Lavender

Lavender: A Complete Guide to Growing and Caring for This Fragrant Beauty

Lavender is a lovely plant known for its calming scent, pretty purple flowers, and many uses. If you want to grow a beautiful lavender field or just add some charm to your garden, this guide will help you grow and look after lavender plants.

How to Plant Lavender

When to Plant:

The best time to plant lavender is in spring, usually between March and May. This gives the plants enough time to grow strong roots before winter. You can also plant lavender in early autumn, but make sure to do it at least six weeks before the first frost so the roots can grow properly.

Where to Plant:

Lavender likes lots of sun, so pick a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Good air flow is important, especially in damp areas, to stop fungal diseases. If you're planting more than one lavender plant, put them about 2-3 feet apart so they have room to grow and air can move between them.

How to Plant:

To plant lavender, dig a hole twice as big as the root ball. If your soil is heavy clay, mix in some organic matter. Put the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill the hole with soil, gently pressing it around the base. Water well after planting to help the soil settle around the roots.

Soil:

Lavender likes well-draining, slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5 and 8. If your soil is acidic, add some lime to make it less so. For heavy clay soils, mix in some grit or coarse sand to help water drain better. Poor drainage can cause root rot, so getting the soil right is really important. You might think about growing lavender using a raised bed in your greenhouse for the best soil conditions.

Growing from Seed:

You can grow lavender from seed, but it's tricky and takes a while. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Use a well-draining seed starting mix and keep the soil damp but not too wet. Seeds usually take 14-21 days to sprout. When the seedlings are big enough to handle, move them into their own pots before planting them in their final spot.

Growing in Pots:

Lavender grows well in pots, especially if your garden soil doesn't drain well. Choose a pot at least 12-16 inches wide with holes in the bottom. Use a mix of potting soil and coarse sand or grit so water can drain easily. Put the pot in a sunny spot and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Lavender in pots might need more frequent watering and feeding than plants in the ground.

Lavender Plant Care

Watering:

Once established, lavender doesn't need much water, but young plants need regular watering in their first growing season. Water deeply but not too often, letting the soil dry out between waterings. Too much water can cause root rot, so it's better to underwater than overwater. In rainy areas, think about planting lavender on a slope or in raised beds to help water drain away.

Feeding and Fertilizer:

Lavender doesn't need much feeding. Too much food can make the plant grow too many leaves instead of flowers. A light sprinkle of slow-release, balanced fertilizer in spring is usually enough. Or you can put some compost or well-rotted manure around the plants. Don't use fertilizers high in nitrogen, as these can make the plants less hardy and produce fewer flowers.

Overwintering Care:

Most lavender types can survive UK winters, but wet winters can harm them. To protect your plants, don't prune them in late autumn, as this can encourage new growth that's easily damaged by cold. Instead, leave the foliage to protect the crown. In colder areas, put gravel or grit around the base of the plants to help water drain away and stop it sitting around the crown. For less hardy lavender types, think about growing them in pots that you can move to a sheltered spot or greenhouse during winter.

Propagation:

You can grow new lavender plants by taking softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer. Choose healthy, non-flowering shoots about 4 inches long. Take off the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting powder. Plant the cuttings in a mix of sand and peat moss, keep them damp, and put them in a warm, bright spot out of direct sunlight. Roots should grow in 4-6 weeks. Once rooted, move the cuttings into their own pots before planting them in their final spot.

Pests and Diseases:

While lavender is usually tough against pests and diseases, it can sometimes get root rot, leaf spot, or rosemary beetle. Root rot often happens because of poor drainage, so make sure your soil drains well. You can prevent leaf spot by making sure air can move around the plant and by not watering from above. You can control rosemary beetle by picking them off by hand or using organic bug sprays. The sage and ligurian leafhopper and cuckoo spit can also sometimes be a problem. Always keep an eye on your plants for signs of pests or diseases.

How to Prune Lavender

Pruning lavender properly is really important to keep the plants healthy and long-lived. Prune your lavender twice a year: lightly in spring to shape the plant and remove any winter-damaged growth, and more heavily after flowering in late summer. When pruning after flowering, cut back about two-thirds of the plant's height, but never into old wood. Always leave some green growth on the stems. This helps the plant grow bushier and stops it from becoming woody and open in the middle. For older, woody plants, you can try cutting them back hard to about 6 inches above the ground in early spring, but be aware that some plants might not survive such severe pruning.

Lavender Varieties

Where to Plant Lavender in the Garden

Lavender is a flexible plant that you can use in many ways in your garden. It's great for making informal hedges, lining paths, or as a main feature in rock gardens. Plant lavender near seats or patios so you can enjoy its scent up close. It goes well with other Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme, making a lovely and fragrant herb garden. Lavender also works well with roses, as it can help keep aphids away. In cottage gardens, mix lavender with other sun-loving plants like echinacea and rudbeckia for a colourful display. For a stunning look, think about making a lavender field or large areas of lavender in your garden. If you don't have much space, lavender grows well in pots on balconies or patios. You might even think about growing herbs in the greenhouse, including lavender, so you can enjoy them all year round.

How to Use Lavender in the Kitchen

Lavender isn't just for gardens and scented bags; you can use it in cooking too. The trick is to use it sparingly, as its flavour can be quite strong. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best type for cooking because of its sweet scent. Here are some ways to use lavender in your cooking:

• Mix sugar with dried lavender buds for use in baking or to sweeten tea
• Add fresh lavender flowers to salads for colour and flavour
• Use lavender in herb mixes like herbes de Provence for seasoning meats and vegetables
• Make lavender syrup for drinks or to pour over desserts
• Mix honey with lavender for a unique spread or sweetener
• Add dried lavender to shortbread or sugar cookie recipes
• Use lavender in homemade ice cream or sorbet

Remember, a little lavender goes a long way in cooking. Start with small amounts and add more to taste. Always use food-grade lavender that hasn't been treated with chemicals when cooking with this fragrant herb.

Year-round Lavender Plant Care Chart

FAQ's

Is lavender safe for dogs?
While lavender isn't poisonous to dogs, eating lots of it can upset their stomach. The essential oils in lavender can be harmful if eaten in large amounts. It's best to keep lavender plants out of reach of curious pets.

Is lavender safe for cats?
Lavender is a bit toxic to cats. While touching it now and then probably won't cause harm, eating it can make cats feel sick and throw up. As with dogs, it's wise to keep lavender plants away from areas where cats can easily get to them.

When to prune Lavender?
Prune lavender twice a year: lightly in spring to shape the plant and remove winter damage, and more heavily after flowering in late summer or early autumn.

How to prune lavender?
When pruning, cut back about one-third of the plant's height, but never into old wood. Always leave some green growth on the stems. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts.

When to cut back lavender?
Cut back lavender after it has finished flowering, usually in late summer or early autumn. This gives time for new growth to toughen up before winter.

Does lavender help you sleep?
Many people find the smell of lavender calming and sleep-inducing. While scientific proof is mixed, people often use lavender scents to help them relax and sleep better.

Does lavender spread?
Lavender doesn't spread aggressively like some plants. It grows into a bush and gets slightly wider each year, but it won't take over your garden.

Is Lavender a perennial?
Yes, lavender is a perennial plant. This means it can live for several years, coming back each spring in most climates.

What is the best lavender variety for cold climates like the UK?
English lavender varieties like 'Hidcote' and 'Munstead' are good choices for cold UK climates. They're hardy and can survive winter temperatures better than some other types.

How do I preserve and dry lavender?
To dry lavender, cut stems just as the flowers begin to open. Tie them in small bundles and hang them upside down in a dark, dry, well-ventilated area. They should be dry in about two weeks. You can then use the dried flowers in sachets, potpourri, or cooking.

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