If your lavender plant has been deprived of its annual pruning for some years, it's likely become quite leggy and the woody base has begun to sprawl and will be quite top heavy when in bloom. Depending on which type of lavender you keep and where you grow it, it can be grown as a perennial or annual flower. Not many plants can match Lavender for both fragrance, foliage and flowers. Avoid planting in the heat of the summer When choosing your plants, keep in mind that lavender is native to the Mediterranean, where the winters are cool and moist and the summers are hot and dry. Lavender seeds can take a while to germinate and should be started early indoors so that they have plenty of time to grow into mature plants during the warm growing season. This beautiful, fragrant herb is a great addition to raised beds, in-ground gardens, and growing in containers. Click here to Learn more on Lavenders . This will provide better air circulation. View All. Prune your Lavender plants just as the new growth begins, cutting back as to leave some new shoots at the base of each branch. This is especially important during periods of hot, dry weather. Autumn is the time of the year to take care of your lavenders. But once lavender is growing well, the plant is extremely drought-tolerant and doesn't need pampering or fertilizer. We have a whole post dedicated to pruning lavender check it out here. When choosing your plants, keep in mind that lavender is native to the Mediterranean, where the winters are cool and moist and the summers are hot and dry. Lavender is a popular and versatile plant. Newly transplanted lavender requires a bit of tender loving care until the roots are established. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in art with a minor in English. Lavender plants grow in the climate and atmosphere of many different countries, but their care and growing conditions are one. How to prune lavender. Lavender requires at least 6 hours of sunshine per day. With its attractive foliage, vibrant flowers, and pleasing scent lavender is good for borders, perennial gardens or informal hedges. Lavender can tolerate drought but not constantly wet soil. The fragrance is renowned for its relaxing properties, and the flowers are popular to pick for the vase. Lavender, an herb with many culinary uses, also makes a stunning addition to borders and perennial gardens, providing sweeping drifts of color from early summer into fall. To grow a French lavender hedge, plant one stem every 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm). Lavender doesn’t like humidity, and plenty of room lets them breathe. Dig a hole deep enough for the root ball of the lavender, but no deeper than the root ball. The best planting time for lavender is fall. When the soil dries out, water the plant regularly during the summer months. Give plants 2-3 feet with 3-6 feet between rows. You'll remove the lower sets of leaves and situate the cutting in soil so that it's sitting upright. Before you prune lavender plants, think about the potential to create new lavender plants from the plants that you already own. Lavandin is a hybrid lavender plant that is more vigorous, but less hardy than the English and French varieties. Botanical name: Lavandula. Peat moss will contribute to soil drainage and moisture retention, while acidifying the soil slightly. See pictures of varieties for USDA Zones 5 - 11. The fragrance everyone loves also makes it unattractive to rabbits and deer.Willowfield Lavender Farm . Between mid April through till June. Lavender (Lavandula spp.) Use a multipurpose or loam-based compost, mixing in lots of coarse grit or perlite to improve drainage. The main types grown in New Zealand are English lavender, Lavandula stoechas and French lavender. Lavender ‘Provence’ require soil to be pH 6.5-8. Lavender is a versatile plant and can be used in a border, herb garden, as a low growing hedge or in a pot. Lavender seeds are slow to germinate and plants grown from them may not flower in the first year, but if you’re patient and willing to put in the work, you can generate beautiful plants from seeds. Use a light soil or a vermiculite blend. A sunny spot is a great location to keep the soil from getting too wet and to add warmth. When harvested, it is the perfect lavender to … It blooms mid to late summer and it has long spikes that are highly fragrant and features shades of dark violet and white. If you live an area that’s humid, give plants even more space. Plant it so that it is at the same level with the soil as it was in the pot. If your soil is heavy, plant on a 20-30cm (8in-1ft) mound, ridge or in a raised bed where the roots will not sit in wet soil. Lavender prefers full sun and well-draining soil. Dig over any free-draining soil and remove the weeds before planting. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Planting in the spring will give your lavender time to establish through a full growing season. Lavender plant guide: how to grow and care for. It is best to avoid placing lavender plants during the warmest or coldest parts of the year, as planting at these times can place your plants under a lot of stress and they may not thrive. Lavenders do not tolerate waterlogged environments; they need a well-drained site to develop into healthy plants. Plants that are particularly good companion plants for lavender include: Herbs: Basil and oregano increase the vitality and growth of nearby lavender plants by repelling aphids and various species of flies. If you live inland, you will find this drought-tolerant shrub perfectly suited to your natural climate with intense sunlight and low rainfall. Lavender is perfect in pots and makes good low edging. It’s a low-growing but mostly upright shrub featuring silvery leaves rich with aromatic oils. It will thrive in poor, dry or moderately fertile soil, including alkaline and chalky soils. If you wish to make a hedge with your lavender space them 12in (30cm) apart and 18in (45cm) if it is a larger cultivar. Take a look at our tips on how to transplant lavender and when to divide plants. However, if grown in wet soil, lavender can suffer from root rot, leading to its premature demise. Plant in full sun and protect from strong winds. Lavender doesn't like the clay soils of the Midwest, which trap moisture. Learn More. produce silvery-green foliage year round and spikes of purple flowers in early summer. Planting Time. I’ve always sold lavender that is ready for planting, but you can buy plugs online or by mail-order. