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's native to the Mediterranean and thrives in dry, sunny climates, we plant it anyway, hoping it will adapt. England can hardly be considered dry or mostly sunny, yet English gardeners are renowned for growing lavender.
Growing Conditions
As with most plants, your success in growing this coveted plant depends on the growing conditions you provide and the varieties you choose. 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, you can grow Lavender in USDA Hardiness Zone 5, but you're unlikely to have a Lavender hedge. More realistically, you can expect plants that do well when the weather cooperates and may lose a plant or two after a severe winter or a wet, humid summer.
Lavender is tough and extremely drought-resistant once established. However, when first starting your Lavender plants, don't be afraid to add a handful of compost to the planting hole and keep them regularly watered during their first growing season.
Special Considerations
Dampness, more than cold, kills lavenders. Dampness can come from 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 provides extra heat and protection.
Pruning Lavender
Although Lavender plants are regularly pruned by harvesting the flowers to keep them well-shaped and encourage new growth, a bit of spring pruning is still in order. You can cut back taller varieties by about 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 accommodates the root ball with a couple of inches to spare is a good choice. However, a pot that's too large will encourage excessive dampness.
Ensure that the container has good drainage. Root rot is one of the few problems lavender plants experience. 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 pot type. 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