You are finally ready to put lavender into your garden – whether you are planning on putting them in the soil or in a pot on the deck. What you might want to think about before you come to the shop to get your lavender plants….
How much sun will your lavender get? Lavender likes at least 6 hours of sun a day. Sometimes people think that because there are a lot of cloudy days that their plants won’t get the sun they need. Those cloudy days aren’t the problem for lavender plants – it’s the trees and buildings that block the sun that can be the problem.
How well drained is your soil? Lavender likes “dry feet”, which means your lavender spot should never have puddles, even in the winter. If lavender stands in water it drowns. That’s true if you over water lavender, too.
How big do you want your lavender to be when it’s full grown? It takes lavender around three years to grow to its full size. Lavenders tend to be as wide as they are high, looking sort of like hedghogs, except prettier. Some lavenders grow only about 10 inches while others can grow up to 3 feet and many are varying sizes in-between. Also, think about whether you want them to be individual plants or whether you want them to look more like a hedge. That will determine how close together you plant one to the next.
What color and how long do you want the flowers and stems to be? Lavender flowers range fromdark purple to white and lots of shakes of purple and pink between those two. They can have stems that are quite short, or ones that are more than 14″ long. The shorter stems will produce a more compact look, while the longer stemmed plants will give a wavy, moving in the wind sort of look.
When do you want them to bloom? Lavenders vary in the time of the summer thatthey bloom. Some bloom rather early, some quite late.If you have a lot of varieties, it’s like a blooming parade through the end of summer. You can plant all of one variety and have a big show at one point in the summer.
What do you want to do with the lavender? You can cook with some varieties, use some for dried flowers, use some for bulk lavender and make sachets. Unless you have a lot of plants, you probably won’t be able to make your own essential oil, but you can make lavender extract for cooking! There are some varieties of lavender you shouldn’t eat that are great for your garden, but not for your plate.
Now are you really confused? Don’t worry, we’ll help you when you come in.
If humidity is a problem, make sure you have plenty of space between your plants for airflow, and always plant your bushes in a sunny location. Protect lavender plants from harsh winter winds by planting them next to a stone or brick wall to provide additional heat and protection.
Plant them in a microclimate close to the south-side of your house or a sunny stone wall. Planting lavenders among large, protective stones can also help them overwinter. Stones soak up the warmth during the day and radiate it at night, protecting more tender plants.
The best time of year to plant Lavender is in early spring, ideally April, when the soil starts to become warm. This is unlike many other plants which we suggest planting in the autumn. Lavender prefers dry soil, and the cold and wet conditions of winter months would leave the plant vulnerable.
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.
Strong gusty winds can shred leaves, tear off flowers, break branches, and uproot shrubs and trees leaving plants susceptible to further damage from insects and disease. Constant wind pulls moisture from foliage faster than roots can draw it from the soil causing leaves to wilt and brown around the edges.
Lavenders thrive in an open site in full sun in a well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil (got acid soil? Try French lavender, Lavandula stoechas, instead). They cope well with drought conditions and may suffer in wet, heavy soils, particularly over winter.
Growing Lavender. Light/Watering: Lavenders demand full sun, although afternoon shade may be appreciated in the hottest climates. Plants are very drought resistant once established, but will flower better if not allowed to dry out.
Soil preparation for Lavandula is critical for the long term survival of the plantation. Neglecting to prepare the soil properly will reduce the longevity and yield of the crop. Introduction: An ideal soil is considered to consist of 45% mineral (sand, silt, and clay), 5% organic matter, and 50% pore space.
Lavender is a perennial, so it will come back every year as long as you care for it properly, which includes giving it plenty of sun, a little bit of water, and a lot of love. If all of its needs are met, you can expect your lavender plant to bloom every year, for about three to five years.
Water newly planted lavender once or twice a week during its first full growing season to help the root system get established. Water mature lavender every two to three weeks until flower buds form, then once a week or more until you harvest the flowers. Reduce watering after blooming.
Keep in mind that although lavender has a large, spreading root system, it prefers growing in a tight spot. If you are growing your plants in containers, select those that are just a few inches larger in diameter than the root ball.
To ensure that the roots develop well, keep the soil slightly moist for the first few days after planting. After that, however: Water it sparingly. Even in warm summer temperatures, Lavender needs to be watered only every few days.
The Short Answer. Lavender is a slow growing perennial that may bloom in its first year but takes three or more years to fully mature. Their growth rate will largely depend on the variety, and most varieties will take roughly three years to become fully mature plants.
How to Care for Lavender. Water once or twice a week after planting until plants are established. Water mature plants every 2 to 3 weeks until buds form, then once or twice weekly until harvest. (Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering.)
Lavenders thrive in the arid West, but are best grown as annuals or container plants in the South, as they do not thrive in areas of high humidity (with the exception of Lavandula dentata and L. stoechas). Most are hardy from Zones 5 to 9; Spanish Lavender (L.stoechas) is only hardy in Zones 7 to 9.
Any waterlogging — especially in winter — can kill the fragrant plant. Water the lavender only so much that the root ball doesn't dry out. It wont hurt if the soil is completely dry for a short time. However, in case of a long dry period, check regularly if your Lavender needs water.
It is important to give lavender consistent moisture, especially during the first few years while they establish a strong root system. Water low to the ground to keep moisture off the leaves; early morning is best, because the plants have time to dry before nightfall, cutting down on problems with disease.
Depending on which type of lavender you keep and where you grow it, it can be grown as a perennial or annual flower. Generally speaking, if you live in USDA Hardiness Zone 5 or warmer, you can keep lavender as a perennial plant outdoors if you grow the right type for your climate.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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