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Forming large bushes, it can be shaped into a hedge, so you will want to give it plenty of space to sprawl. Deadheading the spent blooms on your lavender will encourage more the form. Lavender grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, depending on species and cultivar. Lavender is a tough, adaptable plant that grows beautifully without a lot of fuss and moving a lavender plant to a new location isn’t difficult as long as you prepare the new spot carefully.. Prepare an ideal soil that drains well with one-third garden soil, one-third sand or pea gravel and one-third organic compost. Take a look at our tips on how to transplant lavender and when to divide plants. Caring for lavender Lavender prefers alkaline soils, so incorporate some dolomite lime into acid soils before planting and provide slow-release fertiliser each spring. Planting on a slight mound can also help prevent water-logging. Check the soil around the lavender with a moisture meter and do not allow the soil to dry out. read more. Once your lavender is 3 inches tall you can transplant your it into your 5 Gallon Nursery Pot. Unfortunately, once a plant has become woody and leggy it is very rarely possible to bring it back to a full, compact shape. How to Plant Provence Lavender. Check the soil with a moisture meter when in doubt. The best time to plant lavender is in early autumn or mid-spring. Start the seeds 6 to 12 weeks before warm weather hits. Keep the seeds moist but not overly wet. Planting in the spring will give your lavender … Lavender is one of the easiest plants to grow from cuttings. You can also plant lavender along pools, sidewalks, or walls for a nice pop of color. Water the plants immediately after planting to help the soil settle. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the most common species available, and is quite hardy. It needs full sun and well-draining soil. The fragrant herb lends itself to growing in containers or in edible landscaping, and a single mature plant can yield up to 400 stems each season. French and Spanish lavenders are less hardy and shorter-lived. We never plant in the fall unless you want to have to cover them all winter and making sure the winter cloth never touches the lavender. Plant your lavender so it sits at the same level as the pot that it was grown in. Lavender plants are the perfect addition to the lazy gardener's yard. Lavender likes at least eight hours of sun a day.Prepare 8-12 inches of well-draining soil for your plants. Plant outside when they have reached 5-6 inches tall. Learn how to plant, one of the most dependable flowering perennials in the garden. Provence lavender (Lavandula x intermedia) produces abundant, fragrant blooms on long, slender stems perfect for harvesting dried buds. Lavender is a perennial plant in the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family. Learn how to grow gorgeous lavender. Learn how to plant, one of the most dependable flowering perennials in the garden. Water the lavender deeply after planting. The gray foliage and dark purple flowers are spectacular and come on in the heat of summer when all the other Lavenders are waning. They are easy to grow and associate well with other shrubs, perennial plants and roses. Lavender Plants Lavender is suited to any style of gardening. 5 of 11. Lavender hedges are an extremely popular border shrub with bright, aromatic foliage that makes a fantastic addition to any garden. Lavender is a great, low-maintenance choice as it’ll flush into fragrant, colourful bloom with very little attention. Lavender. Break up the soil and remove any rocks you find. Washington State University Extension: Growing and Marketing Lavender, How to Plant Lavender in Late Summer & Fall, How to Care for Lavender in the Summer Time, The Best Climate to Grow English Lavender. Once your lavender is well established it will be drought-tolerant, and will rarely need watering when planted in the ground unless we have a severe drought in the summer. Lavenders do not tolerate waterlogged environments; they need a well-drained site to develop into healthy plants. Plant lavender with other drought-tolerant plants. Sea lavender is often considered difficult to divide, and taller plants may require stakes in order to remain upright. – Box Tree Caterpillar, 26 Plants For Winter Colour In Your Garden. Evergreen lavender shrubs (Lavandula spp.) This is a cheaper way of buying lavender. They are best grown in pots and placed somewhere frost-free during the winter. Simply turn the pot upside down and tap the plant out of the pot into your hand. October's cooler temperatures, low to moderate rainfall and less intense sun work well for planting lavender. Do not water over the leaves on the cold days. Next, you will want to make a hole approximately 3 inches deep (about the size of your lavender plant at this point). Newly transplanted lavender requires a bit of tender loving care until the roots are established. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. You can cultivate lavender as soon as the soil has warmed to above-freezing conditions. Some plants like to be crowded together, but not lavender. 6 of 11. Gardeners in the tropics should buy lavender plants during the dry season and treat them as a temporary potted plant. Read more. Lavender doesn't need to be fertilized except in the poorest soils. From lavish formal gardens to countryside gardens, their lavender is a diverse plant suitable in a variety of different landscapes. If you're blessed with a sunny spot and well-drained soil, then growing lavender is a snip, but which varieties should you grow? Spread a 1-inch layer of peat moss over the area where you wish to plant your lavender, and work it into the soil with a rake or a hoe. layer of mulch (5 cm) to help retain moisture. Restrict watering your lavender plants to the hot summer months. If planting in heavy soil, plant lavender on an 8in (20cm) mound, so the roots aren’t sitting in wet soil. Lavender can be planted anytime from early spring to late autumn. Your Lavender's crown should stick up about 1 in. Once established, lavender is reasonably drought tolerant. They’re not long-living plants though, 10 years is a good innings for a Lavender plant . Water lavender once a week, or twice weekly, if needed. Space lavender plants 12 to 18 inches apart in an area with plenty of sunlight and sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3. when planting multiple plants, you can amend the soil for each planting hole, or amend the whole bed before planting. Plant lavender in spring, once all chances of frost have passed. If you have normal soil there is no need to feed lavender. Lavender prefers full sunlight – so plant where it will receive light for the majority of the day. Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ (Lavandula x Intermedia) is a perennial, evergreen, sub shrub that is one of the most versatile lavenders, capable of thriving in dry, hot and cold climates and is notable for tolerating some humidity. Leslie Rose has been a freelance writer publishing with Demand Studios since 2008. It will not tolerate a shady and damp position. When you plant your lavender, make sure you are aware of how big the plant will be when it’s mature AND with full blooms. Few pests like to feed on lavender, and they cause only cosmetic damage to the foilage, so treatment is not usually necessary. By establishing itself in fall and winter, lavender is ready to bloom in spring. After planting lavender it's important to water regularly during the first growing season until your plants are fully established. Establishing lavender plants takes diligence, and you'll need to water new plants when they're dry to the touch. When To Prune Red Robin (Photinia) In The UK, What Is Eating My Box Hedge? 1. Use shallow seed trays and just barely cover the seeds with soil. Don’t fertilize; it's not necessary. Using a range of lavender forms and colours creates a relaxed country ambiance, while a display of one variety planted as a hedge (French lavender is one of the best for this), topiarised or massed in a garden bed adds a more formal structure to the garden. This is really important; Lavender roots grow very quickly in warm soils while once they have been in … July - September is too hot. Try to avoid planting in July, August, December, and January. Growing lavender attracts beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, and many varieties resist deer and rabbits. If planting in the fall, use larger, more established plants to ensure survival through the winter. Lavender is a tough, adaptable plant that grows beautifully without a lot of fuss and moving a lavender plant to a new location isn’t difficult as long as you prepare the new spot carefully.. It needs its space. Spacing Lavender. Lavender plant requires much less water from November to February. Place the lavender in the hole, fill in any spaces with the amended soil. By spring, the new plants should be established and will require less frequent watering. Water your lavender infrequently -- once every two weeks. Blue Line: We prune our lavender in early April (New Zealand autumn).Prune back all shoots at least 1/3 of the plant. October's cooler temperatures, low to moderate rainfall and less intense sun work well for planting lavender. These plants attract pollinators including bees and butterflies. Sand can be added to improve drainage or planting on a mound will help. Garden centres have the best range available in spring. If your soil is lacking in nutrient then feed at planting time with a general purpose liquid fertilise. Lavender isn’t fond of damp, still air, which makes the plant more susceptible to root rot and other maladies. In addition to her work as a writer, she is an accomplished painter and experienced art teacher. The Lavender plant is a very popular garden plant, and one which rewards richly those who know how to grow lavender. These cookies do not store any personal information. What lavender needs to do well is a spot in full – even scorching – sunshine and a soil that is reasonably well drained. It is a plant that grows well in many gardens, and which can fit in with a wide range of different types of garden. Lavender do not like a constantly soggy soil, which can lead to root rot and other plant diseases. Its beauty and fragrance are self-evident, it is a significant healing and tonic herb, it has a myriad of culinary, beauty and household uses, and can play a role as a pest-repelling plant in the garden. Lavender can be planted anytime from early spring to late autumn. A member of the mint (Lamiaceae) family, lavender is a hardy plant best known for its beautiful fragrance. They just do not have enough time for their roots to get established and our icy winters are sure to kill them. Prune back the plants in the late fall. Lavender planted in pots needs regular water in the summer as they dry out quicker than those that are planted in the ground. It is essential that your lavender plants don't get "wet feet" in winter - they hate being waterlogged. It is easy to grow as a water wise plant for South Africa. Lavender thrives in soil that is low in nutrients, so they generally don’t need to be fed. Lavender enjoys the company of other Mediterranean plants – its soft silver looks beautiful with rosemary, sage, rock rose, scented geraniums and the lemon Jerusalem sage, while huge heads of … French lavender grows well in chalky soil, but won’t be happy in acidic soil. attracts butterflies and bees while deterring ants. Problem with Lavender Refer to our guidelines for planting shrubs. However, if you like to feed the birds that visit your garden leave the spent flowers in place towards the end of the flowering season as food for seed-eating birds. Stoechas and French lavender grows well in chalky soil, improve drainage need more frequent.. Over the leaves on the cold days harvesting dried buds bloom in,. 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Soggy soil, lavender, and taller plants may require stakes in order to remain upright just. Before warm weather hits but opting out of the summer as they dry out to remain upright, walls. Will need diligent watering until it becomes established in its new spot system, prefers!