Lavender In The Garden Information And Growing Lavender Tips

How to grow lavender

Easy to grow shrub.
Flowers in late spring and summer.
Evergreen foliage, usually silver-grey or grey-green.
Best planted in spring, in free-draining soil.
Thrives in full sun and is drought tolerant.
Many types are hardy, but avoid planting in cold, damp spots.
Prune annually to keep compact.
Easy to propagate from cuttings.

Where is the best place to plant lavender?

Light: Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow best. In hot summer climates, afternoon shade may help them thrive. Soil: Lavender grows best in low to moderately-fertile soils, so don't amend the soil with organic matter before planting. Lavender performs best in neutral to slightly alkaline soils.

How do you care for an outdoor lavender plant?

Lavender Care

Plant lavender in full sun and well-drained soil (add organic matter to improve heavy soils). Starting with the proper conditions is essential for successfully growing lavender. Water plants deeply but infrequently, when the soil is almost dry. Prune every year immediately after bloom.

What happens if you don't prune lavender?

An annual pruning is an important step for long-lasting lavender (Lavandula spp. and hybrids) plants. Without it they grow a large, lanky, woody base that can split open — it looks bad and shortens the plant's lifespan.

Does lavender grow better inside or outside?

In most situations, lavender should be grown outdoors. Even in coldest regions where lavender isn't hardy, it's best to keep growing lavender indoors as a fall-back position, something you do in winter when plants can't be outdoors.

What can I plant next to lavender?

Some good plants to grow with lavender which share similar needs are:

Echinacea.
Aster.
Sedum.
Wild indigo.
Baby's breath.
Drought tolerant roses.

How do I prepare my soil for lavender?

Plant lavender in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.7 and 7.3. You can add builder's sand to the soil before planting to increase drainage, which is vital because lavender will not tolerate excessive soil moisture or humidity.

Are coffee grounds good for lavender plants?

No. Coffee grounds are very high in acid and plants such as lavender and aloe do not benefit from them. ... Only use fresh grounds on acid loving plants and even then, do so sparingly.

Should you deadhead lavender?

Deadheading. Cut off spent blooms to encourage more to form. However, you can leave them in place towards the end of the flowering season as food for seed-eating birds such as goldfinches.

How long do lavender plants last?

The plants are not terribly long lived. If you get three or four years out of them you will have done well, but they can be replaced relatively cheaply or propagated from semi-ripe shoot tip cuttings three or four inches long in midsummer.

How do you keep lavender from getting woody?

Plant your lavender in well-drained, rocky soil, on a slope (if possible) to ensure drainage. Fertilize them lightly the very first year after planting. After that, do not fertilize regularly. Prune lavender lightly to maintain the rounded shape.

How do you revive lavender?

The only way to revive lavender that has been in the shade is to transfer it to a pot and place it in the sun as quickly as possible. Lavenders require sun all year round, including during the winter dormancy so plant the lavender in a nice open space that is not under a tree canopy or any other shade.

How do you revive a woody lavender plant?

Small shoots emerging from the woody base indicate that stems should regenerate. 2 CUT OUT OLD GROWTH Carefully cut out the old growth above the young shoots to open up the middle of the plant. Use sharp secateurs to cut as close as you can to the new growth without harming it.

Can lavender grow in pots?

Any lavender variety will grow in a container, but some are better suited than others. Dwarf Blue, Munstead, Hidcote, Sweet, Sharon Roberts, and Lavender Lady produce flowers fast and stay a manageable size in pots.

How often should lavender be watered?

How to Care for Lavender

Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every two to three weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest.
In colder growing areas, plants may need extra winter protection.

How do you winterize lavender?

Most lavenders die during winter because the soil they are planted in becomes waterlogged or soggy. Make sure your lavender is planted in a spot that has fast-draining soil, and work organic matter in the form of compost or peat moss as well as horticultural sand into the planting site.

Can I eat lavender from my garden?

Both the flowers and leaves can be eaten and have a pleasant yet slightly bitter flavor. Lavender grows throughout southern Europe, Australia and the United States. Dried lavender has only a few calories per tablespoon and is free of fat and cholesterol.

How do you start a lavender garden?

Chose the right location, full sun with good drainage. Prepare your soil; a sandy, loamy soil is ideal, but you can amend any soil to work. Chose the right variety for your garden and buy enough plants to space them with room for air to circulate. Plant, Water, mulch, snip, and prune.

Do rosemary and lavender grow well together?

Can rosemary and lavender be planted together? Yes. Both rosemary and lavender are Mediterranean herbs that require similar conditions for both sun and watering.

What is the best potting soil for lavender?

The best potting mix for lavender is light, slightly alkaline and enhanced with slow-release nutrients. Finding a good commercial soil may be difficult, but making one isn't. Mix equal parts of sterilized garden soil, moistened sphagnum peat moss and perlite in a large container.

How deep should lavender soil be?

Remember that lavender is shallow rooted, so the pot does not need to be a tall one. Average depth and spread of the root system is 8-10 inches. Excellent drainage is key to success with lavender be it in the ground or in a pot.

What can I add to wet clay soil?

The best way to improve clay soils is to mix organic materials thoroughly with existing soil, explained Brewer. Bark, sawdust, manure, leaf mold, compost and peat moss are among the organic amendments commonly used to improve clay soil.