excessive dampness.
Ensure that the container has good drainage. Root rot is one of the few problems experienced by Lavender plants. Use a loose, soilless mix for planting, and remember that container-grown Lavender will require more water than garden-grown plants. How much more depends on the environment and the type of pot. Water when the soil, not the plant, appears dry and water at the plant's base to limit dampness on the foliage.
Source: thespruce.com
Links
- Back to genus Lavandula
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin